Exploring the History of Alabama’s Gulf Coast
Gulf Shores & Orange Beach
History buffs will love discovering the origins of the Gulf Coast, including Native American museums, antebellum mansions, military forts, maritime and railroad museums, and much more.
Gulf Shores
Learn about the history of the area by exploring interesting articles and artifacts at the Gulf Shores Museum. The hurricane exhibit and film are not-to-be-missed as they show how people have persevered through the storms over the years to create a one-of-a-kind city filled with Southern hospitality.
Orange Beach
At the Indian & Sea Museum, explore the history of Orange Beach, local Indian heritage, and the original schoolhouse. This museum is filled with ancient artifacts from the Civil War as well as some from the shrimping industry.
Fort Morgan
Imagine when the thundering booms of cannons protected the turquoise waterways at Historic Fort Morgan. And the shouts of Admiral David Farragut, “Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!” as he led his troops into battle.
While in Fort Morgan, take the ferry to Dauphin Island and check out Fort Gains Historic Site. The ramparts of this notable battlefield have guarded Mobile Bay for over 150 years as the site is home to one of the Civil War’s most iconic naval conflicts.
Foley
Discover how far science and the medical field have progressed by exploring the first hospital in Baldwin County at the Holmes Medical Museum. Browse antique medical equipment and exam rooms that are sure to spark the interest of your future doctors and nurses and those in the medical profession.
Step into a real caboose and see what it was like 70 years ago for a train crew at Foley’s Railroad Museum. You’ll watch as several model trains run along the tracks and imagine the town coming to life as the train speeds through it. It’s a great museum for kids to enjoy.
Mobile
A trip to Mobile will bring you to two impressive museums that capture the culture and history of the port city. The History Museum of Mobile holds over 90,000 artifacts related to the city’s history, including baseball, Mardi Gras, shipbuilding and rotating exhibits. Down the road, you’ll find the Mobile Carnival Museum, which allows visitors to discover the rich history and traditions of Mardi Gras in its birth city of Mobile.
Catch a tour of the Swift-Coles Historic Home. Here, you might encounter a ghost or two while roaming the post-Civil War grounds surrounded by beautiful live oaks, azaleas and magnolias.
While in the area, drive the impressive Mobile Bay Civil War Trail that stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to north Mobile County.
Gardeners and nature lovers will want to visit Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Built in 1936, this iconic spot includes a vibrant 65-acre garden and tours of both the home and gardens are offered year-round. If you’re around during winter, don’t miss the colorful wonder of Magic Christmas in Lights in November and December, which is sure to put you in the Christmas spirit.
In Mobile, take a step back in time, reliving the many thrilling stories that played out aboard the USS Alabama Battleship and submarine USS DRUM at the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. Don’t forget to visit the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials and check out the other aircraft and military equipment in the park.
Pensacola
Tour the world’s largest naval aviation museum at the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola. Explore more than 150 beautifully restored, one-of-a-kind aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Aviation. You’ll want to stay all day because there is so much to see and do. While there, catch the Blue Angels soaring into the sky, performing awe-inspiring feats at one of their practices. Currently, only Department of Defense cardholders may enter the museum.
With so much of the past to discover, you’ll want to see it all and spend some time enjoying the beautiful beaches too. Plan your Alabama Gulf Coast history tour today.
