Alabama's Coastal Connection
Places to Visit
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Bayou La Batre, described as the “Seafood Capital of Alabama,” is a quaint, traditional fishing village.
Distance from byway: 16.7 mi / 26.9 km Travel time: 36 minutes Directions: Head south on the byway. Turn right on Shell Belt Rd. It will turn into State Docks Rd. Continue to the end of the road and the Bayou La Batre Harbor.
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Bellingrath Gardens and Home (AL)
Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, throughout the year this 65-acre Garden Estate is in full bloom with camellias in the winter, azaleas in the spring, roses in the summer, chrysanthemums in autumn and “Magic Christmas in Lights” during the holiday season.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Where AL-188, the byway, crosses with Bellingrath Rd, turn left and head north on Bellingrath Rd for 4.3 miles. Bellingrath Gardens and Home are on your right.
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Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge (AL)
This nearly 7,000-acre refuge offers more than six miles of hiking trails and beach access and serves the additional benefit of comprising one of the largest undeveloped parcels of land on the Alabama coast.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: About 60 miles along the byway, near Little Lagoon, lies the Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge.
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Daphne, known as the "Jubilee City," is located on the eastern shore of Alabama. This growing city with a small-town feel is one of the few to experience the "Jubilee" phenomenon--where blue crabs, shrimp, and fish gather in the shallow waters of the shoreline. In addition to an abundance of seafood, the city also has an abundance of activities the whole family can enjoy!
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: About 5 miles from the northeastern terminus of the byway in Spanish Fort.
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Dauphin Island is the largest community on the western side of the byway and is a popular location for birders, boaters, and beach-goers. This town without traffic lights will propel you into a slower pace and give you the opportunity to relax and unwind along Alabama's coast.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: About 5 south of Bay Point, Dauphin Island is reached by continuing south on the byway.
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Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary (AL)
The sanctuary consists of 164 acres of maritime forest, marshes, dunes, a lake, swamp, and beach.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The Dauphin Island Audubon Bird Sanctuary has 3 locations on Dauphin Island, which the byway runs through as AL-193. For exact locations, visit the Dauphin Bird Sanctuary website.
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Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium (AL)
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium is an exciting educational facility highlighting the key habitats of coastal Alabama.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Estuarium is on the byway, near the eastern edge of the island on Bienville Blvd.
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With its location high on the bluffs of the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, the City of Fairhope is best known for its romantic, sweeping views of Mobile Bay and the storybook charm of its downtown shops and flowers.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Fairhope is about 11 miles from the northeastern terminus of the byway, located in Spanish Fort.
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Downtown Foley, which boasts several historic buildings, was declared a commercial historic district by the National Park Service in 2004 and a renovation plan for the district has been developed.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: Foley is about 31 miles from the northeastern terminus of the byway, located in Spanish Fort.
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The Eastern Shore Trail is a 32-mile, multi-purpose trail that runs along the communities of Spanish Fort, Daphne, Fairhope, and Point Clear.
Distance from byway: On the byway Directions: The Eastern Shore Trail is just east of the byway near Daphne.
