travel
fairhope & mobile
You could spend a month exploring everything South Alabama’s “Eastern
Shore” area has to offer — bay breezes, fab food, shopping, history and more
— but for a weekend escape, here are a few can’t-miss highlights for you and
your family.
A Grand Time
The Marriott Grand Hotel in Point
Clear is a bayside bastion of calm
that far surpasses “grand.” Laid out
along the shores of Mobile Bay,
the hotel is a AAA Four Diamond
resort. Its historical charm,
family friendly atmosphere and
serene natural setting make up
only a part of the allure. Once you’ve
unpacked, you’ll find yourself beckoned outdoors again. Take a
stroll around the grounds under the wide blue sky and canopies
of ancient, sprawling oaks, and you’ll see that the entire
property is buzzing with activity, families playing croquet and
riding bikes along shaded paths, kids frolicking on the beach or
trying their hand at a sunfish sailboat, couples lounging in the
50,000-gallon pool. You can also take in a round of golf on the
two 18-hole golf courses at Robert Trent Jones Golf Course.
The Fight for Freedom
At the USS Alabama Battleship Park, you can go back in time
and tour the mighty battleship that bears our state’s name as
well as the USS Drum submarine. Walking along the massive
vessel’s decks and squeezing into the submarine’s tiny spaces
gives a sense of what our veterans felt and faced
as they served our
country in World War
II. Additional park
attractions include
other military boats
and aircraft, including
one of the planes flown
by the famous Tuskegee
Airmen.
Stop by these three colleges while
you’re in the area.You can take a quick
look around campus or schedule a
tour with the admissions offices.
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Outdoor Adventure
The 5 Rivers Delta Center offers the opportunity to discover the
area’s natural heritage. The Center makes it simple to begin an
adventure into over 250,000 scenic acres of waterways, woods
and wetlands. Take a guided pontoon boat “safari” for
a look at alligators, blue herons,
turtles and other wildlife or rent
canoes or kayaks to paddle the
Bartram Canoe Trail. There are
also walking trails and exhibit halls
with everything from art to ecology
exhibits.
Yum!
There’s no shortage of good eats in the area, but favorites
include Punta Clara Candy Kithchen in Point Clear (the
divinity is truly divine!), The Wash House also in Point Clear
(relaxed fine dining) and Panini Pete’s in Fairhope (fresh, fluffy
beignets and sumptuous soups and sandwiches).
Charm & Grace
The city of Fairhope sits right on the
bay, and its lovely little downtown is
the place for strolling and shopping.
Peruse the works of local talent and
hit the Fairhope Pier at sunset for
one of the most awe-inspiring views
around.
• University of South Alabama in Mobile is a public university. southalabama.edu
• SpringHill College in Mobile is a private institution and is the oldest Catholic
college in the Southeast. shc.edu
• University of Mobile is a private Christian college on a beautiful campus.
www.umobile.edu
www.potentialmagazine.com