Mobile
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Mobile is a city in the state of Alabama in the South of the United States of America with almost a half million people in the metro area.
Mobile is a historic, diverse port city with a strong southern culture and heritage. The original capital of French Louisiana, Mobile is home to the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the United States.
Get in
By plane
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address: 8400 Airport BlvdThe main airport serving Mobile. Served by American Airlines to Dallas/Fort Worth and Charlotte, Delta to Atlanta, and United to Chicago-O'Hare and Houston-Intercontinental.
By car
- Interstate 10 from New Orleans or Jacksonville. A highlight of this route is passing through the George C. Wallace Memorial Tunnel underneath the Mobile River.
- Interstate 65 from Birmingham or Nashville.
By bus
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address: 110 Beauregard StLow-cost bus service to and from Atlanta, Montgomery, and New Orleans.
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phone: +1 251-478-6089address: 2545 Government BoulevardIntercity bus service to and from many cities and towns across the USA.
Get around
Wave Transit System is Mobile's public bus service. The frequency is not the best, generally one bus per hour M-Sa from about 6AM to 6PM, but the buses run on time and are reliable. There is later service to about 9PM on a few routes, but no late-night or Sunday service. They can carry a bicycle on a rack at the front of the bus, and there is no extra charge for bicycles. The fares are $1.25 one way ($0.10 for transfers), $3 for an all-day ticket, $10 for a 7-day pass, or $40 for a 31-day pass. Routes and timetables are available online or at the GM&O Transportation Centre (110 Beauregard Street, Suite 104). The Wave has some unusual but interesting quirks; the bus drivers will stop for you at any intersection along their route without a marked stop nearby as long as you're on their side of the road and signal to them with your hand. It is also one of the few transit systems that will give you change on a card redeemable for future rides if you do not have exact fare.
MODA is an electric trolley that serves downtown with 20 stops, available M-F 7AM-3PM. MODA fares are $0.50 one-way, with no multi-trip passes available.
See
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Fort Conde Museum and Welcome Center
phone: +1 251-208-7304address: 150 S Royal StA fort that has been under control of the Spanish, French, and British at various times, Fort Conde serves as the welcome center for the City of Mobile. -
phone: +1 251-973-2217address: 12401 Bellingrath Gardens RdIn Theodore, Alabama. A 65-acre garden estate open year around since 1934. Includes the 2004 Top Public Rose Garden in the United States. Admission rates vary, and some packages include a river cruise and guided tour of the Bellingrath Museum Home.
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phone: +1 251-433-2703address: 2703 Battleship PkwyTour the World War II battleship USS Alabama and the World War II submarine the USS Drum. Also features a large collection of aircraft and other military hardware.
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Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
phone: +1 251-434-1565address: 2 S Claiborne StA masterpiece of neoclassical architecture from 1835. The church is the only southern church which could be called a small basilica. -
phone: +1 251-471-6364address: 1906 SpringHill AveThe Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a combination of neoclassical and Italian architecture. The house is furnished with antiques and curtains.
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phone: +1 251-973-6166address: 111 South Royal St
Do
South Alabama JaguarsSports teams of the University of South Alabama, competing in 17 NCAA Division I sports (8 men's, 9 women's) as members of the Sun Belt Conference. As with most other large universities, the most popular sports are football and basketball (especially men's), but baseball has historically been very competitive as well. Most of the venues are on campus, with the Mitchell Center (basketball) being the most prominent for now. The football team, however, doesn't play on campus; it instead uses Ladd–Peebles Stadium (see immediately below) through the 2019 season. Jaguars football will move on campus with the opening of the new Hancock Whitney Stadium in 2020.
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phone: +1 251-208-2500address: 1621 Virginia StThis 40,000-seat stadium hosts college football games such as the Dollar General Bowl in mid-December and the Senior Bowl in late-January. As noted above, it remains the home of South Alabama Jaguars football until the school completes its new on-campus stadium.
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Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
phone: +1 251-208-6893address: 65 Government StRegional science center with exhibits for all ages. Includes the only Domed IMAX Theater on the Gulf Coast. Celebrate Mardi GrasThe original home of Mardi Gras in the United States, Mobile, has been celebrating it since 1703. The streets of historic downtown are filled with floats, marching bands, and parades for weeks. Mardi Gras must be experienced to be fully understood and Mobile is the perfect place.
- Go on a Walking Tour. Historic downtown Mobile can easily be explored by foot. See the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Scottish Rite Temple, rest under the shade trees in Bienville Square, watch the ships on the Mobile River from Cooper Riverside Park, and grab a bite to eat on Dauphin Street.
Take a CruiseCarnival Cruise Line operates their Fun Ship "Fantasy" from the port of Mobile. Four- and five-day Western Caribbean cruises.
Buy
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phone: +1 251-478-1893address: 3299 Bel Air MallOver 100 stores, including Buckle, Forever 21, Express, Victoria’s Secret, Crazy 8, Versona, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Russe, Belk, Dillard’s, Sephora at JC Penney, Target, and Zumiez.
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phone: +1 251-345-1250address: 9 Du Rhu DrAn upscale shopping and dining experience in the heart of Mobile.
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phone: +1 251-438-2904address: 109 Dauphin StreetSmall, independent, new and used book store near historic Bienville Square. Plenty of local and Southern authors.
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phone: +1 251-666-2000address: 3431 Cottage Hill RoadLocally-owned consignment store selling furniture, collectibles, and everything for the home.
Eat
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phone: +1 251-432-4605address: 605 Dauphin StMobile institution since 1938, located in historic downtown.
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phone: +1 251-479-9898address: 3314 Old Shell RoadOff of I-65 near downtown.
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phone: +1 251-476-0516address: 2058 Airport Blvd
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phone: +1 251-626-2188address: 3733 Battleship PkwyOverlooks Mobile Bay.
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phone: +1 251-433-7427address: 1111 Government St
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The Brick Pit
phone: +1 251-343-0001address: 5456 Old Shell Rd -
Dew Drop Inn Restaurant
phone: +1 251-473-7872address: 1808 Old Shell RdLocal favorite since 1937, serving great dogs and burgers. -
phone: +1 251-661-6090address: 5360 US-90Great country style breakfast.
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address: 4715 Airport BoulevardWide selection of vegetarian dishes and middle eastern food. Quiet.
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phone: +1 251-433-9374address: 916 Charleston StRenowned for its burgers and the neighborhood atmosphere. Live music some nights.
Drink
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Veets
address: 70 S Royal St -
address: 564 Dauphin St
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address: 216 St. Francis St
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address: 113 Dauphin St
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address: 55 S Joachim StLong-standing gay bar offering daily specials, karaoke, trivia, pool tables & an outdoor patio.
Sleep
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The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa
phone: +1 251-338-2000address: 26 N Royal StLuxury downtown hotel. -
phone: +1 251-432-8000address: 251 Government StRenovated historic downtown hotel, which opened in 1940.
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Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile-Downtown Historic District
phone: +1 251-436-8787address: 62 S Royal St -
Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel
phone: +1 251-438-2000address: 64 South Water Street -
phone: +1 251-438-4701address: 359 Church Street
Cope
Consulates
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phone: +1 251 432-4636address: 205 Saint Louis St
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phone: +1 251 455-8182address: 6204 Brandy Run Road
Go next
- Dauphin Island, Hwy 193, 23 miles (47 km) south of Mobile. Sandy beaches, Historic Fort Gaines, fishing pier, campground, bird-watching sites, the Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium, and the Isle Dauphine Golf Club are all on the island.
- Orange Beach