12 Things To Do With Family In Mobile, Alabama

Whether you’re on a budget or want to splurge on memorable family adventures, Mobile has something for everyone. Check out these 12 fantastic things to do with family in Mobile:

Explore the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park

The US battleship Alabama is permanently docked as a museum ship on the west side of Mobile Bay. At this sprawling park, you can not only the massive battleship from World War II but also dozens of aircraft, tanks, and memorabilia displays.

Kids will love climbing on the tanks and pretending to drive them while learning about military technology and engineering. Younger kids might also enjoy playing on the park’s two large playgrounds while the adults explore the historic ship. Bring a picnic lunch to make a full day of it!

Splash and Play at The Pavilion at OWA

When your family needs to cool off, head to this 14-acre amusement park for thrilling rides like the Rollin’ Thunder wooden roller coaster and splash pads for the little ones. With free admission and dining options for all tastes and budgets, OWA is an ideal spot for family entertainment.

Be sure to catch a show at the outdoor amphitheater! Seasonal events like the Summer Concert Series, Movies at OWA, and Holiday Light Show make this amusement park a must-do attraction no matter when you visit Mobile with your crew.

Go Wild at Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo

Boasting animal exhibits ranging from lemurs and monkeys to tigers, crocodiles, and bears, the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo makes for a memorable family outing.

See animals native to Alabama and other exotic wildlife from around the world while enjoying the zoo’s scenic grounds. Special experiences like camel rides, alligator feedings, and the Lorikeet Landing aviary complex let you get up-close with incredible creatures.

Plus, attractions like the Splash Pad, Cypress Bayou Play Area and vintage 1901 carousel mean there’s plenty to captivate little zoo visitors! With reasonable ticket prices, it’s easy to spend a full day here making magical memories together.

Tour GulfQuest National Maritime Museum Of The Gulf Of Mexico

Designed to resemble an oil rig or sea vessel, GulfQuest National Maritime Museum uses interactive exhibitions and hands-on displays to teach families about the Gulf of Mexico’s landscapes, marine life, maritime industries and the stories of its peoples.

Adventurous kids will love piloting a pontoon boat simulator, fighting pirate ships in the virtual game “A Pirate’s Plunder”, and playing in the Stair-Stepper water feature. Special experiences like building a model ship, touching a nurse shark, and grabbing a bite at the on-site café make GulfQuest a top pick for family field trips!

Have some history fun at Fort Conde and Fort of Colonial Mobile

Take the family back in time to Mobile’s roots at Fort Conde and the Fort of Colonial Mobile historic sites. These 18th century-style forts offer a glimpse into the area’s French and Spanish colonization and military history. Costumed interpreters lead programs and reenactments bringing historic weapons demonstrations, colonial activities like open-hearth cooking, trades like blacksmithing and more to life.

Kids will especially love trying on replica uniforms and playing historic toys and lawn games at the Forts. Enjoy seasonal cannon firings, archaeology days and holiday events for memorable interactive learning about Mobile’s colorful past.

Splash around at Ratchet’s Fun Zone & Splash Pad

This action-packed amusement center boasts indoor attractions like laser tag, bumper cars, bowling and arcade games, while the 5,000 square foot outdoor Splash Pad features a giant tipping water bucket, slides and spray features. With affordable ticket options and food from their Grill delicious burgers and hot dogs, Ratchet’s is the perfect rainy-day oasis to occupy kids of all ages for hours of play.

Take safety breaks to refuel on snacks and let the littlest family members enjoy their own Splash Pad fun! Ratchet’s gives families a welcome dose of adventure with kids emerging all smiles and happily exhausted after a day playing here.

Discover Mobile Carnival Museum

Mobile is the birthplace of America’s celebrated Mardi Gras Carnival traditions. This fascinating museum features elaborate costumes, floats and royal court artifacts plus interactive exhibits bringing the energy and pageantry of Carnival history to life.

