Fairhope, Alabama: A Charming Escape by the Bay

Nestled along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, Fairhope, Alabama is a small, picturesque city that offers visitors a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. With its beautiful natural scenery, quaint streets, and charming attractions, Fairhope is a true hidden gem in the South. In this post, we'll explore some of the best places to visit in Fairhope and share some recommendations for places to stay and eat during your visit.

Fairhope Municipal Pier

One of the most iconic landmarks in Fairhope is the Municipal Pier. The pier extends out into Mobile Bay and provides visitors with stunning views of the water and surrounding landscape. Whether you're looking to fish, take a leisurely stroll, or simply relax and soak in the sun, the Municipal Pier is a must-visit destination. 

Address:

Located at the end of Fairhope Avenue where it meets North Beach Road

North Beach Park

Adjacent to the pier, North Beach Park is a popular spot for picnics, swimming, and other outdoor activities.

 Fairhope Avenue

Fairhope Avenue is the main street in the city and is lined with a variety of shops, restaurants, and galleries. Visitors can enjoy browsing local boutiques, sampling homemade ice cream, or taking a guided walking tour to learn more about the history of Fairhope.

Fairy tale Castles

Fairhope is known for its whimsical architecture, and one of the most enchanting examples is the Fairy Tale Castles. These unique structures were built in the 1930s and feature turrets, gables, and other fairy tale-inspired details. Although the castles are privately owned and not open to the public, visitors can still admire them from a distance.

Sheldon Storybook Castle

http://fairhopecastle.com/Sheldon.html

Here is the Air BnB link

Mosher Castle

http://fairhopecastle.com/Mosher.html

Tolstoy Park, The Henry Stuart House

Tolstoy Park is a historic landmark that was once the home of Henry Stuart, a writer and philosopher who lived in Fairhope during the early 1900s. Today, visitors can tour the park and see the cottage where Stuart lived and worked. Adjacent to Tolstoy Park is The Henry Stuart House, a museum that houses a collection of Stuart's writings and personal effects.

Address:

22787 US-98, Fairhope, AL 36532

Turn west onto Parker road and then turn right into the first driveway. It is located among offices that look like apartment. The GPS will take you into the other end of the area and get you lost!

Admission:

Free and open all the time

Fairhope French Quarter

The French Quarter is a historic district with a distinctive European-inspired architecture, featuring buildings with wrought-iron balconies, colorful shutters, and stucco walls. It is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, offering a variety of unique shops, restaurants, and cafes

Address: 

40 S Section St, Fairhope, AL 36532

Lodging

Fairhope offers a variety of lodging options, from cozy bed and breakfasts to luxury hotels. For a unique experience, check out The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa, a historic property that offers stunning views of Mobile Bay and a variety of amenities, including a golf course, spa, and multiple dining options. 

Fairhope has a vibrant food scene that offers something for every taste. For a casual meal, check out Panini Pete's, a popular spot for sandwiches and other deli-style fare. For a more upscale dining experience, try The Wash House, which serves seafood and other Southern specialties in a charming, restored house.

In conclusion, Fairhope, Alabama is a charming destination that offers visitors a delightful blend of natural beauty, historic landmarks, and modern conveniences. Whether you're looking for a romantic getaway or a fun family vacation, Fairhope is sure to please.

Enjoy Your Visit!

       Sherri

Discovering the Greek Heritage of Tarpon Springs, Florida

Located on Florida gulf coast, Tarpon Spring is a known for it’s world famous sponges and amazing Greek food.

Tarpon Springs has a heavy Greek influence as evident by its restaurants, markets, and bakeries. It also has highest percentage of Greek Americans in the United States.

The downtown area is where we spent the morning.  It is located waterfront to the Sponge Docks and is the main hub of the town. It is the best place to find sponges, grab some Greek food, do some shopping, or catch a boat tour. We recommend Hellas Restaurant and Bakery for some great food and pastries!

We came across a man making roses out of palm fronds for donations. We were so impressed and had to have a couple!

The Sponge Docks is the perfect place to sit and rest for a while. If you are there at the right time, you can see the boats as they return from their sponge gathering.

Address:

Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

We spent the afternoon exploring the two beach areas.

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Fred Howard Park Beach has a nice long wide beach with tons of parking. Beaches are also located along the causeway.  The area was very clean and quiet.

 There is a place to rent kayaks to the right as you are leaving the causeway towards the beach. 

Sunset Beach is another beach in Tarpon Spring. It is a popular place to watch the sunset. We arrived before sunset and people were already getting their chairs set up. It was also very clean.

If you have time or are staying for more than a day, St. Nicholas Boat Line has a sponge diving exhibition boat tour where you can learn about the history and harvest of sponges.

Adults $12, seniors (65+) $10, Students (ages 6 – 12) $5, 5 and under free 

Call for reservations:    (727) 942-6425

Address:

693 Dodecanese Blvd.

P.O. Box 382

Tarpon Springs, FL

Lodging

We stayed at the QUALITY INN & SUITES in New Port Richey. I am very picky about hotels and this one had the best reviews online. It was actually nice and clean, but they do have an outside bar that plays loud music until 10pm. I would recommend it if you were going to stay in the Tarpon Springs area for the night.

The hotel is 6 miles from the Sponge Docks.

Address:

5316 US-19, New Port Richey, FL 34652

Tarpon Springs is a great place to explore for both kids and adults. We have been there a couple of times and loved both trips!

Tarpon Springs is located 13 miles north of Clearwater and is about a two hour drive west from Orlando.

Happy Travels!

Botanical Garden and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary (Flamingo Gardens) Davie, Florida

Located in southern Florida, Flamingo Gardens is a 60-acre Botanical Garden and Everglades Wildlife Sanctuary. The gardens feature over 3000 species of rare & exotic, tropical, subtropical, and native plants and trees.

Established in 1927, Flamingo Gardens is one of the oldest botanical gardens in southern Florida.

The highlight of this tropical oasis is the beautiful pink flamingos, from which the gardens gets its name.

The non-native Cluster Fig is the largest tree in the Florida Champion Tree register.  It is 102 feet tall and a little over 54 feet in circumference.

The 1930s Wray Home Museum on the property was built by Floyd L. and Jane Wray as a weekend retreat. It is one of the oldest residences in Broward County. 

The half-acre aviary is home to over 250 wading birds from over 45 species and over 90 species of Florida native birds and animals. Most of the birds are permanently injured or non-releasable.

The Flamingo Gardens is 17 miles west of Fort Lauderdale and 30 miles north of the Miami International Airport.

Address:

3750 S Flamingo Rd, Davie, FL 33330

Hours:

Daily 9:30AM–5PM

Admission:

Adults (ages 12+)  $19.95

Children (ages 3-11)   $12.95

Children ages 2 and under are free.

Happy Travels!