Tourism
Attractions, Arts & Entertainment
A huge number of historical sites and memorials pay homage to the extensive history of north Baldwin County. This county, older than the state of Alabama, is teeming with sights to see.
The Baldwin County courthouse building was completed in the early 1900s and still sits in Bay Minette today. Since its initial construction as a school, the building was remodeled and renovated to accommodate the county government, whose offices are located in the building.
Camp Pinetreat in Bay Minette has been a part of the community since the 1960s and continues to serve many functions for the community. Every year it is host to a summer camp program for children and can be utilized for corporate functions, reunions, weddings and more. The attractive rustic backdrop lends itself to be a respite from the mayhem of everyday life.
The Chambless-Biggs House dates back to the 1890s. It was the home of the first postmaster of Lottie, Robert Chambless, and is now listed on the Alabama Register of Landmarks and Heritage.
The David Moniac-Driesbach House was the home of a significant figure in north Baldwin’s history. Its first owner, David Moniac, constructed it in the early 1800s. Moniac was the first Native American to graduate from West Point Military Academy.
Historic Fort Mims State Memorial Park is the site of the Battle of Fort Mims where over 500 soldiers and civilians lost their lives by the hands of the Creek Indians on August 30, 1813. Andrew Jackson was brought in to take care of the situation and remove the Native Americans from the area. This small, virtually unknown fort became recognized as one of the most horrendous battles in the nation’s history. Reenactments of the incident are performed every year during the last weekend in August.
David Tate Plantation Site and Frank Earle House was the setting of several important events. Not only was it a training depot for the soldiers of the Civil War, it is the supposed location where Andrew Jackson ended his term in the Army to become president. From this location he also exiled the Creek Indians to the Trail of Tears following their role in the great massacre at Fort Mims. David Tate is buried here.
The Cantonment Montpelier Site proved to be vital for the fallout after the Battle at Fort Mims from 1817 until 1821. Training took place at nearby David Tate’s Plantation and barracks were built to house soldiers.
The William Weatherford “Red Eagle” Park and Grave is closely linked to the Fort Mims massacre. It was William Weatherford, also known as Red Eagle, who was in command of the attack on Fort Mims.
Fort Pierce and Pierce Mills Site was a community kept alive during the Creek Indian Wars. This industrious village was comprised of several mills and the first public school in the state.
Kennedy Mill Historical Marker is the location of one of the state’s first sawmills, which was constructed in the early 1800s.
L&N Railroad Depot, built around 1904 is now home to the Chamber of Commerce. A 13-inch Civil War mortar, dating back to 1862, is located on the property, weighing in at over 17,000 pounds. The Spanish Fort Historical Marker denotes the location of one of the final major battles of the Civil War, which took place in 1865 at Spanish Fort.
Historic Blakely State Park is an extremely important landmark in north Baldwin County. It was here that the last major battle of the Civil War played out. Prior to this, it was home to Native Americans, a French settlement and a seaport town. Today, a multitude of historical remnants from the war remain on the over 3,800 acres that make up the park, the largest National Register Site east of the Mississippi River.
The Major Robert Farmar Plantation Historical Marker stands at the location of notable and influential Alabama resident Robert Farmar’s plantation. He served in the military forces from 1763-1765 then worked as a government official from 1769 until 1778.
Mims-Warren House has been a part of north Baldwin since the 1820s. Mims-Warren House is infused with rich history. Built by David Mims, it stands as the oldest in the county. David’s father Samuel Mims was responsible for constructing the Fort Mims stockades in 1813.
Red Hill Spring has been flowing since 1992. Around it a park was developed in the late 1990s to commemorate this spontaneous spring of water churning out nearly 2,500 gallons of water per hour.
Sims Museum contains artifacts from foot pedal organs to steam irons, giving an inside look into how early Americans lived.
Arts & Entertainment
The arts are alive in north Baldwin County. The nonprofit Community Concerts organization works to encourage participation and the exhibition of the arts in the area. Shows are primarily presented at the L.D. Owen Performing Arts Center at Faulkner State Community College. Musical concerts include a plethora of musical styles including folk, classical and contemporary. Theatrical productions engage viewers.
