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Mobile Bay turned out to be one of those places that surprised us in the best way.

If you look at a map of Alabama, the Mobile Bay is the large inlet that reaches up into the southern part of the state before opening toward the Gulf of Mexico. Around it is a stretch of Alabama that combines coastal scenery with small Southern towns, historic sites, seafood, beaches, and plenty of unexpected things to discover.

And perhaps best of all, it doesn’t have quite the same frantic feeling as some of the better-known beach destinations along the Gulf Coast. We spent a couple of days exploring around Mobile Bay, driving both sides of the bay and discovering a little bit of everything along the way.

There were battleships and hidden forts, colorful staircases, charming piers, a dog parade, fishing boats, Gulf beaches, and even a little Forrest Gump history thrown in. In other words, it was exactly our kind of road trip.

If you’re looking for things to do around Mobile Bay, you’ll find a little bit of everything here: historic sites, Gulf beaches, charming small towns, fishing communities, museums, and plenty of opportunities for an unexpected road-trip detour.

Mobile Bay

1. Exploring Mobile Bay: An Overview
2. The Eastern Side of Mobile Bay
   1. Battleship Memorial Park & USS Alabama
   2. Fairhope
   3. Fairhope Pier
   4. Fort Morgan
3. The Western Side of Mobile Bay
   1. Dauphin Island
   2. Lighthouse Bakery
   3. The Dauphin Island Dog Parade
   4. Walking Along the Gulf
   5. Bayou La Batre
4. What We Loved About Exploring Mobile Bay
5. Planning Your Mobile Bay Road Trip
6. FAQ: Mobile Bay

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Exploring Mobile Bay: An Overview

One of the best things about exploring Mobile Bay is that you don’t have to choose between a city trip and a beach trip. Mobile sits at the northern end of the bay, while the communities and coastal areas around the eastern and western shores offer plenty of opportunities to get out on the water or explore smaller towns.

On the eastern side of Mobile Bay, you can visit:

• USS Alabama and Battleship Memorial Park
• Fairhope
• Fort Morgan
• Gulf Coast beaches

On the western side, you can explore:

• Dauphin Island
• Bayou La Batre
• Gulf Coast beaches
• Small fishing communities

We explored the two sides over a couple of days, which gave us plenty of time to stop whenever something caught our attention. And, as usual, something always did.

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The Eastern Side of Mobile Bay

We started our exploration on the eastern side of the bay, heading out from Mobile toward the communities along the coast.

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Battleship Memorial Park & USS Alabama

Our first stop was Battleship Memorial Park, just outside Mobile. Sitting in the water is the USS Alabama, a retired naval battleship that served the United States during World War II.

The Alabama was built in the 1930s as the fourth and final ship in its class of fast battleships. During its years of service, it traveled around the world before eventually being decommissioned in 1947.

For a while, it seemed destined for the scrapyard. Instead, a group of determined supporters worked to save the ship. In 1962, their efforts succeeded, and the USS Alabama was brought to Mobile where it became a memorial and museum.

Today visitors can tour the ship and see what life was like for the sailors who lived and worked aboard it. Walking through the narrow corridors and confined spaces gives you a much better appreciation for just how different life aboard a battleship must have been.

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Fairhope

From Battleship Memorial Park, we continued around the eastern side of the bay toward Fairhope. Fairhope immediately felt like the kind of small Southern town where you could easily spend an afternoon wandering without having a particular destination in mind.

Except Fairhope has a rather unusual town square- it’s on the pier. A sign actually tells you that the pier is the town square, and after spending some time there, we understood why. The pier is where people gather to walk, talk, fish, watch the boats, and enjoy the view across Mobile Bay.

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Fairhope Pier

We started at the top of the hill and walked toward the pier.

Along the way we passed a memorial fountain dedicated to members of the military and the families who support them. It was a quiet reminder of the sacrifices made by military families.

Then we came to the Sunshine Staircase, a colorful collection of steps created as a community art project by a local high school. The colors were especially welcome on the gray morning we happened to visit.

Once we reached the bottom, we continued along the pier. The pier stretches roughly half a mile and makes for an easy walk with beautiful views of the bay.

And one of the things we noticed almost immediately was how friendly everyone was. People stopped to talk to us as we walked. Boats sat quietly in the water waiting for their owners. There wasn’t anything particularly complicated about the experience.

