Jim and I always loved visiting Fairhope, but living here since 2017 has opened our eyes to just how many fun things there are to do outside here that are free! Our Jubilee Suites guests enjoy having free options too, so we've put together a list of the top 10 free things to do in Fairhope. Most of these are outdoors, because we all love to be outside when the weather is nice. Click for more Things To Do in Fairhope.
Fairhope Municipal Pier- West end of Fairhope Avenue. What is it about water that attracts us so? The undeniable #1 attraction in Fairhope is our public pier, perfect for people- and bird-watching, taking in a sunset over Mobile Bay, fishing, or taking a stroll after dinner. Although the pier and the entire park on Mobile Bay were closed for renovations, it is again open for everyone to enjoy. Be sure to walk around the fountain and see the beautiful rose garden while you're there. Photo credit: Fairhopers.com
Eastern Shore Trail- Built for either biking or hiking, this 28-mile-long urban trail starts at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and runs east and then south through Daphne and Fairhope, ending at Weeks Bay. If you start at I-10, the length to Weeks Bay is 22 miles. Here's a map and list of things to see along the way, including this beautiful Mullet Point Park, courtesy of Baldwin County Trailblazers, a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving walking and biking opportunities in Baldwin County, Alabama. Do it in chunks or do it all in one trek, but take the family and share the road!
Eastern Shore Art Center- Open 10 AM - 4 PM Tuesday through Friday each week, and 10 AM to 6 PM on Saturdays. It is closed on Sunday and Monday. There is no entry fee to come into the art center and view the many ever-changing exhibits. Not only is admission to the art center free, but it is also within easy walking distance from Jubilee Suites, perfect for a morning activity followed by lunch downtown. Be sure to walk around outside too, to see the permanent pieces that enhance their grounds.
Fruit and Nut District- One of our treasures in Fairhope is the lovely Fruit and Nut residential neighborhood, called that because all the streets are named after fruits and nuts! It's a beautiful part of town right next to Mobile Bay and extending east to Section Street. Starting anywhere along Section Street south of downtown Fairhope, take a walk through the quiet streets and enjoy the very old trees, beautiful landscaping, and a few original beach cottages mixed in with every style of home ever built in the past 100 years. Take a camera and record your favorites. Keep going west, and you'll end up on the shore of Mobile Bay, where the park benches and picnic tables are waiting for you to take a well-deserved rest under the gorgeous live oaks. Feel free to post your best photos and tag us on our Facebook page or on Instagram.
Public Art Walking Trail - When you want to do something new, get a little exercise, and see something you've probably never noticed before, check out this walking guide to 17 outdoor pieces of public art in Fairhope. The list is slightly outdated, but still usable, and we understand there are plans to update it very soon. Nevertheless, grab a traveling buddy, i.e., someone who loves to walk and who also enjoys somewhat of a scavenger hunt, and use this guide to see what you've been missing.
Fairhope History Museum- 24 N Section St. Save this one for a rainy day and bring the family! The history museum is housed in what was once the Fairhope City Hall and Jail back in the 1920's, and a visit there is a wonderful way to learn more about Fairhope's unique past. Don't miss the Single Tax Colony exhibit, which tells the story of the adventurous midwesterners who built their own utopian town and the stories of each of the original founders. You'll also enjoy exhibits on local business starts and inventions, plus fascinating stories of people who made Fairhope what it is today. Don't miss the exhibit about the famous Mosher Castle. You'll want to go there next to photograph it right after you photograph your children in the original jail!! Regular museum hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM with free admission.
Sunset Picnic at Mobile Bay- Some people make a point of seeing the sunset every evening over Mobile Bay. If you haven't started that tradition, this would be an excellent time to begin! Jim and I like to end our days at Jubilee Suites enjoying the sunset each evening. But there are lots of good places to see a sunset all along Mobile Bay. One of our favorites is Henry George Park, which has its own Facebook page, up on the bluff overlooking the Fairhope Pier. Whether you walk, drive, or bike, take along a blanket and a happy hour picnic. Grab one of the park benches and be sure to stay for the twilight!
Weeks Bay Reserve Day Trip and Picnic- 11300 US Hwy. 98- Although the Reserve is actually a research and educational center dedicated to preserving natural wetlands, a visit to Weeks Bay is a super-fun place to visit, especially in the spring when the weather is about perfect, and the pitcher plant bogs are in full bloom. Among its many features are 6,000 acres of land and water in and around Weeks Bay and along Mobile Bay, picnic areas, a visitor center, nature trails- some with accessible boardwalks, and, of course, the incredible pitcher plant bogs. Take the family, plan a picnic, learn, and have fun all in one place. And tag us in your pictures on Facebook or Instagram.
Fishing along Mobile Bay- Did you know that seniors in AL can fish without a license? Alabama residents age 65 or older are not required to purchase a fishing license as long as they have proper identification to prove their age. Non-residents over 65 must purchase a license. So, where do we fish in Fairhope? There are usually fishermen out on the Fairhope Pier, and they catch a wide variety of fish. Some bring the family and fish all night. It's fun just to watch them, but if you'd like to join in, use this website to find other streams and fishing spots all along the Bay. Species we fish for include speckled trout, redfish (red drum), flounder, sheepshead, and Spanish mackerel. Other commonly eaten, smaller, or seasonal fish include white trout, ground mullet, pompano, and bluefish, all found in Mobile Bay.
Tolstoy Park- 22787 Highway 98- One of the most enjoyable books I've read since coming to Fairhope is The Poet of Tolstoy Park, a 2005 novel by Sonny Brewer based on the life of Henry Stuart, an Englishman living in Idaho. In 1923, at the age of 65, after Henry was diagnosed with tuberculosis, he moved to Fairhope with the idea that it might help prolong his life. He bought 10 acres in Fairhope sight unseen and, without any assistance, built a 14' diameter circular, domed hut, pouring each concrete block himself. And he lived there for about 20 more years! Today, the hut and a large oak tree are all that remain of Stuart's property. A parking lot surrounds the hut, and plans are underway to move the structure to a Fairhope park to preserve it. But it's still open for tours and quite interesting for all ages. Be sure to sign the guest book!
Where to Stay: If you're wondering if Jubilee Suites is right for your family, take a look at our large, family-size suites with your choice of either 1 or 2 bedrooms and 1 or 2 baths. We've revamped and upgraded every inch of this historic place since we bought it in 2017, and we can't wait to share it with you. With our 200-foot beach, it's the perfect place for kids to run, play, paddleboard, kayak, and fish while their parents relax (and supervise) in the shade. We also love to serve our guests a full, made-to-order hot breakfast each morning, so you're fueled and ready for adventure. Come see us. We'd love to meet you this year!
Dana and Jim Maloney, Innkeepers
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