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History runs deep along Alabama’s Gulf Coast, and the sites depicting this history are endless. Civil War history holds a strong presence in the area, but visitors can glimpse other eras as well. The following itinerary will help you get the most out of your historical experience. Day 1:
USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial ParkBegin your history tour at USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. The 44,500-ton, 680-foot USS ALABAMA battleship served for 37 months during World War II and earned 9 Battle Stars. Visitors can tour the USS ALABAMA, as well as a World War II submarine, combat aircraft, tanks, and a Vietnam river patrol boat. A theater, concessions, and gift shop are also on site. Historic Blakeley State ParkHead east to Spanish Fort and visit the site of the last major battle of the Civil War at Historic Blakeley State Park. The preserved battlefield includes Confederate and Union breastworks and fortifications. Explore the 10.5 miles of nature trails throughout the park, as well as the boardwalk next to the Tensaw River. Baldwin County Heritage MuseumContinue south to Elberta for a tour of the Baldwin County Heritage Museum, where “bits and pieces collected from the daily lives of the men and women who built this county” are on display. Special exhibits include the Baldwin History Walk and Shipwreck! Treasures from the SS Republic, where visitors travel 1,700 feet below the Atlantic via high-resolution video footage to view the SS Republic wreckage. Day 2:Fort MorganWest of Gulf Shores sits the historic Fort Morgan, the guardian of Mobile Bay since 1834. Most famous for its role during the Civil War battle of Mobile Bay, Fort Morgan was also actively used during the Spanish-American War and World Wars I and II. Tour the fort and museum, which features weapons, uniforms, letters, photographs, and soldiers’ personal items. Mobile Bay FerryBoard the Mobile Bay Ferry at Fort Morgan, which will take you to your next historic destination on Dauphin Island. The ferry takes about 30 minutes to cross the Mobile Bay, giving you plenty of time to observe a historic Civil War battle zone. 
Fort Gaines Historic SiteFort Gaines, situated on the east end of Dauphin Island, presents a history that spans three centuries. Visitors can tour the fort and learn about the role it played in the Battle of Mobile Bay during the Civil War, as well as its use during World Wars I and II. Bellingrath Gardens and HomeHeading north to Theodore, Alabama, you’ll find Bellingrath Gardens and Home. Here you can tour the Bellingrath Museum Home, a 15-room, 10,500-square-foot home built in 1935. The Bellingrath Home maintains its original furnishings, giving visitors a glimpse into life during the 1930s. Guests can also tour the various gardens of the estate. Day 3:
Gulf Shores MuseumReturn south to Gulf Shores and visit the Gulf Shores Museum, an original beach house donated to the City of Gulf Shores after Hurricane Fredrick. The Museum provides information on Hurricanes Fredrick and Ivan and how they impacted the Gulf Shores Community. Hurricane-related artifacts, items from the early Gulf Shores and Bon Secour fishing and shrimping industries, and a collection of items from local World War II veterans are among the Museum exhibits. Orange Beach Indian and Sea MuseumEast of Gulf Shores in Orange Beach is the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum, which is located in an old schoolhouse dating back to 1910. View local artifacts and memorabilia of the city’s Native American and fishing heritage, including original schoolhouse furnishings, fishing equipment used long ago, arrows and spearheads, and military artillery. National Museum of Naval AviationCross just over the Alabama-Florida border to visit the National Museum of Naval Aviation in Pensacola. One of the world’s largest aviation museums, this museum features over 150 restored aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard. View the exhibits, experience the flight simulators, and top it off with an IMAX film. The area’s history is extensive, and there are many other attractions well worth visiting. Below is a list of additional ideas:
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