MOBILE BAY LOCAL-OUR FAVORITE PLACES TO SHOP AND PLAY LOCAL IN BALDWIN COUNTY

Baldwin County is a virtual playground for young and old alike. From fun on the water, to unique places to shop that can only come from a dignified South Alabama area, there’s something for every mood and character that is distinctly Eastern Shore. Here are our favorite places to shop and play local in the area:

1. Bear Point Harbor
   1. Bear Point Harbor is your one stop shop for a day on the waves. If you have your own boat, this marina can provide fuel, supplies, and even a pit stop for the weary traveller. If you need a boat, you can find one with their wide array of rentals. Or if you’d just like to enjoy a bit of relaxation, BPH tenants offer dolphin cruises and fishing charters around the Intercostal Waterway. This Orange Beach businessis perfect for those wanting to escape to the shore for a day.
2. Jubilee Gift Shop
   1. In Daphne sits a cornucopia of gifts and trinkets in the Jubilee Gift Shop. The shop boasts fan gear for all of your favorite SEC and NFL teams, a corner of Mardi Gras paraphernalia, and memento’s for baptism’s, birthdays, decorating your home, and everything in between. This treasure trove is sure to have something for every person in your life.
3. Yogo Kids
   1. Healthy living should start young and that’s the goal of Yogo Kids in Daphne. Lisa Wells has created a programthat eases children into yoga that can enrich their mind and body. There are songs, stories and props to keep the young minds entertained for the entire session. It’s fun for the tykes and an activity that parents can get behind.
4. Coastal Café
   1. To only call this place a café would be a disservice—it’s an entire family experience.The café hosts a daily changing coffee menu along with breakfast and lunch dishes; it’s also the perfect size to host an event. Once outside there are basketball courts, baseball fields, playgrounds and a splash pad for the kiddos. Bring the entire family out for a full day of fun at the Coastal Café.
5. OWA
   1. If you’ve driven along the Foley Beach Express the last few months, then you couldn’t miss the high flying, twisty-turny roller coaster going up on the west side of the highway. After months of teasing, the park is finally here. Foley’s newest draw, OWA, is an amusement park that will eventually become an entire vacation destination in its own right. With a grand opening of July 21^st, there will be just enough summer left to enjoy the thrill of OWA.
6. The Fairhope Store
   1. If you’ve ever met anyone from Fairhope, you’ve most likely seen them sporting attire with the noticeable Fairhope pier logo. It’s a way to show hometown pride while supporting this thriving local business, aptly named The Fairhope Store. Inside you can find artwork, clothing, and souvenirs all paying homage to the beautiful city of Fairhope.
7. The Grand Hotel By Marriott
   1. It’s a place so dreamlike that even Brad and Angelina vacationed there. The Grand Hotel by Marriottfilled up over 500 acres on the Mobile Bay with a spa, meeting rooms, a pool playground that will have the adults acting like kids, docks for activities on the bay, sporting grounds, wedding venues and of course, a first class hotel. And don’t forget to check out the firing of the cannon every afternoon, for a one of a kind memory. Every day is a new adventure at the hotel & playground, and one that’s truly grand.
8. Gene’s Beans
   1. Walking into this downtown Fairhope staplewill whisk you away to a land where nothing can go wrong. The jars of ice cream toppings provide a colorful backdrop for a place that provides every decadent pleasure you could dream off and in every flavor. Make sure you try the Fairhope Float, Mr. Gene’s Beans signature special!

These are just a few of our favorite places to shop and play local in Baldwin County. As it continues to become one of the country’s favorite vacation destinations, tourists will get a glimpse of the home we know and love because those of us lucky enough to live here year round have countless opportunities for a full calendar of fun.