Tribute guard at Fort Conde mMuseum; credit Mobile CVB
Mobile Family Attractions
Fort Conde Museum & Welcome Center
DESCRIPTION: Originally founded in 1702 up river, Mobile was relocated to its current setting in 1711 and named Fort Louis, since it was French Territory taken from Native Americans. In 1723, construction of the a brick fort commenced at this location and it was Renamed Fort Condé in honor of King Louis XIV’s brother. Once completed in 1735, the fort became headquarters of the French colony and today it is Mobile’s Welcome Center. A replica of the original 18th century French Fort now stands at the site hosting Mobile artifacts, a Black heritage display, and costumed guides leading tours, firing muskets and cannons to simulate the early days of Mobile; inside, an interactive video of attractions and events, movie overview of the city, historic murals, and a gift shop with Mobile merchandise await you.
ADMISSION: Free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-5p
ADDRESS: 150 South Royal Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PHONE: 251-208-7304
WEBSITE: Link
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
DESCRIPTION: Step aboard the historic battleship USS Alabama. Now retired in the Mobile Harbor, walk the flight line of this historic aircraft inside the huge Aircraft Pavilion. Launched in 1942 with a length of 680 feet and height of 194 feet, efforts have been made to preserve the way it was over seven decades ago on one of America’s most decorated Battleships. The 130,000 horsepower engine propelled the ship at 28 knots per hour (31 mph) with a crew of 127 Officers and 2,205 Enlisted Men.
ADMISSION: Age 12+ $12, Ages 6-11 $6, Age 5- Free
DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-4p; open until 6p Apr-Sept
ADDRESS: 2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: $2 per vehicle
PHONE: 251-433-2703
WEBSITE: http://www.ussalabama.com
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
DESCRIPTION: Founded in 1976, enlarged at another location in 1983, this modern structure opened in 1998 to great fanfare and community support. A regional science center with more than 150 interactive science exhibits that provide everyone an entertaining outing for the mind while fostering science literacy. The IMAX Theater complements the center with its vast array of scientific films; a notable feature of Exploreum is how pays homage to the architectural context of surrounding facilities with its common palette of proportions and materials, such as gabled roofs, wooden eaves and cave fascias, stucco walls, a copper dome roof – truly a family treat.
ADMISSION: See pricing range on website
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Fri 9a-5p, Sat 10a -5p, Sun Noon-5p; check their website for exceptions on hours
ADDRESS: 65 Government Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 251-208-6880
WEBSITE: http://www.exploreum.net
Mobile Zoo
DESCRIPTION: Established in 1994, this Wildlife Park was established for public pleasure, education, and continuing the existence of endangered/non-endangered wildlife. The main building exhibits consist of tropical birds, reptiles, Black Bears, Tortoises, Leopards, Tigers, Lions, Antelope, Bison, long hair cattle, Giant Horses, Minature Donkeys, Wild Hogs and of course, Alligators.
ADMISSION: $10 and under
DAYS & HOURS: Tue-Sun 9a-4:30p
ADDRESS: 5161 Ward Road West, Wilmer, AL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 251-649 1845
WEBSITE: under construction
5 Rivers Delta Resource Center
DESCRIPTION: Located where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakeley rivers flow into Mobile Bay, this new facility for outdoor recreation, and conservation is a great place to begin your adventure into over 250,000 acres of scenic waterways, woods and wetlands. With an emphasis on Watchable Wildlife, visit Birding Trails and watch vertebrates and mollusk species with equal ease.
DAYS & HOURS: 8a-5p
ADDRESS: 30945 Five Rivers Blvd, Spanish Fort, AL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 251-625-0814
WEBSITE: http://www.outdooralabama.com/outdoor-adventures/5rivers
Dauphin Island Park and Beach Board
DESCRIPTION: Maintains Historic Fort Gaines, the Dauphin Island Campground, the public fishing pier, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary and several small parks. Though first colonized in the 1600’s, the park became popular after 1954 when a 3½ mile bridge was built connecting Dauphin Island to the mainland, enabling visitors to drive to Alabama’s Gulf Coast. In 1961, an Audubon Sanctuary was also created as a wildlife refuge.
ADDRESS: 109 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 251-861-3607
WEBSITE: http://www.dauphinisland.org
Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab
DESCRIPTION: Alabama’s marine education and research center offers an exciting aquarium highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama and Mobile Bay, the fourth largest estuary system in the United States. 10,000 square foot Exhibit Hall and Living Marsh Boardwalk showcasing plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the Estuary. Located on the eastern tip of a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico.
ADMISSION: Adult $7, Ages 5-18 and Students w/ID $4, Seniors $6
DAYS & HOURS: March 1-August 31 Mon-Sat 9a-6p, Sun 12p-6p; Sept 1-Feb 28 Mon-Sat 9a-5p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 101 Bienville Blvd, Dauphin Island, AL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 251-861-2141
WEBSITE: http://www.disl.org
