HeatherAttending a convention in Mobile? Going on a Carnival Fantasy Cruise? Visiting Mobile for Mardi Gras? Regardless of what brings you to downtown Mobile Alabama you will find a vibrant, welcoming, and pedestrian-friendly place to explore.
Your first stop should be the Visit Mobile Office as they are a wealth of information on what to see and do. The staff are super helpful and knowledgeable and can help you get the most out of your time in Mobile. They are located at the History Museum of Mobile right downtown.
We sure hope you enjoy all that Mobile has to offer as it’s a quirky, and wonderful place to visit. We loved our time in this town and can’t wait to return!
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Getting Oriented In Downtown Mobile
Navigating in downtown Mobile is straightforward. The conference centre is well situated for exploring all that downtown has to offer and the cruise ship dock is a close walk to many of the attractions as well.
Most of the things to do, see and eat are located within the this area of downtown:
- Water Street in the East,
- St. Francis to the North,
- S. Washington to the East and
- Church Street in the South
Map of Downtown Mobile
Getting around in Downtown
If you are staying downtown - our advice is to park your car and explore on foot! Walking around downtown Mobile is quite easy. The sidewalks are wide and street signs are easy to find. We never felt unsafe while walking and the traffic was fairly considerate of us as pedestrians.
If you are on bikes, stick to the side roads instead of Government Street. We didn’t find the traffic unfriendly to bikes, but it it is wise to keep your wits about you.
You can also take public transportation to get around in downtown. There is a trolly route with twenty stops throughout downtown. It runs Monday through Friday from 7 am to 3 pm.
There is also a pedi-cab that operates in downtown Mobile which can be a great way to get from one edge of town to the other. You won't miss them!
Things to see and do in downtown Mobile
The Downtown Historic Districts
You will want to check out the historic districts in downtown Mobile. You will find old homes, and tree lined streets that make it feel like you are stepping back in time.
The Mobile Historic Development Commission has mapped seven historic districts with noteworthy homes and sites.
Only have limited time? Don't have access to a vehicle?
Check out the Lower Dauphin Street, and Church Street Districts. Grab the map and wander until you find a porch to photograph, or a street lined with trees that captures your eye.
If you want to venture beyond downtown, you can check out these districts as well:
You can explore some of the art in downtown Mobile with a self guided art walk found on this website. These pieces of art are located in the spots you will want to check out anyway - Bonus!
Prefer to let others guide you? Here are some tour providers that can do just that:
African American Heritage Trail
Do not miss taking some time to explore this important chapter in the history of Mobile. You can pick up a map and do a free self-guided walking tour.
We strongly recommend choosing a bus or guided walking tour with the Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail (DFFAAHT) instead. We really enjoyed our experience with our tour guide and learned so much more about the history of Mobile than we could have on our own.
Downtown Mobile Town Squares
Plan to take a break from your wandering in one or two of the squares. Sitting on a bench under Magnolia trees watching the world go by, is a wonderful thing. You might stumble upon a community event or gathering.
Cathedral Square and Bienville Square are the two located in downtown Mobile and you will want to spend some time in both.
Museums in Downtown Mobile
Ocean, History, Science and Mardi Gras..this town has a museum for everything!
MOBILE CARNIVAL MUSEUM
If you only have time to visit one museum in Mobile, we recommend this one. Mobile is the birthplace of Mardi Gras and the museum gives you a good sense of the history and culture of this important event.
Mobile Carnival Museum | ||
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Opening Hours | Monday, Wed, Saturday & Sunday Every other Thursday 9:00am - 4:00pm | |
Location | 355 Government St. Mobile, AL 36602 | |
Cost | Children 12 and under: $3.00 Adults: $8.00 Military & Students with ID, AAA and AARP: $6.00 |
FORT OF COLONIAL MOBILE
This place has had some serious identity issues. The Fort has been called:
- Fort Conde (under the French),
- Fort Charlotte (under the English),
- Fort Carlota (under the Spanish),
- and Fort Charlotte (under the United States)
Fort of Colonial Mobile is certainly easier to remember!
Cannons, interactive exhibits and a tromp through history await you at this fort! Great for kids and families too. We liked how the pathway guides you through each of the historical eras and we learned a tonne about how the area was colonized in the 1700 and 1800’s.
Fort of Colonial Mobile | ||
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Opening Hours | Tuesday to Sunday 10am-5pm
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Location | 150 S Royal St. Mobile, Alabama 36602 |
HISTORY MUSEUM OF MOBILE
You can spend an entire day in this museum. The Friedman Miniature House Gallery was a highlight for us. Many of the homes are replicas of actual homes in Mobile! The Old Ways New Days Part 1 section was also well done and a great sense of how Mobile has grown and changed in the past 300 years.
History Museum of Mobile | ||
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Opening Hours | Monday - Saturday: 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sunday: 1 - 5 p.m.
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Location | 1111 South Royal Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602 | |
Cost | Children 6-12 and under: $5.00 Children 13-18: $7.50 Adults: $10.00 Seniors 65+, Active/Retired Military with ID and students 18+: with ID $9.00 Children 5 and under and members: Free |
GULF QUEST NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM OF THE GULF OF MEXICO
Fun Fact: The idea of shipping goods via containers originated in Mobile! The museum is housed inside a container ship and has 90 exhibits that help you explore and learn more about travel, and trade in a maritime context.
