Explore Baldwin County, AL
Landmarks
Alabama landmarks are fascinating and full of surprises! The area has some of the country’s most remarkable landmarks, from epic rocket ships and art to breathtaking islands.
When visiting the state, you should make a full itinerary so you know exactly where to head before you get caught up in side quests like stopping over to see a museum you saw along the way.
There is a collective agreement that there is no end to beautiful places to see in Alabama. If it’s your first time visiting this state, here are some of the most famous landmarks in Alabama that you should see!
Fairhope Landmarks
Fairhope is home to a variety of historic landmarks, scenic waterfront destinations, and cultural attractions that showcase the city’s rich heritage, artistic spirit, and timeless coastal charm.
Fairhope Landmarks:
- Fairhope Municipal Pier
- Henry George Park on the Bluff
- Fairhope Museum of History
- The Fairhope Clock
- Eastern Shore Art Center
- Fairhope Tea Plantation
- Tolstoy Park
- Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve
- Fairhope French Quarter
Fairhope Avenue at Mobile Bay, Fairhope, AL 36532
Fairhope Municipal Pier is a 1,448-foot waterfront landmark extending into Mobile Bay. Visitors can walk the pier, fish with the proper license, watch boats at the marina, or enjoy one of Baldwin County’s best sunset views. The surrounding Fairhope waterfront includes a rose garden, fountain, sandy beach, duck pond, picnic areas, and walking paths. Often called Fairhope’s town square, the pier is an essential stop for sightseeing, photography, fishing, and relaxing along Alabama’s Eastern Shore.
Fairhope Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532
Henry George Park on the Bluff overlooks Mobile Bay and Fairhope Municipal Pier from one of the city’s most scenic hilltop settings. The bayside park is a popular location for picnics, weddings, memorials, festivals, outdoor theater, and community concerts. Each July, visitors gather near the bluff for Fairhope’s Independence Day concert and waterfront fireworks. Shaded lawns, bay breezes, and elevated sunset views make Henry George Park a favorite place to experience Fairhope’s relaxed coastal character.
24 North Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532
Fairhope Museum of History tells the story of Fairhope’s founding, Single Tax Colony roots, local government, and Eastern Shore culture. The museum occupies the city’s historic 1928 Spanish Mission-style City Hall, which once included municipal offices, a police station, and a jail. Exhibits explore Fairhope’s development from an experimental colony into a celebrated Mobile Bay community. Free admission and a central downtown location make the museum an informative stop for visitors interested in Baldwin County history.
Fairhope Avenue and Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532
The Fairhope Clock stands at Clock Corner, the central intersection of Fairhope Avenue and Section Street. Surrounded by flowers, boutiques, restaurants, and historic downtown buildings, it has become one of Fairhope’s most photographed landmarks and a familiar local meeting place. Visitors often use the clock as the starting point for exploring downtown Fairhope on foot. Its location places travelers within an easy walk of the Fairhope Museum of History, Eastern Shore Art Center, cafés, galleries, and independent shops.
401 Oak Street, Fairhope, AL 36532
Eastern Shore Art Center is a cornerstone of Fairhope’s creative community. Its five galleries feature changing exhibitions by local, regional, and national artists, while classes and studio programs introduce visitors to painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, and other visual arts. The center also organizes Fairhope’s annual Outdoor Art Show and participates in downtown arts events. Located near Fairhope Avenue and Mobile Bay, it is a must-see Baldwin County landmark for art lovers, families, collectors, and travelers exploring Fairhope’s cultural scene.
12424 Lyter Lane, Fairhope, AL 36532
Fairhope Tea Plantation is a working Baldwin County tea farm established in 1979. The property produces locally grown black and green tea and offers small private tours that introduce visitors to the fields, plants, and tea-making process. Because the plantation is located on private property, tours must be arranged in advance and unscheduled drop-ins are not permitted. This unusual Fairhope attraction offers travelers a locally rooted agricultural experience beyond the city’s beaches, shops, galleries, and Mobile Bay landmarks.
22787 US Highway 98, Montrose, AL 36559
Tolstoy Park preserves the small, round concrete home hand-built by Henry Stuart beginning in 1925. After receiving a serious tuberculosis diagnosis, Stuart moved to Baldwin County and created a simple retreat inspired by writer Leo Tolstoy’s philosophy. He lived far longer than doctors predicted, welcoming curious visitors to the property. Also called the Henry Stuart House or Hermit House, the landmark inspired Sonny Brewer’s novel The Poet of Tolstoy Park and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
11300 US Highway 98, Fairhope, AL 36532
Weeks Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve protects coastal wetlands, forests, marshes, and estuarine habitats near Fairhope. Visitors can learn about Alabama’s coastal environment through wildlife exhibits, live animal displays, self-guided trails, boardwalks, and a pitcher plant bog. The reserve supports scientific research, education, water-quality monitoring, and habitat conservation. It is a rewarding Baldwin County landmark for families, hikers, birdwatchers, photographers, and travelers looking for a free nature experience near Weeks Bay and Mobile Bay.
