Attractions – Page 11 – Sunset Properties Blog

January 2, 2015

The Battle of Mobile Bay

Built in the aftermath of the War of 1812, Fort Morgan was designed to protect the port of Mobile and the shipping channels of Mobile Bay from attacks. It would be 30 years before the fort would be needed for defense. Then, on August 5, 1984, Fort Morgan sealed its place in history. A fleet of four ironclad monitors, led by U.S. Navy Admiral David Farragut, approached the fort for an attack. The lead ship, the U.S.S. Tecumseh, was hit by a torpedo and sunk. It was then that Admiral Farragut said the famous line, “Damn the torpedoes, full steam ahead!”

Although their fleet seemed to be battered and defeated, they pushed through before coming up against the Confederate ironclad C.S.S Tennessee. The C.S.S Tennessee fell to the Union Navy, and eventually Fort Morgan was taken by Union troops as well. In 2014, the fort commemorated the 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Mobile Bay with a touching reenactment, a surrender ceremony, and a salute to the colors.

Today, the fort in Fort Morgan, Alabama, offers self-guided tours, reenactments, tours, and field trips. There is even a museum and gift shop! The fort is a fascinating place, with batteries, tunnels, cannon, lookout points, and recreation opportunities. From young kids to adults, it will entertain and impress! It’s a fantastic way to spend a day in Fort Morgan, Alabama.

Museum & Gift Shop
The Fort Morgan Museum holds thousands of artifacts, donated and recovered, that represent the history of the fort, Mobile Point, and Mobile Bay from the War of 1812 to World War II. It is in the shape of the Citadel that once stood in the middle of the fort, and it’s the location for the education for Fort Morgan State Historic Site. The museum features letters from colonels, sections of the C.S.S. Gaines, and artifacts from the U.S.S. Tecumseh and U.S.S. Philippi.

The gift shop inside the museum offers books, prints, jewelry, and Fort Morgan memorabilia. Guests can even get their Lighthouse Passport Books stamped for a small donation! Also inside the gift shop is the United States Lighthouse Society Official Stamp with the Fresnel Lens.

Recreation
Offering opportunities for birding, boating, hiking, fishing, picnicking, and enjoying the beach, Fort Morgan is more than just a military point. Guests can explore the Alabama Coastal Birding Trail, the nearby Bon Secour National Wildlife Refuge, or the lovely bayside beach. They even encourage taking driftwood as souvenirs!

Hours & Admission

Sunday – 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Closed for the Christmas holiday, December 25 and 26
Closed New Year’s Day
Tuesday Twilight Tours – June 3 through July

Adults – $7
College students (with ID) – $5
Seniors (65+) – $5
Military (active with ID), plus one – FREE
Military (reserve, retired, or veteran with ID) – FREE
Children (ages 6-12) – $4
Children (under 6) – FREE
Family (2 adults and 2 children under age 12) – $18; $3 for each additional child

*Admission prices include parking and access to Fort Morgan, the Fort Morgan Museum, beach, and picnic areas.

October 10, 2014

Guardian on the Bay – Historic Fort Morgan

Originally established as a Third System Coastal Defense Fort, Fort Morgan served to provide a stronger line of defense along the eastern and southern coastlines. The fort’s star shape allowed fort defenders to fire a heavy concentration of artillery on the enemy as the enemy approached. Its isolated location with a large amount of land defenses enabled it to stand up against a siege.

When the Civil War occurred, however, Fort Morgan’s brick defenses could not withstand cannon fire and steam-powered warships. Over time, the Army worked to improve the coastal defenses once again, making major updates to Fort Morgan in the process. Concrete batteries were built in 1896 and 1905 and were used during the Spanish-American War and World War I.

Today, Fort Morgan stands as a peek into the past. Some wooden structures from the beginning of the 20th century still remain, along with the batteries and several cannons. While touring, guests can check out batteries, the Lightkeeper’s House, cannons, cisterns, and the Brick Lighthouse Site. Views out over the water show what an incredible vantage point fort protectors would have had during wartime.

In 2014, Fort Morgan celebrated the Battle of Mobile Bay and Siege of Fort Morgan 150th Anniversary. The anniversary event featured reenactments, including artillery and aerial pyrotechnic explosions! On the average visit, guests can learn more about the history of Fort Morgan in the Fort Morgan Museum and while exploring at the annual Confederate Garrison living history event (check the calendar for dates). Self-guided tours at the fort include a tour map and plaques throughout, and field trip groups can enjoy special rates.

