Mobile Local Guide

Arts & Culture

The Oak Leigh complex, which is often touted as the best-known museum in the state of Alabama is located in Mobile. Surrounded by massive Oak trees dating back several centuries, Oak Leigh complex is the quintessential historical Mobile landmark. The complex is managed by the highly active Historic Mobile Preservation Society and consists of the Oak Leigh House Museum, which was built in 1833 and the Coz-Deazy Museum, which was built in 1850. Most agree that visiting the cozy complex is like stepping back in time to an era of front porches conversations and tall glasses of lemonade. What’s more: Guides in period appropriate dress take visitors on tours through the complex, just as the mistresses of the Old South would show off their houses to friends and family, giving guests the feeling of traveling through time to a time when the home was still an active residence.

Another of Mobile’s most famous museums is the Museum of Mobile. The museum is located in the Southern Market section of the old City Hall complex. The exhibits and artifacts showcased in the museum date back 300 years to the Mauville Indians, which the town was named after. The exhibits also include artifacts from the Colonial and Civil War eras.

Along the vein of innovation and futurism, the Museum of Mobile is not only dedicated to a study of the past, but also to archiving and displaying innovative tools that are impacting the future. The museum has an extensive exhibition dedicated to the exploration and navigation of outer space, which encapsulates a large auditorium and discovery room where children can get hands-on opportunities to learn about explorers the past and methods contributing to the changing future.

Mardi Gras has its own dedicated museum called the Mobile-Carnival Museum. The unique museum is dedicated to the history of the well-known favorite tools and artifacts used during the Mardi Gras holiday. Why Mobile for a Mardi Gras museum? Simple: Mobile’s oldest and most well known celebration is Mardi Gras. After all, just like the flavorful history of Mobile, Mardi Gras is a celebration of life and culture: a tribute to community and life celebrated with food, song and dance.

The Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center and Imax Dome Theater are located in the center of downtown Mobile. This Science Center provides a fun-filled excursion for children of all ages: both young and young at heart. The Center is a non-profit facility dedicated to teaching and showcasing science to all that express an interest. The museum offers interactive, hands-on exhibits and a big screen IMAX theater dedicated showcasing signature high-quality surround-screen movies.