Today I want to talk about Fairhope, Alabama. It is a fun little place for a weekend getaway with the kids or a couple’s getaway! It is an easy drive (I am in Lafayette, LA), only about 4 hours and 15 minutes. It is located about 30 miles from Gulf Shores so if you want to check out the beach one day it is within driving distance for a day trip. I am personally not a big beach person (I know, I’m weird) so this type of town is right up my alley. I am all about small town charm and character. It is also not too touristy which I love! It is located on the bay side and does have somewhat of a beach feel. If you go here, though, you will want to check out the town more than the water. There are SO many cute shops, restaurants and bars. We stay in the heart of downtown whenever we go. It is convenient and everything is walking distance so you never have to drive anywhere. Check out The Fairhope Inn (linked below) which is located right next to the park and walking distance to all of the downtown hot spots. There are also plenty of cute Air BNB’s to stay at as well. Check out the Storybook Castle which looks like it is straight out of a Disney movie (liked below).
So let’s get started with my favorite spot… Page & Palette (linked below). It is a bookstore, coffee shop and bar that hosts live music on certain days. It really is a one-stop shop. You can grab a book, a beer, and then a coffee after to wake yourself back up! The Spiced Chai Latte is SO yum! The Book Cellar is the name of the event venue located inside of Page & Palette which serves specialty cocktails such as the Tequila Mockingbird, the Rum Forrest Rum and my favorite, the Are You There God? It’s Me Margarita! Side Note: The author of Forrest Gump (Winston Groom) grew up in Mobile, AL and resides in the Fairhope area. Harper Lee, the author of To Kill A Mockingbird, also grew up in a small town in Alabama. The margarita is named after Judy Blume’s controversial book, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. I think the idea of naming cocktails after book titles is so clever and fun…which ultimately is what Page & Palette is, clever and fun!
Next on my list of to-do’s would be Locals which is a new restaurant located in the cutest little alley way that feels like Italy. You can dine outside in the alley way or inside. Check out The Wine Bar located down the quaint little alley while you are at it. There is usually some live music out there too! Next to this area is a cool little joint called Dragonfly which has the best tacos and has indoor and outdoor patio seating. There is also a small little bar located off of the restaurant called Fly Bar. It is a local hot spot. Other local bars to check out are McSharry’s if you want an authentic Irish pub feel (they also play great music), The Bone and Barrel, and L.W.C.C., which is Christmas themed year round. Also there is Fairhope Pins & Pints which is literally a hole in the wall pinball machine bar. It is also kid friendly! They serve bottle and draft beer (my favorite is the Goat Island - Blood Orange) and wine. Right across from here is a BBQ joint called TexarBama BBQ that serves delicious BBQ (DUH!) and hosts live music on certain nights. They really rock out! We can hear the music from my parent’s condo loud and clear!
If you are looking for a good seafood dinner with a view, check out Sunset Pointe. At sunset, the bell is rung and there is a toast to all in the restaurant. Another place to check out is Panini Pete’s which was featured on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. It is located in a cute courtyard with a New Orleans vibe and in true New Orleans fashion, they serve awesome beignets. There are also some cute shops next to it to check out after you dine, including a chocolate store if you are a sweets fan like myself! There are many ice cream shops and candy stores around downtown to satisfy your cravings. Check out The Yard for a plethora of different milkshake concoctions. Wyatt’s favorite is the Birthday Cake which comes with a cupcake and large amounts of whip cream on top of a milkshake.
There are so many adorable shops. There is a little bit of everything from boutiques for men and women, toy stores, art galleries, baby boutiques and even a Christmas shop which is open year round. If you are looking for some outdoor activities, rent a bike from The Fairhope Store (linked below) or bring the kiddos to the Fairhope Community Park in the middle of downtown for some outdoor play. There is also a splash pad so make sure they wear their swimmies! Check out the art walk which is held on the first Friday of the month. And of course don’t forget to check out the pier before you head back home for some awesome views!
PAGE & PALETTE:
https://www.pageandpalette.com/?fbclid=IwAR1EToqlas8YKu_QVTX3U2bDiZTDMg6Dtvs_Q66Uy-Ri8EKt9y9pxtVCVOw
STORYBOOK CASTLE AIRBNB:
THE FAIRHOPE STORE (BIKE RENTAL):
THE FAIRHOPE INN: