People often have the wrong impression about Alabama. Of course, some Alabamians aren’t doing their state any favors with cut-off tees and lifted trucks.
But if you’ve been skipping Alabama’s coast in favor of Florida, you’ve been missing out on some truly beautiful vacation spots, whether it be Gulf Shores and its new(ish) airport, neighboring Orange Beach, or venturing north on a quick drive to Mobile Bay’s cluster of charming waterfront villages.
One such place caught our eyes here at Travel Off Path for its timeless aura, blissful bayside, soulful cuisine, and nostalgic stays at classic inns and bed and breakfasts.
Inviting visitors with mild winters perfect for perusing small town delights, enjoying a sunset cruise, or even hitting the links, the city of Fairhope is the South’s most underrated winter getaway.
A Hallmark Town Center
Fairhope is a proud town. That’s not to say locals aren’t welcoming. They just keep their beloved hometown well-preserved and independently owned rather than have chain stores and restaurants ruining the vibe.
Downtown Fairhope is the most walkable area, with the exception of strolls along the bay, including the scenic pier.
You’ll find storied storefronts, old-timey inns, artsy alleys, homey cafes cheaper than Starbucks, and great eats you’d expect to find in the South.
Experts at Midwest Living crossed streams on this one, highlighting their favorite activity as renting a bike from The Fairhope Store to explore downtown’s tree-lined streets and reaching the glistening waterfront if time allows.
The most unmissable spot, however, is Fairhope’s own storybook ‘French Quarter‘ — though a pint-sized courtyard enclave compared to New Orleans.
We recommend checking out Tamara’s for an epic breakfast of southern staples and a customizable Bloody Mary Bar starting at only $5 — what a steal!
Beat The Heat! Enjoy Wintertime Waterfront Wonders
The Fairhope Pier is practically the town’s North Star. This beloved landmark serves as a renowned fishing spot and a place to simply take in sweeping views of Mobile Bay, where you may occasionally spot dolphins bobbing in the distance.
As such, you can’t visit Fairhope without hopping aboard a boat in one form or another, whether it’s fishing excursions or scenic tours, without the beaming summer sun.
While we won’t fluff up Mobile Bay’s water quality (it’s not Gulf Shores), that’s where relaxing sunset cruises come into play.
Eastern Shore Charter is the way to go with their 90-minute journey across the bay — they even pick you up from the elegant Grand Hotel, the most sought-after stay in town.
If you really want to level up your game, you can explore numerous Gulf towns on the new American Symphony river cruise, stopping in nearby Mobile.
But if you want to truly feel like a local, make time to indulge in masterfully crafted seafood dishes ranging from France’s famous Bouillabaisse to freshly-caught Gulf Snapper at Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina.
Better yet, they collectively toast when the sun dips below the water, making for a unique golden-hour tradition.
No Better Place To Cozy Up At Historic Inns
The Grand Hotel is undoubtedly the most popular stay in town, but there’s an array of restored bed and breakfasts and inns that seem to fit the bill of this timeless town even more so than a luxe hotel perched along the marina.
We have covered Fairhope in the past and still stand by our top pick, plus Midwest Living has one in mind too:
Just know both come with a hefty price, upwards of $250 per night. Despite being a low-key town, Fairhope has become a trendy getaway, and prices tend to reflect that for accommodations, even in winter.
2 Ways To Fly In
There are multiple reasons why Fairhope has become more popular, and it’s not just because word has leaked out that famous faces like Morgan Freeman vacation here or where Philip Rivers coaches high school football after a very unexpected NFL comeback.
Fairhope is now easier to reach than ever. Formerly, the best way to get here was to fly into Mobile, which you still can, but more are opting to fly into Gulf Shores now that Allegiant Air offers flights here.
Mobile (MOB) is roughly 50 minutes away, while Gulf Shores (GUF) is only half an hour or so.
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