It was simply a beautiful place to take a walk. And sometimes those are the places you remember.

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Fort Morgan

We continued south toward the tip of Mobile Bay until we reached Fort Morgan. The fort sits at the mouth of the bay and has played an important role in protecting Mobile Bay throughout American history.

Today, it is part of the Gulf State Park system and offers visitors a chance to explore the remains of the historic fort while also enjoying the surrounding coastal landscape.

The entrance is almost hidden. You enter through a tunnel cut into the hillside and emerge into the main part of the fort. The design was intentional. The fort was constructed with the needs of its occupants in mind, including ways to protect food and water supplies if the entrance were blocked.

Inside, the fort is surrounded by storage areas, batteries, living quarters, and command spaces. One of the things I found most fascinating was how easily the fort blends into its surroundings. From the beach, you can see the water and coastal landscape, but the fort itself isn’t immediately obvious.

It is hard to believe that such a substantial military structure is tucked into the landscape. Fort Morgan has played a role in American military history since the early 1800s, including the War of 1812 and later conflicts.

It was fascinating to walk through the old rooms and imagine the people who lived and worked here.

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The Western Side of Mobile Bay

The following day, we decided to explore the western side of the bay. This took us into a completely different landscape and introduced us to one of our favorite stops of the entire trip.

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Dauphin Island

Our first destination was Dauphin Island, a barrier island community at the mouth of Mobile Bay. The island has that wonderful, slightly quirky beach-town atmosphere that immediately makes you want to slow down.

Colorful beach houses line the roads, and some of the buildings seem to have been designed specifically to maximize their relationship with the water. One row of narrow condos caught our attention because they were barely more than one room deep, with back porches stretching right toward the water where boats were parked.

It felt wonderfully casual and very Gulf Coast.

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Lighthouse Bakery

While exploring Dauphin Island, we stopped at The Lighthouse Bakery, which had been recommended as one of the best places to eat on the island.

The bakery occupies an old house, and much of the original character remains inside. There was an old piano, bookcases, and kitchen chairs that made it feel less like a restaurant and more like walking into someone’s welcoming home.

The food was great. But what really stood out to us was the people. The staff were warm and welcoming, and it felt like the kind of place where locals and visitors naturally end up talking to one another.

And that’s when our morning took an unexpected turn.

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The Dauphin Island Dog Parade

When we arrived at the bakery, the street was beginning to fill with people. We asked what was happening and discovered that it was the Dauphin Island dog parade. Apparently, on the third Saturday of each month, the town gets together to celebrate its dogs.

And people take this very seriously. The dogs were dressed up. The people were dressed up. There was a parade. And there was even an awards ceremony afterward. Of course, we couldn’t possibly watch a dog parade without joining in.

So our dog Scout led the way. Scout is a hound, and his particular talent is a very enthusiastic hound-dog bay. People immediately noticed. As we walked, people kept stopping to talk about Scout and hear his impressive bark.

It was pretty clear that we’d found a town that appreciated a good hound. Scout was, naturally, delighted.

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Walking Along the Gulf

After the excitement of the parade, we headed toward the beach. Dauphin Island sits between Mobile Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, so you can experience both sides of the island.

We walked along the water with our feet in the Gulf, enjoying the breeze and the sound of the waves. Raised beach houses lined the shore, and the whole place felt relaxed and peaceful. It was exactly what we’d hoped for when we decided to explore Alabama’s Gulf Coast.

There was just one thing we needed to watch out for- jellyfish. We came across quite a few washed up on the sand. Even though they were no longer in the water, we gave them plenty of space. Some jellyfish can still sting after washing ashore, so it’s worth paying attention to where you’re walking.

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Bayou La Batre

Our final stop was Bayou La Batre, a small fishing community on the western side of Mobile Bay.

And if the name sounds familiar, it may be because of Forrest Gump. Bayou La Batre was the hometown of Forrest’s friend Benjamin Buford “Bubba” Blue, who famously dreamed of going into the shrimping business. If you’re a fan of the movie, Alabama is full of filming locations and connections to the story.

Many scenes from Forrest Gump were filmed in Alabama, including locations that stood in for places much farther away. We didn’t make it to all of those locations on this trip, but we did get to see the real fishing community of Bayou La Batre.

