This should cover it: Sorry, but you may have to copy and paste the links
http://www.mobile.org/
Hotels:
Stay downtown if you can. It may cost you more, but it's definitely worth it. You're a block away from Dauphin Street where the bars are and you can walk right out of your hotel and watch the parade/pep-rally. Also, there's a huge Exploreum for the kids and you can take them to the USS Alabama which is about 5 minutes from downtown.
Malaga Inn- real neat hotel has a French Quarter feel
Admiral Semmes- best location, nice, FUN place. Also, New Orleans feel. Parade rolls right in front of hotel.
Riverview- another good hotel downtown
LaFayette Plaza- not as nice, but good/safe hotel
Ramada Civic Center- never stayed here, but again it's downtown and I think would work out. Not as nice as the top listed, but good.
Also, your Hampton Inns, Marriot chain hotels are all decent
For the ladies:
They would love to drive around Springhill (nice area of Mobile) and the Mobile Country Club neighborhoods
Springhill College- huge Oak Trees, antebellum homes
Fairhope, AL-they can shop all afternoon in this awesome little town that sits on Mobile Bay (this is a MUST for shopping and walking around...maybe Friday)
http://www.cofairhope.com/
The Grand Hotel- if you're not in to the bar scene and you want to play some golf and have a relaxing weekend, I suggest stay here. It's about 45 minutes from Mobile, but it overlooks Mobile Bay and it's very romantic. The golf is great and you can fish, shop and really enjoy yourself
http://www.marriottgrand.com/
Foley Outlets- hundreds of outlet shops about 45 minutes from Mobile
Gulf Shores/Orange Beach- you could stay on the beach for the weekend. It's about an hour south of Mobile
For the kids:
Exploreum Downtown
http://www.exploreum.net/
The USS Alabama on Mobile Bay
Fort Conde downtown
Tons of parks to run around
For the guys:
Dauphin Street-a much cleaner smaller version of Bourbon Street. Just lots and lots of bars. When the game was played on a Wednesday night, I felt bad b/c the streets were empty. Now, Friday and Saturday will be packed. For some reason Saturday night is the best night. I'lkl find a "Ohio" bar where all Ohio fans can meet up to start the night.
Strip Clubs- Sammy's, Diamonds and one more I can't remember
USS Alabama- a must see
Fishing in Gulf Shores
Golf- Springhill College- cheap $20 but really nice; Magnolia Grove (Robert Trent Jones course)
Students:
For students who might not be able to afford hotels, if you're in a fraternity/sorority, call your fra/sor at the University of South Alabama and stay with them. They have huge houses and other MAC schools have done this in the past. What a great "retreat" idea for fraternities. Just get a bus and spend the weekend down here
http://www.southalabama.edu/campusinvolv...greek.html
Restaurants: I HIGHLY recommend these
$ cheap but GOOD!!!!
The DEW DROP INN- Mobile's first restaurant. Nothing fancy just the nest hot dogs and burgers you'll eat
http://splendidtable.publicradio.org/whe...drop.shtml
The Brick Pit BBQ- order the pulled pork!! Call me Friday and we'll have lunch
http://www.brickpit.com/
http://www.foodhistory.com/foodnotes/roa.../brickpit/
Picklefish Pizza downtown
$$ a little more, but GOOD!!!
Wintzells Seafood downtown restaurant
http://www.wintzellsoysterhouse.com/
Bakery Cafe
The Original Oyster House- on the causeway Kids will love it. Lots of fish on the wall, live fish, alligators, etc.
$$$- Great to take the wife: MAKE RESERVATIONS
Cafe 615- young with-it Mobile crowd- she'll love it-great drinks
NOJA- really cool spot downtown!!!!!!! Try it- again with-it crowd. My favorite
Ruth Chris Steakhouse- but you can eat that anywhere- great though
Felix's Fishcamp- overlooks Mobile Bay
Ed's Seafood Shack- don't let the name fool you. Awesome seafood. Not as nice, but it's expensive. Kids will love it
Justine's at The Pillars- most expensive place in Mobile. I've heard mixed reviews
Bar scene:
Dauphin Street is the place to be. Just walk from bar to bar. Keep drinks in a plastic cup and you'll have no problem. The bars have no closing hours, so you're likely to see a lot of people out a 4am.
Cabs: Hit or miss. Try to reserve a cab. I've had trouble before. If you're staying downtown, you can walk home. Don't let one girl ride cab by herself, especially at night. A few girls have had serious problems with this
Safety: Just like any city, don't wander off and stay on well lit walkways. Mobile is a safe place, but there are always people who will take advantage of you. Just use common sense
Mobilians: Are some of the nicest people you'll meet. Don't be afraid to ask for directions or anything. Also, please leave the women behind. We don't want you "yankees" taking our women. HA!!
