Year of Small Towns-Downtowns Press Trip

2010 will commemorate The Year of Small Towns & Downtowns in Alabama. Instead of writing a blog about a recent Small Towns and Downtowns Press Trip coordinated by the Alabama Tourism Department. Here's an article from one of 10 travel writers on the Press Trip.

Positively Entertainment 5/13/2009 Travel Excursion - Alabama Small towns & downtowns entice visitors By Patrice Raplee Photos by © Patrice Raplee

Mobile

A subtle floral scent drifts on the balmy, afternoon air in Mobile, Alabama. Visitors stroll along historic Dauphin Street, marveling at the ornate, period architecture and plan their day. The bay city of Mobile, Alabama, offers a plethora of exciting indoor and outdoor activities for visitors eager to explore this charming southern region. From celebrated cuisine, famous gardens, grand historic homes, the arts and revitalized urban center, to science museums and world-class golf courses, Mobile prevails with an appealing southern hospitality. I

In addition, near-by small towns such as Fairhope, Foley and Monroeville present a unique mix of interesting attractions with oodles of character and, of course, the alluring white-sand beaches of the region’s coastline.

Downtown Mobile A great way to enjoy a new destination is to become familiar with its history, whether you seek out a group tour or opt for a brochure (Mobile offers these brochures for free) leading you on a self-guided walking tour. Mobile is best seen by the latter and is easily traversable by foot, with most sites located within a 17-block area. Begin your exploration on Dauphin Street, where mixed architectural styles of Victorian to classical revival and art deco combine seamlessly in a splendid visual palette of rich brick and cast iron. This scenic avenue is an excellent representation of Mobile’s fascinating heritage and a view into the city’s past origins that began in 1702. Along with the beautiful historic buildings on Dauphin Street, visitors will find dozens of quaint shops, the Bienville Square City Park, the scrumptious Three Georges chocolate shop founded in 1917 and the wonderful Mobile Arts Council. For additional information, visithttp://www.mainstreetmobile.org/. http://www.exploreum.com/.

Oakleigh Mansion
Mobile’s grand, historic homes and famous neighborhoods reside within roughly eight historic districts.The Oakleigh Districtis especially interesting with gorgeous homes and neighborhood parks interspersed with Cajun shotgun homes (steep roofs) and Creole cottages (larger and with gabled roofs). This area is lovely with multitudes of live oaks and mansions featuring sprawling lawns in an unmistakably southern graciousness. And, the beautiful Oakleigh Period House Museum is open daily for tours. Moreover,Government Street is lined with spectacular, historical palatial homes and is perfect for a photographic spree. While this area is traversable by foot, it is a rather large district and a car tour might be a better option. For additional information, visithttp://www.historicmobile.org/.

For a more scientific bent to your travels and one especially geared toward kids, visit Mobile’s Exploreum Museum, located on Government Street. The museum features amazing hands-on interactive educational exhibits, such as a harp with lazar beam strings and an IMAX theater. The BioLab is one of the best exhibits in the museum with a health and biology lab where visitors can perform various experiments and even knee and heart surgeries via virtual real-time simulation. For additional information, visit http://www.exploreum.com/.

Bellingrath Gardens
One of the most magnificent gardens in the U.S. is the exquisite Bellingrath Gardens, located about 20 minutes from Mobile in Theodore. Walter and Bessie Bellingrath created the stunning 65-acre gardens 75 years ago out of a meek little fish camp. Today, the gardens feature a conservatory with dinner-plate sized tropical Hibiscus and over two-and-half miles of cultivated walking paths that meander through themed landscape designs that incorporate Mirror Lake and Fowl River.