South Section Street, Fairhope, AL 36532
Fairhope French Quarter is a charming downtown courtyard filled with locally owned shops, restaurants, shaded seating, and New Orleans-inspired details. Its centerpiece is a massive crape myrtle recognized as an Alabama Champion Tree and promoted as one of the South’s largest. Brick walkways and intimate storefronts make the French Quarter a popular place for shopping, dining, photography, and relaxing during a downtown Fairhope visit. It is within walking distance of the Fairhope Clock, art galleries, museums, and flower-lined Fairhope Avenue.
Point Clear Landmark
Point Clear is known for its historic coastal landmarks, offering visitors a glimpse into the area’s rich Southern heritage, timeless elegance, and scenic waterfront beauty.
Point Clear Landmark:
- Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa
One Grand Boulevard, Point Clear, AL 36564
Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa is a historic Point Clear landmark overlooking Mobile Bay. Established in 1847, the resort has served generations of Gulf Coast travelers and has connections to Civil War and World War II history. Its daily historical tribute concludes with the firing of a replica cannon at Cannon Park. The organized procession is offered to registered hotel guests and Lakewood members. Bayfront scenery, historic grounds, dining, golf, and recreation make the Grand one of Baldwin County’s most recognizable destinations.
Daphne Landmarks
Daphne is home to a variety of historic landmarks, cultural attractions, and scenic outdoor spaces that reflect the city’s rich heritage, artistic legacy, and natural beauty along the Eastern Shore.
Daphne Landmark:
- Malbis Memorial Church
- Daphne History Museum
- American Sport Art Museum and Archives
- Bayfront Park
- Eastern Shore Trail
29300 Alabama Highway 181, Daphne, AL 36526
Malbis Memorial Church is a distinctive Greek Orthodox landmark near Daphne and Spanish Fort. Dedicated in 1965, the Byzantine Revival church features domes, marble columns, detailed mosaics, carved stonework, and extensive hand-painted iconography. It was built to honor Greek immigrant Jason Malbis, who founded the nearby Malbis Plantation community. Although the church has never served as a traditional parish, it hosts religious observances and special events. Tour access and visiting hours should be confirmed before arrival.
405 Dryer Avenue, Daphne, AL 36526
Daphne History Museum preserves the cultural history of Daphne and Alabama’s Eastern Shore. The museum occupies the historic Old Methodist Church, constructed in 1858 and recognized as the second-oldest church building in Baldwin County. Exhibits include period clothing, community artifacts, historic furnishings, religious objects, photographs, and stories from Daphne’s past. The adjacent cemetery predates the church and adds another layer of local history. Visitors should check the museum’s current schedule or arrange group tours before visiting.
One Academy Drive, Daphne, AL 36526
The American Sport Art Museum and Archives connects athletic history with visual art on the United States Sports University campus in Daphne. Founded in 1984, the museum preserves more than 1,800 paintings, sculptures, photographs, prints, posters, and mixed-media works inspired by sports. The collection is considered one of the world’s largest displays devoted to sport art. Free public admission makes ASAMA a distinctive Baldwin County landmark for athletes, art enthusiasts, students, families, and travelers seeking an unusual museum experience.
6200 Bayfront Park Drive, Daphne, AL 36526
Bayfront Park offers peaceful Mobile Bay views, shoreline access, picnic areas, walking paths, and memorable Eastern Shore sunsets. Visitors can connect to nearby Village Point Park Preserve, where trails and boardwalks travel through wooded and wetland habitats toward the bay. The larger park area is popular for birding, photography, fishing, and wildlife observation. Daphne’s nearby Gator Boardwalk provides educational signage and possible alligator sightings, although visitors should never approach or feed wildlife.
Daphne to Weeks Bay, Baldwin County, Alabama
The Eastern Shore Trail is a 22-mile National Recreation Trail following Mobile Bay through Daphne, Montrose, Fairhope, Point Clear, and surrounding communities. Its mix of sidewalks, paved paths, bridges, and boardwalks accommodates walking, jogging, and slower recreational cycling. Travelers pass moss-draped oaks, historic neighborhoods, waterfront parks, shops, restaurants, and scenic bay overlooks. The trail offers an active way to connect many of Baldwin County’s best-known landmarks while experiencing the communities and landscapes of Alabama’s Eastern Shore.
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach Landmarks
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are home to iconic landmarks that showcase the region’s natural beauty, rich history, and coastal charm, offering visitors memorable experiences both on and off the shoreline.
Gulf Shores Landmark:
- Gulf State Park
- Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier
- Fort Morgan Historic Site
- Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge
- The Wharf at Orange Beach
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Baldwin County, Alabama
Gulf State Park is one of the Alabama Gulf Coast’s leading outdoor landmarks. The park brings together white-sand beaches, freshwater lakes, campgrounds, cabins, a nature center, a fishing pier, and miles of trails through coastal habitats. Visitors can bike the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail, paddle on Lake Shelby, fish, swim, watch wildlife, or attend educational programs. Its location between Gulf Shores and Orange Beach makes the park an ideal destination for families, nature lovers, campers, cyclists, anglers, and beach travelers.
