Forget the history books and the classroom chalkboards, experience history first-hand along Alabama’s beautiful Gulf Coast. At the Orange Beach Indian and Sea Museum, delve into the past with exhibits focussing on early explorations and settlements of Native American tribes and Spanish explorers.

Later...sidle up to a uniform-wearing re-enactor and listen closely as you explore the grounds of historic Fort Morgan. Guides and enactors will explain how the Spanish used Fort Morgan in the 1500s, then rebuilt it in the early 1800s as protection against Native Americans. Standing atop the fort with a view of the once-embattled bay, visitors today can imagine the summer of 1864 when Confederate and Union naval forces fought for control of the harbor entrance. You may even hear the echo of Admiral David Farragut’s immortal words, "Damn the torpedoes; full speed ahead!"

Eight miles across the bay on Dauphin Island, more history was written at Fort Gaines, which also battled—and was overtaken by—the Union. A ferry shuttles across the bay during the day, linking the two fortresses once joined in a common cause.

Rich in fun, rich in beauty...rich in history, we invite you to learn more about our area and enjoy the living history we treasure.

What: Fort Morgan
Where: 22 miles west of Gulf Shores on State Highway 180 West
When: Grounds and fort open 8-7 June through September; 8-5 October through February and 8-6 March through May. The museum is open weekdays 8-5, and Saturday and Sunday 9-5. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Cost: $5 adults, $3 children 6-12, free to younger children
Facilities: Picnic tables, seasonal concession stand, restrooms,
More: Living history program is conducted daily during the summer. Candlelight fort tours are Tuesday evenings in the summer. Civil War reenactments are staged every five years during the first weekend in August.
Information: 251-540-7125

What: Fort Gaines
When: Open 9-5 (9-6 during Daylight Savings Time). Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Cost: $3 adults, $1 children 5-12, free to younger children
Facilities: Picnic tables, snack shop, restrooms.
More: Reenactments are staged on various days October- May.
Information: 251-861-6992

What: Mobile Bay Ferry
When: Ferry typically departs every 90 minutes, but schedules vary. It’s best to call first. Dauphin Island’s first run is at 8:00 a.m. and runs until 6:30 p.m.; The ferry from Ft. Morgan runs 8:45 a.m. to 7:15 p.m.
Cost: Pedestrians: $5 per person, under 12 Free; car, one-way: $14; car, round-trip: $25; motor home, one-way: $29; motor home round-trip: $50
Information: 251-861-3000

What: Gulf Shores Museum
When: Open Tuesday - Friday 10-noon and 1-5:00 p.m. and 10-2 on Saturdays
Cost: Free
More: Explore the coastal past of fishing and hurricanes as you enjoy a diversity of other attention-grabbing exhibits. Make time to take a stroll in the outdoor garden and enjoy the resident birds and butterflies.
Information: 251-968-1473

What: Orange Beach Indian & Sea Museum
When: Open Tuesday – Friday 9-11:30, 12-4 p.m. and Saturday 9-2 p.m.
Cost: Free
More: This former church and school is now the home for numerous historic seagoing and Indian artifacts. Take pleasure as you learn from the visual portrait it paints of our coastal heritage.
Information: 251-981-8545

Click on over to our Day Trips page and learn more about the historical sites of interest. Or click to learn about the Mobile Bay Civil War Trail.