15 Free Things to Do around Mobile Bay

1. Tour Old Mobile

Learn more about the history of the Port City during free walking tours led by guides from the History Museum of Mobile. Explore Mobile's historic theaters with Nicholas Beeson on April 18 and stroll through downtown Mobile with Scotty Kirkland on April 24 to learn about the growth of the city from the early twentieth century through World War II. The hour-long tours start at 10 a.m. at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception and end at the History Museum of Mobile.

2. Listen to live music

Support burgeoning musicians and the cool venues that showcase their talent. Free upcoming shows to check out: Chase Bryant at Moe's Original BBQ (LoDa location) on April 16 and The Mulligan Brothers at Meyer Park in Gulf Shores on April 24.

3. Watch a movie under the stars

Round up the family to watch a free flick at The Village of Spring Hill's “Screen on the Green” on Dorn Field at Spring Hill College. “Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day” will be shown on April 18 at 7:30 p.m. and “Big Hero 6” on May 2 at 7:30 p.m. This summer, the city of Fairhope will debut a new “Glow in the Park Summer Movie Series” with free family movies at Fairhopers Community Park on the first Thursdays in June, July and August. The movies slated for the series include “Finding Nemo, ” “The Lego Movie” and “A Bug's Life.”

4. Play fetch with man's best friend

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Treat your pup to a play date at Julien Marx Dog Park at Medal of Honor Park in West Mobile. Free to the public, the property is surrounded by a 6-foot fence spanning 2, 155 feet and features doggie water fountains, picnic tables and benches. On the Eastern Shore, the Fairhope Dog Park features a similar layout with two off-leash play sections for small and large dogs. 

5. Art Walk

Enjoy a glass of wine while perusing art galleries, listening to live music,  watching street performers and more at First Friday Art Walk in downtown Fairhope on the first Friday of each month and LoDa Artwalk in downtown Mobile on the second Friday of each month beginning at 6 p.m.  

​6. Cool off with the kids

Help the little ones beat the heat with water slides, slip 'n slides and wading pools at Wet 'n Wild Wednesdays during the month of June at Lott Park in Daphne. Don't forget to bring towels and sunscreen!

7. Eat lunch in Bienville Square

Have a picnic lunch while listening to the soothing sounds of live jazz music at Brown Bag in Bienville in downtown Mobile from 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays.

8. Explore the arts

Admission to the Alabama Contemporary Arts Center (formerly known as Centre for the Living Arts) is free on Fridays. Check out the center's current exhibit, “History Refused to Die, ” featuring more than 75 works by 15 Alabama self-taught artists from the collection of William S. Arnett and Souls Grown Deep Foundation. Once a month on Thursday nights, the Mobile Museum of Art offers free gallery tours from trained docents. Get the low down on how things were made, who made them, and what it all might mean. The next tour is scheduled for May 7 from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.

9. Play trivia or bingo at Serda's Coffee Co.

Trivia winners from each round receive one free drink, and the overall winner receives a $20 gift card to Serda's. Bingo winners from each round (six rounds total) get one free drink and are entered into a drawing to win a $20 gift card to Serda's. The games begin Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:30 p.m.

10. Bird watch

Photo by Kathy Hicks

Watch more than 300 species of neotropical birds make their first landfall returning from South America during the Spring Bird Migration at the Audubon Bird Sanctuary on Dauphin Island. Before you visit, be sure to download and print the Bird Watching Checklist. 

11. Improve your golf game

Gulf State Park is hosting free golf clinics at the Refuge Golf Club in Gulf Shores on April 16 and
April 30 at 11 a.m. 

12. Watch the sunset

Experience a beautiful sunset view with the soundtrack of big band music at free Sunday Sunset Concerts at Daphne's Bayfront Park. Occhipinti Big Band will perform at 5:30 p.m. on April 19, and Mobile Big Band will perform at 6 p.m. on May 17. Free to the public, the concerts take place on the lawn and conclude as the sun dips below the horizon.

13. Relive history

Learn about Mobile's unique history and early movers and shakers at one of the History Museum of Mobile's many exhibits, including “Ark of India” on display until Sept. 1. Admission to the museum, as well as Fort Conde and the Phoenix Fire Museum, is always free. 

14. Sing karaoke

Share your gift for off-key singing with the world. Hit up places like The Royal Knight, Hayley's and Alchemy Tavern to show off your voice. 

15. Foster an animal

The Mobile SPCA relies on generous members of the community to foster dogs and cats waiting to be adopted. They provide the food and all necessary veterinary care, you simply provide a loving home for an animal in need. Click here to fill out a foster application. 

Find more free ideas in our 2015 Mobile Bay Bucket List

mobilebaymag.com staff