9 Top Things to Do in Bayou La Batre, AL
Bayou La Batre was known in the early days of the nation for the medicinal springwater present in the town. Nowadays, it’s mostly known for the fishing industry. Today, we’ll take a look at the top things to do in Bayou La Batre.
Bayou La Batre is a tiny community in Alabama with deep French roots. Even the town’s name is from the French who initially lived in the area. The name roughly translates to a series of batteries as it was an important defensive position back in the day.
Of course, today it’s a laid-back community that focuses more on fishing then antique wars. In fact, they pride themselves as the Seafood Capital of Alabama. So let’s see what are the best things to do in the cute town of Bayou La Batre.
1. Rolston Park
Rolston Park is a local park that’s great for a relaxed stroll and taking in the scenery. It has a pier and a boat launch as well as a small playground for kids.
You’ll even find a picnic area so if you bring your own food then you can have a picnic at the oceanfront. There’s even water and electricity available in the picnic area.
It’s a small park but it is a relaxing atmosphere and if you want to do some fishing then you can do it from the pier. We’ve seen others fish and it’s a good place to try and catch a fish of your own.
2. Bellingrath Gardens and Home
One of the most beautiful gardens in Alabama is right here near Bayou La Batre. It’s an interesting place to check out as the gardens have different areas for different types of flowers and plants.
Those who love a well-maintained garden will enjoy a visit but there’s even more to this place than just the garden. It’s a historic building dating back all the way to 1930.
The Bellingrath Gardens and Home is one of the best romantic things to do around Bayou le Batre as you’ll feel the romantic atmosphere while walking around the garden.
Those who want to stay longer have an opportunity to enjoy a cup of coffee and even some wine. There’s also a porcelain collection on the ground to complete your visit.
3. Indulge yourself in amazing seafood
So, why not have some seafood in the town that calls itself the Seafood Capital of Alabama? Each morning you’ll see the fishing boats returning from their trip (or if you are up early enough leaving) bringing in the catch of the day.
There are nice restaurants where you can sample the local seafood selection like the Bayou Seafood Company. They have an expansive menu with all kinds of delicacies.
Do you want to make your own meals? Head over to SeaHarvest Fresh Shrimp where you can stock up on fresh shrimp ready for your kitchen.
4. Alabama Aquarium at the Dauphin Island Sea Lab
Want to get more personal with the sea life around Bayou de Batre? The Alabama Aquarium is a great place to do it. It’s a 30-minute drive from town but you’ll be driving along an exciting road so even the trip alone is nice.
The aquarium aims to showcase the wildlife that you will find around the waters of Mobile County. From interactive displays to all types of fish there’s plenty to learn and see in the Alabama Aquarium.
We’ve found that it’s one of the best planned-out aquariums in the country and it’s an amazing place for the whole family to enjoy.
5. Audubon Bird Sanctuary
The Audubon Bird Sanctuary is a great place to catch some nature and try to meet some of the birds that live nearby.
You can find the Bird Sanctuary right next to the Aquarium so it’s easy to plan a day full of fun and learning for the family. First, a visit to the aquarium then head over to the bird sanctuary where you can stroll the scenic trails.
6. Fort Gaines
Finally, there’s one more tourist attraction in this area. After learning about underwater life and strolling through the bird sanctuary you can soak in some history at Fort Gaines.
Fort Gaines is an 1800s fort that even took part in the Civil War. You can visit this historically significant monument and relive parts of the nation’s history right before your eyes.
Luckily the fort is not just a simple ruin. It’s preserved in a pretty nice state and there are even cannons for decorations along with informative signs to tell you the history of this area.
7. Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Tours
Want to meet some Alligators? This is the place to be! Fun for the whole family especially if you’ve not had any Gator encounters yet. The Gulf Coast Gator Ranch & Tours is a safe place to meet these majestic animals.
The Ranch alone has plenty of attractions including opportunities to hold a baby gator in your hand but it’s the boat tours that offer even more adventure.
You can partake in an airboat tour along the river to meet gators in their natural habitat. It’s an exciting and fun trip.
8. Go to the Beach
The humid and hot weather during summer will definitely call for beach days. Luckily among the many things to do in Bayou La Batre, the beach is one of them.
You can find a nice selection of beaches nearby to cool down and enjoy the sunshine. Our favorite is definitely West End Public Beach which is an expansive public beach on a small barrier island. It’s a serene and peaceful environment for enjoying the water.
9. Day trip to Mobile, AL
Finally, you’ve got the town of Mobile nearby which presents itself as a nice day trip from Bayou Le Batre.
Once in Mobile, you can have a little historical adventure or just do simple sightseeing in the city. An attraction we highly recommend is the USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park. It’s one of the best military history museums. If this is something that sounds interesting to you then you’ll enjoy a visit.
Another one we love is the Mobile Carnival Museum. It’s such a vibrant museum with amazing pieces on display. One of the more unique places in Alabama.
