By Monica Patrick
Dauphin Island & Things to Do
Dauphin Island, a barrier island off the coast of Alabama, is in Mobile County and is 28 miles south of the city of Mobile. Dauphin Island is 14 miles long and nearly 2 miles wide. First mapped in 1599 by Alonzo Pineda, the island wasn't settled until 1699 when the French decided to establish a colony. Dauphin Island was originally called Massacre Island because of the large mounds of human remains found on it by French explorers. It was renamed to attract colonists and to honor the heir to the French throne. Dauphin Island prides itself on being a family-friendly island with several attractions and not much in the way of commercial development.
Fort Gaines
Visitors to Dauphin Island should see historic Fort Gaines. This fort was one of two forts, Fort Morgan being the other, to keep Union ships out of Mobile Bay. The fort now has a historical walking tour, a working blacksmith shop, an extensive museum and some of the fort's original cannons. The fort is on the east end of the island near the ferry. The address is Historic Fort Gaines, 5 Bienville Boulevard, Dauphin Island Alabama 36528. The fort is open seven days a week.
Estuarium and Sea Lab
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab and Estuarium are attractions families should see. The Sea Lab takes a hands-on approach to sea life by having a petting zoo of sea animals. The Estuarium is an aquarium that shows four areas of water life from the Mobile Gulf Coast. You'll see underwater life from Mobile Bay, the Mobile Tensaw River Delta, the Gulf of Mexico and the Barrier Islands. You can see hundreds of species in this rare display. The Dauphin Island Sea Lab is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Sea Lab is on Bienville Boulevard on the left hand side before you get to the ferry.
Audubon Bird Sanctuary
The Audubon Bird Sanctuary on Dauphin Island is a must see attraction for nature lovers. The Sanctuary is 164 acres of beauty teeming with local animal and bird life. You'll see many different habitats including dunes, a lake, beaches and forest. Take the full walk through and expect to amazed by the many different types of birds you will see. A handicapped access is available to the pier that overlooks the lake. The Audubon Bird Sanctuary is located at 109 Bienville Boulevard on Dauphin Island. It's open to the public from dawn to dusk. There's no admission cost to walk the tour.
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About the Author:
As a former senior sales director with Mary Kay and the co-owner of a renovation company, Monica Patrick has firsthand knowledge of small business operations. Besides start ups, she has extensive skills in recruiting, selling, leadership, makeup artistry and skin care.
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Monica Patrick
