Fairhope has long been the jewel of the eastern shore. A unique artist colony with an abundance of shopping alternatives and old southern charm. You can stroll along the bluffs overlooking Mobile Bay to find the perfect vantage point for the coming sunset, visit the Fairhope Pier or cruise the town proper for a unique shopping or dining experience.

Fairhope has been a destination for famous travels for years. The seclusion and anonymity of the place make it easy to hide from the rest of the world. The story is that Jimmy Buffet honed his skills sitting at the end of a pier along the shore in Fairhope when he was growing up, a student at McGill High School, in Mobile, Alabama, just across the bay.

Fairhope is absolutely a quite vacation sort of place. You won't find huge water slides or amusement parks, although their are a few just a short drive away, and you won't find the hustle and bustle you find at other places along the coast, like Destin and Gulf Shores.

Fairhope was established in 1894 and is one of only two remaining "single tax colonies. The other is located in Arden Delaware. Property owners take a 99 year renewable lease on property but own all improvements made to the land.

Sunsets from Fairhope are extraordinary. The prevailing breeze makes for coo, bug free, evenings where you can watch the sun sinking low into the horizon and you still might catch silhouette of a passing bay shrimper or sailor in the distance.

Things To Do In Fairhope

• Stroll thte Fairhope Pier
• Visit the public beach just north of the pier
• Go for a swim in the bay
• If your are extremely lucky, catch a jubilee when the flounder, crabs, shrimp and other delicious bay creatures throw themselves on the beach for your easy pickings.
• Visit Punta Clara Kitchen for pralines, gourmet preserves, jams, jellies, southern light fruit cake, and traditional pecan candies
• Visit Andree's Wine, Cheese & Things to pick up some fine wine and cheese to enjoy during the sunset
• Stop by Gambinos Restaurant for some exceptional local fair.
• Hang out at the Fly Creek Marina for great food and atmosphere. This is another great place to watch the sunset.
• Visit the Fairhope Public Library
• See the Marietta Johnson Museum
• Stop by Fairhope Fudge for a little sweetness
• Musicians can stop by Jubilee Music, actually, anybody can but it helps if you are a musician since this is a music store.
• Cruise down the road to Daphne and Manci's Antique Bar. Beware of the fig leaf.
• Visit Melanie Buffett Yoga
• Visit the Rock Creek Golf Club and play a round or two

Local Area Attractions:

• The Battleship, USS Alabama and submarine, USS Drum
• Gulf Shores
• TheTrack
• Bass Pro Shop
• Manci's Antique Bar
• Fairhope Pier
• Gambinos Restaurant
• Mobile Bay
• A jubilee if one happens while you are there.
• Pelican Point
• The Grand Hotel
• Emerald Coast Skydiving in Elberta
• The Elberta Sausage Festival: Welcome to the home of the original Elberta German Sausage Festival. We hold two Festivals each year, always the last Saturday of March and the last Saturday of October. There is no admission charge. Each Festival is a one day event, and runs from 8AM-5PM. Usually by 3PM, we have sold out of sausage (thats 7,000 lbs of sausage!). It takes another Festival we know 3 whole days to sell that much! We're the original, and still the best!
• The Eastern Shore Art Center: The Eastern Shore Art Center is located in beautiful downtown Fairhope, Alabama and houses five galleries with exhibits that change monthly, as well a gallery featuring member artists' work for sale. The Academy offers a wide variety of classes and workshops in five spacious studios. Classes are offered on a quarterly basis to both adults and children.
• Fairhope Mardi Gras: Everyone has one now a Fairhope has a nic, low key event safe for the whole family.