MobileBama08 Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 (edited) Welcome to Mobile and safe travels to all those heading down south. I know timing isn't great but I think those who make the trip will be pleasantly surprised with the bowl activities and Mobile. Feel free to ask me any questions about Mobile and the game. I'll be happy to help out any way I can. Mobile, AL - https://www.mobile.org/ The UB team hotel is about ten minutes from downtown and in a pretty boring part of town. I'd suggest staying downtown where the pep rally, Mardi Gras parade and bars/restaurants are located. Battle House, Riverview Plaza, Hampton Inn and Hilton Garden Inn are best. Quality Inn is low budget but fine and in safe area. Marriott Battle House - https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/m...l-and-spa/ (on parade route) Marriott Riverview Plaza (Troy team hotel) - https://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/m...aza-hotel/ (on parade route) Hampton Inn - https://hamptoninn3.hilton.com/en/hotels...index.html (on parade route) Hilton Garden Inn - https://hiltongardeninn3.hilton.com/en/h...index.html (on parade route) Candlewood Suites - https://www.ihg.com/candlewood/hotels/us...US-_-MOBAL (on parade route) Hilton Admiral - https://curiocollection3.hilton.com/en/h...index.html block from parade route Holiday Inn - https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us...US-_-MOBHI block from parade route Quality Inn - https://www.choicehotels.com/alabama/mob...tels/al045 block from parade route Edited December 3, 2018 by MobileBama08 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 Dauphin Street is our mini Bourbon Street with tons of restaurants and bars. Easy and safe walk from all downtown hotels. Some must eats on Dauphin Street: Seafood - Wintzells Oyster - http://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/location/downtown-mobile/ BBQ - Moe's BBQ - https://www.moesoriginalbbq.com/lo/mobile/ Chuck's Fish - http://chucksfish.com/ El Papi - https://www.el-papi.com/ NOJA - https://nojamobile.com/ Dumbwaiter - http://www.dumbwaiterrestaurant.com/ many more Nightlife: something for everyone up and down Dauphin Street. For craft beer - Loda Bier Garten, Alchemy, Serda Brewery (behind Wintzells Oyster) Live music: Veets (across from Troy hotel), Soul Kitchen (two concerts Fri and Sat) others will have acoustic set up Everything is pretty centralized so you can easily bar hop or walk down Dauphin Street. There are also pedi-cabs so you could walk the length of Dauphin Street then have a pedi-cab ride you back to your hotel If you want to get out of downtown, there are some awesome seafood restaurants on the Causeway (5 minute drive) R&R Seafood, Original Oyster House and Felix's Fish Camp Callaghan's Irish Pub - burgers Things to do: USS Alabama is fun to tour https://www.ussalabama.com/ If you're into Christmas lights (get there early it gets packed) - https://bellingrath.org/experiences/events/magic-christmas-in-lights-2018/ Fort Gaines - Dauphin Island http://townofdauphinisland.org/visitors/historic-fort-gaines Dauphin Island Sea Lab - http://townofdauphinisland.org/visitors/estuarium-at-the-dauphin-island-sea-lab Spring Hill College - if you want to get some exercise beautiful campus in nice part of town https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=dbOr4ro1&id=3E82E743C7D5342934A9A66F20DC01302F495AAC&thid=OIP.dbOr4ro1d-hI-hkDWCKIaQHaC2&mediaurl=https%3a%2f%2fstudybest.com%2fupload%2fimages%2fSpring+Hill+College6.jpg&exph=370&expw=960&q=spring+hill+college+avenue+of+the+oaks&simid=608028485475238845&selectedIndex=16&ajaxhist=0 The Mardi Gras parade Friday night is the highlight of the bowl week. The parade rolls through downtown Mobile and is a blast. If you have kids, make sure to bring a backpack or large bag to hold all of their Mardi Gras throws. I would go to Loda Bier Garten for pre-parade beers then walk over to the route then head back to Dauphin Street afterwards. If you want to make more of a vacation out of your trip, I'd suggest the following (all one hour drive to and from stadium) Marriott Grand Hotel - Point Clear, AL https://www.grand1847.com/ Fairhope, AL - https://alabama.travel/places-to-go/fairhope Gulf Shores / Orange Beach - https://www.gulfshores.com/#sm.0014hekrf10w9e3oxsq1qp16vjef8 Feel free to ask me any questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeseph Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Wow, thanks for the comprehensive info. Wish I could make the trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 MobileBama08. Thank you so much for the info. I wish I had seen this before I spent the last 1-1/2 hours looking into Mobile. (My boss most likely wishes that too.) Tell me about Brick Pit BBQ. It's a bit further West of the team hotel where we'll be staying. I've seen it on TV and it had my mouth watering. Is it worth the visit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 7 minutes ago, ChubbyHubby said: MobileBama08. Tell me about Brick Pit BBQ. It's a bit further West of the team hotel where we'll be staying. I've seen it on TV and it had my mouth watering. Is it worth the visit? No problem but if you can, I'd switch to a downtown hotel as it will be a pretty good atmosphere being a weekend and parade / pep rally being downtown. Lots to see downtown. Nothing near the Marriott Airport Blvd Unfortunately the Brick Pit, which was awesome, closed down a few months ago. Moe's BBQ downtown is your next best option. Let me know if you have any more questions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 a few more things: Gulf Coast Pedal Tours is a new. I've heard it's a blast and a great way to see downtown while bar hopping https://www.gulfcoastpedaltours.com/ If weather is nice, Duck Boats are a great way to see the city. I've ridden them several times and really enjoyed it. Great for kids and adults http://gulfcoastducks.com/ Serda Brewing has a good outdoor area if weather is nice https://serdabrewing.