And there were boats everywhere. Hundreds of them filled the harbor, making it difficult to pick out which ones might have been connected to the movie. Some of the fishing boats used in the film are still associated with the area, although the harbor has certainly continued to change since the movie was filmed.

And as we stood there looking at all those shrimping boats, we couldn’t help but think of Bubba. Shrimpin’.

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What We Loved About Exploring Mobile Bay

After spending a couple of days exploring both sides of Mobile Bay, I understood much better why people are drawn to this part of Alabama. It isn’t just one attraction. It’s the combination.

You can tour a massive battleship in the morning, walk along a charming small-town pier in the afternoon, explore a historic fort, eat at a tiny bakery, join a dog parade, walk along the Gulf, and finish the day looking at shrimp boats. And none of it feels particularly far apart.

Mobile Bay has the coastal scenery people come to the Gulf Coast to experience, but it also has the history and small-town personality that make road trips so much fun. It’s quieter than some of the more famous beach destinations, and that was part of what we loved about it.

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Planning Your Mobile Bay Road Trip

If you’re planning your own trip around Mobile Bay, you can explore the area in several different ways.

How Many Days Do You Need Around Mobile Bay?

We spent a couple of days exploring the area, which gave us enough time to see several of the major stops without feeling like we were constantly rushing. If you want to explore Mobile itself in addition to the bay, I’d give yourself more time.

Can You Drive Around Mobile Bay?

Yes, although you won’t be able to simply follow one continuous road around the entire shoreline because Mobile Bay’s geography requires using different roads and, depending on your route, ferries.

The easiest approach is to think of the bay as two separate day trips:

Eastern shore: Mobile → Battleship Memorial Park → Fairhope → Fort Morgan

Western shore: Mobile → Dauphin Island → Bayou La Batre

That is essentially how we approached our visit.

What Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Mobile Bay?

The Gulf Coast can be enjoyed throughout much of the year, but spring and fall can be especially pleasant for exploring outdoors. Summer brings warmer weather and beach conditions but can also be hot and humid. Winter offers cooler temperatures and fewer crowds, although beach days can be less predictable.

Is Mobile Bay Worth Visiting?

Absolutely. Mobile Bay doesn’t have the same name recognition as some of Alabama’s better-known destinations, but that’s part of its appeal. If you enjoy road trips, history, beaches, small towns, and discovering places that aren’t necessarily on everyone’s itinerary, Mobile Bay makes a wonderful destination.

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FAQ: Mobile Bay

• What is there to do around Mobile Bay?

There are beaches, historic forts, museums, small towns, fishing communities, wildlife areas, restaurants, and plenty of opportunities to get outdoors.

• What are the best towns to visit around Mobile Bay?

Fairhope and Dauphin Island were two of our favorite stops, but Mobile, Bayou La Batre, and the communities around the bay each offer something different.

• Can you visit the beach around Mobile Bay?

Yes. The Gulf Coast beaches around the bay offer white sand, Gulf water, and opportunities for swimming, walking, and enjoying the coast.

• Is Dauphin Island worth visiting?

Yes. Dauphin Island is a great choice if you like relaxed beach towns, colorful houses, coastal scenery, and a slower pace. and if you’re lucky enough to visit during the dog parade, even better.

• Is Fairhope worth visiting?

Fairhope makes a great stop for a walk along the pier, small-town shopping, restaurants, and views across Mobile Bay.

• What is Bayou La Batre known for?

Bayou La Batre is known for its fishing and seafood industry and is also famous among Forrest Gump fans as the hometown of Bubba Blue.

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The more we travel around Alabama, the more I realize how much this state has to offer and Mobile Bay was a perfect example.

We came looking for a weekend along the Alabama coast and found a retired battleship, a hidden fort, a town square on a pier, colorful staircases, a dog parade, Gulf beaches, jellyfish, shrimp boats, and a little Forrest Gump history.

And that’s what I loved most about exploring Mobile Bay. It wasn’t just the places we planned to visit. It was all the little things we stumbled across along the way. From old forts hidden in the landscape to friendly strangers on a pier, every turn seemed to offer something unexpected.

Alabama is a state of surprises. And after a couple of days around Mobile Bay, I think Forrest Gump had it right: You never know what you’re going to get.

Thanks for coming along with us as we explored the Mobile Bay area of Alabama. There is still so much of this state we need to see.

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Follow along for more adventures near and far!

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