Overview
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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.
9 sights · 5 things to do · 7 places to eat · 5 bars & cafés · 6 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Mobile
Bellingrath Gardens
In Theodore, Alabama. A 65-acre (26 hectares) 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 g…
Battleship Memorial Park
Tour 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.
Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
A masterpiece of neoclassical architecture from 1835. The church is the only southern church which could be called a small basilica.
Bragg-Mitchell Mansion
The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a combination of neoclassical and Italian architecture. The house is furnished with antiques and curtains.
History Museum of Mobile
Mobile Museum of Art
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 42°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Aug and Jul. (climate data from nearby Gulf Coast)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- MOB Mobile Regional Airport, Mobile — 12 mi away. Directions
- PNS Pensacola International Airport, Pensacola — 53 mi away (major hub). Directions
There are two daily Amtrak services from New Orleans via Biloxi with the Mardi Gras service. Additionally, Hattiesburg 85 mi northeast of Mobile is served by the Crescent service between New York City and New Orleans.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Colonial Fort Condé, History Museum of Mobile, Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center
- Lunch Wintzell's Oyster House
- Afternoon Mobile Carnival Museum, Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception
- Dinner Callaghan's Irish Social Club
- Evening Gabriel's Downtown
Day 2
- Morning Bellingrath Gardens
- Lunch Dick Russell's Bar-B-Q
- Afternoon South Alabama Jaguars
- Dinner Jerusalem Cafe
- Evening O'Daly's Irish Pub
Day 3
- Morning Battleship Memorial Park
- Lunch Original Oyster House
- Afternoon Celebrate Mardi Gras
- Dinner Dew Drop Inn Restaurant
- Evening Veets
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
By plane
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
By train
There are two daily Amtrak services from New Orleans via Biloxi with the Mardi Gras service. Additionally, Hattiesburg 85 mi northeast of Mobile is served by the Crescent service between New York City and New Orleans.
Go Mobile railway station
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
Museums
Do
Do South Alabama Jaguars
Sports 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 most prominent being Hancock Whitney Stadium, opening for football in 2020, and the Mitchell Center (basketball).
Do Ladd–Peebles Stadium
This 40,000-seat stadium hosts college football games such as the 68 Ventures Bowl in mid-December and the Senior Bowl in late January. It was also home to South Alabama football before that team moved to campus.
Do Celebrate Mardi Gras
The 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.
Buy
Eat
Eat Wintzell's Oyster House
Mobile institution since 1938, located in historic downtown.
Eat Dreamland BBQ
Off of I-65 near downtown.
Eat Original Oyster House
Overlooks Mobile Bay.
Eat Dew Drop Inn Restaurant
Local favorite since 1937, serving great dogs and burgers.
Eat Dick Russell's Bar-B-Q
Great country style breakfast.
Eat Jerusalem Cafe
Wide selection of vegetarian dishes and Middle Eastern food. Quiet.
Eat Callaghan's Irish Social Club
Renowned for its burgers and the neighborhood atmosphere. Live music some nights.
Drink
Drink O'Daly's Irish Pub
Drink Gabriel's Downtown
Long-standing gay bar offering daily specials, karaoke, trivia, pool tables & an outdoor patio.
Sleep
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
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My experience
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