Day 1

Check in at Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel

Featuring an unbeatable downtown location and a wide range of outstanding amenities, the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel provides an award-winning home base for business and leisure travelers alike. You’ll find stylish nautically inspired hotel rooms, complete with luxury amenities such as marble bathrooms and breathtaking views of Mobile’s waterfront. Other amenities include free Wi-Fi access throughout the hotel, fitness center and outdoor pool.

Explore Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and Imax Theatre

With more than 150 hands-on science adventures in three permanent galleries, including the all-new My BodyWorks, the most advanced health exhibit in the nation. Check out live demonstrations in the ChemLab and BioLab or see a film in the J.L. Bedsole IMAX Dome Theater.

Meander into a few favorite shops in Mobile’s entertainment district along Dauphin Street.

Don’t miss favorites like Three Georges Southern Chocolate—founded in 1917, the shop is famous for heavenly hash (marshmallows and pecans drenched in their silky milk chocolate); A&M Peanut Company—established in 1947, this Mobile institution specializing in fresh-roasted peanuts and southern hospitality; Bienville Books—a small independent bookstore carrying local and rare and first editions; Urban Emporium—Mobile’s only retail incubator was established to help ensure the success of new or expanding retailers in downtown, including Very Vintage, Bungalows, Paper Jubilee and more.

Dinner at Dauphin’s

Bob Baumhower and his culinary team have designed a fine dining menu that is an exciting mix of Gulf Coast favorites with inspiration drawn from creole and soul dishes. Located at the top of the RSA Trustmark Building, Dauphin’s truly is a magnificent introduction to Mobile’s dining scene and home to a gorgeous view of downtown Mobile.

Day 2

Tour the 5 Rivers Delta Center

This $10 million facility stands on the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, the second largest river delta system in the continental United States where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakely rivers flow into Mobile Bay. Just minutes from downtown, 5 Rivers features an interpretive center, kayak and canoe launch, six campsites (four of which are floating platforms), classrooms, exhibit hall, meeting space, theater and more.

Embark on a guided kayak trip along the Bartram Canoe Trail at the 5 Rivers Delta Center

This facility serves as a gateway into more than 250,000 acres of waterways, woods and wetlands. Float along the delta and soak up the natural beauty of Mobile Bay’s extensive wetlands.

Lunch on the water at Bluegill Restaurant

A Mobile Causeway staple since 1958 specializing in fresh local
seafood in a casual environment. Make sure to try their renowned “Famous Flaming Oysters”!

Fly across the water on an Airboat Adventure

Cruise the second largest river delta in the US and view treasures including flowers, birds, and alligators!

Take a sunset delta safari aboard the “Osprey” with
Captain Mike Dorie of Wild Native.

During this leisurely trip, you will experience the scenery of the
Mobile Tensaw Delta. Encounter marsh, cypress and tupelo gum swamp, alligators and abundant wildlife up close. Followed by a waterfront dinner at one of Mobile’s famed seafood establishments along the bay.

Dinner at Wintzell’s Oyster House

A city landmark since 1938, Wintzell’s is renowned
for oysters served “fried, stewed or nude” as well as the freshest, tastiest shrimp boils! Also known for its variety of creative regional Gulf seafood preparations, Wintzell’s is a “must-see” in Mobile.

Day 3

Start at GulfQuest, National Maritime Museum of the Gulf Coast

The first museum dedicated to the Gulf Coast’s rich maritime traditions and only the third interactive maritime museum in
the world. GulfQuest is housed inside a 120,000 sq. ft. structure shaped like a vessel headed out to sea.

Lunch at Callaghan’s Irish Social Club

Sit back and relax with a pint of Guinness and the city’s tastiest burger in the recently named Best Bar in the South by Southern Living Magazine. Located in Mobile’s historic Oakleigh district, Callaghan’s Bacon Cheeseburger has long been on the list of one of the “100 Things to Eat in Alabama Before you Die” so you can scratch that off your list!

Explore the serenity and beauty of Coastal Alabama Birding Trails

Comprised of six major loops over a span of two counties along the
Alabama Coastal Region, the trail is a destination for over 400 different species of birds. Its location on the main corridor of the migration route and mild temperatures attract many birds who are in flight to or from South America. Fall visitors enjoy the trail’s versatility, catering to multiple agendas such as hiking, photography, or just soaking in the season’s changing colors and the area’s tranquil ambiance.

