So late in getting this review done. This stop was near the beginning of our 11K Road-Trip across…read moreAmerica. We were lucky enough to get here right before the Government Shut-Down, Such a Beautiful Coast-Line bursting with views of the ocean and wildlife. Plenty of spots to stop and take it in, have a picnic, use the restrooms, take a quick dip (we did). The Park itself has the standard entrance fee which assists in the upkeep of the area, we have an annual pass so if traveling to a lot of parks in one year (highly recommend). We utilized the campground which was well-maintained, restrooms/showers were good and we tented, but used the electricity availability for my CPAP. The Campground did not realize what a night of loud snoring they were spared. Ask our fellow campers in Death Valley a couple summers ago- talk about stares in the morning. We did a couple hikes around the area, saw Eagles and a variety of wildlife. We were lucky enough to visit the Fort when Ranger Chris was doing a presentation. He has a passion and the ability to share the knowledge he has of the time-period, the fort and the people who built it. I thought it was one of the best that we have ever attended. He challenged the group to further explore the fort and find different items of interest. When we had difficulty finding one particular spot, Ranger Chris took the time to walk us to it, explain the significance and then continued a tour of that side of the fort. My wife and I both agreed that this was one of the best interactions we have had in our National Parks experience. What really impressed me was Ranger Chris and the entire staff enthusiasm and dedication despite the furlough hanging over their heads. As we know shortly after the Government shut-down, we missed out on a lot of parks we planned on visiting, but the memory of this Gulf Island adventure eased some of the disappointment.

Beautiful place where the beauty of the shore meets history. Pack water and sunscreen because your…read moregonna need it! If you want to go through the structures you can walk through most of it. They tell you once your out there to down load the national park service app (NPS) to get a guided tour... But it's not too easy. You need a good signal and to be able to down load the maps before you go.. Because inside the bunkers you will lose signal. Plus I didn't find the app intuitive so standing out in the hot sun trying to figure it out was a pain. Plan ahead! Walk back in time with immersive history.

I've travel to and through Gulf Shores, Alabama a number of times over the year and have never been…read moredisappointed - it's a beautiful place and the folks here are just down right friendly. Our recent RV trip had us staying here for three nights and it was definitely a little bitter sweet when we broke camp and headed home after enjoying a month long trip on the road but there's no doubt we'll be back hopefully for a longer stay next time. There's so much to see and do in and around the area, the beaches are gorgeous and there's some pretty good food options as well. I was a little taken back by the amount of growth this area has seen in the past 5 years or so I guess everyone is trying to get their little piece of paradise we are seeing similar migration in Florida hopefully the vibe here never changes...

I didn't spend too much time on this trip in Gulf Shores but I will do so on my next visit. At the…read moresouthernmost point (or close to it) in Alabama, Gulf Shores is on the barrier island and so it benefits/suffers from the influx of beach goers, retirees and other transients who enjoy the warmer weather but don't want to go to Florida or Texas. Gulf Shores has managed to get slammed by a bunch of hurricanes in the last couple of years (Ivan, Katrina, Sally) but on my visit, I didn't notice any particular damage. The beach is lovely and the people are friendly. Expect to see lots of businesses catering to the beach and the tourists. Mini golf, ice cream, glossy-menu seafood restaurants and such. But if you get off the beaten track, you'll find proper locals who are happy to see you. And don't miss out on meeting up with Barrett O. He's "Mister Yelp Gulf Shores" for sure! [Review 912 of 2024 - 233 in Alabama - 21941 overall]

Great little family pit stop. Learn some history View the…read moreocean and oil rigs. Take pics of cannons and be astounded by what they had to do in 1600's to survive It's crazy.... Human race has come so far yet not. .. Technology is super interesting....

What an amazing piece of history! Just walking through all the tunnels and between various areas…read moreyou get a real sense of what it was like when the fort was in use. It's quite harrowing. I wish I'd had an extra hour to look at all the artifacts and read everything in the museum, but with three kids under four, no way. Definitely plan to spend a half day here. There are restrooms and access to the beach, but no food (and no food allowed in the museum).

Interesting little stop. Very unique structure with intriguing back story. Free stop in a parking…read morelot.

Neat little historical place in Fairhope. It is a little confusing because the directions will lead…read moreyou to a office park, it is located in the parking lot directly behind the offices. Originally, Tolstoy Park was 10 acres in the woods, and secluded. Henry Stuart, The Hermit Poet, moved to Fairhope, Alabama from Idaho because he was diagnosed with consumption (tuberculosis) when he was 65 during the 1920's. The doctor recommended he move to a warmer climate for his health, and Henry Stuart bought ten acres, sight unseen. Mr Stuart ended up living another 22 years before he moved back to Oregon at the age of 88 and passed away. His home is unique, it is round, hurricane proof, and particularly dug into the ground to help regulate temperature. Th Tolstoy House is on The National Register of Historic Places. It is a unique and peaceful place, great for kids, and unique.

Was anticipating a leasurely walk thru the woods but found no trails. Looked like maybe one path…read moreinto weeds.

