Things to See and Do in Mobile

Mobile offers something for everyone ....ballets....symphony performances....jazz festivals....formal dances....amateur and professional sports....arts and crafts exhibits.... historical tours....dog racing....and on and on. Whatever your preferences, there's a medley of entertainment activities awaiting you.

The Mobile City Recreation Department has an excellent program for planned recreation for the youngsters at the more than 66 parks and playgrounds throughout the area. Baseball, basketball, soccer, football, tennis, swimming and day camp are enjoyed by thousands of children participating in the year around activities.

Swimming, surfing, fishing, sailing, skiing, canoeing and boating are popular water sports enjoyed by Mobilians. Hunting, golf, tennis, hiking and camping are other outdoor sport favorites enjoyed in the year around temperate climate. Mobilians delight in the fine foods and succulent, fresh caught Gulf delicacies that are a special feature in almost all of Mobile's fine restaurants. From gourmet to creole cuisine, or any other ethnic dish, you will find dining out a favorite pastime event. There are many areas of entertainment for you to explore as a new resident of Mobile. Within the county, there are amateur theaters, bowling centers, golf courses (public and private), numerous recreational parks, skating rinks, public swimming pools, public tennis courts, movie theaters, an auto race track and a grey hound race track. There is Bay Bears Baseball in Hank Aaron Stadium, and two nationally televised annual bowl games: The Senior Bowl and the GMAC Bowl. Other local sports teams include the NBDL Revelers Basketball and Wizards Arena Football 2.

Other Activities and Events in the Mobile Area:

Annual Azalea Trail Run: Each March, thousands take to the streets to join in the fun and compete for prizes in the Annual Azalea Trail Run - a dual event featuring a 10K race and a 2 mile fun run.

Annual Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo: In July, the Annual Deep Sea Fishing Rodeo will draw nearly 200,000 people to Dauphin Island over the 3 day event to observe or to compete for thousands of dollars in awards and prizes. The excitement of the big game fishing competition is a yearly tradition for fisherman nationwide.

Mardi Gras: The pageantry and revelry of Mardi Gras keeps residents and tourists busy for weeks. Spectacular private balls, magnificent parades and family entertainment culminating on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Lent begins, which is an official holiday in Mobile.

The Senior Bowl: Thrill at the excitement of the competition between the nation's top collegiate football seniors at the annual Senior Bowl Game. This nationally televised football game features some of the nation's most outstanding college players and displays one of the country's most spectacular half time shows.

Bellingrath Gardens & Home: A 65 acre floral wonderland located on the Isle aux Oies River on a 905 acre bird sanctuary, Bellingrath Gardens is truly the "Garden for all Seasons." The home is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and houses the Bessie Morse Bellingrath collection of antique furniture, fine china, rare porcelains, silver and crystal.

America's Junior Miss Pageant: Two weeks of excitement and pageantry, America's Junior Miss is a nationwide scholarship activity designed to emphasize the fundamental meaning of the program; to recognize, reward and encourage excellence. The pageant finals are nationally televised from Mobile, where the program began in 1958.

Battleship Alabama Memorial Park: Battleship Parkway. Tour the USS ALABAMA, a mighty warship enshrined in a multi-acre park along side Mobile Bay, and the submarine USS Drum anchored at Alabama's side. Enjoy a large display of vintage airplanes and the lovely park.

Fort Gains: Dauphin Island, Alabama. Historic Civil War Fortress, camping is available.

Cotton Blossom Sternwheeler: Mobile harbor cruises on a historic sternwheeler riverboat. Docked at Arthur R. Outlaw Mobile Convention Center.

Fort Conde: Reconstructed French fort using original plans, symbolizing the founding of the city at its present site in 1711. Authentically uniformed French "soldiers" guide visitors through the fort.

Gulf Coast Exploreum Museum of Science & IMAX Theater: Mobile's premiere interactive showplace for science technology offers area children top-of-the line science education in a fun setting. The Imax Theater projects life-like exciting film adventures in a domed theater in downtown Mobile.

Mobile BayBears: The Mobile BayBears Professional Baseball team play in the 6,000 seat Hank Aaron Stadium. The class AA BayBears season runs from April thru August.

Mobile Greyhound Park: Located in Theodore, just outside of Mobile. You may enjoy all the thrill and excitement of greyhound racing come rain or shine. Simulcast, throughbreds, greyhounds 133 races per day.

Mobile Historic Homes Tours: Held in March. The doors of many of our gracious old homes are open to welcome visitors. Tours are available at six different times during a two day period.

Oakleigh Mansion: Contains Civil War exhibits, antique carriages, Mardi Gras display and the Hammel Collection of the women's fashions. Located in Downtown Mobile, the museum spans the history of Mobile including French, English, Spanish, and the American rule.

The Fine Arts Museum of the South: The Museum's permanent collection spans 2000 years of culture including American, Oriental, African and European art. Traveling exhibitions from other museums and private collections make the museum an ever changing showcase.

Blessing of the Fleet: Each June the Bishop blesses fishing vessels in Bayou La Batre. Sailors and boat owners alike take part in one of the most unique water parades you will ever see.

Greater Gulf States Fair: Held in October. Exhibits, large midway with rides and games, free grandstand shows daily.