Laid Back Island Destination is why Family Fun was Invented
Building sandcastles near the surf or peddling along miles of shaded bike trails, dropping a fishing line from a pier, then maybe making a little family history of your own at one of the nation's most well known Civil War sites; this is only the start of your family getaway to beautiful Dauphin Island, Alabama. Read Full Article |
Great Eats Island Style at Dauphin Island The sugar white beaches, specialty shops and family friendly attractions at Dauphin Island, Alabama are open for business as usual despite what may have been reported. But, it’s another of the town’s treasures that makes a visit to this homey barrier island even tastier . . . the fabulous food. Overlooking the public beach and pier, the Oar House Restaurant serves up made-to-order sandwiches, thick burgers, and homemade soups in an airy nautical setting on the Islands’s main drag -- Bienville Boulevard. Set high on pilings among a stand of old live oaks and towering palms, The Oar House is a local favorite and the place for tourists to hang out. The full bar features Sam Adams and Stella Artois on draft, in addition to Yuengling and other domestic beers, and a variety of frozen and mixed adult drinks. The warm honey brown and reddish tones of the antique heart pine floors at The Oar House are emphasized late each afternoon has the sun pours through giant window walls in the building’s rounded front. Guests wanting to catch the spectacular sunset over the west end of Dauphin Island may dine or sip a cool drink among the live oaks that grow up through the restaurant’s spacious back deck. Set in a restored country-style home with a classic tearoom appeal, the Lighthouse Bakery on Chaumont Avenue is the sweetest place on Dauphin Island. The baker begins working on tasty creations hours before the sun rises over the east end dunes. She has to in order to meet the rush of customers each morning who come looking for the best pastries and omelets on the Alabama Gulf Coast. The homemade cinnamon rolls and sweet Danish pasties are melt-in-your-mouth good, while made to order omelets come loaded with lump crab and other tasty add-ins. The Island’s best selection of specialty coffee drinks from Latte’, to Cappuccino and Espresso are also there for the sipping. Freshly made pies, cakes and a wide selection of hearty deli sandwiches are also on the Lighthouse Bakery’s old-style chalkboard menu. The freshest seafood on the Island has to come from Skinners Seafood. The hometown seafood market on Bienville Boulevard features catches of the day straight from its own boats. Local crabmeat and oysters, and all sorts of fresh fish can be had to cook at home or steamed on the spot for carry-out along with corn and potatoes. Fishing boats and pleasure craft come and go outside of Barnacle Bill’s at the Dauphin Island Marina. Self-promoted as the "Best Food on the Island", this longtime local hangout serves up a selection of fried and grilled seafood specialties, and down home favorites from turnip greens and black-eyed peas, to sandwiches and burgers. In fact, the fried seafood platter, piled high with golden brown shrimp, fresh fish from the Gulf, sweet scallops and old-style hushpuppies, may well be the best on the Island. Old-fashioned comfort food combined with gulf-side decor and large waterfront windows, give Barnacle Bill’s a retro feel, like stepping back a decade or two, or maybe three, when life was slower and a family trip to the beach was the highlight of the year. Don’t let the simple décor of the Common Loon at Bienville reflect on the tasty meals served up there. From the shrimp and oyster basket and crab corn bisque, to their Crabby Patty sandwich made famous long before Sponge Bob Squarepants met Mr. Crabs, the Common Loon is an Island favorite. Flamingo Fae’s Beachside Grill and Tiki Bar at the Isle Dauphine golf course may be small in size, but it’s big on savory meals for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The tastefully tacky décor of inflated pink flamingos, beer signs, miniature faux palms and paper umbrellas add visual flavor, while the large windows open the room to a dune-top view of the sand and surf below. Whether it’s the Big Kahuna breakfast, a basket overflowing with southern fried shrimp, or a char-grilled Black Angus T-Bone, Flamingo Fae dishes up a full menu with island gusto. For a real filler-upper, order the super-sized Surfin’ Joe Spud with grilled chicken or succulent shrimp and Alfredo sauce to go with a generous beverage from the bar. Street’s Island Grill and the Pelican Pub at 1102 Desoto Avenue is another spot where locals meet out-of-towners for good food and drinks with a view. Overlooking Indian Bay on the Island’s north side, the delectable duo offers up great drinks at the marina bar, crab claws and an incredibly large seafood platter in a relaxed island atmosphere. At the Island BBQ the meat is so tender that you can cut it with a fork, but who needs one? Guests to this little roadside treasure on the Island’s east side are more apt to dig in with both hands when munching on the best ribs around. The meat falls off the bone and the homemade barbecue sauce ends up in places that you’d never expect. Diners on the flagged deck out front can’t help but take in the aroma of meat slow cooking on the smoker, while enjoying pulled pork, beef and chicken under the blue Alabama sky. Burgers and fries, old school potato salad, Brunswick stew and oh-so-sweet Southern iced tea are also on the menu. Just 22-miles south of Mobile at the end of the Dauphin Island Parkway, Dauphin Island is open for business with great beaches, great fun, great accommodations and great food. For more information, please visit www.dauphinislandcoc.com or call 877-532-8744. Dauphin Island is Alabama’s Family Beach within Reach®! |
