Saturday & Sunday Tours
Mobile, AL
You have heard the famous quote uttered by Admiral David G. Farragut, now experience the sites associated with Civil War Mobile and the Battle of Mobile Bay. With a deepwater port and standing as the fourth largest city in the Southern Confederacy, Mobile was a vital link in the Confederate war effort and a significant target for the Federal high command. Join American Battlefield Trust Chief Historian Garry Adelman and Deputy Director of Education Kristopher White for an action-packed, photo and fun-filled tour of Civil War Mobile—where you will become a ship in the Union fleet! Visit some of the most famous sites associated with the Battle of Mobile Bay, including Forts Gaines & Blakeley. Touch the anchor of the USS Hartford and cruise down the Tensaw River. Learn more about the role that the original home of Mardi Gras played before, during, and after the American Civil War.
Sites Included: Fort Gaines, Fort Blakeley, the Tensaw River, and other sites related to Civil War Mobile
Mobility/Walking Level: Moderate, up to 1.5 miles of walking on uneven surfaces. Expect uneven terrain in the forts. If you become seasick, you should not take part in this tour as it will involve a boat ride.
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble walking up and down stairs.
- I have trouble walking up and down inclined surfaces.
- I have trouble standing for long periods of time.
- I have trouble navigating uneven surfaces with tripping hazards.
- I have trouble walking on a dock.
- I have trouble with seasickness and boats.
Guides: Garry Adelman, Kristopher White, and Mike Bunn
The Fight for the Eastern Shore-Mobile's Civil War Defenses and the Battle of Spanish Fort with Paul Brueske
Mobile was the fourth-largest city in the Confederacy and a vital port (and link) to Europe. Situated so far from Union forces, the city did not come under attack until late in the war, allowing Southern troops to create an intricate series of defenses, many of which still exist today.
Join Paul Brueske, the author of "The Last Siege: The Mobile Campaign of 1865," for an exploration of some of the best existing fortifications in the Western Theater while learning about the vital Battle and Siege of Spanish Fort.
Sites Included: Fort McDermott, Mobile's Upper Defenses, USCT Mound, Old Spanish Fort, and others associated with Mobile's Civil War defense
Walking Level: This will involve walking through the streets of Charleston, on some flat, and some uneven, surfaces. This tour is not recommended for attendees who prefer limited walking tours.
Mobility/Walking Level: Challenging, up to 2 miles of walking on uneven surfaces. Please note that the walk-up Fort McDermott is along a very steep pathway.
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble walking up and down stairs.
- I have trouble walking up and down inclined surfaces.
- I have trouble standing for long periods of time.
- I have trouble navigating uneven surfaces.
Guide: Paul Brueske
Lost Campaigns of the Gulf Coast: From the American Revolution to the War of 1812 with Dan Davis
Established as a permanent military garrison in 1698, Pensacola's strategic location on the Gulf of Mexico made it a coveted prize among the world's most powerful nations. Originally settled by Spain the city was relinquished to France, who, in turn, surrendered it to Great Britain following the French and Indian War. During the American Revolution, Spanish commander Bernardo de Gálvez captured Mobile and used the victory as a springboard to wrench Pensacola from the Crown's hands. Some three decades later, Pensacola found itself at the center of the storm between the United States and Great Britain. Join the American Battlefield Trust’s Senior Education Manager, Dan Davis, for an exploration of nearly two centuries of Gulf Coast history. Visit Mobile’s Fort Conde, Historic Pensacola Village, Fort George, and other sites to retrace the wars that helped define one of America’s oldest cities.
Sites Included: Mobile’s Fort Conde, Historic Pensacola Village, Fort George, and other sites to retrace the wars that helped define two of America’s oldest cities.
Mobility/Walking Level: Easy, roughly one mile of walking in mostly city settings.
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble standing for extended periods of time.
- I have trouble crossing city streets in a timely manner.