Gulf Quest Maritime Museum | ||
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Opening Hours | Tuesday through Friday 9am - 4pm; Saturday 9am - 5pm; Sunday 12pm - 5pm
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Location | 155 South Water Street, Mobile, AL 36602 | |
Cost | Youth 5-17 : $13.00 Adults 18-64: $16.00 Seniors 65+, Active Military with ID and College Students $15.00 Children under 5: Free |
GULF COAST EXPLOREUM SCIENCE CENTER
This science center has been voted as one of Alabama’s top attractions. If you are travelling with kids, or enjoy science a whole bunch put this on your list of museums to visit!
Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Centre | |||
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Opening Hours |
Summer Monday: 10:00am - 5:00pm Tuesday to Saturday: 10:00am - 5:00pm Sunday: 12:00pm - 5:00pm
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Location | 65 Government St. Mobile, AL 36602 | ||
Cost | There are many different options depending on if you choose IMAX or not. This page has all the prices listed. |
Eating And Drinking In Downtown Mobile
Mobile is a foodies heaven. You can find all sorts of delights right within downtown. You will find a few recommendations of places to eat below, but don’t be afraid to explore the streets and find your own favourite stop!
Our Picks
Wintzels Oyster House - https://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/
605 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36602
Oysters, Oysters and more Oysters! The atmosphere of this place coupled with the amazing food and drinks make it a must visit restaurant. Did we mention the Oysters were really good!
Panini Pete's - https://www.paninipetes.com/
102 Dauphin Street Mobile, AL 36602
You have to have a beignet while in Mobile, and this is the place to enjoy them! They come with mountains of icing sugar applied to the plate, giving them an appearance of a blanket of snow on a fresh Christmas morning! Don’t forget the lemon.
Serda Brewing - https://serdabrewing.com/
600 Government St., Mobile, AL 36602
This craft brewery has a great atmosphere with spacious outdoor seating and a large comfortable ‘beer hall’ interior. The beer menu is quite extensive. We recommend sampling a flight to find your favourite.
Other Options
Prefer to take a food tour? The Bienville Bites Food Tour looks to be a great option!
You might also want to check out this blog post to find other places to dine that aren’t listed here.
The top rated restaurants on Trip Advisor in the downtown area:
Where to stay in Downtown Mobile
Now that you know all the things to do, see, and eat in Downtown you are going to want to stay close to the action!
We stayed at the Hamptons Inn and Suites Downtown Mobile/Historic District. There was ample parking and the location was perfect for exploring on foot. The staff were super friendly and helpful. This spot is highly recommended!
Other downtown hotel options:
Sites to visit beyond Downtown Mobile
If you have a bit more time and access to wheels, we recommend checking out these places that are outside of downtown.
USS Alabama
The USS Alabama is a de-commissioned USA battleship from WWII fame that sits outside of Mobile on the Gulf. This was a full floating war machine, and small city to house and care for 2500+ men that served on this boat. The corridors are narrow, the doors are a step ‘up’ to get thru, and the ceiling is low. Amazing what human ingenuity can comprehend, and build!
USS Alabama | |||
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Opening Hours |
October - March Monday: 8:00am - 5:00pm | ||
Location | 2703 Battleship Parkway | Mobile, AL 36602 | ||
Cost | Children 6-11 : $6.00 General 12-Adult: $15.00 Seniors 55+, Active Military with ID: Fre Parking: $4.00 |
Springhill Historic Tour and Springhill Campus
This community in Mobile was originally a summer retreat location for wealthy Mobilians. Most of the original homes were summer residences. This area also houses a college that was founded in 1830. The self guided driving tool takes you to all the highlights in this area, including the campus. Pick up a map from Visit Mobile.
The 5 Rivers Alabama Delta Resource Center
If you like to spend time outdoors this is a great place to visit. Fun Fact: 5 river deltas all converge here before flowing into Mobile Bay. You can arrange boat tours, and kayak rentals from the centre, or enjoy some time on the walking trails or in the picnic area.
The 5 Rivers Alabama Delta Resource Center | ||
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Opening Hours | 7 days a week 8:00am - 5:00pm | |
Location | 30945 5 Rivers Blvd. Spanish Fort, AL 36527 | |
Cost | Free |
Getting Into and Around Downtown Mobile
Government Street, Springhill Avenue, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Ave, I65 and I10 are the main routes into downtown.
Many of the roads in downtown are one way. Be prepared to make last-minute decisions if your GPS wants you to turn the wrong way on a one-way street.
The interstates are an easy way to enter the downtown area. Look for signs that say N Water Street or S Water Street and follow the exits.
Springhill Avenue conveniently turns into Dauphin Street which you will likely want to check out. Find a place to park, and get out to explore!
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Ave ends at N Clairborne Street. Turn right (it is a one way road) which takes you in to heart of downtown Mobile.
Government Street is also the I90. There is a tricky intersection at S. Conception Street that can cause a bit of stress. Stay in the left lane and avoid going into the tunnel. Better yet, turn left onto South Jackson Street to avoid getting funneled into the tunnel!
As I mentioned at the beginning, you will want to check in with Visit Mobile to learn about all the things you can see and do in this town. There is just no way we have captured all there is!
That was a lot of information! Pin this post so you can find it again.
Let us know your favourite thing to do, eat, or see in downtown Mobile in the comments below.
Visit Mobile hosted us during our stay. As always, the opinions are our own.
