Introducing Mobile
Boasting lots of historic interest and plenty of attractions, Mobile is Alabama’s oldest city, founded by the French in 1702. Its waterside location on Mobile Bay where numerous rivers flow out into the Gulf of Mexico makes it a brilliant place to enjoy seafood, especially oysters and gumbo. The most popular attraction in Mobile is undoubtedly the USS Alabama battleship and museum, surrounded by a memorial park.
Head for the downtown area to get a flavour of old Mobile, where the distinctive French-Caribbean architecture around Dauphin Street makes strolling, shopping and café-hopping a pleasure. Make time for the Mobile Carnival Museum and the History Museum of Mobile to appreciate the complex heritage of the region.
Top three things to do in Mobile
1. Explore USS Alabama
Nicknamed the ‘Mighty A,’ the USS Alabama is a huge battleship that saw active service in World War Two. It is docked in Mobile and you can visit the ship, inside and out, as part of the Memorial Park experience. There’s also a submarine, USS Drum, which is open to visitors alongside assorted military vehicles and planes.
2. Discover Mobile’s museums
Mobile is the original home of Mardi Gras in the U.S.A., a fact which the Carnival Museum was set up to honour. The History Museum of Mobile documents the story of the town from its Native American roots through its turbulent past including the colonial era, Slavery, WWII, and the Civil Rights movement.
3. Dining out in Mobile
With that famous Southern hospitality and a great mix of classic eats, Mobile is a top destination for good food. Dishes to look out for include oysters served ‘fried, stewed or nude’ from the famous oyster houses, the original southern BBQ, and ‘beignet’ donuts – a fitting tribute to Mobile’s French roots.