Stadium: It's in a bad part of town, but around the stadium is just fine. Get there early and tailgate INSIDE the fenced area. Since it's a Sunday, there should be a lot of locals already out there. Don't let camoflauge and orange ski caps scare you. Every one hunts here and when it's 50-60 degrees outside, we're freezing.
Don't worry about where you're sitting. JUST DON'T SIT IN THE ENDZONE unless you want it all to your self. The crowd that sits in the endzone isn't exactly the top of the shelf if you know what I mean. But by halftime, it will pretty much be emptied out. Also, if you're not on the 40-50 yard line, don't freak out. We sell-out the game, but we also leave at half. Sorry, but that's just the way it is. After half, you can squeze in from the 35to35 yard line with no problem. Don't hang out at the stadium after the game. Don't rush, but don't hang out too long.
Sell-Out. The game WILL sellout. Not sure when, but it will. Mobile really gets behind this bowl. Whew...I'm worn out. I will be around all weekend to help anyone out. The only thing I wont do is bail you out of jail. I hope this helps and any questions you may have, please email me at mob08@aol.com
ALSO, PLEASE SEND THIS TO UNIVERSITY OFFICIALS, COACHES, PLAYERS, STUDENTS, ALUMS, WHOEVER. This can help every one.
MORE HOTELS: It seems like the downtown hotels are already booked or are close to it. You should also check out these which are really close to Mobile and downtown: No more than 5 minutes to downtown. Right off I-10
Hilton Garden Inn - Nice hotel
29546 N Main St, Daphne, AL
(251) 621-1841
Comfort Suites - Good hotel
29450 N. Main Street, Daphne, AL
(251) 626-1113
Best Western Battleship Inn - OK hotel
2701 Battleship Pkwy, Spanish Fort, AL
(251) 432-2703
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites- NICE HOTEL- brand new I think?
Spanish Fort, AL
(251) 621-1223
Hampton Inn Daphne Mobile East Bay - NICE hotel
29451 Highway 98, Daphne, AL
(251) 626-2220
Pensacola airport: 45 minutes away, great small airport kind of tricky to find interstate
Gulfport aiport: an hour away, ok small airport, easy to find interstate.
Both are great airports to get to Mobile. Save money and fly to Gulfport, but both are just fine
Dauphin Street is Mobile's mini "Bourbon Street" without the strip joints. It's a nice area downtown with lots of bars and a few places to eat. The parade rolls right by Dauphin Street and the pep-rally/fireworks are just a few blocks from Dauphin Street. I'd expect over 100,000 people downtown Saturday night. Here's a breakdown of the bars on Dauphin Street: The police block off Dauphin Street and the bars begin and you can bar hop. After the parade, I suggest all Ohio fans go to Pat's and Boo Radleys- they're right across from eachother. Here are some bars I suggest:
Boo Radleys- college crowd/great looking girls/fun and friendly crowd
Monsoons- college crowd/great music/fun bar
Hereo's Sports Bar- sports bar
Pat's- less crowded/fun and friendly crowd/acoustic singer
Grand Central- HUGE bar/ fun and friendly crowd/great looking girls
http://www.grandcentralmobile.com/ terrible site...sorry
Picklefish- best pizza
Nautalis- only "dance" club on Dauphin/ not my type of bar, but I hear it's fun
Soul Kitchen- great music venue/check the website for music/Great looking girls
http://www.soulkitchenmobile.com/
Good downtown site:
http://www.mainstreetmobile.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mobile,_Ala..._and_do...
Kids Activities in Mobile:
USS Alabama- you can walk around the ship and in submarines. GREAT tour
http://www.ussalabama.com
Gulf Coast Exploreum w/ IMAX Theater
http://www.exploreum.net
Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo
http://www.alabamagulfcoastzoo.com
Alligator Alley
http://www.gatoralleyfarm.com/
Fort Conde
http://www.memberservicecenter.org/irmwe...vc?id=a...
Gulf Shores beaches
http://www.gulfshores.com/
Comprehensive list:
http://www.mobile.org/pl_things_attract.php
It's not the nicest stadium, but it's not bad. The tailgating area is great and lots of locals will be out. If you're driving to the stadium, get there early and park inside the fences so you won't have to park in the neighborhood yards (which is ok if you have to). This will be safer and give you more time to tailgate and walk around. I suggest carpooling and going in packs so you can all park next to eachother. Also, DON'T stick around the stadium too long after the game. During the day, during the game and right after the game it's really safe, but don't plan on hanging out too long after the game.
http://www.laddpeeblesstadium.com/
http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=...0Peeble...
Don't sit in the endzones unless you want to be on tv b/c after halftime they will be almost empty. Also, the view isn't great. Hope this helps
