Much of Alabama has a great deal of history, but did you know the Alabama Gulf Coast area is more than just 32 miles of white sugar-sand beaches? While Gulf Shores and Orange Beach may be bursting with sun and surf, the Gulf Coast is also full of history that is just waiting to be explored. The following itinerary will guide you in the direction you need to go in order to get the complete historical experience.
1 of 4
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
2 of 4
GulfQuest
3 of 4
Mobile Bay Ferry
4 of 4
Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
Day 1:
USS ALABAMA at Battleship Memorial Park
Travel back in time on the ship that battled for 37 long months during World War II bringing home nine battle stars as well as many other victories. In the 1960s, many ships were declared to be scrapped, but the required $1 million was raised by the faithful Alabamians, and the Navy donated the ship for USS ALABAMA to become an Alabama landmark for all to enjoy.
GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico
If you love hands-on experiences and the Gulf of Mexico, GulfQuest is a must! Guests can enjoy up to 90 interactive exhibits, simulators, displays, theaters, and more on numerous decks of a life-size replica of a container ship.
The museum hours are currently as follows:
Wednesday – Saturday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm, last entry of the day is at 3:00 pm.
Closed Sunday – Tuesday.
Day 2:
Fort Morgan State Historic Site
Constructed between 1819 and 1834, Fort Morgan is the 479-acre well-known site where Admiral David Farragut commanded – “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead”—just moments before he led his troops into the Battle of Mobile Bay on August 5, 1864. Fort Morgan State Historic Site stands as a living history lesson of the fort’s essential role in the Civil War.
Climb aboard “the Gulf Coast’s Most Scenic Drive” at Fort Morgan to travel to your next destination on Dauphin Island, Fort Gaines Historic Site. The 30 to 40-minute ride across the Mobile Bay allows plenty of time for viewing birds, sea life, and the historic Civil War battle zone that just might take you back in time.
Bring history to life by viewing the original cannons, kitchens, a blacksmith shop, a museum, tunnels, and gift shop at Fort Gaines. For over 150 years, Fort Gaines has guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay. Now a historic site, the Fort stands at the eastern tip of Dauphin Island where panoramic views of the bay and the Gulf of Mexico can be seen.
Day 3:
Head south to Gulf Shores where the original beach house of Valerie Cole’s family has been transformed into the Gulf Shores Museum. Dating back to before World War II, this home-turned museum features historic donations, such as the steeple that was donated by Oyster Bay Baptist Church in 1999 to watch over the garden.
Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
Local artifacts and collectables relating to Orange Beach’s Native American and fishing heritage have been donated by the families of early fisherman in order to make museum-goers mindful of the challenges and achievements in the early days of the fishing industry. Visit the Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum to view farming tools, boating items, fishing gear and much more.
Want more information on historic spots near the coast (plus details on small towns, downtowns, wildlife preserves, restaurants, and more), check out our guide to Alabama’s Coastal Connection Scenic Byway.