Ultimate Tour

DAYS 1-2: GULF STATE PARK

With nine distinct ecosystems that range from coastal forests, including the rare and endangered Long Leaf Pine, to oceanside sand dunes, home to the Alabama Beach Mouse (found only in Coastal Alabama), Gulf State Park offers easy access to over 6,000 acres of recreational wilderness. Consider booking a stay at the park’s eco-friendly Eagle Cottages, nestled on the shore of Lake Shelby where you can step outside your cottage door to jog, hike, or cycle along 28 miles of well-marked trails complete with interpretive signs and scenic viewpoints. Or, kick back and enjoy the sounds and smells of serene nature all around you for some welcome relaxation and rejuvenation. Stop by the Nature Center to learn about the local wildlife or opt for a guided educational outing with one of the park’s naturalists. And, enjoy canoeing, kayaking, or fishing on Lake Shelby, a 900-acre freshwater lake. Gulf State Park offers a true ecotourism experience for everyone from young to old, novice birder to avian expert, gentle explorer, or adventure enthusiast.

DAYS 3-4: THE BEACHES

The aptly named municipalities of Orange Beach and Gulf Shores are home to stunning white sand beaches coupled with the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Grab a beach chair and umbrella and plan on some fun in the sun, while exploring the shops, restaurants, and nightlife of these two popular beach towns. An extensive dune restoration effort protects the important ecosystem where sand and ocean meet, including providing safe nesting grounds for Alabama’s most common sea turtle, the loggerhead, along with the rare Kemps’ ridley and green sea turtles, which come ashore from May to October to lay their eggs. A community conservation called “Share the Beach” ensures these precious sands remain both people and turtle-friendly by educating beachgoers to leave only footprints while encouraging the installation of state-of-the-art, turtle-friendly outdoor lighting.

Be sure to visit the beachside Interpretive Center to learn about sustainable living, from harvesting rainwater, harnessing the power of the sun’s energy, and the unique ecology of Alabama’s coast. And, don’t forget to take a walk on the famous Gulf State Park pier close by, where you can also try your luck at fishing. Consider staying at the sustainably-designed Lodge at Gulf State Park, where every detail has been thoughtfully designed to connect you with nature.

DAY 5: FOLEY

Heading north from Gulf Shores, take in the town of Foley, with its historic downtown, where you can grab a meal at one of several local eateries. The star ecotourism attraction, also beloved by locals, is Graham Creek Nature Preserve. This 500-acre hidden gem is home to a plethora of plant and wildlife species amid pine tree savannas, wetlands, mixed forests, and tidal marshes. Check-in at the Interpretive Center, where you can learn about the available hikes and trails to explore. Or, consider a round of disc golf. You might be surprised to learn that the nature preserve is also home to three celebrated disc golf courses that attract locals on day outings in addition to national and even international tournaments.

For those more focused on a deep nature experience, set out on one of the well-marked nature trails that offers access to the preserve’s pitcher-plant bogs (a rare carnivorous flowering plant), as well as glimpses of seasonal-migrating butterflies, wildflowers, and more. Graham Creek Nature Preserve is also part of the Alabama Birding Trail, so keep a pair of binoculars handy! And, for canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts, you can launch right from a wooden dock to explore small waterways, through forests and marshes, to Wolf Bay. No matter the time of year, there is plenty to see and do in this off-the-beaten-path nature preserve.

DAYS 6-7: THE EASTERN SHORE

Hugging Mobile Bay, the Eastern Shore is home to a collection of quaint towns and villages such as Daphne, Fairhope, Magnolia Springs, and Point Clear. Those on a first-time visit to Coastal Alabama may be surprised to learn that the beautiful town of Fairhope, with its tree-lined streets, humming cafes, and waterfront homes started as an alternative living utopian colony in the late 1890s. Just outside the picturesque town, you will find B&B Pecan Company, a family farm where you can stock up on a fresh supply of pecans.

Sunset along the Eastern Shore is a widely cherished daily event as couples, families, and friends watch the sun complete another day’s journey as it slips below the watery horizon. Public piers offer easy access to the bay, where you can paddleboard, fish, or stroll along the bayfront. Kayak and canoe launch points offer access to the small tributaries and open waters of eastern Mobile Bay. Wherever you are staying, plan a visit to the Grand Hotel in Point Clear, which is on the register of Historic Hotels of America. Founded in 1847, it has played a fascinating role in local history (they also have a resident historian on the property). Or, take in a round of golf at one of The Grand’s two professional golf courses overlooking Mobile Bay.

DAYS 8-9: BLAKELY STATE PARK & 5 RIVERS

In Spanish Fort, you’ll find 5 Rivers Delta Resource Center where you can learn about the natural history of the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Set off right from the docks of 5 Rivers in your own kayak or canoe or ask at the Center about booking a local guided tour of the Delta to learn about the area’s fascinating ecology, including the American Lotus flower and the elusive nutria–a beaver-like animal that makes its home in the Delta’s marshlands. The Resource Center is not only a mecca for amazing bird watching and coastal wildlife viewing but also a stop on the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail.

A short drive from 5 Rivers is Historic Blakely State Park, offering public campsites and miles of hiking and biking trails in a place that is also a National Historic Site. It was here that the last major battle of the Civil War, the Battle of Fort Blakeley, took place, when nearly 16,000 Union troops, including 5,000 “United States Colored Troops,” regiments composed primarily of those free and formerly enslaved, fought against 3,500 Confederate troops to wrest control of the region, leading to the capture of the port of Mobile Bay shortly thereafter. Visitors can tour the preserved Civil War battlefield with its Confederate and Union breastworks and fortifications. Similarly, the park is home to important Native American mounds and artifacts.

