History Tour—Gulf Coast Region

The Gulf Coast region presents a world of wonder to students of all ages. This region’s diverse resources of forts, antebellum mansions, and history provide them with a wealth of knowledge and fun as they explore.

Day 1
Day 2

Begin your tour on Dauphin Island with a visit to The Estuarium, an Aquarium at The Dauphin Island Sea Lab, Alabama’s Marine science education and research laboratory. Then visit Historic Fort Gaines, a pre-Civil War fort.

Depart for Mobile, one of the oldest cites in the nation. Tour the Museum of Mobile. This National Historic Landmark, built in 1857, contains the rich history of Native Americans, as well as the Colonial, African-American and antebellum influences on the 300-year-old city. Have lunch and enjoy an educational experience at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, one of America’s warships which served as home to 2,500 brave Navy seamen and Marines during World War II.

Depart for the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and IMAX Dome Theater, a hands-on museum filled with more than 100 science exhibits. Overnight in the area.

Attractions

Historic Fort Gaines (Phone 251-861-6992)

As Admiral Farragut's fleet of 14 frigates and four iron-clad monitors prepared to engage Forts Gaines and Morgan on August 5, 1864, Colonel Charles Anderson and his 800 Confederate troops were ordered to hold Fort Gaines at any cost. The Union monitor Tecumseh struck a torpedo and sank immediately. Seeing the screw propellers of the sinking Tecumseh turning in the air, Admiral Farragut bellowed, "Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!" Immediately after gaining safety in Mobile Bay, Farragut's attention turned upon Fort Gaines. On August 8, Fort Gaines surrendered.
Museum of Mobile, The (Phone 251-208-7569)
Innovative exhibits come alive in this National Historic Landmark. Explore Mobile as the first Americans saw it. Relive the journey of African-Americans. Sense the revelry of Mardi Gras. Get your hands on history.
The Estuarium, an aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (Phone 251-861-7500)

Local habitats of Mobile's estuary: delta, bay, barrier islands and Gulf of Mexico. Visual displays and interactive exhibits promise engaging educational experiences for all ages.
The Estuarium, an aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab (Phone 251-861-2141)

Local habitats of Mobile's estuary: delta, bay, barrier islands and Gulf of Mexico. Visual displays and interactive exhibits promise engaging educational experiences for all ages.

Accommodations

After breakfast, depart for Fort Conde, where your group will step back in time to Mobile’s colonial days. Next, visit Oakleigh Historic Complex. Depart for Magee Farm, the site of the last Confederate surrender east of Mississippi. Before departing Mobile, take a scenic tour of beautiful Alabama wetlands offered by Wildland Expeditions, or visit the 5 Rivers Delta Center to learn about the species that call Mobile’s Delta region home.

Travel to Spanish Fort to visit Historic Blakeley State Park, the site of a last major battle during the Civil War. Depart for St. Stephens to visit St. Stephens Historical Park, site of Alabama’s first capitol.

Depart for Monroeville, Alabama’s literary capital and home to such writers as Harper Lee and Truman Capote. Celebrate the town’s heritage each spring with productions of “To Kill a Mockingbird” at the Old Courthouse. Before departing Monroeville, travel back 60 million years ago to see fossils from the Claiborne bluff at the Alabama River Heritage Museum. Overnight in the area.

Attractions

Fort Conde Museum (Phone 251-208-7569)
Partially reconstructed 1724 French fort in downtown Mobile. Period costumed guides. Demonstrations of cannon and musket firing. Mobile's official Welcome Center shares the site. Operated by The Museum of Mobile.
Magee Farm (Phone 251-675-1863)
Magee Farm (Phone 251-679-4560)
Oakleigh Historic Complex (Phone 251-432-1281)
Three museums, one site: Oakleigh, a beautiful Greek revival home, is Mobile's official antebellum museum; Cox-Deasy, c. 1850 Creole cottage; Mardi Gras Cottage with 19th- and early 20th-century collection.
Oakleigh Historic Complex (Phone 251-438-2791)
Three museums, one site: Oakleigh, a beautiful Greek revival home, is Mobile's official antebellum museum; Cox-Deasy, c. 1850 Creole cottage; Mardi Gras Cottage with 19th- and early 20th-century collection.