Mobile

For issues specific to mobile phones and smartphone usage, see Mobile phones. 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. == Get in == === By plane === 1 Mobile Regional Airport (MOB IATA), 8400 Airport Blvd. The main airport serving Mobile. Served by American Airlines from Charlotte and Dallas/Fort Worth, Delta/Delta Connection from Atlanta, and United Express to Houston-Intercontinental. (updated Apr 2020) === 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 === Megabus, 110 Beauregard St (GM&O Transit Center). Low-cost bus service from Atlanta, Montgomery, and New Orleans. (updated Apr 2019) Greyhound, 2545 Government Boulevard, ☏ +1 251-478-6089. 24 hours, 7 days a week. Intercity bus service from many cities and towns across the USA. (updated Apr 2019) === By train === There are two daily Amtrak services from New Orleans via Biloxi with the Mardi Gras service. Additionally, Hattiesburg 85 mi (137 km) northeast of Mobile is served by the Crescent service between New York City and New Orleans. 2 Mobile railway station. (updated Apr 2025) == 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 == 1 Colonial Fort Condé, 150 S Royal St, ☏ +1 251-208-7569. M-Sa 9AM-4:30PM, Su 1-4:30PM. A fort that has been under control of the Spanish, French, and British at various times, Fort Conde serves as the welcome center for the City of Mobile. Included in admission to History Museum of Mobile. (updated Apr 2017) 2 Bellingrath Gardens, 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd, ☏ +1 251-973-2217, toll-free: +1 800-247-8420, bellingrath@bellingrath.org. Daily 8AM-5PM. 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 guided tour of the Bellingrath Museum Home. Gardens & Bellingrath Home: adults $21, children ages 5 to 12 $13, children 4 and younger free; gardens only: adults $13, 5 to 12 $7.50, 4 and younger free. (updated Apr 2017) 3 Battleship Memorial Park, 2703 Battleship Pkwy, ☏ +1 251-433-2703, info@ussalabama.com. Apr-Sep: 8AM–6PM, Oct-Mar: 8AM–6PM, open daily except Christmas day. 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. $15 ages 12 and up, $6 ages 6 to 11, free (for active duty military), $5 active duty military dependent ages 6 to 11 with ID, and $13 senior citizens age 55+, AAA member with card, and active duty dependent age 12+ with ID. (updated Apr 2017) 4 Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, 2 S Claiborne St, ☏ +1 251-434-1565, info@mobilecathedral.org. A masterpiece of neoclassical architecture from 1835. The church is the only southern church which could be called a small basilica. (updated Apr 2017) 5 Bragg-Mitchell Mansion, 1906 SpringHill Ave, ☏ +1 251-471-6364. Tu-F 10:AM-4PM (tours start on the hour, last tour at 3PM. Sometimes closed for special events, check website or call). The Bragg-Mitchell Mansion is a combination of neoclassical and Italian architecture. The house is furnished with antiques and curtains. Adults $10, children 3–12 $5, AAA/ Seniors (55+)/Active military $9.50, Group tours $7.00 (10 or more). (updated Nov 2020) === Museums === 6 History Museum of Mobile, 111 South Royal St, ☏ +1 251-973-6166. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 1-5PM. Adult $10.00, children age 13 to 17 $7.50, children age 6 to 12 $5, children age 5 and under free. (updated Apr 2017) 7 Mobile Museum of Art, 4850 Museum Dr. (updated Aug 2022) 8 GulfQuest National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico, 155 S Water St, ☏ +1 251-208-1046, info@gulfquest.org. (updated Nov 2020) 9 Mobile Carnival Museum, 355 Government St, ☏ +1 251-432-3324. (updated Nov 2020) == 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). (updated Feb 2020) 1 Ladd–Peebles Stadium, 1621 Virginia St, ☏ +1 251-208-2500. 