After a day at the fort, be sure to pick up some souvenirs (picking up driftwood off the beach is encouraged!) at the gift shop in the museum. Find everything from books and toys to home goods and accessories. A day at Fort Morgan is fun, educational, and interesting for people of all ages. The beautiful backdrop of the beach and water is an added perk!

Recreation at Fort Morgan
Along with tours of Fort Morgan, visitors can enjoy recreation in and around the fort. Boating, birding, hiking, fishing, and picnicking are some of visitors’ favorite activities here. There is even a dog-friendly beach between the Engineer’s Wharf and the Fishing Pier on the bay side of Mobile Point.

Admission Prices
Adults: $7
College students: $5 (with ID)
Seniors: $5 (age 65+)
Military: FREE, plus admit one (active, with ID)
Military: FREE (reserve, retired, or veteran, with ID)
Ages 6-12: $4
Under 6: FREE
Family: $18; each additional child $3 (2 adults and 2 children, under 12 years old)

110 State Highway 180
Gulf Shores, AL 36542
251.540.7127
fortmorgan.org
Hours: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. CST

June 11, 2012

8th Annual Gulf Coast Hot Air Balloon Festival

The balloons are flying hurry down! Each year for Father’s Day Foley welcomes more than 50 hot air ballonists from across the country. Tanger Outlets presents the festival which will take place at the Foley Sportspark, 18507 Highway 98 West in Foley.

This is one of those don’t miss events you can not only see the balloons lit up each night but the festival goers and surrounding neighborhoods will enjoy the flights as they fly over each day. The festival will also offer live entertainment, delicious food, arts and crafts booths, a children’s village and more!

For a complete schedule of balloon festival happenings along with photos, videos, and parking information. Go to www.gulfcoastballoonfestival.com

April 18, 2012

Hangout Music Festival 2012

This May 18th, 19th, and 20th The Hangout Music Festival returns to Gulf Shores. This year the headliners include Dave Matthews Band & Red Hot Chili Peppers & Jack White! All the general admission tickets are sold out but there are a few VIP Passes left. Now you just need a place to stay! You have the opportunity to party in town then come out to the quiet of Ft. Morgan to relax and rest up for the rest of the party! We have some great specials for that time. A one bedroom that sleeps up to 6, for 3 nights starts as low as $569.00. A 2 Bedroom for 3 nights starts as low as $708.00. A three bedroom condo that sleeps up to 8 people can start as low as $980.00. Just give us a call to book today!

Be sure to look below to see who is preforming this year and we will see you soon!

The String Cheese Incident, Wilco, Skrillex, The Flaming Lips Preforming Dark Side of the Moon, Chris Cornell, Dispatch, Kaskade, Steve Winwood, STS9, Umphrey’s McGee, Gogol Bordello, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Mac Miller, Flogging Molly, Coheed & Cambria, Paul Oakenfold, G. Love and Special Sauce, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Randy Newman, Young The Giant, Dr. Dog, Cage the Elephant, Dawes, Alabama Shakes, M. Ward, YelaWolf, Switchfoot, Rebelution, Julian Marley, Zeds Dead, Mavis Staples, Shpongle, The Greyboy Allstars, GaryClark JR, Allen Stone, Big Freedia And The Divas, The Devil Makes Three, Paper Diamond, Futurebirds, Tribal Seeds, Delta Spirit, Heartless Bastards, Hey Rosetta!, Sleeper Agent, GIVERS, THE LUMINEERS, ARCHNEMESIS, Rich Aucoin, Jamie Bergeron & the Kickin’ Cajuns, The Q Brothers, School of Rock, Big Bang Boom, Joanie Leeds & The Nightlights, Jim Cosgrove, John Yost’s Rhythm Revolution, Peter DiStefano& Tor

April 16, 2012

Pirate’s Island Adventure Golf Great Fun for Your Money!!!

On our 1 month anniversary my husband Anthony decided to do a little miniature golfing. We decide to go to Pirates Island Adventure Golf! First let me say this is one of the most impressive courses I have ever seen. It is immaculately clean, beautifully maintained and so fun! So not only do you get to test your miniature golfing prowess but you get a history lesson about the pirate who is the namesake of your particular course and about the gulf area in general.

