In 1861, mobile, Alabama—an important port on the Gulf of Mexico—claimed some 30,000 residents, making it the fourth largest city in the newly formed Confederacy. The shipmakers of Mobile quickly went to work after the war began, producing a number of vessels—from gunboats to blockade runners to the famed submarine H.L. Hunley—most of which would operate against Union ships positioned in Gulf waters. In August 1864, a Union fleet commanded by Admiral David Farragut, who was under orders to capture the city, pushed past the forts—Morgan, Gaines, and Powell—that guarded the entrance to Mobile Bay, in which the Confederates had placed a number of “torpedoes,” or mines. While one of Farragut’s ships was sunk during the fighting, the attack proved successful and gave Union forces complete control over lower Mobile Bay. The following year, after battles at Spanish Fort and Fort Blakeley, Union troops forced the surrender of Mobile, which was the last major Confederate port to be captured—three days after Robert E. Lee surrendered to Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.

Interested in visiting Mobile? To help make the most of your trip, we’ve enlisted two experts on the area—Paul Brueske and Brian DesRochers—to offer suggestions for what to see and do in and around the historic city.

CAN’T MISS

Fort McDermott, the strongest position established by the Confederates in 1864 at Spanish Fort, is a great location to visit. The old battlefield is now enveloped by a housing development called Spanish Fort Estates in the town of Spanish Fort. Fort McDermott is located toward the southern portion of the neighborhood along General Canby Drive. McDermott’s earthen walls are amazingly well preserved, and the high ground from which it’s positioned offers glimpses of Mobile Bay through the trees. PB

Matthew Coughlin

Blakeley Cemetery at Historic Blakeley State Park

I’m a bit biased, but I’ll say Historic Blakeley State Park (34745 State Hwy. 225, Spanish Fort, AL; 251-626-0798). There are people who live in Mobile and Baldwin County who have no idea how historically significant the park—which consists of some 4,000 acres, 2,100 of them interpreted—really is. It contains several miles of well preserved Union and Confederate fortifications associated with the Battle of Fort Blakeley, one of the last major battles of the conflict. There are also miles of hiking and biking trails, cabins, campgrounds, and RV hookups, so it’s not just about the war. BD

BEST KEPT SECRET

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park (2703 Battleship Pkwy.; 251-433-2703) is an absolute must-see. The park’s main attraction is USS Alabama, a decommissioned WWII battleship that fought in the Pacific. The park also features the WWII-era submarine USS Drum, numerous military aircraft and land vehicles, and a replica of the Confederate submarine H.L. Hunley (the original vessel was built in Mobile). All of this sits against a beautiful view of Mobile Bay. PB

Matthew Coughlin

USS Alabama at USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

I’m a fan of outdoor activities. There are world-class golf courses throughout the area, including the Magnolia Grove Golf Course (7001 Magnolia Grove Pkwy.; 251-645-0075), which is located on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail and is PGA-caliber. Fishing is another great option. I’d suggest catching a licensed charter out of Dauphin Island, located about 30 minutes south of Mobile. Or, if you obtain a permit, you can fish off the beaches or one of two fishing piers there. BD

BEST FAMILY ACTIVITY

I’d suggest a visit to Confederate Forts Morgan and Gaines, which each feature a museum and artillery displays. Morgan, now part of Fort Morgan Historic Site (110 State Hwy. 180, Gulf Shores, AL; 251-540-7127), was the principal Confederate fortification during the Battle of Mobile Bay. Just a short ferry ride across the mouth of Mobile Bay is Fort Gaines (51 Bienville Blvd., Dauphin Island, AL; 251-861-6992), a well preserved fort that also played a part in the Battle of Mobile Bay and has an amazing view of the Gulf of Mexico and Mobile Bay. PB

Matthew Coughlin

Fort Gaines

USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is very family friendly. Kids can tour the ships, take a ride on a flight simulator, and view many rare and historic aircraft. The park also has picnic areas—complete with tables, small grills, and dining huts—a fishing pier (license is required), and walking trails. BD

