Hello! Let me guess how you stumbled upon this article. You are at Mobile, the port city on Alabama’s Gulf Coast, and wondered what fun things to do there.
Am I right? Fortunately, we have made a list of the ten best things to do to ensure you enjoy your day or week to the fullest.
Mobile, Alabama, has a lot of southern charm with its historic mansions, cute storefronts, and country-style lifestyle.
Mardis Gras originated in Mobile. It is still honored locally with enjoyable celebrations that range from parades to drag performances. Shopping, dining, drinking, sightseeing, and other activities are also included.
You can dress up, go to the opera, wear hiking boots, and go wild camping. This city has everything.
Following are some of the things you must try at Mobile Al. So let’s get started!
1. Carnival Museum
Location: 355 Government St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States.
If you are a history geek, check out the Mobile Carnival Museum in Mobile, Alabama. But you don’t need to be obsessed with history to be moved by this beautiful museum. It depicts the history of almost 300 years.
At the Mobile Carnival Museum, you see how the locals celebrated Mardi Gras. Mardi Gras is a Christian celebration that occurs before Ash Wednesday. It is also known as Fat Tuesday. So, The Mobile Carnival Museum is a great alternative if you can’t make it to Mobile for Mardi Gras.
The Mobile Carnival Museum was first established in 2005. The museum displays how the festivities have changed and evolved throughout the years.
Everything from historical flapper attire to the dresses and crowns of previous pageant queens is featured in the exhibits. Informative exhibits cover pertinent subjects, including float building and costume creation.
Videos and images from previous marches, returning to 1886, are available. Even some attractions allow you to launch doubloons off of floating objects!
If you are from Mobile Al and haven’t checked out this place already, it’s a shame. You should be aware of the history of the city. If you are an outsider, you will be amazed by the displays of the gowns and jewels that the Queens wore during the celebrations. The museum also displays some of the costumes that Jesters used to wear.
2. History Museum
Location: 111 S Royal St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States
The History Museum showcases over 300 years of Mobile’s history. It is at the Old City Hall, also called The Southern Market.
Did you know that The Old City Hall is one of the National Historic Landmarks? The building was declared an NHL in 1973. The History Museum of Mobile tells the story of Mobile, Alabama, over the years.
This includes how the government changes throughout history and showcases events such as yellow fever. There is also a tonne of information about the locals who helped Mobile become a significant participant in the state.
The history museum also offers information about Mardi Gras. But, to know in detail about the festivities of Mardi Gras, one must visit the Mobile Carnival Museum. Recently, a new Viking and Egyptian Mummy exhibit has been added to the History Museum. It also has an excellent interactive area only for children.
This place will be the correct fit for history buffs who want to know more about Mobile’s history.
The family-friendly nighttime event “Night at the Museum” features games, tales, and scavenger hunts.
There are also “Living History Days”, where costumed players participate in everything from actual musket fights to washing demonstrations!
The History Museum of Mobile was built during the 1850s and was designed by the architects Thomas S. James, William L. Denham, and Frederick W. Clarke.
3. “Rollin Thunder.”
Location: Foley, Alabama. 7 miles from the Gulf Coast
The next addition to our list is for all the adrenaline junkies out there. While in Mobile, don’t forget to stop at the OWA Amusement Park.
There are over 22 rides in this amusement park, which you can enjoy. But the one that you should get on is the “Rollin Thunder.” Defy gravity on this massive 100-foot drop hairpin drop Roller Coaster.
Ensure you take your kids with you when visiting The OWA Amusement Park. Besides the massive roller coaster, the park has other fun rides such as “The Flying Carousel,” which is a merry-go-round, a free-falling ride “Gully Washer,” and spinning teacups called “Tea Time.”
If you are confused about getting on the Rollin Thunder, you can go on some less scary rides. While at OWA Park, you must check out some of the park’s restaurants, which offer various delicacies.
The park also has an OWA Arcade, Gravity Island Watersports, Clash Esports Centre, and many other entertainment centers.
If you are looking for a fun weekend out with your family, then this is the place you should visit. Check out the Calendar of Events to find out all the details and timings of all the upcoming events at OWA Amusement Park.
4. Bay Ferry Ride
Location: 112 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL 36528
The Mobile Bay Ferry Ride is one of the best things. Ride across the Gulf Coast and enjoy the scenic view and natural beauty. Only this time, let’s not hope on our cars but a ferry.