Families can try on costumes and hats, have their faces painted, decorate floats and masks, and learn unique Carnival dances. Don’t miss the giant “Floral Parade” wall mural depicting the long-held New Year’s Day parade tradition. It’s eye-catching fun for all ages!

Plan your visit in late February/early March to experience an authentic Mobile Mardi Gras parade happening right outside the museum doors.

Explore Downtown Mobile By Trolley

All aboard the bright orange Mobile trolleys giving tour rides through the oak-lined streets of downtown. These child-friendly tours hit top attractions like the GulfQuest maritime museum, Mardi Gras museum, Fort Conde, historic Church Street and bustling Bienville Square.

Along the route, kids can peer up at Mobile’s beautiful antebellum-style mansions and architecture while hearing stories of the port city’s vibrant past. Trolley tours depart daily on the hour from Fort Conde and run spring through fall. For a fun overview of downtown, you can’t beat viewing Mobile by trolley together!

Launch into Zip Line Family Adventures

Treetop ziplines, rope bridges and climbing challenges awaits families at two area adventure parks. At Historic Blakeley State Park’s ZipLine and Canopy Adventure, you can gear up for a dozen incredible ziplines crossing over wetlands and the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. Meander Creek Ranch’s ZipTour Adventure Park surprises with over 100 elevated obstacles and zip adventures amidst pine and cypress trees. With kid weight minimums starting at just 45 pounds, it’s thrill-seeking fun for all!

Time adventuring through the air racing each other or admiring gorgeous coastal views as a family. Then unwind at Meander’s lakefront lounge or Blakeley’s museum and nature trails.

Play a Round of Disc Golf at Herndon-Sage Park

Treat athletic teens (or mom and dad!) to disc golf amidst the scenic trails, lakes and gardens of this gorgeous county park. As you hike gently rolling terrain criss-crossed by babbling creeks, take turns tossing discs at the 9 basket targets and tracking throws. Our family loves getting outdoors together playing this affordable version of golf utilizing Frisbees instead of clubs and balls.

It might take practice learning specialized discs and throws, but you’ll have a blast attempting tough shots through wooded patches. Playfully compete to beat each other’s scores with less throws across the park’s challenging layout.

Be Wowed at a Play or Musical at Mobile Saenger Theater

This gorgeous historic theater opened in 1927 as a majestic venue for vaudeville shows before transitioning to feature Broadway musicals, plays, concerts and dance performances. With nearly 2000 plush seats, ornate interior and perfect acoustics, the Saenger remains an architectural showpiece and vibrant downtown cultural hub today.

Treat the family to a memorable show in Mobile’s version of New York’s iconic Radio City! Upcoming kid-approved picks include Blue Man Group’s hilarious percussion-driven theatrics or family classics like Disney’s Beauty and the Beast musical.

Devour Delicious Gulf Seafood Together

Take the crew out for a fantastic family seafood dinner soaking in Mobile Bay views along the downtown riverfront. Popular picks like Felix’s Fish Camp and The Bluegill Restaurant serve up scrumptious coastal dishes from gumbo to shrimp and grits to fried basket favorites. Or stroll the boardwalks of Mobile Bay and Point Clear sampling seafood gumbo, po’ boys and fresh local catches from casual spots like Original Oyster House or Bulls Restaurant.

With the rich bounty pulled from Gulf and Delta waters, Mobile boasts fantastic family dining perfect for bonding over buttery crab claws, salty oyster shooters and flaky beachfront fish tacos together!

Conclusion

With an array of amusement parks, zoos, zip lines and museums mixed with historic sites, theaters and sandy shorelines, the family fun never ends in vibrant Mobile, Alabama. Immerse the kids in local culture biking oak-lined neighborhoods and munching beignets at cozy cafes. Make memories to last paddling the Delta, casting fishing lines off piers and building beach bonfires under starry Gulf skies.

When you need a home base after action-packed days playing tourist, Mobile provides plenty of family-friendly hotels and resorts promising kids’ activities, pools and complimentary breakfasts fueling up for the next adventure!