Fort Conde, at the south end of downtown, and Fort Gaines, down the Bay's west shoreline on Dauphin Island, depict 400 years of our nation's development. These restored structures show traces of French, Spanish and British occupation. Guides in period attire provide vivid accounts of the various stages of occupation and conflict predating statehood. WWII buffs will enjoy Battleship Memorial Park, which includes self-guided tours of the battleship USS Alabama, the submarine USS Drum, and the 36,000 sq. Aircraft Pavilion, with various craft from WWII through Vietnam.
Groups can even arrange for catered meals aboard the ship, using the troops' actual tin trays.
As I wandered through the Alabama, I found myself alone much of the time, faintly aware of 1940s popular tunes playing on the intercom, eerily blending with the gray metal surfaces for a sense of time-travel. Exploring the maze of living, working and combat areas filled me with both sadness and appreciation of the life these seamen led on board to protect us. On a more festive note, Marriott's Grand Hotel and Resort at the southeast part of the Bay offers upscale accommodations and diverse recreational ctivities in a beautiful setting. In town, restaurants like Roussos and Mayme's provide dine dining in attractive settings. As you'd expect, the local seafood is splendid.