Knock down some pins at Strike City Lanes in Bay Minette. Enjoy hours of bowling excitement with regular play or go extreme with cosmic bowling. Taste the delicious options at the grill, serving up burgers, catfish dinners and much more. If you’re not in the mood for bowling come and visit the skating rink, outdoor skate park, pool or baseball park.
The Mobile Bay Bears are a minor league baseball team based out of Mobile, Alabama. They are the affiliate team of the Arizona Diamondbacks. A night out at Hank Aaron Stadium is a home run.
Events
Red, white and blue fly proudly in Bay Minette every Independence Day for the Fourth of July Celebration. The Bay Minette Rotary Club has been hosting this festival for 22 years. A darkened night sky is accented by a riveting fireworks show at Simmons Field. Spend the day playing games and nibbling on food.
The Bay Minette Rotary Club is host to another well-done event. The Taste of North Baldwin lays out a smorgasbord of culinary delights from local caterers and restaurants for all to taste and enjoy. Live music accents the experience.
Food festivities do not stop there; the annual Chili Cook Off, hosted by the Heritage Junior Women's Club, invites chili gurus to present their chili recipes to the masses for tasting. It is up the judges to decide whose method burns the best.
The last weekend in August each year brings the Fort Mims Living History Weekend to Tensaw. This event includes a Fort Mims Battle reenactment, Burnt Corn Battle Reenactment with all participants donning period dress and weapons. Food and beverages, accompanied by live music make this annual event both educational and enjoyable.
Tensaw May Day Festival is a nearly 30-year-old event started by the Tensaw Volunteer Fire Department. Taking place on the fourth Saturday in May, the festival features live musical acts and delicious food attracting visitors from as far away as Ohio, Illinois and Michigan.
For nearly 50 years, the weekend before Halloween is deemed Kids' Day in Bay Minette. The local Kiwanis Club sponsors the event, which consists of a parade, a hearty barbecue lunch and many kid-friendly games. Kiwanis also puts on the annual spring “Pigout in the Park” as well as Pancake Breakfast with Santa during Christmas Fest.
Another popular October event is the Halloween Downtown Family Carnival. A costume contest produces fierce competition, while candy overflows from trick-or-treater’s plastic jack-o-lanterns. The Bay Minette Civic Club hosts this festival of spookiness in an effort to give back to the community. The proceeds earned from the carnival are donated to support the Underprivileged Children's Shopping Tour, which helps children purchase holiday gifts in December.
To begin the season, Christmas Fest is an event held during the first weekend of December. Christmas Fest has been hosted by the North Baldwin Chamber of Commerce for 26 years. Sparkling with lights, this joy-filled occasion brings together both residents and visitors to share in cheer and camaraderie. A car show revs up north Baldwin County, while traditional flavors can be tasted in the selection of food and drinks. Arts and crafts make perfect gifts for friends and family.
Lodging
Throughout the county a plethora of accommodations exist. From hotels to motels and bed and breakfasts to inns, the options are plenty. Shoreline condos in the Gulf Shores area are privy to spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico with such amenities as a gulf-side pool, beach, charter fishing boats, grills, bicycles, full kitchens, laundry facilities and balconies.
Lodging in Bay Minette is quaint and homey and in close proximity to some of the area’s prominent attractions. The Lavender House Bed and Breakfast is located in downtown Bay Minette on a tree-filled acre lot, burgeoning with beautiful flowers and other lush plant life, all neatly maintained to create a gorgeous landscape for guests to enjoy. Inside four guest rooms offer a relaxed, cozy atmosphere. Built in 1909, this bed and breakfast received a historical marker in 2003 by the Baldwin County Historic Development Commission.
Windwood Inn is infused with a warm, friendly character. Dedicated to its visitors, the inn provides a complimentary continental breakfast of hot sausage and biscuits (a Southern staple) and other early morning favorites. Each room features Cable TV with HBO, refrigerators and microwaves. Take a dip in the outdoor pool.
Days Inn in Bay Minette shows true hospitality. Free Daybreak Breakfast starts off the day. High-speed wireless Internet access makes doing business on the road possible. Jacuzzi rooms and mini-suite rooms give added comfort. All rooms are equipped with a microwave, refrigerator and hairdryer, as well as Cable TV. The outdoor pool is open for use during warmer seasons.
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