Bohemian Park is a hidden gem, perfect for both dogs and their owners. The park features a natural…read moreriver or pond that's great for swimming--whether you're bringing your pup for a splash or planning to take a dip yourself. My dog absolutely loves it! I can toss his toy into the water, and he joyfully retrieves it every time. The park also has scenic trails and picnic benches, making it an ideal spot for a peaceful outing. Just a heads-up: the path down to the water can be a bit slippery and muddy, so wear sturdy shoes and skip your best outfit. Bug spray is also a must, especially if you visit during warmer months. I'd recommend going during off-peak hours for a more tranquil experience, but even when there are more people, everyone has been friendly, and it never feels overcrowded. Bohemian Park is not just a dog park--it's a great place to enjoy nature and relax. Gravel and dirt parking too btw.

The office and restrooms are currently closed. There's a nice 1/2 mile hike, an area for a picnic,…read moreand a nice hike around the fort. Definitely returning when it the office reopens.

* Fort Barrancas or Fort San Carlos de Barrancas is a United States military fort and National…read moreHistoric Landmark in the former Warrington area of Pensacola, Florida, located physically within Naval Air Station Pensacola, which was developed later around it. I thought it was super cool and really enjoyed walking around it. Both times I went it wasn't open, which is disappointing. Looks very neat inside. (It's closed on Tuesday and Wednesday) - I'm guessing that's the days I went. Anyhow- it was still cool. If you like old historical architecture take time to check it out.

What a beautiful and amazing place to visit. Being a tropical plant person this was worth the trip…read more I believe it's about a 3 mile walk through the gardens but it's easy. All the paths are beautiful. Didn't tour the house but next time. This is a must visit if you're into gardens and plants. Have to see the lights as well another time in the evening.

We were in the Mobile area and decided to visit this expansive estate. Azaleas and camellia were…read morethe primary bloomers in mid-March, but there were other things to see in the gardens. Bellingrath is not among the gardens giving reciprocal admissions. After we paid, we were given a map and a brief explanation. Many of the garden paths are shady, while others are wide open. There are areas where there are lots of mosquitoes. Sunscreen and bug repellant are recommended for your visit. We enjoyed the water features, bridges, and the beautiful reflections. The so-called Asian-American garden near the end of the tour had some interesting hardscape but wasn't well maintained. The greenhouses were definitely worth a visit. There were lots of plants for sale during our visit. We didn't visit the Bellingrath Home Museum, which had an extra charge. All in all, we got some exercise and saw beautiful scenery during our visit. I'm guessing the gardens will be much nicer beginning in May. Hopefully the roses will be blooming by then.

Very interesting place with amazing views of the water and airfield. Very much worth getting into…read morethe air station to visit.

A a short walk from Oak Grove RV Park. My wife and I had a terrific time making the climb and…read moreenjoying the view! Not for the faint of heart or fear of heights.

This was quite educational..things were very tough back then...small quarters, no luxury there...we…read moretoured the entire place...great view from the top...lots of walking but well worth it...great facilities..restrooms, gift shop for postcards (yes they still sell those) and very well taken care of...very helpful staff ...grounds were immaculate..a whole lot of history there...

"Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!"…read more You have heard this quote before, but you didn't know it happened here, or close to hear.....if it happened at all. They explain it all on one the historic markers inside the fort. Fort Gaines is one of the better kept up forts that i have been to amongst my travels around 'Merica. The cost is 10.00 per person unless you have an old or very young person discount. You pay in the gift shop where you can get the usual fair before entering the fort. Inside, you can follow the pamphlet along a self-guided tour. They have barracks for the various ranks, a kitchen, bakery, different gunports and tons of markers talking about the history of the fort and various battles in Mobile Bay. There is a small museum inside the fort too and it focuses on Dauphine Island as a whole not just the fort. Don't forget to check out the old latrine but don't use it if you are shy and if there is low tied. No seriously don't use it, it's frowned upon by the staff and there is no TP.

Marsh Bridge is a small bridge located within Gulf State Park, connecting the north and south sides…read moreof the Waterway District. Marsh Bridge is situated on AL Hwy 135, with access to Lake Shelby and the Alligator Marsh Trail. You can engage in activities like birdwatching, fishing, and kayaking in the area. There's a limited amount of free off-road parking available. There's a fish weir here too and I see folks fishing here all the town as well a crabbing. * A weir is a small barrier built across a stream or river to control and raise the water level slightly on the upstream side, essentially a small-scale dam. It's also one of my favorite off-season places to catch a gorgeous sunrise. During the fall and winter months, the lower humidity contributes to clearer skies, making the sunrises even more breathtaking. The surroundings of the bridge, including the tranquil marsh and picturesque Lake Shelby, provide the perfect backdrop for this natural spectacle. At sunrise here the marsh comes alive with the sounds of birds, and the calm waters of Lake Shelby reflect the vibrant colors of the sunrise, creating a scene that is truly mesmerizing. https://www.gulfshores.com/gulf-state-park-trail/