Next, brave Alligator Alley

A swamp sanctuary with an elevated boardwalk offering a close view of over 200 American Alligators & wildlife. Safely observe two of their largest residents, The Colonel and Captain Crunch, a 13-foot, 2,982-pound alligator with the world’s strongest bite-yikes!

Dinner at Moe’s Original BBQ

Founded by three ‘Bama boys: Mike Fernandez from Tuscaloosa, Ben Gilbert from Athens, and Jeff Kennedy from Huntsville. After meeting at the University of Alabama in Tuscaloosa, they instantly became friends and had a mutual interest in all things Southern: BBQ, blues, college football, and whiskey. In 1988, Mike hooked up with Moses Day in Tuscaloosa and began learning to fire roast meats. When Moses fired up his backyard barrel pit, everyone in T-Town knew where to go. The boys were lucky to learn from Moses and his distinct style makes up Moe’s original flavor of BBQ. By using fruit wood to smoke the meats and hitting it with two sauces, they knew they had something special. Moe’s Original BBQ smokes all meats fresh daily. Unlike other BBQ joints, they don’t stop there. They prepare eight to ten Southern-style side dishes and desserts every day with recipes passed down for generations. Moe’s Original BBQ is a Southern soul food revival. They serve great food in an atmosphere that is relaxed, spontaneous, yet civilized….well, sometimes.

Day 4

Spend the day at Dauphin Island

Get an authentic taste of the beautiful Gulf Coast with this quaint, small island community. You’ll also find miles of uncrowded, pristine beaches, excellent fishing, and a historic, storied past. Located at the southernmost point of Alabama – three miles south of the Mobile Bay – Dauphin Island feels worlds away but is easy to reach. Start off at the historic Fort Gaines—Where you can almost hear Admiral Farragut’s famous command “Damn the torpedoes-full speed ahead, “and feel the anticipation of the Civil War’s Battle of Mobile Bay. See how soldiers lived in the 1800s at this 19th-century brick seacoast fort with working blacksmith shop featuring incredible demonstrations, Officer’s Quarters, costumed interpreters, and firing of actual cannons used in the Battle of Mobile Bay.

Get your sea legs at the Estuarium at Dauphin Island Sea Lab

Founded in 1971, this is Alabama’s only marine science education and research laboratory. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab offers a closer look at the four local ecosystems of coastal Alabama: the Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands and the Gulf of Mexico. Learn what makes each of these ecosystems and its inhabitants special through visual displays, aquariums and interactive exhibits.

Bird watch at the Dauphin Island Audubon Bird
Sanctuary

Enjoy 164 acres of beautiful woodlands with miles of walking trails through pines, live oaks, magnolias, swamps and along Gulf beaches. Especially popular is the 1/2 mile nature interpretive trail loop which includes the freshwater lake, dune systems, Gulf beach, and swamp. The trail features educational signs explaining the various animals, vegetation and their interconnection in these ecosystems. Dauphin Island is classified as a “Globally Import Bird Area” by the American Bird Conservancy and is well known as one of the best places in the country to observe “neotropical migrants” – a term for those flying south each fall to the tropics, and north each spring.

Lunch at Lighthouse Bakery

Serving only the freshest, highest quality ingredients and sandwiches prepared on the bakery’s fresh baked rolls, with lean deli meats and real cheeses. Be sure to try the “Lighthouse Special” and a cup of their home-made soup!

Free time to explore and shop Fairhope

A charming bayside village that truly encompasses the essence of Southern Comfort with its laid-back ambiance. Nestled just miles from the Gulf of Mexico and a couple of hours from New Orleans, this quaint town offers numerous local shops for visitors to stop in and look around. Experience the variety this waterfront community has to offer from local artists to upscale fashions and furnishings and home decor.

Dinner at the Grand Hotel Marriott Resort, Golf Club & Spa

This AAA Four Diamond Award, family-friendly historical hotel
located on the serene water of the Eastern shores debuts anew in the Autograph collection and recently undergone a multimillion-dollar renovation. It has been known throughout the South as The Queen of Southern Resorts for more than 150 years. During the Civil War, a portion of the hotel became a Confederate hospital and a cemetery for about 300 Confederate soldiers is near the 18th tee of The Grand Azalea course.