The park’s boat tour operator, Delta Explorer, offers excursions through tranquil waterways where you can discover a variety of wetland habitats such as alligators, black bears, the rare red-bellied turtle, ospreys, bald eagles and numerous species of fish. Multiple guided cruises explore this stunning natural habitat along with nationally important historic sites, including locations associated with the Civil War’s “Mobile Campaign.”

DAYS 10-11: STOCKTON & LIVE OAK LANDING

Continuing northward to the town of Stockton, consider a southern lunch at the Stagecoach Inn, a popular local spot, and then head over for some afternoon water and wilderness fun at Live Oak Landing. Live Oak Landing is surrounded by county, state, and Forever Wild conservation land encompassing a total area of approximately 1,500 acres on the eastern side of the Tensaw River. An additional 300,000 acres of pristine and protected wetlands lie to the west. Owned by Baldwin County, Live Oak Landing has expanded to include 28 RV sites, easily accessible boat ramps, bass fishing piers, and an outdoor event pavilion. Bass fishing tournaments are frequently held here, and visitors can enjoy hiking, kayaking, canoeing, and a catch-and-release fishing pond surrounded by nature.

Close by is Fort Mims, the site of the 1813 battle where more than 400 settlers fell in an attack by Redstick Creek Indians. This marked the outbreak of the Creek War of 1813-14, a phase of the War of 1812. A log stockade, a replica of an 1800s blockhouse, and a split rail fence provide visitors an opportunity to look back in time to better understand the complex history of this era. The annual commemoration and living history weekend, inclusive of a reenactment, is held the last weekend in August.

DAYS 12-13: DAUPHIN ISLAND

Driving south, your onward journey takes you along the western shore of Mobile Bay to laid-back Dauphin Island and its picturesque fishing villages and beachfront homes. Living from the sea has long been the local way of life here, from cultivating oysters to shrimping to deep-sea fishing. The Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab provides an engaging introduction to the ecosystems of the surrounding waters, together comprising the fourth largest estuary system in the U.S. Dauphin Island is also recognized as “globally important” for bird migrations, especially for birds migrating north during the spring migration, where Dauphin Island is frequently their first stop after flying hundreds of miles over the Gulf of Mexico. Check out the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, 164 acres on the east side of the island, where bird lovers will delight in the large number of resident and migrating species to be found. Meander west along Bienville Boulevard and you’ll reach seven miles of protected seashore and windswept dunes, known as the West End, where you can walk for miles along wide empty beaches. Or head over to Lightning Point in Bayou La Batre and learn about the shoreland restoration project being spearheaded by The Nature Conservancy and enjoy a scenic kayak or canoe paddle into the marshes. Locals have long known that the small communities of southern Mobile County are the go-to place for fresh-off-the-boat seafood, from traditional shrimp boils to southern fried oysters, to West Indian salad (a local marinated crab dish), just to name just a few. Bayou La Batre is considered the “Seafood Capital of Alabama” and any number of small family-owned restaurants and cafes know how to do it just right. The area is also famous for cultivating oysters, and with a bit of asking around, it may be possible to visit a working oyster farm.

DAYS 14-15: MOBILE

From its earliest days as a trading center between French explorers and Native Americans to its establishment as the first capital of French Louisiana in 1702 Mobile has a unique and storied history. After the French, it was taken by the British, who then passed it over to the Spanish, as the colonial powers of Europe competed for territory and influence before Mobile finally became part of the U.S. in 1813.

Mobile has a lot to offer every visitor. It is a food lover’s paradise for southern cooking, from local get-your-fingers-messy BBQ joints to upscale restaurants like Noble South, and almost every option in between. The city’s historic district, with its stately tree-lined streets, includes landmarks dedicated to early explorers and museums such as the Carnival Museum, which tells the origin story of Mardi Gras. Although New Orleans tends to get all the attention, it was Mobile that first celebrated Mardi Gras, in 1703, and that tradition of celebration continues to this day. Downtown, there are historic hotels like The Battle House and modern buildings, such as the GulfQuest Museum, dedicated to Mobile’s maritime industry. As a vibrant port and ship-building city, Mobile played important roles in every U.S. war from the American Revolution to World War II.

With the history of slavery still being documented, Mobile added a new chapter in 2019: the Clotilda. The Clotilda is the last known slave ship that carried kidnapped Africans to the U.S. in 1860 on the eve of the Civil War. Using advanced technology, a team of experts from National Geographic announced in 2021 that the ship’s remains, which had been buried in the sand in the Mobile River, remained remarkably intact. That news was greeted with enthusiasm by descendants from the enslaved people brought over on the Clotilda, who went on to found “Africatown,” confirming once and for all their story of origin. The Clotilda is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and you can learn about its history and the history of Africatown when you visit the Africatown Heritage House on the outskirts of Mobile. Also, plan a tour upriver to the actual site where the Clotilda still lies buried in the sand.

For the African-American community who call the city home, the history of Mobile runs long and deep. Visitors interested in learning more about Black history in Mobile, including the civil rights movement, will do well to book a guided tour offered by the Dora Franklin-Finley African American Heritage Trail. This comprehensive educational tour includes, along with other landmarks, the story of the Stone Street Baptist Church, founded by freed slaves in 1806, and the once bustling black business district on what is now Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. From old to new, and from a culture of music, food, and celebrations to a place that was a turning point in U.S. history, Mobile is a city not to be missed on any visit to Coastal Alabama.