If you find yourself nerding out to history, Southern Alabama has a lot to offer. Although many of our guests at Brett/Robinson are lured by gorgeous beaches, gut-busting comfort food, and outdoor recreation, taking the time to visit some of the nearby historical attractions is an immersive experience travelers shouldn’t ignore. Heck, you don’t even have to be a history buff to enjoy the area's legendary towns, marvelous museums, and long-standing military outposts. All you need is a desire to learn and explore. So, to help you with your education vacation, we have compiled an easy list of some of the most worthwhile historical attractions in our part of Alabama.
Despite our reputation as a beach town, Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama, are perfect places to stay if you’re interested in touring significant historical attractions. Not only do we have a few neat spots that will make you feel like you went back in time, but other nearby towns and cities also boast several noteworthy sites.
Learning about the historical significance of the place you are vacationing can be a fun and immersive way to “live like a local.” You just never know what you’ll discover! To make things easier, many of the historical attractions on the Alabama Coast are well within driving distance from Brett/Robinson’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach vacation rentals, so finding the ideal location is never tough when you stay with us! All you have to do is find your favorite spot and plan your getaway.
Visit us online today to get the ball rolling towards an unforgettable blast to the past!
Don’t miss Fort Morgan, USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, Gulf Shores Museum, Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum, Bellingrath Gardens & Home, Africatown Heritage House, Historic Blakeley State Park, Bragg–Mitchell Mansion, the National Naval Aviation Museum (Pensacola), and the Baldwin County Heritage Museum.
Housed in a historic beach cottage, exhibits cover hurricanes Frederic and Ivan, early fishing/shrimping industries, and local WWII history—complete with storm artifacts and Gulf Shores memorabilia.
Set in a 1910 schoolhouse, it showcases Native American heritage and the area’s fishing past: original desks, antique tackle, spear points, and period artifacts tell the story of coastal life.
Yes—just over the Florida line in Pensacola, it features 150+ restored aircraft from the Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, plus flight simulators and a giant-screen theater for an immersive experience.
Guarding Mobile Bay since 1834, Fort Morgan figured prominently in the Civil War’s Battle of Mobile Bay and later conflicts. Tour ramparts and a museum of uniforms, letters, and weaponry; Fort Gaines (across the bay) complements the story with its own battlefield history.
A 15-room 1935 residence preserved with original furnishings set amid renowned seasonal gardens, lakes, and walking paths—ideal for architecture and horticulture lovers alike.
This Mobile museum commemorates the community founded by survivors of the Clotilda, believed to be the last slave ship to reach the U.S. Exhibits highlight resilience, culture, and ongoing preservation efforts.
Site of the last major Civil War battle, the park preserves Union/Confederate earthworks and offers boardwalks and 10+ miles of trails along the Tensaw River—where history meets nature.
Explore the 44,500-ton battleship, the USS Drum submarine, and an outdoor aircraft collection. It’s a hands-on look at WWII technology, service, and sea power on Mobile Bay’s shore.
This 1855 Greek Revival landmark—famed for its grand columns and live-oak grounds—offers guided tours into Mobile’s antebellum architecture and social history.
A slice-of-life collection of historic farm implements, home appliances, and local artifacts that traces rural Baldwin County’s development and day-to-day ingenuity.
Choose a Brett/Robinson condo or beach house in Gulf Shores or Orange Beach for quick drives to forts, museums, and gardens—plus easy access to dining and the beach between excursions.