THINGS TO DO

5 Rivers Delta gets its name because it is the point where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee and Blakely rivers converge into the Mobile Bay. There is a resource center at 30945 5 Rivers Blvd. that serves as a gateway to this area. The center has an exhibit hall, learning center, theater, gift shop, walking trails, picnic areas and many others. Admission is free and the center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home is a 65-acre garden and grand estate house in Theodore, Alabama, just south of Mobile. The garden is at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road and you can reach it by calling 251-973-2217. Come enjoy the various flowers blooming at the garden. The garden takes about 1.5-2 hours to tour while the home tour lasts about 30 minutes. The flowers change throughout the year depending on what's in bloom.

Dinosaurs in the Woods is a roadside attraction off the Barber Parkway in Elberta. This attraction came about in the 1990s and features large dinosaur ornaments. You can pull off and see them spaced along the road starting about a quarter-mile past Bamahenge. This is a great place to snap a picture. You can try to find a brontosaurus, T-Rex, stegosaurus and triceratops amid the patch of forest.

Fairhope sits along the shores of Mobile Bay, offering a host of ways to enjoy the water. One way is to explore the Fairhope Municipal Pier. This pier serves as a de facto town square as it stretches a quarter-mile into the Gulf of Mexico. The pier includes swimming, a rose garden, benches, restrooms, a marina, a restaurant, walking trails and a duck pond. The pier is open for 24 hours so stop by whenever.

Fairhoper's Community Park sits at the heart of the downtown area, offering a great spot for families to congregate. The park is unique because there is a large dinosaur statue that welcomes guests to the park. There are two large and colorful playgrounds to keep the children occupied. There is also a pirate-themed splash pad as well as trees, wooden swings and two pavilions, among other amenities.

Gators aren't only found in Florida. You can find some right in Daphne, Alabama thanks to the Gator Alley Boardwalk. This pier takes guests onto the water and provides them a chance to see some alligators in the water. It's important to note that visitors should not feed the alligators or jump into the water from the pier. There are signs along the boardwalk with information about alligators.

Gulf State Park sits at 20115 State Park Road in Gulf Shores Alabama and is a great way to experience the water. The park includes two miles of beaches that house white sand, waves and a fair amount of ways to enjoy the water. Some of the recreation areas allow for hiking, biking, fishing, geocaching and a host of other fun activities. This is a great place to see some unique environments of Alabama.

Head across the bay to Mobil and enjoy the many interactive exhibits at GulfQuest. This attraction is the national maritime museum of the Gulf of Mexico. The museum, 155 S. Water St., features 90 interactive exhibits, simulators, displays and theaters all on eight life-sized decks of a replica container ship. Admission starts at $10 for adults, $8 for seniors and $6 for youth 5-17. Call ahead at 251-436-8901.

The History Museum of Mobile, 111 S. Royal St., is a great place to go to explore the past of the area and beyond. The museum houses 117,000 artifacts that help guests better understand the past surrounding Mobile. The museum is typically open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission starts at $10 for adults, $9 for seniors, $7.50 for children 13-18 and $5 for children 6-12.

Head south to enjoy some time on the water through Orange Beach Sailing Charter. This company offers sailboat tours off the Alabama shores in Orange Beach during the summer. Those who sail with the charter should bring a camera, bathing suit and sunglasses. Guests will see local marine life such as dolphins, sea turtles and birds while sailing. This is a great option for couples looking for a romantic getaway or a family outing.

Owa, 1501 S. OWA Blvd., is truly a unique experience in Foley, Alabama. This 520-acre resort offers a host of fun things to do including riding, dining, entertainment and shopping. The Tropic Falls Theme Park features a bevy of rides for all ages. This theme park includes an indoor waterpark. The selection of restaurants are diverse and can satisfy tastes of everyone. Along with a host of other attractions, Owa offers live events and activities.

The Exploreum, 65 Government St., in Mobile is a science center that offers a wide array of interactive exhibits that aim to be thought-provoking. The museum hopes to spark imagination and create curiosity science exhibits. The center has four galleries that offer informal learning to all who visit. There is also a Digital Dome Theater that offers educational films. Admission can cover exhibits or the theater but there are combos to enjoy it all.

The Fun Boat Dolphin Cruises is at 3900 Bayou Road in Orange Beach, Alabama and offers a variety of cruises for the entire family. Guests can take to the waters during either the daytime or at sunset. Both cruises give guests a chance to get up close to many dolphins and other marine life in the Gulf of Mexico. The company also offers private cruises for a more quiet outing. Reservations are required to ensure space.

The Wharf is another Orange Beach attraction. this one is at 23101 Canal Road just off the Foley Beach Express. The Wharf is an outdoor attraction center that offers rides, museums, theatres, restaurants and much more. There is also an amphitheater that hosts live shows throughout the year. The Wharf is open from sunrise to sunset though there are seasonal hours. Be sure to check out the events calendar for live shows and attractions.

History buffs won't want to miss a chance to stop off at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile. The park is at 2703 Battleship Parkway and houses the former battleship. The ship was built in 1940 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. Guests can also take time to view the USS Drum while visiting the park. Admission is $18 for adults and $6 for children 6-11. Children under 5 are free so bring the entire family.

Fairhope is an interesting town with a lot of fun landmarks and sights to see. The Fairhope Store offers bike rentals for better mobility around town. The store is at 323 De La Mara Ave. and offers bike rentals on an hourly, daily and weekly basis. You can rent a bike for $10 per hour or spend $30 for the day. Guests can pay $70 for the week. This is a great activity for families as the store offers bikes in adult and child sizes. Each bike has a basket as wel.

Not only does Rock Creek Golf Club offer a quality golfing experience but it also provides some gorgeous scenery along the eastern shore of the Mobile Bay. The course is at 140 Clubhouse Drive in Fairhope and you can reach the golf club at 251-928-4223. The golf club features 18 holes with differing tees to better suit your skill level. At its longest, the course is a par-72, 6,915-yard experience. Come enjoy a round of golf at Rock Creek.

Oak Hollow Farm, 14210 S. Green Road, in Fairhope offers a great experience. Guests can pay $50 for a round of 25, enjoying a southern tradition. This is a great way to test your skills as an expert or to try it for the first time as a novice. This activity is available Monday through Saturday and requires a group of five people minimum. Oak Hollow Farm features a host of other activities such as pheasant hunting and fishing.

Come experience the beauty of nature with a trip to the Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo at 20499 Oak Road East in Gulf Shores. The zoo is open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $19.95 for adults and $14.95 for children 3-12. Visiting the zoo will give guests a chance to see 300 animals, 199 sub-species and 22 endangered species. This includes a reptile house, lemur cage, big cats and Animal Encounter exhibits, which allow visitors to get close to the creatures.