| Sunbathed Shopping on Mobile Bay Explore the Gulf Coast, Alabama Alabama is often thought of as typically New South, what with its lavish plantations contrasting the weary textile mills, all overlain by that slow "what's-the-rush" attitude. Not to dispel the charm of that myth, but a trip down the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay and along Alabama's Gulf Coast presents ample opportunities for relaxation, creating a vacation-destination atmosphere you might not expect in the Yellowhammer State. From Fairhope southeast to Orange City and then west along the Gulf of Mexico, Alabama provides all the essentials necessary for a memorable weekend getaway. Use our route planner to find hotels for your next trip.
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| Bienville Books 109 Dauphin St. Mobile, AL 36602 Call (251) 438-2904  |  | In the age of the mega-bookstore, it's a treat to find a small shop devoted to local subjects and authors. Bienville Books carries both new and used tomes, including unbelievable finds such as a signed first edition of To Kill A Mockingbird. There's an exceptionally excellent selection of Mardi Gras-themed books, too. This is the place to hunt out that first edition your bibliophilic friend's been looking for. Bonus: Mobile's free Moda electric trolley stops right in front of the store. | | |||||||
| Fairhope Eastern Shore Chamber of Commerce Fairhope, AL 36533 Call (251) 928-6387 |  | The focal point of the Eastern Shore's ever-growing tourism industry, Fairhope is a relatively young city, founded in 1894 by a group of Iowan idealists seeking a utopian way of life and believing that their efforts had "fair hope" of succeeding. The city's consistent growth is testimony to its heritage of fortitude and perseverance, two qualities you won't need if you're looking for "shop-'til-you-drop" opportunities. You'll find over 80 locally owned specialty stores, art galleries, antique shops, and cafes tucked in the nooks and crannies along a five-block stretch in downtown Fairhope's village-like atmosphere. Sound like utopia? Make sure you stop for a bite to eat at one of the delicious restaurants or delis, many of which offer outdoor patios. Fairhope is located along the AL 98 alternate, bordering Mobile Bay. | | |||||||
| Blue Girl Beading Company 2200 E 2nd St. Gulf Shores, AL 36542 Call (251) 968-5900 | | Shoppers in search of one-of-a-kind (but still affordable) treasures head to Gulf Shores' bijou-packed Blue Girl Beading Company and its wealth of custom jewelry and artwork. "Flowers" made from freshwater pearls, bracelets that string together chunks of coral and turquoise, even beaded dog collars -- they're all here. An elegant splurge: the "Breakfast at Tiffany's" pearl and gold-wire necklace. Blue Girl offers fun one- and two-hour beading classes, too, with names like "Bling Bling Ring." | | |||||||
| Alabama's Gulf Coast Southern Alabama | | The many attractive qualities of Alabama's Gulf Coast offer visitors a perfect mixture of recreation, scenic vistas, and unique shopping. Small seaside towns dot the coast, presenting romantic as well as rollicking vacation opportunities. The emerald waters and white sand beaches of the Gulf of Mexico provide endless miles of sugar-white shoreline that make driving the coast a rare pleasure. Along the short drive from Orange Beach through Gulf Shores and on to historic Fort Morgan, you'll discover a medley of specialty shops and boutiques steeped in Southern charm and distinctiveness. Hundreds of chartered fishing operations are available to fishing enthusiasts, and there is an assortment of golf courses all along the coastal region. Driving along AL-180, you'll find a wide range of sights and experiences, with the subtle natural beauty and deep sense of American history perhaps the only constant ingredients. | ||||||||
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Sunbathed Shopping on Mobile Bay