Travelers are drawn to water wherever they go. Something about the sound of waves lapping on the shore and the sight of the sun reflecting across shimmering waters seems to induce relaxation and enjoyment. A bustling harbor, a serene lake or a perfect swath of sandy beach — if it’s on the water, the air seems fresher, the day brighter and the food tastier.
Bodies of water also provide excellent opportunities for recreation, from adrenaline-charged activities like deep-sea fishing, scuba diving and jet skiing to lazy paddling, serene strolls or simply stretching out under the sun.
Mobile, Alabama
History, ecology and a thriving seafood industry come together to make the waterfront in Mobile, Alabama, especially attractive for groups.
“As a native who now gets to promote my city as a destination, I feel like the waterfront of Mobile makes it incredibly intriguing,” said Ashley Rains, senior public relations and communications manager for Visit Mobile. “It’s just such an incredible place, and I love to share it with visitors — especially those who maybe aren’t used to such an abundance of waterfront activities and destinations. I love to show them Mobile Bay; it’s such a unique ecosystem.”
Airboat rides are guaranteed to turn adults into happy children, Rains said.
“We’re gliding through the water, seeing that Mobile skyline, and then someone points out an alligator — or alligator babies,” she said. “Or you see a heron take off from the marsh right next to you, and pelicans start flying with you while you’re on the water. It’s just magical.”
Rains also raved about the “Gulf-to-table” cuisine the city dishes up.
“You can dine at several different places right on our causeway or on the waterfront,” she said. “And the fish you’re enjoying was in the Gulf the day before or maybe that morning. We have chefs that just make the most amazing creations out of really the freshest seafood options available.”
Other attractions include the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, which includes not only the park’s namesake battleship — the famed World War II “Heroine of the Pacific” — but also the USS DRUM (SS-228), the oldest American submarine on public display. Groups interested in the unique ecology of the area will want to check out the Five Rivers Delta Resource Center, an 81-acre education center with live animals, exhibits, a theater and trails.
Waterfront dining options abound, but groups can also enjoy eating on the water, with a dinner river cruise aboard the Perdido Queen. Book live music or a comedy murder mystery cruise for extra fun.
This is an excerpt from an article in The Group Travel Leader. Read it in its entirety here.