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 I'm seeing average highs for this time of year to be around 62 degrees and lows around 45. Does that sound right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 (edited) 12 minutes ago, ChubbyHubby said: I'm seeing average highs for this time of year to be around 62 degrees and lows around 45. Does that sound right? I'd say a little warmer. Weather down here can be nuts in December with 80 one day and mid 30's the next. Unfortunately a good bit of rain this time of year also. Last year's bowl game high was 78 low 56 and mid 70's all week. Toledo fans loved it Edited December 3, 2018 by MobileBama08 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Thanks for the feedback. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 I'm seeing Serda and Haint Blue to be a short walk from Dauphin St. I like it. Are there any areas we should "stay away" from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rma Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 CH you seem to be good at finding the good places that have closed! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Do you have Uber or Lyft? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 3, 2018 Share Posted December 3, 2018 Just now, rma said: CH you seem to be good at finding the good places that have closed! No kidding. If they tell me that the breweries are closed in Mobile, I'll stay home and work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 3, 2018 Author Share Posted December 3, 2018 6 minutes ago, ChubbyHubby said: I'm seeing Serda and Haint Blue to be a short walk from Dauphin St. I like it. Are there any areas we should "stay away" from? Serda's is just off Dauphin Street behind Wintzells and is a safe area. You can walk from hotels (Battle House, Riverview, Hampton) all the way down Dauphin Street to Moe's BBQ and it's completely safe. Wife and I do it all the time. Think of Moe's BBQ as the dead end street. You don't want to walk any further than Moe's. Not too bad just nothing around and quiet. You've got to get a Bushwhacker at Moe's - think Wendy's Frosty with alcohol and 151 topper. You can walk a block or two parallel to Dauphin Street and you'll be fine. Once you start getting three or four blocks off Dauphin to the north and south it can get a little sketchy. Just stick to Dauphin Street and over to Serda's and you'll be fine. Once you get to Mobile you'll notice how compact the entertainment district is. Unfortunately most visitors hit the first bar near hotels and don't venture down Dauphin. Haint Blue is in a lesser populated/lower end area and I wouldn't be walking around that area at night. Day time no problem. Oh and Mobile's entertainment district is open container but you must put your drink in special cups that each bar has at the door. You can bar hop and carry your drinks up and down Dauphin. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 We're not able to change to a downtown hotel, so we'll need to rely on hotel shuttle or some sort of other transportation. Is Uber or Lyft available? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 19 minutes ago, ChubbyHubby said: We're not able to change to a downtown hotel, so we'll need to rely on hotel shuttle or some sort of other transportation. Is Uber or Lyft available? Uber and Lyft are available and very reliable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 Shuttle and Parking info I highly suggest taking Uber to street party/parade so you can have plenty of time to hang out. Shuttles are slow and won't give you much time to hang out before parade. Ask driver to drop you off at Wintzells. It's far enough from parade road closures so Uber driver can easily get you in but close enough to easily walk to parade route. Once at Wintzells, you'll walk east (towards downtown hotels) to catch parade and street party. Parking at the stadium is terrible unless you get there early. Only about 1,500 spots inside the stadium gates and once those are full people park in neighborhood yards for $20. Here's the Game Day shuttle/parking guide from 2017. Should be the same this year: http://dollargeneralbowl.