Arrive today in Mobile, AL for a three-night stay.  Dinner is on your own this evening.

This morning tour the Bellingrath Gardens and Home, a 65-acre public garden and historic home of Walter and Bessie Bellingrath, located on the Fowl River near Mobile.  Walter Bellingrath was one of the first Coca-Cola bottlers in the Southeast, and with his wealth built the estate garden and home.  He and his wife, Bessie, lived in the home which has since been converted into a museum.  Since the Gardens opened to the public in 1932, they continue to welcome visitors to enjoy year-round floral pageantry.

After the garden tour, enjoy an included lunch in the Magnolia Room.

The afternoon features a visit to the History of Mobile Museum.  Located in the heart of downtown, experience 300 years of the Port City’s history with exhibits and over 117,000 objects weaving together the rich histories of Mobile and the surrounding area, from the prehistoric past to the present.

Then visit Three Georges Fine Southern Chocolates, for a Candy Making Demonstration.  They have been serving Mobile for over a century by offering a variety of delectable candy, ice cream and milkshakes that will tempt young and old alike.

The candy store was founded in 1917 by three Greek Mobilians named George: George Pappolamporous (later changed to Pappas), George Pope, and George Spero.  Their original concept was to combine a candy shop with a soda fountain and sandwich shop.  Today, the shop uses tried-and-true recipes handed down from the original owners to carry on their tradition of fine confectionery.

Tonight, enjoy dinner at Wintzell’s Oyster House, a historic landmark on Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile.  The original Wintzell’s location has been open for over seventy-five years. Famous for fresh Gulf seafood, Wintzell’s Oyster House also serves regional favorites such as gumbo, crawfish etouffee, bread pudding, crab cakes, and fried green tomatoes, along with shrimp, crabs, fish, and, of course, oysters presented in a myriad of preparations to please any palette. (B,L,D)

Today, enjoy a full day on Dauphin Island.  Located on the Alabama Gulf Coast, the sprawling sandy beaches of Dauphin Island beckon visitors to come out and play.  Once you cross the bridge, you’ll be transported into another time.  This quaint little beach community boasts a casual, quiet, even vintage 1950s feel and offers plenty of wholesome fun for the entire family.

Visit Fort Gaines, located along Mobile Bay, it was a crucial site for the south during the civil war.  Now a historic site, the Fort stands at the eastern tip of Dauphin Island where it commands panoramic views of the bay and the Gulf of Mexico.  The Fort was recently designated as one of the Eleven Most Endangered Historic Sites in America due to on-going shoreline erosion.

The role of Fort Gaines in the Battle of Mobile Bay is detailed in exhibits and signs throughout the fort.  On a site where history spans three centuries, one can almost hear the sounds of cannons firing, echoing the distant past, while looking out over the gulf.  Today the stories of the fort’s days in battle, and the soldiers encamped there, are brought to life daily.

There will be free time to enjoy Dauphin Island on your own.  Dauphin Island has a white sandy beach and many unique shops to enjoy.  There is also a pier that is now on dry land due to the recent migration of Pelican Island joining the public beach shoreline.  (A similar situation occurred in the 1600s and created Pelican Bay, which was one of the reasons the French first settled here.)  The Pier structure has now been modified to provide sightseeing and picnicking.  Steps at the end of the Pier give quick access to the Gulf shoreline.

Lunch is on your own, there are many restaurants on the island including locally harvested seafood.

The afternoon features a visit to the Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, an exciting educational venue highlighting the four key habitats of coastal Alabama: The Mobile Tensaw River Delta, Mobile Bay, the Barrier Islands, and the Northern Gulf of Mexico.  It includes the 10,000 square foot Exhibit Hall, a 7,000-gallon stingray touch pool, and the Living Marsh Boardwalk. This facility has 31 aquariums totaling over 30,000 gallons with more than 100 species on display.  The Alabama Aquarium showcases the plants, animals, and other natural resources found in the estuary and its surrounding marine habitats.

Through beautiful visual exhibits and engaging interactive exhibits, the aquarium will leave you with a broader understanding of the interactions that take place in Mobile Bay, the fourth largest estuary system in the United States.

Returning to Mobile, enjoy a dinner cruise on the Mobile River aboard the Perdido Queen Riverboat.  This unique dining experience offers two levels of excitement, including the climate-controlled dining room with 360-degree views or the open-air second level.  Dinner cruises feature live entertainment. (B,D)

After breakfast, depart for home. (B)