Reviewed by: Lacey Muenstermann
How to do summer in Mobile, from Father’s Day to the Fourth + all season long
Reading time: 5 minutes
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Going for a much-needed getaway is easier than you may think, especially with our excellent central location in Birmingham. Prime example: When is the last time you slid down to do summer in Mobile?
Hop in the car and drive south about four hours for a whole different world full of bay breezes, fresh seafood, and the rich history and culture of one of the oldest cities in the U.S.
Go ahead and start packing light while you read on: We’ve handled most of your planning with our picks for where to go and what to see, eat and do!
Get away for Father’s Day (or gift a trip!)
If you’re still trying to figure out what to do for Father’s Day (or what to give), we’ve got you: Skip buying more stuff and plan a little trip instead.
Mobile is full of dad-worthy adventures. Here are a few:
🧢 Bienville Bites Bites, Brews & BBQ: Barbecue meets bourbon, beer and baseball history in this special tour with limited June dates. Learn more.
🍺 “Beer me”: Sample pints on a long stroll between all four of Mobile’s breweries—they’re close to one another! Learn more
🎣 Go fish or float: Take dad fishing, floating or even zooming around on an airboat for something more out of the ordinary. Learn more
⛳️ Hit the greens: May your drives be long on the course and short getting there. The Mobile Bay area has 25 courses and over 378 holes all close to downtown. Learn more
… And if these aren’t your dad’s cup of tea or glass of bourbon, keep reading for more tips to round out your trip.
Sublime summer flavors in a nutshell half shell
If summer had a flavor, Mobile’s nailed it. Or perhaps we should say shucked, filleted or skewered it? Expect the freshest seafood from the Gulf on menus all around town.
Meanwhile, local breweries, watering holes and upscale bars always keep the choices refreshing about what to drink.
Remember, this is a vacation, so you can keep your to-do list very short with these three things:
- EAT: While we just told you about the special June Bienville Bites Food Tour, know that there are many more tours where that came from!
- SIP: From Squid Ink Eclectic’s “Eight Arms, No Legs” to the “Blooming Solstice” at The Royal Scam, here are the must-sip summer cocktails around town.
- HOIST: Along with its local breweries, Mobile keeps taps flowing all around town. To get you started exploring, here are just a few spots downtown to grab a cold one.
Warm temps + cool art
Mobile is beautiful inside and out when it comes to the arts. Just take your pick, and you’ll find colorful discoveries in unexpected places at every turn.
When you’re feeling the sunshine, do the mural trail. To cool off your body and engage your mind at the same time, step inside the Mobile Museum of Art. Or go for an easy in-between by strolling and popping in and out of galleries downtown, especially if you happen to catch LoDa ArtWalk events through June.
Here are the details on all three:
Mobile Mural Trail: Over two dozen works range from simply delightful to inspiring to deeply moving, and everything in between. Learn more
🖼️ LoDa ArtWalk: These events started in January and run the second Friday of the month from 6-9PM through the end of June. Learn more
👨🏾🎨 New Exhibits at Mobile Museum of Art: Do not miss two new exhibits, both immersive explorations into the essence of Black identity, race, place and social mobility.
- “Without Stopping” by Juan Logan
- “Vuzumazulu: The Black Solarium, An Abantu Cultural Expose” by Abaddon “Apollo” Ben Yakongo
More summer must-dos
Here are a few more ideas to customize your getaway this summer in Mobile:
- Get a cool cultural lesson: Choose among more than a dozen museums to learn about science, sport art, Mardi Gras + more.
- Shop for something special: Bring back special souvenirs from local boutiques, galleries + makers.
- Get out on the water: Take an airboat tour, rent a kayak or board a riverboat sunset cruise.
- Day trip to Dauphin Island: Enjoy birding, wildlife-watching + more in this small, nostalgic beach community.
- Follow the tunes: Live music thrives throughout the city, from Sidewalk Sessions on Dauphin Street through June to hip + historic venues.
Start planning your Fourth in the Port
Since you now have summer in Mobile on your mind, what do you have cookin’ for the Fourth of July?
How about spectacular fireworks over a massive, historic battleship and a bay backdrop in the state’s oldest city?
🇺🇸 City of Mobile’s 4th of July Celebration
- Where: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy, Mobile, AL 36602
- When: 6-9:30PM (no entry after 8:15PM)
- How Much: Free | Parking is $10 for cars + $30 for RVS (cash only)
- More Info
🔥 Hot Tip: Book your stay ASAP for this special weekend + stay tuned over the next few weeks for more details about patriotic + historical spots to add to your itinerary.
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