If you want to explore the small towns, downtowns, wildlife preserves, and historic spots near the coast, why not travel on Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway? The byway provides hours of scenic, historic, delicious, and educational delights!
There are plenty of ways to explore Alabama’s Coastal Connection. You can focus on food, nature, or history. With the many accommodations, restaurants, and attractions along the way, you can make the road trip as long or as short as you please!
Bayou La Batre
Known as the Seafood Capital of Alabama, this charming fishing village is picturesque. Head to the harbor and watch the shrimp and fishing boats come in. If you’re traveling in May, be sure to catch the Blessing of the Fleet.
While you’re in Mobile County, be sure to take a stroll through Bellingrath Gardens and Home, the 65-acre grounds feature year round garden displays and are known for their roses, azaleas, extravagant mum display in November, and the Magic Christmas in Lights show during the holiday season.
Dauphin Island
Dauphin Island is for the birds…and bird lovers! The Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary has been nationally recognized as a top place in the country to get a peak of our feathered friends, especially in the springtime. From the sky to the sea, animal lovers will enjoy The Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab. This educational public aquarium includes the 10,000 square foot Exhibit Hall, a 7,000 gallon sting ray touch pool, the Living Marsh Boardwalk, and over 100 species on display.
Round out your time in Dauphin Island with a trip to Fort Gaines Historic Site. Known as one of the key sites in the famous Battle of Mobile Bay, it’s the setting where Admiral Farragut shouted his now-famous order, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” Next, take the Mobile Ferry to Fort Morgan to take in even more history.
Fort Morgan
Fort Morgan Historic Site played a pivotal role in the War of 1812 and the Civil War. The site features both year round and seasonal events like Halloween and Christmas tours. Just down the road from Fort Morgan sits the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge. Explore the various trails featuring dunes, swales, wetlands, maritime forests and scrub habitats.
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
Known for its family-friendly atmosphere and sugar-white sands, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are a bucket-list worthy destination. Spend time gorging on fresh-off-the-boat seafood at spots like Tacky Jack’s Gulf Shores, Fisher’s at Orange Beach Marina, The Gulf, Sea N Suds, or Bill’s by the Beach, and don’t miss out on fun for all ages spots like The Hangout and Lucy Buffett’s LuLu’s. Wind down by sipping on craft beer at Big Beach Brewing Company, or try hiking or biking off your meal instead.
The Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail weaves through Gulf State Park in Gulf Shores and Orange Beach. With miles of paved trails, exploring by bike, walking, or even Segway is made easy. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife like alligators, birds, deer, or bobcat!
If you’ve been bit by the shopping bug, The Wharf and SanRoc Cay in Orange Beach are more than enough to find what you’re looking for. Before you leave Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, be sure to stop by Gulf State Park Pier for fishing, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo for getting up-close-and-personal with wildlife, and one (or more) of the many attractions featuring escape rooms, a waterpark, roller coasters, go-karts, mini golf, and more!
Foley
Historic downtown Foley is and antique-lovers paradise. Hollis Ole Crush Antique Mall, Heritage Antique Mall, and The Gift Horse (which also serves as a popular restaurant in town) offer plenty of antique shopping within a few blocks of each other. While you’re downtown, makes sure to stop by Stacey Drugs & Olde Tyme Soda Fountain for lunch and an old fashioned shake or try Portabella’s for Italian cuisine.
Foley isn’t limited to downtown charm. High-flying adventure can be had at OWA! With thrill rides, kid’s rides, dining, shopping, and even accommodations you could spend your whole day (and night) at this Entertainment District.
Once you’re done with the adrenaline- pumping action of OWA, take things to a more natural level at Graham Creek Nature Preserve. Here you’ll find recreational trails where you can find animals and rare plants, a disc golf course, kayak or canoe launch, mountain bike trails, and an archery park!
Magnolia Springs
One of the only places in the country who still receives its mail by water, Magnolia Springs is a charming and unique place to be. Locals and visitors can’t get enough of the cuisine at Jesse’s Restaurant where they serve up gourmet cuisine like dry-aged Angus beef, smoked duck melt sandwiches, fresh Gulf fish, and seasonal boutique oysters.
Nearby, the Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve exists to protect the wetlands where the coastline meets the waters of both Mobile and Weeks Bays. Check to see if there’s an event while you’re in town, the Alabama Coastal BirdFest or the Bald Eagle Bash.
Fairhope
Fairhope, ever quaint and charming, is the next stop on your list. Take a stroll down Fairhope Pier or stop in for a meal or a trip to the spa at The Grand Hotel. There are plenty of shopping and dining options on downtown streets like Church, De La Mare, Fairhope Avenue, and Section Street. Try the soup du jour at the Fairhope Inn, the gourmet tacos and belly-warming bowls at Dragonfly Food Bar can’t be beat, and Warehouse Bakery and Donuts offers over-the-top breakfast and lunch concoctions that are sure to please any palate.
Head to Bayfront or Mayday Park for a front row view of Mobile Bay. Don’t miss Village Point Park Preserve for a historical hike. The trails here lead to one of the largest live oaks in the state, Jackson’s Oak, who’s name comes from local legend that General Andrew Jackson make a speech to his army from one of its massive limbs during the War of 1812.
After you’ve walked up an appetite, check out Whit’s for frozen custard or Something Sweet Bake Shop for cupcakes (if you’re in town during Mardi Gras, don’t miss out on King Cake). Stop by Guido’s or Vinny’s for Italian cuisine or choose Manci’s Antique Club for mouth-watering burgers. Stroll Main Street and check out the antique store, clothing boutiques, and fine gift stores, then sip wine at Southern Napa or Le Bouchon Wine & Tapas Bar. If you’ve still got the antiquing bug, don’t miss the Daphne Antique Galleria for over 25,000 square feet of glorious antiques.
Spanish Fort
The Eastern Shore Overlook gives you panoramic view of Mobile Bay and the skyline of the city of Mobile. When you come down from the overlook, bring the kids to the park and splash pad near Bass Pro Shops or head straight to Blakely State Park. Here you’ll find over 2,000 acres of recreational opportunities, plus historic locations like the site of Alabama’s largest Civil War battle, the early Alabama town of Blakeley, and Native American settlements dating back thousands of years.
Keep the history tour going by visiting the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park to see two National Historic Landmarks, the WWII battleship and submarine USS DRUM, plus aircraft, and more!
While you’re on the Causeway (the road that crosses Mobile and links the Eastern Shore to Mobile), take the opportunity to tour Mobile Bay on an eco-tour, Delta kayak tour, Gators After Dark Tour, or by Duck Boat!
You could spend weeks traveling Alabama’s Coastal Connection and we definitely recommend it! For more information about planning your road trip, visit AlabamasCoastalConnection.com.