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Overview

A city on the sloping plateaus of Baldwin County, Fairhope is surrounded by Mobile Bay’s cliffs and shorelines. It has always been one of Alabama’s favorite resort communities. Scattered along the bluff top are quaint hotels and small bay cottages. Fairhope’s present-day visitors share the same reasons with the town’s early settlers: inspiring sceneries, peaceful surroundings, and a pleasant climate. Over the years craftsmen, writers, and artists have considered Fairhope as a source of inspiration. Perhaps the city’s real draw is its breathtaking vision, its stature as one of the South’s prettiest towns, its vibrant downtown, or even its state-of-the-art residential systems—one can only know by visiting the town by the waterfront. 

Fast Facts

• The town reputedly got its name after a group of colonists said the new settlement in the high bluffs had a “fair hope” of attaining success. It was started as an experimental community. Fairhope is America’s only Single Tax Community. 

• In 1908, the city of Fairhope was established. A few years after, the city had several beachfront parks, including the Knoll Park and the Henry George Park. 

• Fairhope served as the home of celebrities such as Jimmi Buffett, Fannie Flagg, and Winston Groom, the writer of Forrest Gump film. 

• The city was named by the Policom Economics Research Group as one of America’s strongest small market communities. 

When to Visit

The Grand Festival of Art, held on the first weekend of October, features works of more than a hundred artists. Mediums include jewelry, wood, glass, ceramics, pottery, photography, and paintings. Apart from the top-quality art in Fairhope’s lovely outdoor setting, the Grand Festival also offers more than 20,000 people a chance to attend its two-day live entertainment offerings. The Spring Outdoor Art Show features more than 160 artists and their exhibits. The festival is an opportune time to grab exquisite works of art. 

Things to Do

Part of the National Estuarine Research Reserve, Weeks Bay is one of the United States’ protected estuaries. It remains to be one of the nation’s last beautiful undeveloped wetlands. Tourists can participate in activities such as paddling, crabbing, and great fishing. T Fairhope’s stretch of Mobile Bay has experienced a recent growth in wildlife. Eels, stingrays, flounder, and blue crabs come to its shallow waters. Weeks Bay Nature Reserve is another attraction, which is known for its pitcher plants, wildlife, and many oaks. Tourists can stroll through the swamp forest’s elevated walkways to get better views of the reserve’s canopies. The Pitcher Plant Bog and the Weeks Bay Interpretive Centers are excellent grounds for touring and sightseeing. 

Best Museums

The Fairhope Museum of History dates back to 1992. It was originally located within Faulkner State Community College Campus’ historic Bell Building. The museum features permanent displays as well as changing exhibits on its mezzanine. Displays on local Native Americans, Cottages, Bungalows, and the city’s African American- History can be found along its mezzanine. The Marietta Johnson Museum pays tribute to one of Fairhope’s revolutionary educators. The school Marietta Johnson built was eventually endorsed by John Dewey.