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. (updated Feb 2020) 2 Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center, 65 Government St, ☏ +1 251-208-6893. Tu-Th 9AM-4PM, F Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Regional science center with exhibits for all ages. Includes the only Domed IMAX Theater on the Gulf Coast. Admission price varies. (updated Apr 2017) 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. Take a Cruise. Carnival Cruise Line operates their Fun Ship "Fantasy" from the port of Mobile. Four- and five-day Western Caribbean cruises. == Buy == 1 The Shoppes at Bel Air, 3299 Bel Air Mall, ☏ +1 251-478-1893. M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su noon-5:30PM. Over 100 stores, including Buckle, Forever 21, Express, Victoria’s Secret, Crazy 8, Versona, Bath & Body Works, Charlotte Russe, Belk, Dillard’s, Sephora at JC Penney, Target, and Zumiez. (updated Apr 2017) 2 Legacy Village at Springhill, 9 Du Rhu Dr, ☏ +1 251-345-1250. Hours vary - see website. An upscale shopping and dining experience in the heart of Mobile. (updated Apr 2019) 3 The Haunted Book Shop, 109 Dauphin Street, ☏ +1 251-348-7668. Th-Tu 11AM-6PM. Small, independent, new and used book store near historic Bienville Square. Plenty of local and Southern authors. == Eat == 1 Wintzell's Oyster House, 605 Dauphin St, ☏ +1 251-432-4605. Mobile institution since 1938, located in historic downtown. (updated Sep 2016) 2 Dreamland BBQ, 3314 Old Shell Road, ☏ +1 251-479-9898. Off of I-65 near downtown. (updated Sep 2016) 3 Original Oyster House, 3733 Battleship Pkwy, ☏ +1 251-626-2188. Overlooks Mobile Bay. (updated Sep 2016) 4 Dew Drop Inn Restaurant, 1808 Old Shell Rd, ☏ +1 251-473-7872. Local favorite since 1937, serving great dogs and burgers. (updated Sep 2016) 5 Dick Russell's Bar-B-Q, 5360 US-90, ☏ +1 251-661-6090. Great country style breakfast. (updated Sep 2016) 6 Jerusalem Cafe, 4715 Airport Boulevard (Behind Applebee's in the Regency Square Shopping Center on Airport Boulevard (between Hillcrest and University)), ☏ +1 251 304-1155. Wide selection of vegetarian dishes and Middle Eastern food. Quiet. (updated Apr 2017) 7 Callaghan's Irish Social Club, 916 Charleston St, ☏ +1 251-433-9374. Renowned for its burgers and the neighborhood atmosphere. Live music some nights. (updated Apr 2017) == Drink == 1 Veets, 70 S Royal St, ☏ +1 251-694-6736. (updated Apr 2017) 2 O'Daly's Irish Pub, 564 Dauphin St, ☏ +1 251-725-6429. (updated Apr 2017) 3 Firehouse Wine Bar and Shop, 216 St. Francis St, ☏ +1 251-421-2022. (updated Apr 2017) 4 The Haberdasher, 113 Dauphin St, ☏ +1 251-436-0989. (updated Apr 2017) 5 Gabriel's Downtown, 55 S Joachim St, ☏ +1 251-432-4900. Long-standing gay bar offering daily specials, karaoke, trivia, pool tables & an outdoor patio. == Sleep == 1 The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel & Spa, 26 N Royal St, ☏ +1 251-338-2000. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. Luxury downtown hotel, built in 1908 in Georgian Revival style. (updated Nov 2020) 2 The Admiral Hotel Mobile, 251 Government St, ☏ +1 251-432-8000. Renovated historic downtown hotel, which opened in 1940. (updated Apr 2017) 3 Hampton Inn & Suites Mobile-Downtown Historic District, 62 S Royal St, ☏ +1 251-436-8787. (updated Apr 2017) 4 Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel, 64 S Water St, ☏ +1 251-438-4000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Tallest hotel in Alabama, with a large spire to complement the RSA Battle House Tower. Connected via skybridge to Mobile Convention Center, and has a pool, fitness center, WiFi, and meeting rooms. (updated Nov 2020) 5 Malaga Inn, 359 Church Street, ☏ +1 251-438-4701. (updated Apr 2017) 6 Mobile Marriott, 3101 Airport Blvd, ☏ +1 251-476-6400, toll-free: +1 800-380-7971. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. No smoking or pets. (updated Nov 2020) == Cope == === Consulates === Denmark (Honorary), 205 Saint Louis St, ☏ +1 251 432-4636, fax: +1 251 432-8675, mcunningham@ndcunningham.com. Norway (Honorary), 6204 Brandy Run Road (North Mobile), ☏ +1 251 455-8182, les.stuart@comcast.net. == 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