When spots for summer vacations come to mind many people don’t think of Mobile, Ala., as a top destination. However, according to USA Today, that could be changing.
The publication, on its 10Best shortlist, recently named Mobile as its No. 2 summer vacation destination, trailing only Mackinac Island, Mich.
The rest of the 10Best are Door County, Wis.; Mystic, Conn.; Chicago; Hocking Hills, Ohio; Crystal River, Fla.; Asheville, N.C.; Rockaway Beach and Boardwalk, N.Y.; and the Shenandoah Valley, Va.
The birthplace of Mardi Gras, Mobile already has an established culture of celebration and history dating back more than 300 years.
Patty Kieffer, senior vice president of Visit Mobile, said how the Azalea City received the ranking.
“We had an editor from USA Today that came to our amazing destination and was so impressed that she decided to have Mobile as one of the nominees for this prestigious award,” said Kieffer.
“We were blown away, but we know that Mobile is such an amazing destination. We’re just so glad that it’s out nationwide and there’s so many other smaller destinations that are also getting some recognition about the uniqueness of their destination. This was a nationwide vote- it had a lot to do with the family-friendly destination that we are.”
Here are some suggested places to visit.
- Bellingrath Gardens
- Battleship Memorial Park
- Mo’Bay Beignet Co.
- Mobile Carnival Museum
- Dora Franklin Finley African-American Heritage Trail
Austen Shipley is a staff writer for Yellowhammer News.
Don’t miss out! Subscribe today to have Alabama’s leading headlines delivered to your inbox.