Fortified Installations

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.

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.

Visitors and nature lovers alike will marvel at the natural attractions that can be found in the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge in nearby Gulf Shores. This sprawling 6,000-plus-acre wildlife refuge preserves the coastline's native flora and fauna as well as coyotes, foxes, American alligators and countless species of migratory birds. And in addition to those visually stunning inhabitants, you will also encounter some creatures that are a little out of the ordinary. These include the Alabama beach mouse which is on the endangered species list. You can also get even closer to all this natural beauty by hitting one of the many trails that allow you to explore the park at your own pace.

Art aficionados will most definitely not want to miss the opportunity to take in the incredible works and exhibits that are on display at the Mobile Museum of Art. The art that is presented here spans several historical periods, the most notable of which are the ones culled from the 18th century. Also, the rotating exhibits are always highly compelling as they not only offer various artists the chance to have their work seen in a highly-regarded spotlight, but they also help broaden the museum's already far-reaching artistic scope.