Things to Do in Mobile (2025)

Since 1946, this Oakleigh Garden District hangout has been where Mobilians gather for live music, friendly bar banter, and the city’s most storied burgers. Accolades from Garden & Gun and Southern Living come up often, but the local draw is the neighborly feel: regulars chatting at the bar, bands tucked into the corner, and staff who remember names. Go for a pint, stay for the L.A. Burger, and catch a show; you’ll leave understanding why it’s considered a Mobile institution.

Chef Jim Smith channels Gulf seafood traditions into a modern neighborhood oyster bar in Oakleigh. Expect boutique Gulf oysters, marinated crab claws, and biscuits that locals rave about. Featured in Condé Nast Traveler and praised by Mobile Bay Magazine, it’s also recognized for sustainability through James Beard Smart Catch. Time your visit for brunch or dinner and let the staff walk you through the raw bar—this is where Mobile’s coastal pantry really shines.

Downtown’s craft-cocktail pioneer balances serious spirits knowledge with a playful streak. Expect smart classics, seasonal originals, and bar bites that overdeliver. Recently touted by whisky editors for one of America’s top whisky programs and regularly spotlighted by local food writers, it’s a perfect pre- or post-dinner stop when exploring LoDa. Settle into a booth, order an old fashioned, and watch Mobile’s nightlife roll by.

Named for the waterways that braid into the Mobile-Tensaw Delta, this independent brewery anchors the St. Louis Street corridor with easy-drinking session ales, rotating experimental releases, and community events like trivia and run club. Local publications call it a downtown staple for craft beer, and its taproom is friendly to families and dogs. Grab a flight, chat with the beertender about what’s new, and raise a glass to the Delta.

Taste your way through Mobile’s history on a guided walking tour that weaves stories of Mardi Gras, port city traditions, and Gulf flavors with generous tastings at locally loved spots. Recognized by USA Today 10Best and covered by regional media, it’s a smart first-day orientation that doubles as lunch or dinner. You’ll meet owners, hear the backstories, and leave with a to-eat list for the rest of your trip.

Mobile’s independent contemporary art hub champions Southern artists and timely themes through rotating exhibitions, artist talks, and citywide collaborations. Its 2025 calendar includes shows and programs curated by leaders who also helm the Alabama Triennial, noted by UAB’s AEIVA. Drop in during ArtWalk or check the schedule for current exhibitions; it’s where Mobile’s creative pulse is most visible.

This 1860 Italianate townhouse, known for its four-seasons iron lacework, offers docent-led tours with period furnishings, Mobile lore, and a gracious tea-and-cookies finale. Operated by local DAR chapters, it’s beloved by architectural historians and frequently recommended by regional outlets for an intimate look at nineteenth‑century Mobile life. A perfect pairing with a stroll through De Tonti Square.

Family-owned since 1969, Cammie’s makes its ice cream locally and serves it in a sunshine-yellow Midtown shop that generations of Mobilians swear by. Mobile Bay Magazine regularly highlights its old-school charm and rotating flavors. Try Creole praline or seasonal specialties after a day exploring nearby neighborhoods; it’s a sweet snapshot of Mobile tradition.

A downtown fixture since 1917, this candy kitchen still hand-dips chocolates, whips up milkshakes, and serves simple lunches beneath a vintage soda-fountain sign. Local historians and Mobile Bay Magazine have chronicled its Greek-immigrant roots and century-long run. Stop in between gallery hopping and cocktails for pralines or a classic sundae made the old way.

An indie bookstore with Mobile lineage back to the 1940s, revived by the founder’s granddaughter and now buzzing with signings, book clubs, and the city’s favorite shop cat. County and downtown calendars show a full 2025 slate, including Independent Bookstore Day festivities. Pop in during ArtWalk or after lunch on Dauphin Street and ask for local authors.