The Mobile Bay Ferry goes from Fort Morgan to Dauphin Island and back. The passengers of the Mobile Bay Ferry can enjoy the natural beauty during their forty-minute trip.
Most of the time, travelers come across several birds and sea life. So, all those who love birdwatching and enjoy the scenic view of the Gulf Coast should try out the Mobile Bay Ferry. If you are lucky, you might also spot a Dolphin or two.
The Mobile Bay Ferry operates all seven days of the week. If you don’t want to miss your ride, see that you arrive at least 30 minutes before departure. This is to make sure that you get a spot on the ride.
As the ferry ride can save you a lot of bucks on fuel, people prefer it more than driving from Fort Morgan to Dauphin or vice versa. This means that if you arrive late, chances are the Ferry will already be complete. To find out the timings and prices, visit Mobile Bay Ferry.
5. Downtown Mobile
What is one of the best outdoor activities to do? It’s a stroll around downtown. While you are in Mobile, Alabama, you need to explore Downtown Mobile. The downtown has so many things to offer.
Make a stop at the peanut shop, established in 1947, which has various peanuts. You will find whole canisters filled with freshly roasted peanuts inside the shop.
This is not the only shop that will excite you as you stroll around downtown Mobile. You will find many restaurants, parks, shops, and art galleries as you walk across the downtown. Downtown Mobile also is the venue for many special events and has live music.
You also experience Mobile, Alabama’s vibrant social life and architectural styles.
What sets Mobile apart from the rest of the US is its famous Moonpie drop during New Year’s Eve. When all of America is focused on the ball dropping, Mobile, Alabama locals are concentrated on the Moonpie dropping from the top of Dauphins.
If you are here in Mobile, Alabama, on New Year’s Eve, check it out. You can also catch an amazing view of the Gulf Coast from downtown Mobile.
The downtown also has many amazing places to grab an amazing breakfast and so many amazing spas and salons. You could also grab a special Mardi Gras drink from one of the coffee shops. If you are in Mobile, Alabama, as a tourist, we recommend you find a place downtown to stay.
6. Botanical Gardens
Location: 5151 Museum Dr, Mobile, AL 36608, United States
Next on our list is Mobile’s Botanical Gardens. There are many outdoorsy, one of which are the botanical gardens. The Mobile Botanical Gardens spread across 100 acres, is one of the city’s top attractions.
It is a step into the gorgeous side of plant life. The gardens were founded in 1974 in the Spring Hill community in Mobile, Alabama.
Pick a good weather day to make your trip to the Mobile Botanical Gardens and enjoy your trip to the fullest. The garden offers a mixture of cultivated areas and natural habitats. The accurate labeling that the garden provides will help you to acquire all the required information about plant life.
The variety of plants exhibited at the Mobile Botanical Gardens includes the Rhododendron Garden, Camellia Wintergarden, Fern Glade, Fragrance and Texture Garden, Japanese Maple Garden, Herb Garden, and a Longleaf Pine.
While you are in the garden, you might find some friendly cats. Don’t be afraid to pet them. The architectural structure of the gardens also adds to their beauty. Take your whole family to visit the gardens while you are at Mobile Al.
To get the schedule right and plan your trip, check out their website, Mobile Botanical Gardens.
7. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Location: 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36603, United States
One of Mobile’s top tourist attractions is the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park. Mobile Al is a paradise for history buffs.
History geeks will indeed have a lot of things to do. Mobile Al is home to the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, a military history museum. It is also home to many memorial ships and aircraft. The most notable of these exhibits is the USS Alabama.
Built in the 1930s for the United States Navy, the USS Alabama is a former battleship of the South Dakota class of fast battleships. It first served in the Atlantic theatre of operations during World War II. USS Alabama arrived at Mobile Bay on September 14, 1964, and was turned into a museum ship on January 9, 1965.
The park also has the Gato-class submarine, USS Drum, which also operated during the World War II Era. USS Drum found itself at Mobile Bay in 1969.
The Battleship Memorial Park was temporarily closed for a few months after Hurricane Katrina struck on August 29, 2005. The honor aircraft pavilion took huge damages that year and was closed for many months. It was reopened on January 9, 2006.
Although it has the name of a particular battleship, several military and history-related tourist attractions are available there, including a WWII submarine.
Tanks, bombers, missiles, fighter planes, and various military artifacts, such as the recognizable “sky sweeper” cannons from the 1950s, are other attractions.
