12 Unforgettable Things To Do In Fairhope, AL In 2025: Coastal Charms And Hidden Gems

Fairhope, Alabama, continues to solidify its reputation as one of the South’s most enchanting coastal destinations, with 2025 bringing new culinary hot spots and a calendar full of vibrant events. This charming town, consistently celebrated by publications like Southern Living and recently named a "Must-See Southern City" in 2025 by AARP, blends small-town charm with a sophisticated arts and food scene. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned Fairhoper, the experiences along the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay are fresh, unique, and ready to be explored this year.

From the moss-draped oak trees lining Scenic 98 to the breathtaking sunsets over the bay, Fairhope offers a perfect escape for art lovers, history buffs, and foodies alike. Our guide to the best things to do in Fairhope, AL, focuses on the most current and must-do activities for your 2025 itinerary, ensuring you discover both the iconic landmarks and the town's best-kept secrets.

The Essential Fairhope Waterfront Experience

The lifeblood of Fairhope flows along the Mobile Bay waterfront, offering serene parks, dramatic sunsets, and unique natural phenomena you won't find anywhere else. These are the must-do activities for anyone visiting the coast.

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1. Stroll the Fairhope Municipal Pier (The Town's "Unofficial Town Square")

The Fairhope Municipal Pier is arguably the city's most iconic landmark and a mandatory stop for any visitor. Stretching out into Mobile Bay, the pier offers spectacular views, especially during sunset, which is considered one of the most breathtaking on the Gulf Coast. The surrounding park features a lovely rose garden, a fountain, a walking trail, and a public beach area where you can relax or birdwatch.

• Activity Tip: Fishing is a popular pastime here; just remember to acquire a saltwater license if you are under 65.
• Location: The pier is the centerpiece of the Fairhope Beach and Park area.

2. Chase the Rare Mobile Bay Jubilee Phenomenon

One of the most unique natural events in the world, the "Jubilee," happens sporadically along the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay, including the Fairhope coastline. This phenomenon occurs when oxygen-depleted bottom waters force sea life—including crabs, shrimp, and fish—into the shallow water at the shoreline, making them easy to catch by hand. While it cannot be planned, experiencing a Jubilee is a bucket-list item for any coastal visitor.

3. Explore the Mobile-Tensaw Delta

Just a short drive from downtown Fairhope, the Mobile-Tensaw Delta is one of America's most beautiful and diverse ecosystems, spanning over 260,000 acres. Outdoor enthusiasts can rent a canoe or paddleboat to explore the cypress swamps and marshes along the Bartram Canoe Trail system. This is a prime location for wildlife viewing, with opportunities to spot bald eagles, kingfishers, herons, and even alligators in their natural habitat.

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4. Discover the Weeks Bay Reserve

For a more structured nature experience, visit the Weeks Bay Reserve, an estuarine research reserve on the outskirts of Fairhope. The reserve features an educational visitors center, a boardwalk, and nature trails that weave through the marshes and wetlands. It’s a fantastic, free activity for families interested in learning about regional plants, coastal animals, and the critical coastal ecosystem.

Fairhope's Thriving Culture, History, and Arts Scene

Fairhope's downtown area is a vibrant cultural hub, known for its utopian roots, literary history, and a commitment to local art. The flower-lined streets and historic architecture provide a beautiful backdrop for exploring the city's unique past.

5. Immerse Yourself in Downtown Shopping and the French Quarter

The downtown area is famous for its quaint boutiques, antique shops, and locally-owned stores, making it a shopper's paradise. Don't miss the Fairhope French Quarter, a charming private section with a cobblestone courtyard, a lovely fountain, and specialty shops. It’s also home to the beloved Panini Pete’s, famous for its New Orleans-style beignets and muffaletta sandwich.

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6. Explore the Fairhope Museum of History and Utopian Roots

Delve into Fairhope’s fascinating past at the Fairhope Museum of History, housed in a historic 1928 Spanish Mission-style building that once served as the City Hall and jail. Exhibits detail the city's unique beginnings as a "Single Tax" colony founded by Midwesterners in the late 1800s, an economic experiment based on the theories of social reformer Henry George. Admission is always free, making it a great indoor activity.

