Wintzells oysters, Mobile; (c) Soul Of America
Mobile General Attractions
Dauphin Street
DESCRIPTION: One of Mobile’s principal streets since 1711, Dauphin Street was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for containing 736 buildings that are noted for their history and architecture, particularly the antebellum buggy works building. Today, the street is filled with shops, galleries, restaurants, nightclubs and buggy rides. Two attractions every visitor should sample are Wintzell’s Oyster House at 605 Dauphin Street and A&M Peanut Shop at 209 Dauphin Street.
ADDRESS: Dauphin Street from Broad Street to Water Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: paid lots available nearby
Soul Kitchen Music Hall
DESCRIPTION: Dining and music hall that primarily hosts Soul, Pop, and Rock bands. Contrary to the name, they direct you to nearby restaurants for dining options for pre- and post-dining options.
COVER CHARGE: yes, during concerts
DAYS & HOURS: Nightly
ADDRESS: 219 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
PHONE: 251-432-9796
WEBSITE: http://www.soulkitchenmobile.com
Mobile Arts Council
DESCRIPTION: This membership-supported organization promotes, coordinates and develops activities in connection with the arts. They host small art shows, sponsor the monthly artwalk downtown, maintain an artist directory, and are a fantastic listing resource for art events in the metro area.
ADDRESS: 318 Dauphin Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
PHONE: 251-432-9796
WEBSITE: http://www.mobilearts.org
Saenger Theatre
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 1927, it was hailed as “Alabama’s Greatest Showplace” and featured three-color auditorium lighting, a two-manuel, ten-rank Robert Morton theatre organ, full stage facilities to accommodate large road shows including stage and wardrobe traps, four floors of dressing rooms, musicians’ and chorus rooms and originally 2,615 seats. Around 1950, the seats on the floor were replaced and re-spaced, reducing the seating capacity to about 2,200. Today, this center for the Living Arts, the Saenger comfortably seats 1,921 patrons fronting its proscenium stage. The restored theatre feature state-of-the-art lighting and audio equipment. The theatre has hosted International Jazz Jam, Buddy Guy, Aaron Neville and Bill Cosby.
BOX OFFICE: Mon-Fri 10a-5p and 2 hours prior to all ticketed shows
ADDRESS: 6 South Joachim Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: $5 at either All Right Parking lot within two blocks away
PHONE: 251-208-5600
WEBSITE: http://www.mobilesaenger.com
Mobile Carnival Museum
DESCRIPTION: Opened in 2005 when the Mobile Carnival Association leased the historic Bernstein-Bush house. In this manner, Mobile can better remind the rest of America the the first Mardi Gras in America was celebrated in Mobile in 1703. The museum offers 14 gallery rooms, a pictorial hallway, theater, den and gift shop. In these days of multi-million dollar museums, its remarkable to note the volunteer historians, artists, lawyers, businessmen, architects, contractors, and seamstresses established the museum, donated royal robes, crowns, scepters, emblem costumes, favors, doubloons and more to be beautifully displayed for all visitors. Also, the Bernstein-Bush home is registered as a historic building filled with detailed crown molding, pine floors and exquisite chandeliers; wheelchair accessible.
ADMISSION: Under $10, Age 2-under enter Free
DAYS & HOURS: Mon, Wed, Fri-Sat 9a-4p
ADDRESS: 355 Government Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: Free on premises
PHONE: 251-432-3324
WEBSITE: http://www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com
Museum of Mobile
DESCRIPTION: the museum interprets a wide swath of the cultural, social, economic and political history of the Mobile Bay area and Southwest Alabama, in a structure built in 1855-57 for the city market and city government. Today, it features permanent collections and changing exhibits ranging from works of American, European, African, and Oriental art, and historical displays. The museum has hosted a major exhibit about the life of George Washington Carver and relives the passage on an African slave ship and listen to the stories of Civil War soldiers. Visit the Shop in the Southern Market for a unique take home gift in this National Landmark Building.