Bright southern azaleas highlight the gardens and glorious water features with European statues grace the grounds next to the Bellingrath’s home that is now a museum. The 10,500 square foot Bellingrath home (completed in ’36) possesses perhaps the most antiques in a southern historical home. Every inch of the brick and cast-iron mansion boasts discriminating and rare period furniture, statues, paintings, china and porcelain treasures to make a duke weep. The surrounding rose gardens, about 75 different varieties, encompass the house with vivid red cardinals chirping in the Spanish moss-accented trees. The mansion also resides on the cusp of Fowl River accented with terraced stone patios and its own covered dock portico, followed by walking paths and fantastic stone waterfalls.

Bellingrath Gardens encompass a wide variety of flora and fauna in sculpted landscaped surroundings that bespeak the allure only a southern environment could create. If you yearn for beauty and nature, visit the gardens anytime of year and you will find blooms and serenity equal to a dream. In addition, the gardens are open at Christmastime with a dazzling display of over three million lights that create an enchanted fantasyland that is unparalleled. For additional information, visit http://www.bellingrath.org/. For additional information on Mobile, visit http://www.mobilebay.org/.

Fairhope

Fairhope presides as a romantic, small coastal bedroom community where world-class artists and the literary society reside. Famous author Winston Groom (Forrest Gump) and renowned international artist Nall stroll about this eastern shore, flower-clad town and enjoy its spirit of community and tranquility. The town is also one of the only single tax corporation communities in the U.S., based on the spirit of Cooperative Individualism. The single tax refers to the colony paying only a single land tax and no other.

The resort town has always been a haven for visitors seeking a restful holiday in lovely, scenic surroundings with boating, quaint shops and fabulous art. The community’s rather eccentric residents imbue a warm character to the town that adds to the overall charm and allurement. Some resident artists build small castle houses that resemble a cross between Harry Potter and JRR Tolkien, such as artist Dean Mosher and others work in mixed media.

Moreover, Fairhope is known for its striking display of landscaped flowerbeds and baskets that have won national and international awards and adorn the area year-round. Impressive shops, boutiques and art galleries in the downtown area draw visitors with a bevy of unique and interesting wares and art. Before searching the town’s excellent art galleries in search of a must-have piece, visit theEastern Shore Art Center, located on Oak Street. International and local artists are on exhibit with vibrant sculptures in glass media from artists, such as Nall, Richard Jolley and Joseph Hobbs. Most of the pieces are for sale, including a wide array of paintings and art media in this insightful art center that features six exhibit galleries and five teaching studios.
Several streets offer an assortment of bounty that you’ll want to investigate.

Here are a few shops worth note: the Church Mouse, located on Church Street, proffers the finest in British imports and excellent teas; Aubergine, located on De La Mare, is brimming with lovely French culinary antiques; In the Company of Angels, located on De La Mare, sells the best and hard-to-find White Ginger lotion bars in the nation.

For the best seafood in town and sumptuous deserts, visit Old Bay Steamer on Section Street. Fairhope’s locals dine at this fabulous eatery and are especially fond of the sweet, steamed Royal Red Shrimp that is found only in the Gulf off Alabama and parts of Florida in extremely deep water. The food is awesome, the service is excellent and the staff friendly. For additional information, visit http://www.oldbaysteamer.com/.

Fairhope is unique and to understand how it grew and continues to attract travelers, authors and artists, visit the Museum of History on Section Street. This little museum is a fascinating den of local history, artifacts and presents a captivating story on a colony with a new vision of community and a fair hope of succeeding. For additional information on Fairhope, visit http://www.cofairhope.com/. Point Clear If you plan to visit Alabama’s eastern shore, there is a resort that will take your breath away; the magnificent Grand Hotel is located in Clear Point, just a few miles south of Fairhope. The Grand isn’t ordinary, rather an oasis of beauty that is nestled on the bay with live oaks, extensive, sculptured grounds (550 acres) and a small but elegant marina.

Many travelers and their families frequent this historic haven to golf and seek relaxation in the Grand’s exquisite spa. The spa is definitely posh with delicate, tiny mosaic tiles in shiny pastel colors depicting southern floral designs and a stunning water spa large enough for 20 people. The Grand spa combines essential elements of superior service and environment to create a soothing reverie.