7. Visit the Eastern Shore Art Center and First Friday Art Walk

Fairhope has a thriving arts community, and the Eastern Shore Art Center is its core. The center features five rotating galleries and four studios with exhibits from local and national artists. For a lively evening, plan your visit around the monthly First Friday Art Walk, where downtown galleries and shops stay open late, offering live music and refreshments.

8. Find the Storybook Castle and Tolstoy Park

Fairhope is home to some truly unusual landmarks that fuel curiosity. The first is the private residence of historical artist Dean Mosher, often called Fairhope's Storybook Castle, a breathtaking, fairytale-like structure that visitors can admire and photograph from the street. The second is Tolstoy Park, a tiny, round concrete hut built in 1925 by Henry Stuart, a man who moved to Fairhope seeking an alternative lifestyle after a tuberculosis diagnosis. This unique, historic gem even inspired the novel The Poet of Tolstoy Park.

Culinary Delights and Local Fairhope Flavors

The culinary scene in Fairhope is booming, featuring everything from fresh Gulf seafood to farm-to-table excellence and unique local treats.

9. Take the Taste of Fairhope Food Tour

The best way to sample the city's diverse culinary landscape is by joining the Taste of Fairhope Food Tour. This guided walking tour takes you to several of the town's most beloved eateries, allowing you to sample signature dishes, craft cocktails, and local specialties while learning fascinating local history and finding hidden gems.

10. Dine at a James Beard-Nominated Restaurant

Fairhope’s reputation as a foodie destination was recently boosted by the opening of Little Bird in June 2025, the latest venture from James Beard nominee Bill Briand. This restaurant focuses on Southern soul food with a coastal style, offering Gulf classics like oysters, gumbo, and shrimp and grits in the heart of downtown. Other top dining spots include the award-winning farm-to-table The Hope Farm, and waterfront locations like Sunset Pointe at Fly Creek Marina and The Blind Tiger on the Pier.

11. Sip a Fairhope Float and Visit the Tea Plantation

For a unique local treat, stop by Mr. Gene’s Beans Ice Cream and Coffee Shop for a Fairhope Float—a popular local concoction of coffee, frozen yogurt, and whipped cream. If you prefer tea, Fairhope is home to one of the oldest tea plantations in the country, the Fairhope Tea Plantation. You can take a small private group tour of the luscious landscape, which includes a koi pond and roaming peacocks, and enjoy a cup of their house tea.

12. Experience the Grand Hotel and Daily Cannon Firing

A short drive from downtown is the historic The Grand Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in Point Clear, a beloved resort that is a destination in itself. Even if you aren't staying there, you can stroll the beautiful property and witness a unique daily tradition: the Firing of the Cannon ceremony, followed by tea and cookies in the Grand Hall. The hotel's Bucky’s “birdcage” Lounge is also a great spot to enjoy cocktails and fire pits overlooking Mobile Bay.

Seasonal and Local Events to Plan Your 2025 Trip Around

Fairhope is known for its year-round festivals and community events, which add a special layer of charm to any visit.

• Fairhope Arts & Crafts Festival: This major event, drawing thousands of visitors, takes place each March, featuring over 200 of the finest artisans across various mediums.
• Live at Five Concert Series: Held in the spring and fall at the Halstead Amphitheater, this outdoor series features regional and national bands, making for a perfect evening of music and local food.
• Fairhope's Magical Christmas Parade & Lighting of the Trees: If you visit in late November/December, you can experience the magical holiday kick-off as thousands of twinkling lights set the city aglow, complete with a parade and a visit from Mrs. Claus.
• Mobile Bay Maker's Market: Check out the latest local goods, art, and farm produce at this popular open market, which has a new location for the 2025 season at 6925 Twin Beech Road.
• Fairhope's New Year's Eve Street Party: Ring in the new year with a family-friendly downtown celebration featuring live music, children's activities, and a ball drop with fireworks at midnight.

From the historic utopian roots found at the Fairhope Museum of History to the modern, upscale dining at Little Bird and the relaxed atmosphere of the Fairhope Brewing Company, this coastal Alabama town offers an unparalleled mix of history, nature, and contemporary culture. Plan your 2025 visit to Fairhope, AL, to enjoy the best of the Eastern Shore, capture a stunning Mobile Bay sunset, and discover why this is truly one of the South's most beloved destinations.