Whether you're a local or a visitor, there's plenty of fun stuff to do in Mobile, Alabama. From the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park to the Mary Jane Slaton Inge Gallery straight from the source, there's something to interest everyone.
Dauphin Street
Located in the heart of historic downtown Mobile, Dauphin Street is one of the oldest streets in the area. This pedestrian-friendly street is filled with restaurants, shopping, and bars. It is also home to the Crescent Theater, one of the city's main entertainment centers. The theater presents live performances and independent films.
The Crescent Theater was originally built as a vaudeville theater in 1885, but switched to a movie theater in 1912. Today, the theater screens independent films, plays live music, and hosts the Mobile Bay Film Scramble.
The Crescent Theater is located on Dauphin Street in historic downtown Mobile. The theater seats about 90 people and is one of the most important areas of the Entertainment District. This theater also hosts the SoAL Film Festival.
The Crescent Theater is one of the most unique locations in Mobile. It's built in a style similar to the French Quarter in New Orleans. The theater hosts live performances, art house films, and the Mobile Bay Film Scramble. It's a great place to spend a weekend.
Another great place to visit is the Fort Morgan Museum and Historic Park. Originally a fort, it served to protect Mobile Bay as a vital port in the South during the War of 1812. It was eventually renamed Fort Morgan in 1833, after Revolution War hero General Daniel Morgan. It also has a gift shop and a museum. Its schedule varies, but it's open most days during the summer.
Cooper Riverside Park
Located in the heart of Mobile, Alabama, Cooper Riverside Park is a great place to enjoy a variety of activities. This waterfront park offers a scenic view of the Mobile river. The park is also steps away from the Mobile Alabama Cruise Terminal and GulfQuest Maritime Museum. You can watch ships passing by while enjoying the lush greenery. There are also outdoor sculptures to admire, benches to sit on, and paved walking paths to explore.
The park also features a monument honoring the members of the United States Coast Guard. This monument is located in the park and honors the men and women who have served in the Mobile area since 1819. The monument has a collection of artifacts, aircraft, and vehicles that provide an historical perspective of past wars.
Cooper Riverside Park is also home to the U.S. Coast Guard Monument, an outdoor theater, and numerous monuments. The park is also home to a statue of Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville, a French explorer who built a fort in Mobile in 1701.
The park also offers a variety of special events throughout the year. Some of these include the annual Rufus B. Lee Gumbo Cook-Off, a festival to celebrate the waterfront. Other events include live music, art sales, and outdoor concerts. These events are hosted by the City of Mobile and Visit Mobile.
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
Located in Mobile, Alabama, the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a wonderful place to visit with children. This science museum has fun educational programs and 150 interactive exhibits. The center offers a variety of themed programs and demonstrations. Besides these educational experiences, the center also features IMAX films, which are fun for the whole family.
In addition to the IMAX theaters, the Exploreum has three permanent exhibits and four galleries. These include the Curiosity Factory, which features hands-on activities. Other permanent exhibits include the BioLab, which is an interactive biology lab. This lab features over 50 exhibits that explore basic biology, mechanics, and electricity. Other exhibits include a special Genghis Khan exhibit. The museum also has a digital dome theater, which shows science-based films.
Exploreum also features a permanent exhibit, Wharf of Wonder, which aims to foster self-confidence and creativity in children. The museum also features Hands-on Hall, which has more than 50 interactive displays.
The IMAX dome theater is one of the most popular attractions at the Exploreum. The theater rotates educational films. Tickets to the IMAX are sold separately. The price varies depending on the age of the guests. There is also a VR flight experience available for an additional fee.
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Located in Mobile, Alabama, USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is a must-see for history enthusiasts. The park is a historical military attraction and is open 364 days a year. The park is also a great educational experience. It features a variety of authentic military vehicles and exhibits.
The park also features the USS Drum submarine, one of the oldest Gato class US submarines on public display in America. The USS Drum can be explored within the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.
The submarine museum deck offers a great view of downtown Mobile. Kids can also enjoy fishing on the deck. A picnic area is also available. You can learn about the history of the USS Drum and the life of the sailors in the gun turrets.
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park also features an indoor museum with interactive exhibits and displays. It has a wide variety of military vehicles and aircraft. Some of these include an F86L Sabre jet, an A-12 Blackbird spy plane, an OS2U Kingfisher, and an M51 Skysweeper anti-aircraft gun. The museum also includes memorials to veterans.
Visitors can also enjoy a self-guided tour of the aircraft pavillion. The tour lasts for about two and a half hours. The museum also offers discounts for senior citizens and members of the military.
Shoppes at Bel Air
Located in the city of Mobile, Alabama, the Shoppes at Bel Air is a shopping mall that is a winner in many categories. It is a full-scale shopping complex with a mix of department stores, specialty stores and eateries. It's one of the best places in the city to find the latest fashions, and also offers a myriad of customer services. It's also the city's largest mall, and one of the largest in Alabama. The mall is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, with more than 8 million visitors each year.
The Shoppes at Bel Air has been around for over a decade, but recently underwent a major transformation that includes a streetscape, modernized common areas, and an interactive Venetian carousel. It's also one of the best places in the city to re-fuel your vehicle, and has a myriad of dining options. It's also a nice place to get the night out, with a host of entertainment options ranging from live music to an award winning comedy club.
The Shoppes at Bel Air isn't just for shopping; it's also a hot spot for dining, entertainment and the newest in tech. It's also the city's biggest mall, and one of the largest in Alabama, with over 130 stores ranging from Target to Belk.
Mary Jane Slaton Inge Gallery
Located on the third floor of the Old City Hall, the Mary Jane Slaton Inge Gallery boasts an impressive collection of fine china, crystal and other objets d'art. Among its highlights is a collection of Baccarat crystal that looks like it belongs in a museum. The display also boasts a number of fine art pieces and a number of table settings that are as pretty as they are elegant. The best part is that the exhibit is free to attend, and visitors can also expect a bit of social interaction as they browse the exhibits and grab some grub from the cafe.
The Mary Jane Slaton Inge Gallery is an educational experience for those that appreciate the finer things in life. The exhibit is a must see for those that are into all things pertaining to Mobile's illustrious past. The best part is that the museum is not only well-stocked with an impressive number of artifacts, but they are also committed to educating visitors about Mobile's history, the present and future. This is done in part by a team of dedicated volunteers and an extensive collection of artifacts. The museum also has an impressive number of exhibits on display, with several permanent exhibits and several mobile ones.
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
During your visit to Mobile, Alabama, be sure to see the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, located on South Claiborne Street. This church has been designated as the first minor basilica in the United States by Pope John Paul II. Located in downtown Mobile, it is open for tours, walkthroughs, and self-guided tours.
The interior is decorated with a Gothic Revival style, and the architecture is reminiscent of old European cathedrals. The church is laid out in an east-west axis. The front of the church overlooks Cathedral Square and faces the Mobile River. It has twelve main windows, each of which is 23 feet tall. These windows depict events in the life of Jesus, such as the Annunciation, Visitation, and Crucifixion. In addition, the south wall of the church has a window that features Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
The cathedral is also home to the oldest religious congregation in the Mississippi Valley. It celebrates three daily masses and serves more than 50,000 meals to the poor each year. In addition to its beauty, the church is also a popular tourist destination.
The cathedral is home to a Wicks Organ Company organ that is still in use today. Archbishop Oscar Hugh Lipscomb led the most recent restoration project in the 2000s. This project included restoring the cast iron fence and refinishing the heart pine floors.