Attractions Near Gulf Shores - History and Nature

Baldwin County Heritage Museum
25521 Highway 98
Elberta, AL 36530
(251) 986-8375
Preserving the county's rural heritage in a rambling buildings that resemble a turn-of-the-century barns. A working windmill and several outdoor agricultural exhibits.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home
12401 Bellingrath Gardens Rd.
Theodore, AL 36582
(251) 973-2217
Toll Free: (800) 247-8420
Website: www.bellingrath.org
Located on tranquil Fowl River, enjoy 65 acres of landscaped beauty, the Bellingrath Museum Home and a cruise aboard the Southern Belle River Cruiser.

Biophillia Nature Center
12695 County Road 95
Elberta, AL 36530
(251) 987-1200
Website: www.biophilia.net
Come see carnivorous plants, wildflowers, plant and butterfly nurseries, turtles, forests, and nature library/bookstore with the resident biologist of this private 20-acre ecological restoration project.

Bon Secour Wildlife Refuge
12295 State Hwy. 180
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 540-7720
Website: www.fws.gov/bonsecour/
Refuge has 4-5 miles of hiking trails and beach access. Open from sunrise to sunset. Office hours: 7:00am-3:30pm Monday-Friday.

Dauphin Island Bird Sanctuaries
109 Bienville Blvd
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
(251) 861-2120
Website: www.dauphinisland.org
The sanctuary consists of 164 acres of maritime forest. Multiple walking trails allow the birder miles of habitat for neotropical migrants.

The Estuarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
101 Bienville Boulevard
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
(251) 861-7500
Website: http://estuarium.disl.org
Open daily. Admission charged and group rates available. Handicapped accessible. Visual displays and interactive exhibits highlight Mobile's estuary system. All ages welcome!

Fort Gaines Historic Site
51 Bienville Boulevard
Dauphin Island, AL 36528
(251) 861-6992
Website: www.dauphinisland.org
Where History spans three centuries. Open seven days a week, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: Adult, $5.00, Children 5-12 $ 3.00. June - August 9:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.

Fort Mims Historic Site
60075 Hwy 59
Stockton, AL 36579
(251) 937-5490
Website: www.fortmims.org
Located at Hwy 59 N and County Road 80 W in Tensaw. This site is where over 500 Pioneer settlers were killed by warring Creek Indians on this site. Fort Mims is an Alabama treasure buried on five acres of land in the deep Tensaw woods and awaiting your discovery!

Fort Morgan
51 State Highway 180 West
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 540-7127
At 6:30 a.m. on August 5, 1864, Union Admiral Farragut’s fleet started its run into Mobile Bay between Forts Morgan and Gaines. Suddenly, in hellish sheets of flame, the guns lashed out from Morgan’s walls. The Battle of Mobile Bay was on. Despite Morgan’s withering fire, the Union fleet managed to run the gauntlet into Mobile Bay and out of range of Morgan’s guns. The siege of Fort Morgan lasted for nearly three more weeks before the fort fell into Union hands on August 23.

Gulf Shores Museum
244 West 19th Avenue
Gulf Shores, AL 36547
(251) 968-1473
Hurricane Hunters in an exciting video. Visit Fishing the Lagoon: A Way of Life. See gear used to fish and shrimp on the Gulf Coast and in Little Lagoon. View a weather video from our collection. Special exhibits, films and other events offered throughout the year. Free admission.

Gulf State Park
20115 State Hwy 135
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
(251) 948-7275
Toll Free: (800) ALA-PARK
This Gulf Coast gem boasts 6,000 acres of land with 2.5 miles of beach, fresh water lake, nature trails, and beach pavilion.

Historic Blakeley State Park
34745 State Hwy 225
Spanish Fort, AL 36577-7279
(251) 626-0798
Website: www.blakeleypark.org
Visit the site of the last major battle of the Civil War. Enjoy 10 1/2 miles of hiking and bike trails, camping and a serene boardwalk next to the Tensaw River.

Minimac Wildflower Bog & Country Gardens
13199 Mac Cartee Lane
Silverhill, AL 36576
(251) 945-6157
Website: www.auburn.edu/awac/places/minimac.htm
From early April through September, more than 300 varieties of native Southern wildflowers bloom in this five-acre preserve.

National Museum of Naval Aviation
1750 Radford Blvd
NAS Pensacola, FL 32508
(850) 453-2389
Toll Free: (800) 327-5002
Website: www.naval-air.org
Naval Aviation transcends both time and space, from wood and fabric biplanes, to the frontiers of space. The Museum captures Naval Aviation's heritage and brings its story of challenge, ingenuity, and courage to you!

Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
25850 John M. Snook Avenue
Orange Beach, AL 36561
(251) 981-8545
Open Tuesday - Friday 9:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Saturday 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. The museum houses local artifacts and memorabilia relating to our Native American and fishing heritage. Families of early fisherman have donated supplies and collectibles that make us mindful of the challenges and achievements in the early days of our fishing industry.

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
2703 Battleship Parkway
Mobile, AL 36601-0065
(251) 433-2703
Toll Free: (800) GANGWAY
Website: www.ussalabama.com
Features the Battleship U.S.S. ALABAMA, the Submarine U.S.S. DRUM, military aircraft and equipment, an audiovisual theater, concessions and a gift shop.

Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
11300 Hwy 98
Fairhope, AL 36532
(251) 928-9792
Website: www.weeksbay.org
Estuarine research and education center. Protects 6,000 acres of coastal habitats and wetlands, including an estuary. Interpretive Center houses indoor exhibits and a live animal room.