Blossoming Art Colony is Picture Perfect on Dauphin Island
From its white sand beaches edged by grassy dunes and gently rolling surf, to lush maritime forests and wetlands brimming with wildlife, and a laid back pace usually associated with country living, it's no surprise that Dauphin Island, Alabama has become the picture perfect home to some of the Gulf Coast's most talented artists. "My grandfather, William D. Rockwell, was a second cousin of Norman Rockwell," said Island artist Deborah Jones, "so, maybe that's where my artistic talent comes from." Read full article |
Dauphin Island Beaches have Willingly Gone to the Dogs
For many folks the family dog is much more than a pet. It's a companion and a loving member of the family to share life's experiences - experiences such as . . . going to the beach.The powdery, white sand beaches at Dauphin Island, Alabama are known for being the most pet friendly on the Gulf coast. "We love animals here on Dauphin Island," said Mike Henderson, executive director of the Dauphin Island Parks and Beach Board. Read Full Article |
Winged Guests Land on Dauphin Island for Springtime Visit
Beginning in early April, Dauphin Island welcomes the annual return of colorful winged "tourists" as they make the barrier island their first rest stop after an exhausting flight across the Gulf of Mexico from south of the border. Read Full Article |
Island Camping . . .Summer Fun In The Sun on Dauphin Island, Alabama
Set on the historic east end, the Dauphin Island Campground has 150 heavily wooded RV sites, with both 30 and 50 amp power and water. Three quarters of the sites also have sewer connections, and there is a dump station on the property. The facility has bathrooms, hot showers, washers and dryers and more. There is a large event pavilion with its own kitchen that is heavily used by campers and rallies, recreation facilities and planned social activities for both adults and kids. Read Full Article |
Ghostly Getaway to Dauphin Island
"On a clear night the view of Mobile Bay and Baldwin County across the water is incredible, and I always enjoy sharing it," he said. "We slowly drove to the turn-around behind the Fort when I caught a glimpse of a solitary figure on the ramparts." "As I watched, she turned her head slowly and stared silently at our car. Then like a glimmer she faded away," he said. "It was a slow fade, not like someone disappearing down a stairwell or trying to hide. One second she was there, then ... nothing." Read Full Article |
Fall Into Dauphin Island This Autumn Now that things are returning to normal along the Alabama Gulf coast, it’s time to cast a fishing line, break out the birding binoculars, get festive and dig your toes back into the white sand beaches of Dauphin Island, the premiere laid back getaway at the mouth of Mobile Bay. Said to be among the top five birding communities in the United States, Dauphin Island is a sanctuary for hundreds of species of migrating birds from early September to late November and beyond. From the resident brown pelicans and visiting songbirds, to western kingbirds, piping plovers and more, the Island’s feathered population changes from day to day. Favorite sites for birdwatchers include the Island’s east end, the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, the prehistoric Shell Mound Park and the sandy far west end. Autumn anglers can now drop a line from the eastside pier and bayside banks, or go for the adventure of a weekend off-shore fishing trek far into the Gulf of Mexico. According to Capt. Mike Thierry, the deep waters off Dauphin Island make for great fishing every fall with Red Snapper season opening on October 1. The many close-to-shore perches offer a relaxing day of satisfying catch-and-release, too. Dauphin Island is filled with special events and family festivals throughout the fall. Bring the moist towelettes and antacid as Dauphin Island presents the Island’s first ever lip-smackin’ “Wings and Waves” hot wings cook-off on September 25. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. teams of creative cooks from across the Gulf Coast will be concocting the spiciest, best tasting wings ever to land on the Island. The Barony of the Osprey – Society for Creative Anachronism presents Gatalop XXVII at historic Fort Gaines on October 30th. Once a year the Civil War fort is thrown back 700-years and transformed into a medieval castle under siege with flying banners, clinking armor and ladies sewing beneath their festive pavilions. Battles, archery and other live weapon competitions, blacksmithing demonstrations and more will be held throughout the day in this historical portrayal of life in the Middle Ages. Activities begin at 9 a.m. Admission is $5.00 for guests 13 and older, $3.00 for ages 5 to 12, and children age 4 and under are free. Call 251-861-6992. For those wanting to stretch the stay for more than a day, lodging rates are set with the fall traveler in mind. Whether it’s a rental home, condo, motel or a stay at the Dauphin Island Campground, accommodations are ready for post summer travelers of all tastes and budgets. For information on Dauphin Island, Alabama this fall, please call (251)-861-5524, or visit www.dauphinislandcoc.com. Dauphin Island is just 33 miles south of Mobile down the Dauphin Island Parkway. Dauphin Island, Alabama’s Family Beach Within Reach. © |