Dean McCrary Imports

Mardi Gras in Mobile takes place over the course of two and a half weeks in February. The city has been recognized as the site of the first ever Mardi Gras celebration in 1703, well before it took place in New Orleans. To continue the tradition of those festivities that were established long ago, many locals and visitors make plans to enjoy the yearly Mardi Gras in Mobile. The festival attracts well over a million people who come to enjoy the parade, masks, the “throws” of beads, as well as all the tastes, sights and sounds that make this party one that should not be missed.

Sometimes, getting a case of the blues can actually be a good thing. And nowhere is that feeling more appropriate than at the Blues Tavern. This one-of-a-kind entertainment venue has been often imitated but never duplicated, as any of the patrons of this blues club will tell you. The blues are very much alive at this no-frills venue, as it features a regular and highly impressive schedule of local and regional performers who all share their unmistakable love of the blues.

For those nights when you and your friends want to venture out but don't want to have to deal with uppity attitudes, thankfully there's a place like the Midtown Pub. This fun nightlife hangout features pool tables, lots of comfortable tables and two huge TVs. The charm and laid-back vibe of the Midtown Pub make it a favorite of everyone from young professionals to old timers to college students. And, it doesn't hurt that the bar stays open from 12 noon to the wee hours of the morning.

If you find yourself wandering around downtown Mobile, make sure to make your way to Spanish Plaza. This scenic, oak-shaded plaza is one of downtown's most photographed attractions, and once you get closer to it, it is easy to see why. One end of the plaza features a classically-styled European inn with iron-faced railings called Malaga. The impressive artwork displayed here won't escape your eye either, as you will be amazed at the Arches of Friendship sculpture, the “Fish Monger” statue and fountain and a plaque that remembers Bernardo de Galvez, the first governor of the Louisiana Territory.