Why Go to Mobile
YOUR DESTINATION AT A GLANCE
Mobile is where America's Mardi Gras began. Founded by the French in 1702, this Gulf Coast city at the head of Mobile Bay held its first Carnival celebrations long before New Orleans, and its parades are still a joyful, family-friendly tradition. Moss-draped oaks, historic homes and a proud maritime heritage give the city its Southern charm.
Stroll Dauphin Street, the heart of downtown, with its wrought-iron balconies, restaurants and live music. Tour the battleship USS Alabama and the submarine USS Drum at Battleship Memorial Park, and learn about the city's Carnival history at the Mobile Carnival Museum. Just outside town, Bellingrath Gardens and Home bursts with color year-round, especially in spring when the azaleas bloom. Visit the Africatown community, home to descendants of those brought on the Clotilda, the last known slave ship to arrive in the U.S., and explore the Mobile-Tensaw Delta by boat.
Mobile is an easy drive from New Orleans and the beaches of Gulf Shores and Dauphin Island. I'll plan a Mardi Gras visit, a garden getaway or a Gulf Coast road trip that includes Mobile.
BEST FOR
History lovers, festival-goers, foodies, families and Gulf Coast road-trippers
BEST MONTHS
March to May
EXPLORE
- Downtown: Restaurants, hotels and Mardi Gras parades.
- Oakleigh Garden District: Historic homes and oak-lined streets.
- Midtown: Shops and restaurants.
- Eastern Shore: Fairhope and resorts.
SIX18 SIGNATURE DESTINATION GUIDE
Mobile
North America › Southeast › USA › Alabama
America's original Mardi Gras, moss-draped oaks and Gulf Coast flavor.
Urban & Culture
History
Mardi Gras
Seafood
SIX18 INSIDER TIP
Visit during Mardi Gras season, from January to Fat Tuesday; parades roll almost nightly, and Mobile's celebrations are more family-friendly than New Orleans'.
Experiences Worth Exploring
THINGS TO DO
Allow at least half a day to explore.
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Tour the World War II battleship USS Alabama, the submarine USS Drum and an aircraft pavilion.
Grab a spot early for the big parades and catch MoonPies.
Mardi Gras
Mobile's Mardi Gras dates back to 1703, making it the oldest in the U.S., with weeks of parades.
Perfect if you're visiting outside of Carnival season.
Mobile Carnival Museum
A museum showcasing Mardi Gras history, costumes and floats.
Visit in spring for azaleas or in winter for the holiday lights.
Bellingrath Gardens and Home
Sixty-five acres of gardens and a historic home south of the city.
Combine it with a downtown walk.
History Museum of Mobile
A museum telling the story of the city's 300-year history.
A grand historic hotel with a stunning domed lobby and spa.
The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
Downtown
Hotel Tags
A stylish hotel in a historic building near Dauphin Street.
The Admiral Hotel Mobile, Curio Collection by Hilton
Downtown
Hotel Tags
A hotel with views of the Mobile River and easy access to downtown.
Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel
Downtown waterfront
Hotel Tags
A charming historic inn with a courtyard.
Malaga Inn
Downtown
Hotel Tags
A historic resort on Mobile Bay's Eastern Shore with golf and a spa.
Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, Autograph Collection
Point Clear
Hotel Tags
Curated Accommodations
WHERE TO STAY
November in Mobile
High 71°F · Low 48°F · Rain 4.5 in
Pleasant weather and holiday events begin.
The best time to visit Mobile is March through May, when the weather is warm and the azaleas bloom. Mardi Gras season in January and February is also a great time to visit. Summers are hot and humid, and hurricane season runs June through November.
Best Times to Visit Mobile
WHEN TO GO
Where to Dine
DINING
Mobile's food scene celebrates Gulf seafood and Southern cooking.
- Seafood: Try Gulf shrimp, oysters and West Indies salad, a local crab specialty.
- Southern classics: Enjoy gumbo, fried green tomatoes and barbecue.
- Must-try: West Indies salad, Gulf oysters, gumbo and a MoonPie at Mardi Gras.
06
Walking
Downtown Mobile is easy to explore on foot.
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Cruise Port
The Alabama Cruise Terminal is downtown.
04
Buses
The Wave Transit System operates city buses.
03
Taxis & Rideshares
Taxis and rideshare apps are available.
02
Driving
A car is the best way to explore Mobile and the surrounding area.
01
Flying In
Mobile has commercial service through its airports, and Pensacola International (PNS) is about an hour away.
Most travelers fly into Mobile or Pensacola and rent a car. Once you're here, downtown is walkable, while a car is best for exploring gardens, beaches and the Eastern Shore.
Getting Around Mobile
GETTING AROUND
KEEP EXPLORING
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