As one of the oldest cities on the Gulf Coast, Mobile boasts more than 300 years of rich history and cherished memories. They embrace the new faces and places that emerge in their city with the passage of time but still hold their nearest and dearest essentials close. This mix of old and new creates a unique blend that invites visitors to explore its timeless charm. Join them in contrasting their long-standing local staples with new, must-experience stops, showcasing how Mobile marries its past with its innovative present and future.
Dew Drop Inn and Le Moyne’s
The walls of Dew Drop Inn are covered in nostalgia. As Mobile’s oldest restaurant, this diner has been serving chili cheeseburgers, po-boys and other diner bites since 1924. The dining experience would not be complete without indulging in the “World Famous Dew Drop Inn Hot Dog,” which is covered in sauerkraut, chili, mustard, ketchup and a pickle.
Slated to debut in summer 2024, Le Moyne’s Chophouse may not have a centuries-long reputation to uphold, but their exquisite style and cuisine already has people talking. With a menu that features a Mobile-inspired take on chophouse delights like the Oyster Louis and A5 wagyu, Le Moyne’s opening is greatly anticipated by both locals and visitors.
USS ALABAMA and NMMGM
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is a testament to Mobile’s naval history. Commissioned in 1942, the USS ALABAMA valiantly served in World War II. Once decommissioned in 1947, the battleship was destined for the scrapyard until Alabamians rallied to have it preserved. Today, the park also houses the USS DRUM, a WWII-era submarine, and a vast collection of military aircraft and vehicles. With ample exhibits and views of Mobile Bay, the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park is a landmark that honors the past while educating future generations.
The newly reimagined National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico celebrates the traditions of the Gulf and its lasting global impact. This museum offers over 80 immersive and hands-on exhibits that explore the maritime industry, Gulf Coast history and the region’s cultural influence. Designed to resemble a life-sized container ship, the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf of Mexico showcases Mobile’s vital role in shipping history and modern industry.
Mobile Carnival Museum and Historical Avenue Cultural Center
Intricate court regalia and larger-than-life parade floats are iconic and recognizable symbols of Mardi Gras globally, but the holiday’s roots have been tied to Mobile since 1703. To understand the origins of Mardi Gras in its hometown and its long-standing reputation of bringing communities together, a visit to the Mobile Carnival Museum is a must. This expansive museum offers 14 galleries, a theater and walls dedicated to memorabilia, costumes and the Mardi Gras experience. The histories of the Order of Myths, Mobile Area Mardi Gras Association and other parading societies are detailed through videos, pictorial exhibits and more.
The Historic Avenue Cultural Center’s debut cultural heritage exhibit, “Remembering the Avenue,” highlights the stories and memories of Davis Avenue, a thriving African American community that was erased by urban renewal in the 1970s. During the 1950s and 1960s, Davis Avenue, now known as Dr. Martin Luther King Jr Avenue, was teeming with Black-owned businesses, schools and residents that sought to encourage each other despite the segregation laws that restricted them. At the Historic Avenue Cultural Center, visitors can immerse themselves in an oral history digest of Davis Avenue residents’ recollections of life on the Avenue and how they yearn for the community’s redevelopment.
Whether you’re looking for historical charm or exciting new sights, Mobile has something waiting for you.