Field Tripping on the Alabama Gulf Coast

Remember those field trips from your school days? The excitement of escaping the classroom to take a trip to a museum or historical site. And somewhere in that excitement was a little bit of learning - even if you didn't want to admit it.

Here on the Alabama Gulf Coast, we have so many great chapters of history to share. Area museums welcome you with unique insight to major events in our nation's history and humble lessons in making a living from the land and sea.

So head out and discover the history of the Alabama Gulf Coast - you might even be inspired to write an essay!

The American Sport Art Museum and Archives (ASAMA)
One Academy Drive - Daphne
(251) 626-3303 www.asama.org
Dedicated to the preservation of sports history, art and literature. Gallery hours: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. Free and open to the public.

Baldwin County Heritage Museum
25521 Highway 98 - Elberta
(251) 986-8375 www.baldwincountyheritagemuseum.com
We represent the grass roots of our society by providing a place for visitors to experience the heritage and share the ethnic and farming culture of Baldwin County. Odyssey's Shipwreck! Treasures from the ship will take visitors on an amazing journey 1,700 feet below the surface of the Atlantic to the wreck of the SS Republic, the greatest shipwreck treasure of the Civil War-ear. Ticketed event.

City of Foley Museum Archives and Model Train Exhibit
125 E Laurel Ave - Foley
(251) 943-1818 www.foleyrailroadmuseum.com
This layout represents the 1930's -1950's era, when the rail lines were in the transition of being run by steam to running on diesel fuel. The hours of operation are from 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday. Admission is free. The model trains are in operation on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Fort Morgan
51 State Highway 180 West - Gulf Shores
(251) 540-7127 www.ft-morgan.com
"Damn the torpedoes. Full speed ahead!" You can almost hear the command of Admiral David Farragut as he led his troops into the battle of Mobile Bay. Today Fort Morgan is a testament to the evolution of American coast defense fortifications from 1834 to World War II. It's a history lesson waiting to be explored.

Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center & IMAX® Dome Theater
65 Government Street - Mobile
(251) 208-6873 Toll Free: (877) 625-4FUN www.exploreum.com
A hands-on science adventure! This playground for the mind has more than 150 interactive exhibits, larger-than-life IMAX Dome films, and the all new My Body Works health gallery presented by Infirmary Health System. The Exploreum is a great destination for family fun and entertainment!

Gulf Shores Museum
244 West 19th Avenue - Gulf Shores
(251) 968-1473 www.gulfshoresal.gov/specialevents/museum.html
Hurricane Hunters in an exciting video. Visit Fishing the Lagoon: A Way of Life. See gear used to fish and shrimp on the Gulf Coast and in Little Lagoon. View a weather video from our collection. Special exhibits, films and other events offered throughout the year. Free admission.

Historic Blakeley State Park
34745 State Hwy 225 - Spanish Fort
(251) 626-0798 www.blakeleypark.org
Visit the site of the last major battle of the Civil War. Enjoy 10-1/2 miles of hiking and bike trails, RV and primitive camping and a serene boardwalk next to the Tensaw River.

Historic Magee Farm
6222 Highway 45 - Kushla
(251) 675-1863 Toll Free: (877) 675-1864 www.historicmageefarm.com
Site of where in 1865 the Confederate Lt. General Richard Taylor met with Union Major General E.R.S. Canby to discuss a possible cease fire and surrender.

Mobile Museum of Art
4850 Museum Drive - Mobile
(251) 208-5200 www.mobilemuseumofart.com
The largest art museum along the Gulf Coast from New Orleans to Tampa. Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Sunday 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m.

The Museum of Mobile
111 South Royal Street - Mobile
(251) 208-7569 www.museumofmobile.com
The Museum of Mobile, located in the southern Market, Old City hall, a National Historic Landmark building, where visitors will discover 300 years of Mobile history. Visit our other locations: Fort Conde' Museum and Phoenix Fire Museum.

National Museum of Naval Aviation
1750 Radford Blvd - Pensacola
(850) 453-2389 Toll Free: (800) 327-5002 www.navalaviationmuseum.org
The National Naval Aviation Museum features nearly 300,000 square feet of displays and is one of the world’s largest aviation museums. Located aboard Pensacola Naval Air Station, the Museum boasts more than 150 beautifully restored aircraft representing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard aviation. Among the countless things to touch, see and experience are the thrilling flight simulators, incredible exhibits and exciting IMAX® films. Museum admission is free. Open every day from 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
25850 John M. Snook Avenue - Orange Beach
(251) 981-8545 www.obparksandrec.com/artsculture/museum.html
Open Tuesday & Thursday 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Contains local history, Indian culture, regional fishing and marine history. Photos, memorabilia and artifacts.

Spear Hunting Museum
20216 Hwy 59 - Summerdale
(251) 989-7700
Experience a collection of animals worldwide along with pictures and description of the hunt, collections of spears and other memorabilia. Open 1:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Tuesday -Saturday.

Swift-Coles Historic Home
17424 Swift Coles Lane - Bon Secour
(251) 580-1897
Home open Tuesdays and Fridays 10:00 - 4:00 Admission: $3.00 Children age 6 and under free. Just past the Tin Top Restaurant at CR 10 and CR49 in Bon Secour.

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park
2703 Battleship Parkway - Mobile
(251) 433-2703 Toll Free: (800) GANGWAY www.ussalabama.com
Features the Battleship U.S.S. ALABAMA, the submarine U.S.S. DRUM, military aircraft and equipment, a theater, concessions and a gift shop.

For more information on attractions and updates on the oil spill, please visit www.GulfShores.com or www.OrangeBeach.com.