BEST CIVIL WAR SPOT

Matthew Coughlin

Admiral Raphael Semmes monument

It’s difficult to choose one spot, but I’d recommend the statute of Mobile’s most famous Civil War figure, Admiral Raphael Semmes (intersection of Royal and Government streets), who commanded the Confederate commerce raider CSS Alabama. Nearby is a big columbiad artillery piece used during the Battle of Mobile Bay, as well as the History Museum of Mobile (111 S. Royal St.; 251-208-7569), which features several Civil War-era exhibits. PB

Matthew Coughlin

Magnolia Cemetery

Magnolia Cemetery (1202 Virginia St.; 251-432-8672) is a must-see. Established in 1836, the cemetery is the final resting place of more than 1,000 Confederate war dead, including several generals (among them Braxton Bragg) and nurse Kate Cumming. BD

BEST EATS

Matthew Coughlin

Spot of Tea

Spot of Tea (310 Dauphin St.; 251-433-9009), conveniently located in downtown Mobile, is a popular spot for breakfast where you’re guaranteed to get a meal with southern flare. For lunch, try the Original Oyster House (3733 Battleship Pkwy., Spanish Fort, AL; 251-626-2188) for a family-friendly atmosphere and location close to where the action of the Mobile Campaign of 1865 took place. Known for its unique oyster dishes, the Oyster House also has great signature dishes, such as Josh’s Shrimp and Grits and (my favorite) Trigger Down on Da Bayou (blackened trigger topped with fried crawfish tails and tasso and Conecuh sausage cream sauce). Felix’s Fish Camp Restaurant (1530 Battleship Pkwy., Spanish Fort, AL; 251-626-6710) offers a great view of historic Mobile Bay as well as truly southern appetizers, such as gumbo, fried alligator, barbecue shrimp, fried crawfish pies, and fried crawfish tails. When eating there for dinner, I usually order the blackened catch of the day. PB

Matthew Coughlin

Original Oyster House

Spot of Tea is easily my favorite breakfast spot. I especially like the eggs Benedict. Roshell’s Cafe & Diner (2906 Spring Hill Ave.; 251-479-4614), an old Mobile tradition located in midtown, is a great option for lunch. Family owned since the 1940s, they offer great burgers, hot dogs, and fish platters—what more could you ask for? For dinner, try Felix’s Fish Camp. It’s the best food in Mobile, though a bit pricier than other options. You can’t go wrong ordering one of the “fresh catch” options. BD

BEST SLEEP

For lovers of history, Mobile’s historic Battle House Hotel, now called The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel (26 N. Royal St.; 251-338-2000), hosted a number of prominent guests throughout the American Civil War era, including Stephen A. Douglas, who stayed there the night he lost the presidency to Abraham Lincoln. Later in the war, Confederate troops marched past the hotel en route to board vessels that ferried them across northern Mobile Bay to defend Fort Blakeley and Spanish Fort. And after northern forces took control of the city, many of the Union generals of the XIII Corps checked in. PB

Matthew Coughlin

The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel (exterior at left)

Located smack in the middle of downtown, the Battle House Hotel has huge historical significance and played host to many Confederate officers during the war. BD

BEST BOOK

For the Battle of Mobile Bay, I recommend Jack Friend’s West Wind, Flood Tide (2004), a very well researched book. For the 1865 Mobile Campaign, I am a partial to my own book, The Last Siege (2018), which documents Mobile’s logistical importance and capture during the final months of the war. PB

History of the Campaign of Mobile (1867; reprint, 2009) by C.C. Andrews and West Wind, Flood Tide by Jack Friend are both great on the Battle of Mobile Bay and the entire campaign in general. Andrews was a Union division commander who had a bird’s-eye view of the fighting. Friend’s book is detailed and packed with lots of great information. BD

About Our Experts

Paul Brueske, a lifelong resident of the Gulf Coast, founded the Mobile Civil War Round Table and regularly gives talks on Civil War topics. He is currently the head track and field coach at the University of South Alabama.

Paul Brueske (left) and Brian DesRochers

Brian DesRochers is a native of Mobile. He has been an avid student of the Civil War since his parents took him to local historic sites when he was in elementary school. He serves as the interpretive ranger for Blakeley State Historic Site.