The Mobile, Alabama area has numerous scenic and historic spots of interests, including Fort Conde, the Mobile Botanical Gardens and Hank Aaron Stadium. But the USS Alabama Memorial Park and the beautiful Bellingrath Gardens are the best known tourist attractions.
The Alabama and Bellingrath are on opposite sides of the city, outside Mobile’s popular historic district, but they are both worth the trips.
WWII Battleship and Submarine
The USS Alabama Memorial Park exhibits include the World War II battleship, as well as a submarine, tanks, military aircraft and artillery. It also has a flight simulator, historical videos and memorials to Alabama military men and women who have served their country.
The battleship spent 37 months in active duty in both the Pacific and Atlantic during World War II. The 680-foot vessel earned nine Battle Stars and came to be called the “Mighty A.” The enemy never inflicted any damages on the ship or caused any casualties to her crew.
Mothballed on Puget Sound
The Alabama was mothballed on Puget Sound in Washington in 1947 and was scheduled for scrapping 15 years later. Alabama citizens conducted two fundraisers to save the ship and tow it to Mobile. It was opened to the public in 1965 and has since attracted more than 13 million visitors.
The park secured the submarine USS Drum in 1969 and opened it to the public. It won 12 Battle Stars in World War II.
Bellingrath Gardens Open All Year
Bellingrath Gardens is a 65-acre private estate that attracts visitors all year with its flowers, Mirror Lake, the Bayou Boardwalk, the Great Lawn, the Asian-American garden and the art-filled Bellingrath family home.
Self-guided walking tours feature azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and camellias in the winter. The Magic Christmas in Lights display is also popular during the holiday season.
All American Rose Garden
The gardens, which were created and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bellingrath, have been opened to the public since 1932. In 2004 the All-America Rose Selections committee named it the top public rose garden in the nation.
The 10,000 square foot Bellingrath home was built in 1935. The English Renaissance home is now on display with its original furnishings. It was designed by George G. Rogers, a prominent architect of the time.
Forty-five minute boat tours of the area are also available aboard the Southern Belle River Cruiser.
From Atlanta, Montgomery & New Orleans
Mobile is located 330 driving miles southwest of Atlanta, 170 miles south of Montgomery and 144 miles east of New Orleans.
The area has survived hurricanes and the BP oil spill.
Sources:
- The USS Alabama Memorial Park.com
- Bellingrath Gardens.com
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