Scoping Out Mobile Alabama

December 15, 2018

Dauphin Street, Bienville Square, Malaga Inn - Downtown Mobile, Alabama

Saturday morning, no, not even Saturday morning; Saturday noon, I arrived first to downtown Mobile. I drove over from my place on Perdido Key, Florida - only about an hour east of Mobile. April was driving down from Honoraville, Alabama with Kayla, Brendan, Missy, Kevin and Levi.

I was supposed to also have Kevin C. and Pamela L. meet us for the overnight stay, but neither of them could join us. Kevin C. and Pamela L. are my ghost whisperers so I sorely missed them on this trip. Both of them actually saw a ghost at the Malaga Inn on a previous trip in their hotel room so I felt confident that they would channel a ghost for this trip. Alas, we will have to get them to Mobile on another trip.

April and her crew were late as Kayla was late packing (this was a one-night trip). As such, I had time to bum around downtown Mobile alone and scope things out.

The weather was cool and great for walking. It was too early for check-in at the Malaga Inn (the young lady at the desk will not check you in before 2pm - probably not even for the Queen of England but good luck if you want to ask and tell me the trick if she does), so I left my car in the parking lot and walked over to Dauphin Street. Dauphin Street has a lot of the bars for downtown Mobile and the entertainment expands a couple of blocks in either direction. Saturday afternoon had a good bit of tourists in the area walking along the sidewalks. The doors were open for Montego's Cafe and Bar, T.P. Crockmiers, Heroes Sports Bar & Grille, Roosters and a few other food and drink spots. I walked down Dauphin Street past Bienville Square to N. Royal Street where I took a left and walked over to the Trustmark Building and then up to the 34th floor to Dauphin's - a French Creole restaurant overlooking downtown Mobile and Mobile Bay with amazing views and equally amazing food. Being Saturday afternoon, the restaurant was open but no one was around to greet me. I could hear people in the kitchen prepping but I didn't want to eat or drink so I just walked through the dining area and took a few pictures. The view looking past RSA Tower, Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel and out over Mobile Bay, the Bay Way and the CauseWay truly impressed me. I added it to my list for bringing April and the rest of our crew back here before dark.

I left Dauphin's without anyone seeing me. I felt odd walking in and around everywhere without asking permission. No worries. I didn't take anything except pictures. No maraudering at Dauphin's.

I walked back through Bienville Square (beautifully ornate cast-iron water fountain and lots of tourist-friendly squirrels that play and eat very well) and ended up at the Corner Bistro which is part of the Admiral Hotel on Government Street while I waited for April and crew to arrive. They were only one drink later. Here are some pictures before I continue with the story.