Expert: Leslie Johnston - 12/12/2000

Question
I am travelling in an RV for the month of January  on Gulf state coast-line or close thereto. Am completely unfamiliar with this area and am looking for pretty beaches to relax on, possible fishing charters, ferries to off-shore islands with camping capacity or day trip, water oriented.  How's the weather, local cuisine, arboreteums, Southern mansions with history, have been to Charleston and Savannah and loved the Battery.  Is there anything similiar in Mobile or close by.  Always interested in public transportation or day charter bus trips to be able to get into the heart of places, ie, park the RV for a while.  Any help appreciated.

Answer
Hello Caroline:

The Alabama Gulf Coast has a lot to offer. I don't know a lot about the RV camps, but I do have some suggestions on places to go in the Mobile area:

* Bellingrath Gardens: just west of Mobile, tour the historic home and lush gardens

* USS Alabama: site of the movie Under Siege. Take a tour. You can even spend the night on the ship, I think.

* Fort Gaines and Fort Morgan. Go to one or the other and ride the ferry across the bay to the other shore.

To see antebellum homes and such, go to Government Street in downtown Mobile.

For great food, go to Dauphin Street in downtown Mobile, which has been revitalized.

A great restaurant near Gulf Shores is the Perdido Pass, a few miles east of Gulf Shores. Check out the boats at the marina. Nice view of the bay while you eat.

Also, there's plenty of shopping in Foley (just north of Gulf Shores) at the Foley Outlet Center.

For RV information, call the Alabama Tourism Bureau at 1-800-ALABAMA.

Please write back if you need more info. Hope this helps.

Merry Christmas,

Leslie