ADMISSION: Adult $6, Seniors $5, Students $4
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 9a-5p, Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 111 South Royal Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: paid lots nearby
PHONE: 251-208-7569
WEBSITE: http://www.museumofmobile.com
The Battle House Renaissance Hotel
DESCRIPTION: More than a 4 Diamond hotel, the Battle House is a general attraction with restaurants, nightlife and sometimes community art shows. Visitors and locals often drop by just to shoot the breeze and enjoy the atmosphere of this classic hotel. Located near the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail with 54 championship holes at Magnolia Grove.
ADDRESS: 26 North Royal Street, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: garage on premises and nearby
PHONE: 251-338-2000
WEBSITE: Link
Mobile Museum of Art
DESCRIPTION: Expanded in 2002, the Mobile Museum of Art in Langan Park is a 95,000 square foot art museum and setting for a permanent collection of 8,000 works of art spanning two centuries of culture, as well as world renowned traveling exhibitions and regional art exhibits. The visitor sees distinctive European, Non-Western, Art of the American, and decorative arts are on permanent display.
ADMISSION: $10 Adults, $6 Students; free the first Monday of every month
DAYS & HOURS: Mon-Sat 10a-5p; Sun 1p-5p
ADDRESS: 4850 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: Free on premises
PHONE: 251-208-5200
WEBSITE: http://www.mobilemuseumofart.com
Spanish Plaza
DESCRIPTION: Spain was the third country to fly its flag over Mobile and Spanish Plaza is a dedication to the Spanish, thanking them for their contributions to Mobile’s culture. A notable ornate fountain, Fishmonger, stands in center the plaza and is a gift from the Spanish. The fountain sits across from the Malaga Inn, named for Malaga, Spain, Mobile’s sister city. Located across from Mobile Carnival Museum.
ADDRESS: Government Street at Franklin Street MAP
PARKING: on street
Cathedral Square
DESCRIPTION: More than meets the eye, this park was part of an 18th century Catholic cemetery, Campo Santo between Joachim, Dauphin, Franklin, and Conti Streets. Over the years as Mobile’s city boundary expanded, portions of of the cemetery were converted to city blocks and graves were purposely and accidentally moved until the 1890s. After complete relocation of the cemetery, the area became a commercial block infilled with buildings. Eventually, enough citizens clamored to demolish buildings in one square block in 1979 to create a public park facing the Cathedral and enhance the Dauphin Street Historic District; the current popular park layout was implemented in 1996.
ADDRESS: bounded by Conti, Claiborne, Dauphin, and Jackson Streets, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: on street
Mobile Botanical Gardens
DESCRIPTION: Adjacent to Langan Parkand established in 1974 by a dedicated group of horticulturists to preserve the natural aspects of the local environment. Visitors are welcome to enjoy picnicking, birdwatching, hiking, walking, drawing, painting, and photography in 100-acres of gardens and nature trails that offer an oasis of natural splendor. Visit the Herb Garden, McConnell Rhododendron Garden, Smith Japanese Maple Garden, Fern Glade, Longleaf Pine Forest, and Founders Fragrance and Texture Garden.
ADMISSION: free, but donations appreciated
ADDRESS: 5151 Museum Drive, Mobile, AL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 251-342-0555
WEBSITE: http://www.mobilebotanicalgardens.org
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
DESCRIPTION: Opened to the public in 1932 by Coca-Cola bottling magnate, Walter Bellingrath, the property features 65-acres of verdant lawns, picturesque lakes and streams; one of the most popular tourist attractions in the South; garden estate is in full bloom with camellias in the winter, azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and Magic Christmas in Lights during the holiday season. Careful walking along a bayou trail, you might get up close to a wild alligator. It has a wheelchair accessible garden.
ADMISSION: Gardens-only Adult $11, Age 5-12 $6, Age 4- Free; see website for package prices
DAYS & HOURS: daily 8a-5p
ADDRESS: 12401 Bellingrath Road, Theodore, AL MAP
PARKING: on premises
PHONE: 800-247-8420 or 251-973-2217
WEBSITE: http://www.bellingrath.org
