Mobile
Mobile, AL
Mobile Alabama Ghost Tour
From $25 / person
8:00PM
Mobile, AL
Mobile Alabama Ghost Tour
From $25 / person
8:00PM
Mobile by Junket
Did you know Mobile is the site of the first Mardi Gras celebration in the New World? Or that it is connected to the Great Lakes by inland waterways? Or that it rains in Mobile more than it does in Seattle?
Mobile's legacy is the effortless blending of nations and cultures. Appealing to visitors of every taste and interest, our Junket experiences are sure to please every guest! From beach lovers to history enthusiasts, there is a place for everyone in this Alabama coastal treasure. Throughout its scenic surroundings, this popular vacation destination is full of surprises. Especially, one of the unique Junket experiences. Such as the Downtown Mobile Brew Tour!
Venture Into the Hidden Legacy of Mobile
The Junket Mobile Experience will reveal intriguing stories of the people and places that made the Gateway to the Gulf such an enchanting coastal community.
Come along with our professional guides as they introduce you to Mobile's most exciting legendary stories and hidden secrets. Choose from one of our popular tours:
- Downtown Mobile Brew Tour
Join us for an exploration of Mobile and immerse yourself in the magnetic personality of this exquisite waterfront city.
Mobile History
Gateway to the Gulf
Situated on the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico where the Florida coast gives way to Alabama, Mobile is an ideal vacation destination for visitors looking for a laid-back beachfront retreat. As Alabama's major gateway to the Gulf Coast, Mobile is a town with a rich, unique history and a variety of cultural attractions that rival larger bustling cities. Known for being the home of the oldest Mardi Gras festivities in America, this port city celebrates good times all year long.
The Meeting Place
Located on the shallow inlet of Mobile Bay, Alabama's oldest city and only saltwater port was inhabited for thousands of years by Native Americans who had originally named it "Mabila", which means "the meeting place." Europeans started arriving in 1699 when Jean-Baptiste Le Moyne de Bienville came down from New Orleans with settlers to establish a new colony.
Founded in 1702 as "Fort Louis de La Louisiane," Mobile would become the oldest permanent settlement in the original colony of French Louisiana. It would serve as a major trading andmilitary outpost, but would eventually become the first capital of the colony. It was one of many French settlements along the Gulf Coast, consisting of a log fort, Creole houses, a well, a church, a hospital, and a marketplace with shops. When river flooding forced the colony to move downstream to a new site protected by a wooden fort. The settlement kept its French name and developed as a focal point for colonial exploration and trade due to its prime location upon a bluff at the mouth of the Mobile River.
After the French and Indian War ended in 1763, Great Britain took over France's North American colonies, an act that led to several significant changes for the colony.
British settlers began populating the area and Britain declared Mobile a free port, establishing a colonial government for its new territories, with new laws concerning slavery and religion, and changing the colony's name from Fort Louis de la Louisiane to Mobile. The town served as a center for important diplomatic relations with neighboring native tribes. Mobile remained under British control until Spain captured the Bay in 1779 and declared the area to be a Spanish territory.
Under Spain's authority, Mobile developed sawmills, brickyards and traded cotton and indigo. After 20 years of Spanish rule, the area was returned to France, who sold the town to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. It was not until 1819 that Alabama attained statehood and American influence began to grow in the region.
"Mobile sits at the confluence of five rivers, forming this beautiful delta. And the delta has alligators crawling in and out of rivers filled with fish and cypress trees dripping with snakes, birds of every flavor."
Mike DeGruy
The export of cotton became the most profitable commodity for the city in the 1800s and Mobile became a major trade center for the South to European markets. The city's economy prospered until the advent of the Civil War when the Union naval blockade stifled foreign trade. The city itself was spared the level of devastation endured by other Southern port cities, and Mobile recovered to again become a center of commerce and industry.
Since its founding, Mobile has developed into a coastal melting pot, where evidence of its French, British, Spanish, Caribbean, and African influences are visible today. Visitors can step back in time through Mobile's history by visiting the city's seven historic districts, each with its unique heritage and architectural design.
Mobile Today
A Cultural Carnival of Flavors and Traditions
Mobile celebrates its diverse background and traditions, with attractions that focus on its rich culture, stunning architecture, and maritime history. A family-friendly destination that often remains overshadowed by more bustling cities, Mobile offers visitors a quaint getaway characterized by friendly locals, cultural education, and coastal relaxation. Guests can wander its picturesque neighborhoods, tour award-winning historic landmarks and museums.
"Mobile has a certain magic that keeps you on your toes. It is where a melting pot of people, flavors, cultures, and traditions become one voice to lead all of life's celebrations."
Tara Zieman
In February, Mobile comes alive as the home of the oldest Mardi Gras celebration in the country. Festive decorations along with vibrant costumes topped off with eye-catching floats in the yearly parade. Colorful beads drape the city's buildings from the wrought-iron balconies to the historic streets below. The annual Mardi Gras masquerade ball is the perfect way to celebrate Fat Tuesday in Mobile.
Over 300 years of intertwined cultures have seen Mobile grow into one of Alabama's premiere travel destinations. The city boasts pictureque views, delightful delicacies, and a unique atmosphere that is unmatched. The history, charm, and entertainment Mobile offers have drawn people from all over the nation to its doorstep- but what is it about this city that makes its so special?
Get to Know Mobile
From local culinary delights and a vibrant nightlife to unique shopping experiences and a celebrated art scene, Mobile offers a variety of exciting stops and educational sites sure to tempt visitors of all preferences. Here are a few of the places you should check off your list:
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park: You can tour the last battleship in the U.S. Navy's Pacific Fleet at this veteran's memorial park.
- Mobile Carnival Museum: This colorful museum highlights the history and traditions of the city's yearly Mardi Gras celebrations.
- Hank Aaron Childhood Home & Museum: This restored 1940s homes celebrates the life and career of the Baseball Hall of Fame indcutee with artifacts and exhibits.
- Fort Conde: This historic French fort gives visitors a glimpse of military life in the fort during the 18th century.
- Historic Oakleigh House Museum: This historic museum complex features three restored homes that depict life in separate social classes during the mid-1800s.