The hotel is a destination in itself with waterfall swimming pools, secret gardens and balconies off the guest rooms to view the bay at sunset and sip a cup of tea. Or, indulge in lavish cuisine in the Grand Restaurant. The Grand is a special place and one a traveler will never forget. For additional information, visit http://www.marriottgrand.com/.

Foley

The small town of Foley is located 10 miles from the Gulf and one of those places travelers should absolutely visit. It is almost as if you stepped back into the ‘50s with an old time soda fountain in Stacey’s Rexall Drugs, where a cup of coffee is still 10 cents. Stroll down the street andSweetie Pie’s serves the most delicious mile-high meringue and pecan pies in the southern counties, all in an atmosphere you’ve almost forgotten.

Foley is the kind of town that would remind you of an Orange Crush (it was made here) on a hot summer day and miniature railroads are cool to watch. The town even has an Alabama Railroad Museum where visitors can plop down on a bench and become mesmerized by tiny towns with trains running past and fire engines racing to put out a house fire…all in miniature! But, that’s not all; there are some fine antique shops and beautiful hotels in this little hamlet, as well as the Medical Museum that will raise your eyebrow; electroshock therapy anyone?

Foley is utterly charming and the local residents are some of the finest and most interesting people you are likely to meet. Come and visit for Harbor Heritage days and ask to speak with 96-year-old Gus Sultz; he’ll tell you a tale of a little town that was quite cutting-edge and in the most important ways, still is. For additional information, visit http://www.cityoffoley.org/.

Gulf Shores

Two words; amazing beaches! Gulf Shores’white, sugar sand beaches are perfect for family vacations and couples who want to stroll for miles. You won’t see out-of-control spring break crowds here but a community that offers fun activities such as a wharf with big-name concerts, a giant Ferris wheel, boardwalk, waterpark, excellent restaurants and dolphin cruises. Take a two-hour tour on Captain Ritchie Russell’s Dolphin Express II for a close-up look at dolphins leaping and spinning behind the wake of the boat. The cruise is fun and watching the dolphin pods frolic on Alabama’s intracoastal waterways while learning about the playful mammals is fascinating. Bring your camera; you will see dolphin’s on this cruise. For additional information, visit http://www.dolphinexpresscruises.com/.

Monroeville

In 1960, Harper Lee wrote To Kill A Mockingbird; the book went on to win a Pulitzer and was made into a famous Hollywood movie starring Gregory Peck. Lee grew up in Monroeville and lives reclusively there today. The courtroom where she watched her father practice law in Monroeville set the stage for lee’s incredible book. The Monroeville 1903 courthouse that lee’s book was based on has been restored and turned into a comprehensive heritage museum. Each year in May, the Mockingbird Players stage sell-out performances on the museum grounds with act II taking place in the actual courtroom!

Lee was also life-long friends with Truman Capote, who also grew up in this small Alabama town. The Courthouse Museum features detailed exhibits on Capote and Lee and there is even a walking tour that guides visitors around the town that Lee and Capote knew in their childhood. Monroeville is Alabama’s literary capital. Many famous writers grew up in town, and this distinction shows in the many small shops, heritage museums and café bookstores that embellish the area. For additional information on Monroeville and the County Heritage Museums, visit http://www.monroecountyal.comwww.tokillamockingbird.com/http://www.tokillamockingbird.com/http://www.tokillamockingbird.com/.

For sophisticated and elegant accommodations in Mobile, visit the historic Battle House Renaissance Hotel with its breath-taking, European interior design, renowned spa and incomparable Trellis Room restaurant. http://www.rsabattlehouse.com/.

For Gulf Shores Beach accommodations, visit Lighthouse Condominiums http://www.lighthousecondominium.com./

Great Restaurants to visit in Gulf Shores are LuLu’s at Homeport Marina (Jimmy Buffet’s sister) http://www.lulubuffett.com/ and theCobalt Restaurant http://www.cobaltorangebeach.com/.