The planes flown by the Tuskegee Airmen are among the military machines with intriguing histories.
There are many picnic tables and open places for kids to run around. The park also has many old military equipment, which are interactive exhibits.
If you plan your visit well, you can catch a concert, blood drive, sporting event, or holiday festival at the grassy park, which also serves as a venue for several regional community activities.
This place is a great tribute to soldiers and an interactive and tactile way to experience the history and true marvels of human ingenuity and engineering. Plan to be on your feet, climb stairs, and duck through short, narrow doorways for at least two hours to see everything.
8. Historic District
Here is one of the many outdoor activities in Mobile Al that are good for groups. Get a good look at the 19th-century churches and the Federal-style townhouses on a self-guided tour of a historic district. It is Mobile’s oldest Historic District.
The street was established by the Mobile City Commission in 1962. It even takes up a spot on the Nation Register of Historic Places. It is one of the best walking tours available in Mobile, Al.
During your historic district tour, some of the stops you make include Government Street Presbyterian, Christ Church Cathedral, the Fort of Colonial Mobile, and Leinkauf.
Be a part of the Mardi Gras celebrations, one of the oldest pre-Lenten celebrations in the United States. During the Mardi Gras celebrations, there will be parades across the historic district, which can be enjoyed by locals and visitors alike.
This is one of the best free walking tours available in Mobile, Alabama, and will be perfect for you and your group to understand Mobile’s History. It is also wheelchair accessible and has many historic attractions.
It is one of the best mobile tours out there. You can grab the essence of mobile architecture during this tour. As it is already clear, Mobile is rich in culture and heritage, and you will be able to capture a glimpse of the history of Mobile, Alabama, during this tour.
9. GulfQuest Maritime Museum
Location: 155 S Water St, Mobile, AL 36602, United States
We have encountered many museums on the list, but this one is a Maritime Museum. Now that’s a first. The museum came into being in September 2015. The museum is dedicated to the maritime heritage and culture of the Gulf of Mexico.
The National Maritime Museum is designed to look like a ship headed to Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It is housed in a metal and glass structure on the ocean. It may easily be mistaken for a ship. How cool is that? The museum consists of over 90 permanent exhibits and artifacts.
The GulfQuest National Maritime Museum also has many cafes and a gift shop. The museum is an educational resource to the locals and the tourists of Mobile, Alabama.
The Alabama Department of Tourism named it “The Attraction of the Year” in 2016, just a year after its establishment. It features many interactive exhibits which will intrigue both kids and adults alike. You get to understand the history and maritime traditions of the Gulf of Mexico during your visit here.
You can tour several different “decks” of attractions, which range from educational movies to voyages on container ships with replica engines.
When you need a break from exploring, stop by the on-site eatery or gift shop to have something to eat or pick up some amusing trinkets.
During your visit to Mobile, Alabama, make sure that you visit the GulfQuest National Maritime Museum. It is located at Cooper Riverside Park.
10. Flea Market
Location: 401 Schillinger Rd N, Mobile, AL 36608, United States.
You should check out the flea market in Mobile, one of South Mobile, Alabama’s weirdest and most magical places.
Don’t miss out on your opportunity to participate in the vibrant atmosphere! You’ll smell lemons, coffee, vape, incense, and sunshine.
The Mobile Flea Market, sometimes called the greatest flea market on the Gulf Coast, regularly draws 700 to 800 sellers at once and is open all year for both locals and visitors.
It can be one of those odd things to do that’s equally bizarre and unforgettable if you’re the sort that likes to wander off the beaten road!
The Mobile Flea Market has everything from sunglasses to video games, chickens to puppies, and cool phone cases. The restrooms are very good, and the people are super interesting. You can spend 4-6 hours easily. This is the largest flea market in Alabama.
You can also search through bookcases or boxes and trunks for buried wealth. Each seller has a separate booth, a tiny world unto itself. It is usually quite crowded, but the rush is a little less than Saturdays and Sundays.
It will be fun to spend your time in the city because you may leave with anything from antique dollhouses to ornate floral arrangements.
Final Note
Those were the top 10 things to do. But the list doesn’t end here. Mobile, Alabama, has so many historic sites and tourist attractions that we cannot put them on one single list.
So, grab this list of things to do in Mobile, Alabama, and get started with your tour.
Last Updated on by Sathi Chakraborty, MSc Biology