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Shuttle-Flyer_2017.pdf Stadium - Game Day I'll go ahead and apologize for Ladd Peebles Stadium. It's old, has some awesome history and views are good but that's about it. Luckily South Alabama is building an on campus stadium for 2020 and the bowl should move there. There is nothing around the stadium so once you are there, you're there. It's just one big parking lot surrounded by neighborhoods. Pregame events are pretty boring so I'd suggest "tailgating" downtown then making your way to stadium a few hours before kickoff. I'm pretty sure the Bulls will be on the West side (home side) If you want to tailgate at the stadium, there's a Winn Dixie grocery store a few blocks from the stadium (1550 Government Street) with a good beer and meat selection. Get some Conecuh Sausage (made about an hour north of Mobile) Concessions are terrible but they do serve beer and liquor. If you've got small kids, I highly suggest to eat a large meal before the game and have something for them to eat afterwards as a lot of restaurants and hotel food choices will be closed. Lack of post game food situation and pregame events are always the biggest complaints from bowl visitors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 For the wives and girlfriends Battle House Spa - rave reviews at this nice downtown hotel Crescent Theater downtown - one room theater with wine, recliners: https://www.crescenttheater.com/ Mobile Carnival Museum downtown - see the history of America's first Mardi Gras: https://www.mobilecarnivalmuseum.com/ Sushi at Chuck's Fish downtown - request to be seated upstairs / great sushi and atmosphere: http://chucksfish.com/mobile.php Happy Hour margaritas on patio at El Papi downtown: https://www.el-papi.com/ Nice dinner at NOJA downtown https://nojamobile.com/ FOY for lunch - healthy stuff downtown http://www.foysuperfoods.com/ Serda Brewing patio for a beer downtown Coffee at Carpe Diem then walk or jog through Spring Hill College's campus and surrounding Spring Hill neighborhood (route Coffee Shop - Dilston Lane - The Cedars - College Lane - Old Shell - cross street at coffee shop - Avenue of the Oaks - through campus - back to Coffee shop) Shopping in downtown Fairhope, AL: https://www.southernliving.com/travel/what-to-do-fairhope-alabama http://www.fairhopemerchants.com/ Shopping Tanger Outlets Foley, AL: https://www.tangeroutlet.com/foley Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 For this kids Saturday morning Santa Run - Carpe Diem Coffee (lots of fun for families in nice neighborhood) http://www.carpe-coffee.com/ USS Alabama - https://www.ussalabama.com/ Gulf Coast Exploreum downtown Fort Gaines and Sea Lab - Dauphin Island Gulf Shores Zoo, amusement parks and beach Mobile Delta airboat rides - http://airboatexpress.com/ Three Georges Candy downtown Mardi Gras Parade - bring backpack or bag to keep throws - best place to watch parade is anywhere in Bienville Square or in front of Hilton Garden Inn (patio with bar so great for adults too). Once parade reaches Battle House many riders are low on throws. Bring some cash as vendors will be walking before the parade selling lots of light up beads, swords, cotton candy, etc. Five restaurant downtown has a good kids menu Original Oyster House on causeway is very kid friendly and has great seafood as is Wintzells Crescent Theater - looks like Mary Poppins is playing while you're in town (I'd buy tickets early especially Friday night) Duck boats - fun way to see downtown Mobile http://gulfcoastducks.com/ Kids are welcome at Serda's Brewery, Wintzells, Moes BBQ and many of the downtown restaurants and bars so don't think you have to be cooped up in your hotel room with kids. Dauphin Street is very kid friendly and has several parks to let some energy out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
verandaman Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 So "MobileBama08"....what time do you get off work from the Mobile Tourism Center? You are such a wealth of information... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 4, 2018 Author Share Posted December 4, 2018 (edited) 46 minutes ago, verandaman said: So "MobileBama08"....what time do you get off work from the Mobile Tourism Center? You are such a wealth of information... Ha, I have no affiliation with the city or any bar, restaurant, site, etc. Born and raised in Mobile and just happy to help out those making the long trip to spend some time down here. My wife's family is from Grand Island, NY and Orchard Park so I'm familiar with Buffalo. Awesome place to visit in the summer. Edited December 4, 2018 by MobileBama08 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrooklynBull Posted December 4, 2018 Share Posted December 4, 2018 2 hours ago, MobileBama08 said: Ha, I have no affiliation with the city or any bar, restaurant, site, etc. Born and raised in Mobile and just happy to help out those making the long trip to spend some time down here. My wife's family is from Grand Island, NY and Orchard Park so I'm familiar with Buffalo. Awesome place to visit in the summer. Even better in winter! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrueBlue07 Posted December 5, 2018 Share Posted December 5, 2018 Which hotel are the Bulls staying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MobileBama08 Posted December 20, 2018 Author Share Posted December 20, 2018 Looks like decent weekend weather. I hope all those in town are enjoying yourselves! Friday 52/35 partly cloudy Saturday 61/45 sun Sunday 68/52 sun Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChubbyHubby Posted December 20, 2018 Share Posted December 20, 2018 So far, so good. Much of Dauphin was closed by the time we got there tonight. "The Garage" was still open for a cold one. Looks like they don't close until the last patron leaves. Loving your city. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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