Fairhope, Al

[hercamore]

Anyone familiar wit this town in So Al?

I'm visiting DD in Pensacolaa next week, and we're looking for things to do in the area.


herc.

 

[minkydog]

What is it you think you want to do there? My sister has lived in Fairhope for about 25 years. It's a nice enough little town,but I wouldn't call it a destination. Foley has a great outlet mall, though.

There's enough to do in P'cola to keep you busy for a week. Take a trip over to the Naval Air Museum. It's very good.

 

[Rozzie]

I live 10 minutes up the road from Fairhope.

Fairhope is a wonderful little small town with great shopping. Fun little places to eat, and lots of art influences. The bay is walking distance, and there is a great pier to walk out on, and a bluff with great views of Mobile Bay. Fairhope is gorgeous right now, everything is in bloom, and they take their flowers seriously!! My favorite place to eat in town is Mary Ann's, I love the Cosmopoliton, Chicken salad, fruit with poppyseed dressing and a wonderful pasta salad. Yum!

 

[Southern4sure]

I love Fairhope. It's a small, quiet town. It's not a tourists town so to speak, but I think you will like it. My siggie pic was taken in Fairhope and Mobile Bay is in the background. The Marriotts Grand Hotel in Point Clear is really nice to visit, it is beautiful, lots of history and it is right on the bay.

There is now a awesome outdoor mall (Eastern Shore Centre) off of I-10 in Spanish Fort which is just minutes from Fairhope.

I love Gambino's (italian) which is in Fairhope, Spot of Tea in downtown Mobile is great for lunch.

 

[Loverly]

The neatest thing about the town is the flower boxes and planted gardens at each corner-its an adorable town!

We LOVE The Grand Marriot there-the pool is to die for!

There is also a huge Outlet Mall between Fairhope & Pensacola-in Foley AL, i think

 

[stevenpensacola]

Make sure you visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation onboard Pensacola Naval Air Station.

http://www.navalaviationmuseum.org/

Make sure you go on the day that the Blue Angels are practicing...there is a viewing/sitting area located behind the museum...there will be folks/signs showing you how to get there. Many times after practice, the pilots will go to the museum where you can get photos/autographs from them.

http://www.blueangels.navy.mil/index.htm

practice dates:

APRIL
01 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
02 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. (Museum Visit)
08 8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
09 8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
15 8:30 - 9:45 a.m.
16 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. (Museum Visit)
22 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
23 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. (Museum Visit)
29 8:30 - 9:30 a.m.
30 8:30 - 9:45 a.m. (Museum Visit)

best of all....it's FREE!!!!!

Pensacola actually has a nice historic district if you're into that sort of thing.....lots of history here....let's not forget the beaches.

If you're adventurous...make the 7 mile bike ride/hike to Fort Pickens....the road to the Fort has not been repaired since Hurricane Ivan, but the Fort is open. There is about a 1.5 mile section of "road" where you will have to walk/push your bike through the sand. Not too many places where you can travel 7 miles of unspoiled beaches...with nary a condo in sight.
http://www.pensacolasgreatest.com/FortPickens.html

 

[Tuffcookie]

My mom's cousin lives in Fairhope. We stopped by her home on our way back from WDW one year.

It is a beautiful community and her home was something out of a magazine!

TC

 

[perdidobay]

I second going to the Foley Outlet mall if you or your DD like to shop.

Fairhope is a beautiful little town and the whole drive around the east shore of Mobile bay should be a pretty scenic drive if the azaleas are still blooming.

Bellingrath Gardens is something I've never done but it shold be beautiful right now.
http://www.bellingrath.org/

 

[bavaria]

Some of the nicest people I know live in and near Fairhope I have been there several times and really enjoy the small town feeling. There are some wonderful places to sit near the water and have a good meal or some drinks.

And they have wonderful sunsets!

 

[darlak]

Fairhope is a beautiful town and I second the vote for Gambino's restaurant. Fairhope itself is a little off the proverbial 'beaten path', which only adds to it's charm.

The outlet mall in nearby Foley is a great place to shop.

 

[hercamore]

Thanks for the replies.

DD actually works p/t at the Foley Outlet mall.

We've done most of the Pensacola tourist stops since I've been to Pensacola quite a few times in the last several years. My son in law will be awarded his "wings" at the Naval Air Base next Friday. That will be exciting.

DD lives near Perdido Key, so I'll think we'll take a day and drive 98 to the 59 expressway up to Foley, Fairhope, and Mobile. We haven't been north of Foley yet.

Thank you for the lunch suggestions. Always good to know!

herc.

 

[arminnie]

I had a conference at the Point Clear Grand Marriott right by Fairhope. I just thought it was the cutest little town ever.

My last trip back was about 8 months after Katrina. Fairhope was fine, but the Marriott got hit very hard. I'm sure it is all back up to normal now.

 

[Rozzie]

Yep, the Grand Hotel is heaven on earth. We honeymooned there, and I have had countless wonderful memories from childhood on up to the present there. Also the USS Alabama, Ft. Conde, and Five Rivers Delta Center are all great places to visit also, and are not far at all from Fairhope.

Yep Bavaria, the sunsets here are gorgeous.

 

[hercamore]

Thanks rozzie,

what is the Delta Center?



herc.