Boating Destination: Mobile, AL

Mobile is home to more than 300 years of history in the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta on the Gulf of Mexico. Its prime location in the state’s largest delta and wetland has made the port city a defensive stronghold, trade hub and now an easily accessible destination for boaters.

Visiting Mobile is a crash course in U.S. history come alive. Cruise from the recently discovered Clotilda wreckage, the last-known illegal slave ship to enter the United States, to the USS Alabama now enshrined at the USS Alabama Memorial Park, which not only hosts tours of the WWII ship but also vessels and machinery from other wars.

The Dora Franklin Finley African American Heritage Trail consists of more than 40 stops documenting the history of the captives that built our country. Survivors of the Clotilda and other formerly enslaved people created Africatown just north of Mobile, which is still a vibrant community and worth a visit. The trail offers self-guided and professionally guided tours that cover pre-Clotilda times through the Civil Rights and Jim Crow eras.

The European architecture of some of the city’s oldest buildings, such as the History Museum of Mobile and Cathedral Basilica, are reminiscent of our country’s early days. The Basilica was the first Catholic parish on the Gulf, built in 1850 and contains subtle homages to the community’s French Catholic origins. Check out the History Museum, with kids or without. It has an interactive children’s discovery room and exhibits covering the area’s history from pre-colonial to modern times. Admission also includes a tour of the restored Fort Condé, originally built in 1723.

Most would be surprised to know that our country’s first versions of Mardi Gras were celebrated by the secret society Masque de la Mobile in Mobile in 1703, 15 years before New Orleans was founded. It wasn’t until the 1740s that New Orleans began to have festivities like the ones we see today. Mobile has been toasting its waterfront and representing an active boating community for generations.

‍

WHERE TO DOCK

Dockside Marina ‍

251-510-3385‍

‍Located in the protected harbor near Dog River, this marina has its own swath of beach with a volleyball net. Its event calendar is full of activities ranging from yoga on the river to live concerts.

Dog River Marina

251-471-5449

Visit this full-service marina with 75 slips and 1,500 feet of dockage, just 22 miles north of the Gulf of Mexico. Its complex includes boat supply and accessory shops, as well as a brokerage firm.

Southern Marina & Harbor

251-479-0955

A full-service marina with a shipyard on the Dog River, this destination holds 40 slips in a protected cove.

‍

WHERE TO DINE

Wintzell’s Oyster House

‍251-432-4605

Opened in 1938, Wintzell’s is known for oysters, as they like to say “fried, stewed or nude.” The restaurant began as a six- seat oyster bar, and although it was sold by the family, the location remains aesthetically unchanged.

Dew Drop Inn

251-473-7872

One of Mobile’s oldest restaurants, the Dew Drop Inn is known for its famous hot dog. Otherwise, the menu is limited, but bringing or ordering your own food is allowed.

Dauphin’s

251-444-0200

Dauphin’s is located on the 34th floor of the Trustmark building overlooking Mobile Bay. The menu centers on southern French creole food with Caribbean influences. Stop by on Sunday for a jazz brunch.

Butch Cassidy’s Cafe

251-450-0690

Known for their “Butch Burger,” one of the best burgers in Mobile, this casual sandwich joint opened in the early ‘90s and has been slinging specialty sandwiches ever since.