20800 East Beach Boulevard, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Gulf State Park Fishing and Education Pier extends approximately 1,540 feet into the Gulf of Mexico. The landmark offers more than 2,400 feet of fishing space, covered seating, educational signs, wheelchair-accessible rail fishing, comfort stations, tackle sales, and elevated Gulf views. Anglers may catch sheepshead, Spanish mackerel, pompano, whiting, and other seasonal species. Rod rentals and instructional programs help newcomers get started, while sightseeing access makes the pier appealing even to visitors who are not fishing.
110 Highway 180, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Fort Morgan Historic Site stands at Mobile Point, where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. Completed in 1834, the masonry fort guarded the bay and played an important role in the Civil War’s Battle of Mobile Bay. Visitors can explore defensive walls, tunnels, batteries, exhibits, and a museum covering the military history of Mobile Point from 1814 through 1945. Coastal views and access to the Mobile Bay Ferry make Fort Morgan a significant Baldwin County destination for history enthusiasts and families.
Fort Morgan Peninsula, Gulf Shores, AL 36542
Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge protects approximately 7,000 acres of beaches, dunes, wetlands, maritime forests, and pine-oak woodlands. Its undeveloped coastal habitat supports migratory birds, Alabama beach mice, and nesting green, loggerhead, and Kemp’s ridley sea turtles. Visitors can hike nature trails, watch wildlife, photograph coastal scenery, and explore quieter beaches away from the busiest resort areas. The refuge is one of Baldwin County’s best landmarks for birding, nature study, hiking, and experiencing Alabama’s remaining natural Gulf Coast.
23101 Canal Road, Orange Beach, AL 36561
The Wharf is Orange Beach’s waterfront entertainment district and one of Baldwin County’s most recognizable modern landmarks. Its 112-foot Ferris wheel offers elevated views from 24 gondolas and becomes a colorful beacon after dark. Visitors can also explore restaurants, boutiques, a marina, movie theater, arcade, amphitheater, family attractions, seasonal events, and the nighttime SPECTRA light show. The walkable district is a popular destination for shopping, dining, concerts, boating excursions, festivals, and family entertainment away from the beachfront.
Mobile County Landmarks
Mobile County is home to iconic landmarks that celebrate its rich history, vibrant culture, military heritage, and diverse natural landscapes, making it a fascinating destination for visitors of all interests.
Mobile County Landmark:
- USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
- Colonial Fort Condé
- Africatown Historic District
- Mobile Carnival Museum
- Five Rivers Delta Resource Center
2703 Battleship Parkway, Mobile, AL 36602
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park is a major Mobile Bay military landmark and veterans memorial. Visitors can board the World War II battleship USS Alabama and explore the USS Drum, a National Historic Landmark submarine. The park also displays more than 30 historic aircraft, military vehicles, artillery, tanks, and memorials honoring American service members. Self-guided routes introduce guests to life aboard the ships, wartime technology, and military history, making the park a leading Mobile County attraction for families and history enthusiasts.
150 South Royal Street, Mobile, AL 36602
Colonial Fort Condé introduces visitors to Mobile’s French, British, Spanish, and American colonial history. The original French fort was built in 1723 and once covered more than ten acres of what is now downtown Mobile. The present attraction, opened in 1976, reconstructs roughly one-third of the original fort at a reduced scale. Exhibits, costumed interpretation, historic rooms, and defensive features help visitors understand the cultures and military powers that shaped one of the Gulf Coast’s oldest cities.
North Mobile, Mobile County, Alabama
Africatown Historic District preserves the nationally significant story of people who survived the final known slave-trading voyage to the United States aboard the Clotilda. After emancipation, several survivors purchased land and created a self-governed community that preserved African traditions, family connections, and cultural knowledge. Visitors can explore the Africatown Heritage House, historic cemetery, churches, community landmarks, and self-guided heritage sites. Guests should remember that Africatown remains a living residential community and visit its landmarks respectfully.
355 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602
Mobile Carnival Museum celebrates more than 300 years of Carnival and Mardi Gras traditions in Mobile, the birthplace of American Mardi Gras. Located in the historic Bernstein-Bush mansion, the museum displays elaborate royal trains, crowns, scepters, costumes, float designs, photographs, and artifacts from Mobile’s mystic societies. Interactive experiences allow visitors to imagine riding a parade float and participating in Carnival pageantry. The museum is an essential downtown Mobile landmark for understanding the city’s history, artistry, traditions, and year-round Mardi Gras culture.
30945 Five Rivers Boulevard, Spanish Fort, AL 36527
Five Rivers serves as a gateway to the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee, and Blakeley Rivers approach Mobile Bay. The site supports environmental education, wildlife viewing, paddling, boat tours, walking, and conservation programs. The property is also associated with the renovated AWF Delta & Bay Conservation Center. Its waterfront setting makes Five Rivers a valuable starting point for families, birdwatchers, kayakers, students, and travelers exploring the wetlands and waterways shared by Mobile and Baldwin Counties.
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