Mobile, Alabama, is considered an important cultural center on the Gulf Coast, with a magnificent collection of historic buildings. It’s also the home of the oldest Mardi Gras event in the U.S., drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. If you’re one of them and you’re wondering what else to do in this amazing city, this article is for you!
Move It Storage has gathered the top 10 fun, interesting, and exciting things to do while you’re visiting Mobile. Plus, we’ve got some quick notes on the weather, jobs, schools, and more here, in case you decide to stay! To discover why Mobile is considered the jewel of the Gulf Coast, read on!
Top 10 Things to Do in Mobile, AL
1. Mardi Gras
Sure, New Orleans is the city most think of when they hear Mardi Gras, but it’s just as big and exciting in Mobile! Mardi Gras here begins 2 weeks before Fat Tuesday and is considered more intimate and family-friendly.
2. USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Known as the “Heroine of the Pacific,” The USS Alabama was one of the battleships that helped the U.S. win World War II. Today it has a permanent residence in Mobile Bay along with the USS Drum submarine, both available for tours. Speaking of which…
3. Mobile Bay
Although it’s quite shallow, Mobile Bay is perfect for a wide variety of watersports and boating activities. There are guided tours, sunset trips, and over 30 miles of the prettiest beaches in the country to enjoy, especially Dauphin Island, the #2 best beach in Alabama!
4. Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center is a must-see if you’re visiting Mobile with your children! With astounding hands-on exhibits, a domed theatre, and several immersive displays, children and adults alike will have a fantastic time!
5. Africatown Heritage House in Mobile
Outlawed and then burned to hide the evidence, the Clotilde slave ship was almost forgotten. It was the last slave ship to enter U.S. waters. Today, the exhibition of remnants of this dark chapter in history is on display as a reminder of the 110 men, women, and children brought here and their history.
6. Mobile Carnival Museum
If you’re visiting before or after Mardi Gras but still want to learn the history of this massive celebration, the Mobile Carnival Museum is the place to do it! Explore the floats, learn the history, and see how the costumes are designed for this impressive celebration!
7. Wintzell’s Oyster House
Founded over 85 years ago, Wintzell’s Oyster House is easily one of Mobile’s best seafood restaurants and serves some of the most delicious oysters and other Gulf Coast specialties. If southern-fried comfort food is what you seek, look no further!
8. Gator Boardwalk
Also known as “Alligator Alley,” this boardwalk in Daphne, Alabama, a quick 10-minute drive over Mobile Bay, is a delight for the entire family for one reason; the alligators that call it home. Remember that while you can look and enjoy these magnificent creatures, please don’t feed them.
9. Meaher State Park
This spectacular 1,327-acre park offers a boat ramp, a fishing pier, and 2 excellent nature trails to explore. You’ll also get superb views of the Mobile Delta on self-guided tours, making this a must for anyone interested in the natural world surrounding Mobile.
10. Mobile Botanical Gardens
Did you know that Mobile is smack in the middle of one of North America’s most biologically rich areas? It is, and you’ll discover why at the Mobile Botanical Gardens! It’s 10 acres of natural beauty, including a Koi pond where you and the kids can feed the fish!
Honorable Mentions
Below are several other places to consider if you have the time and energy while visiting!
- Cooper Riverside Park
- Alabama Contemporary Art Center
- Braided River Brewing Company
- Bellingrath Gardens and Home
- Cathedral-Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
- Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
- Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail
- Condé-Charlotte Museum
Quick Facts about Mobile, Alabama
Below are some quick facts about Mobile for those who are staying here and calling the city their new home!
- Mobile has a comfort rating of 3.7/10 in summer thanks to oppressive heat and humidity. It’s a much more comfortable 7.8/10 in winter with warm days and cool (but rarely cold) nights.
- Public schools here are rated a C+, which isn’t great. Be sure to choose your new neighborhood wisely if you have school-age kids. (Some schools here do have excellent ratings.)
- Violent crime in Mobile is slightly higher than the U.S. average, but unfortunately, property crime is double the average. (That’s why storing your things at Move It Storage is essential. Our safety and security features are 2nd-to-none.)
- Housing costs in Mobile are one of the best in the country, with a median home cost of $176,000, neatly 50% lower than comparable American cities.
- Mobile is a genuinely affordable U.S. city with an overall cost index of 82.9/100.
Store Your Things Safely and Securely in Mobile, AL, with Move It Storage
If you’ve decided to stay in Mobile and need to find storage while you search for your new neighborhood, Move It Storage is your #1 choice. With the top security and safety features, including 24/7 video cameras, electronic front gates, and well-lit parking lots, you can rest assured your valuable household goods will be safe with Move It.
If you need help determining what size storage unit you need, our storage unit size guide is perfect. When you’re ready, reserve your Mobile, Alabama, storage unit online, and it will be ready and waiting when you arrive! There’s no deposit necessary, and it takes less than 5 minutes!