Just a few months ago, I made my way to Mobile, Alabama with a team of writers from all over the country. Little did I know, I was in for the experience of a lifetime.
I took a trip on a pontoon, kayaked with the alligators, got stuck in the middle of a storm, complete with winds, thunder and downpour on the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, visited the birthplace of Mardi Gras and perused through some of the charming Mobilian homes. At times, I think time stood still in the South.
For the first time, I dabbled in fried alligator bites, grilled shrimp, fried shrimp, bacon wrapped shrimp, raw oysters, grilled oysters, oysters topped with bacon, topped with cheese and topped with garlic, to name a few. I indulged in fried green tomatoes, crawfish gumbo, oyster gumbo and all other kinds of seafood gumbo.
I quenched my thirst with a few southern favorites such as an Alabama Slammer and a Moon Pie Martini, and sipped a few local southern brews including a Fairhope IPA and a Truck Stop Honey. I patiently watched the barge go by from the19th floor window of my hotel room at the Renaissance Riverview, and sat at the end of a dock just as the sun was about to set on the river. The night bugs were flying above the moonlit waters, all while friendly locals indulged in the tastes of the Gulf, listening to southerners strum their guitars singing some familiar tunes. It was just another ordinary night in Alabama, and saying goodbye to a place I so quickly grew fond of was all too bittersweet. I parted Mobile with promises to return soon.
Here are five “Secretly Awesome” reasons why I will make my way back to Mobile, Alabama, and why you should visit, if you haven’t done so already.
1. The Seafood
If there’s anything Mobilians take pride in, it’s their seafood. From shrimp to oysters, crawfish and more, lower Alabama is known for its mouth-watering gulf coast cuisine, and rightfully so. The location of Mobile Bay is prime for seafood’s best. A Mobile landmark since 1938, Wintzell’s Oyster House sits along Dauphin Street and is known for their fried, stewed and nude oysters. Wintzell’s serves approximately 93,000 pounds of shrimp, 182,000 pounds of fresh oysters and 21,000 gallons of gumbo annually, and after 75 years, they’re still shuck’n. A proven mainstay on the Causeway is BLUEGILL Restaurant. Complete with fresh local seafood and live music, it’s no wonder it has been around for over 60 years. With a serene view of what locals know as Game Warden’s Ditch, stroll on the dock, listen to live music, and indulge. Another fun place to dine along the Causeway is at Tacky Jacks.
2. Mardi Gras
While time may seem like it stands still in the South, come Mardi Gras season, the city is awakened with color and filled with the sights and sounds of bands, vibrant colored floats and parade goers dancing in the streets, diving for beads and moon pies. No, we are not talking about New Orleans. What you may or may not know is that Mobile, Alabama is home to the first Mardi Gras which took place in 1703. If you’re not around during parade time, you can get a glimpse of Mardi Gras at the Mobile Carnival Museum.
3. The History
Founded by the French in 1702, Mobile, the state’s oldest city, is a town rich in culture. While Mobile may seem small, its history certainly is not. Learn more about the city at the History Museum of Mobile, then take a stroll down the street to an 18th century replica at the Historic Site at Fort Conde. You can also tour the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, complete with exhibits throughout telling stories of heroism from our men and women who are or have served in the U.S. armed forces. 
4. Historic Homes
If you want to experience how Mobilians lived in the 19th century, you must visit the city’s charming historic homes. Complete with southern appeal, these beautifully restored and maintained historic homes are available to tour, and each one of the homes will give you a completely different perspective of Mobilian life in the 1800’s. Homes include the Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, Condé-Charlotte House, Oakleigh House, Portier House, Richard DAR House and the Bellingrath Home.
5. The Delta
You can’t visit Mobile without experiencing the wildlife of the delta. Take a ride on a pontoon, one of the many tours available through 5 Rivers Delta Safaris and enjoy all that the Mobile-Tensaw Delta has to offer. With Captain Mike Dorie on hand to give you a guided and narrated tour, this activity is a must. For the adventurous, experience the delta from a different vantage point…a kayak. For the novice (much like myself) or the experienced, this is a fantastic way to get up close and personal with the wildlife of the delta. Complete with alligators and osprey, it’s a definite check off the bucket list.
For more information about Mobile Bay, visit www.mobilebay.org or follow on Facebook at Visit Mobile Bay.
Photos by Tad Denson – www.myshotz.com |
|