Guide: Dan Davis
Sites Included: Bienville Square, Archaeology Museum, University Of South Alabama, Fort Blakeley, Richards DAR Museum
Mobility/Walking Level: Moderate, please plan to stand in museums and up to 2.5 miles of walking.
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble standing for extended periods of time.
- I have trouble crossing city streets in a timely manner.
- I have trouble walking long distances.
Guide: Sarah Kay Bierle
Historic Blakeley State Park encompasses more than 2,100 acres of the largest National Register Historic Site in the eastern half of the United States. Within the park's grounds are the site of the last major battle of the Civil War, including several miles of unspoiled Confederate and Union fortifications associated with the Battle of Fort Blakeley of April 9, 1865; the site and remnants of the important early Alabama town of Blakeley. Join Mike Bunn of Historic Blakeley State Park for a cruise down the Tensaw River as you explore one of the gems of Alabama's historic preservation efforts.
Sites Included: Fort Blakeley and the Tensaw River
Mobility/Walking Level: Easy, up to 500 yards of walking on sandy soil. If you become seasick, you should not take part in this tour as it will involve a boat ride.
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble walking on a boat dock.
- I have trouble with seasickness and boats.
Guide: Mike Bunn
"Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!"—Fort Gaines with Kristopher White and Garry Adelman
You have heard the famous quote uttered by Admiral David G. Farragut, now experience the sites associated with Civil War Mobile and the Battle of Mobile Bay. With a deepwater port and standing as the fourth largest city in the Southern Confederacy, Mobile was a vital link in the Confederate war effort and a significant target for the Federal high command. Join American Battlefield Trust Chief Historian Garry Adelman and Deputy Director of Education Kristopher White for an action-packed, photo and fun-filled tour of Fort Gaines and the famed Battle of Mobile Bay—where you will become a ship in the Union fleet! Visit Forts Gaines. Touch the anchor of the USS Hartford and view where Mobile Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. Learn more about the role that the original home of Mardi Gras played before, during, and after the American Civil War. Please Note: This tour does not include a boat ride along the Tensaw River.
Sites Include: Fort Gaines
Mobility/Walking Level: Easy
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble walking up and down stairs.
- I have trouble walking up and down inclined surfaces.
- I have trouble standing for long periods of time.
- I have trouble navigating uneven surfaces with tripping hazards.
Guides: Kristopher White and Garry Adelman
Boasting nine battle stars, nine 16-inch guns, and a crew complement of some 2,500 officers and sailors, the USS Alabama served in some of the most famous operations of World War II. Climb aboard the Alabama to learn more about its history, the men who served aboard the mighty vessel, and how it came to call Mobile home.
Sites Included: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Mobility/Walking Level: Moderate
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble walking up and down stairs.
- I have trouble walking up and down inclined surfaces.
- I have trouble with narrow passageways.
- I have trouble navigating uneven surfaces with tripping hazards and low overhangs.
- I have trouble with claustrophobia.
Guides: the staff of the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Three Centuries Walking Tour of Mobile with Paul Brueske
This roughly two-hour walking tour tells the 315-year-old story of Mobile as a Native American settlement, a French settlement, a British port, a Spanish town, and a thriving and genteel American city. This tour follows the beautiful streets of Alabama’s oldest city and includes street views and explanations of Royal Street, Ft. Conde, Bienville Square, and much more. Learn the "Secret History" of Mobile's tattooed French founder, the distant location where the city was actually founded, and a historic fire hall hiding downtown in plain sight!
Sites Included: Royal Street, Bienville Square, Fort Conde, and more
Mobility/Walking Level: Easy, roughly one mile of walking in mostly city settings.
If you answer yes to two or more of the statements below, this tour may not be for you.
- I have trouble standing for extended periods of time.
- I have trouble crossing city streets in a timely manner.
Guides: Paul Brueske
History LECTURE with Dr. Chris Mackowski: Bringing the War to an End-From Appomattox to Citronelle
Sites Included: N/A
Walking Level: N/A
Speaker: Dr. Chris Mackowski