For under $20 the two of us were able to play a challenging and entertaing 18 hole course. That took us through a pirate ship around and under a water fall and through a cave. We went during the day but I am sure this is even more fun at night. This is definitely a spot for the entire family when you need a break from the surf and sand. The staff was great and we won a free game with a hole in one!

If you spend an evening in town be sure to add Pirates Island to your list. Pirate’s Island is located north of the Intercoastal waterway bridge on hwy. 59 It is on the west side of the road about an 1/8 th of a mile before the bridge. Look for the Pirate Ship!

April 6, 2012

A Great Vacation With Sunset Properties

Tara and I had so much fun on the beach a few days ago with our visitors staying in Sun Down! They were having a fantastic time and were happy to share there vacation stories with us! We wanted to be sure to share them with you. Our Vacation with Sunset Properties!!!

We would love to here your vacation stories! If you made a video of your family at the beach, have some pictures you want to share or just a great story be sure to send it to us we would love to share it! We can’t wait to hear you stories.

See you soon!!!

March 31, 2012

Low Cost & No Cost Gulf Shores Activities

It is so nice to see the spring break visitors back in the area this year. So far it has been fantastic weather and looks to remain that way through this season. We wanted to give you a few ideas about low cost or no cost activities in that you and your family can enjoy while you are here!

The closest one to our area is actually Ft. Morgan! You should check out this amazing fort if you haven’t yet. It’s architecture is simply beautiful and it’s history is so interesting. You could make a day of it and visit it’s sister on the other side of the bay on Dauphin Island. It is only $5 to walk on the ferry and the cost to get into the forts is only $5 for adults. Not only do you get some great history lessons but a beautiful ferry ride as well!

If you are more of an outdoorsy kind of person are you in the right place!!! We have multiple walking trails to enjoy in the Ft. Morgan area that are free. You can also stop by the Bon Secour Wild Life refuge and get some great information and see some really neat displays of local wildlife. It is all ther for you and your family to explore and enjoy. If you are up for a little drive you could go to Orange beach and there are bike trails for you and your family to enjoy in this area. There are days of trails and miles of beautiful beach to enjoy. All of them are free!!! Don’t forget your sunscreen and water. Have fun hiking!!!

Finally, one of our favorites is to send folk over to the National Aviation Museum in Perdido, just to the west of Pensacola. It is a little bit of a drive but worth it! This museum has some of the most amazing exhibits you will ever see! If you have kids (especially boys) or an airplane enthusiast you don’t need to miss this! Don’t miss the I max theater. Great shows are guaranteed. There Is no cost to get in but they do accept donations. There is a cafe on site and a great gift shop if you are looking for some special gifts. This is DON’T MISS on your trip!

March 22, 2012

Spring Beach Update

Happy Spring everyone! We are so excited that the warm weather is here and our guests are returning in full force! It is great to see all the happy families playing at the beach and splashing in the pool! we wanted to give you a little bit of a beach update to start your Spring off right. We are having blustery days right now bring in rain part of the week but that is great for all of our local wildlife. Spring is also the beginning of our wedding season, we are having lots of weddings this year in Ft. Morgan and we are thrilled that they chose to celebrate their happy day with us.

Just around the corner it will be bird banding season and all of our fine feathered friends will begin to arrive from South America. This is one of my favorite times because we are almost overrun with humming birds each spring. The last couple of years we even had a couple fly in the office when we leave the door open. Spring is always fun at the beach! a new adventure waits around each corner. Come enjoy your springbreak with us and play at the beach, have adventures with your family, and rest in the warm sunshine!

Enjoy the Spring Beach Update

February 8, 2012

YAPPY HOUR–A Meet and Greet!

Skyler and Dottie checking out what the people are up to!

You guys know we LOVE our dogs!!! Most of the time Skyler will meet you at the door before any person can say hello! This winter we have decided to have Yappy Hour for our winter and early spring guests. This is a time for all of our guest who have dogs to get to know each other and for the dogs to have much needed play.

This yappy hour was so fun! Tara and I brought our dogs and Skyler, Harry, added some comic relief with their signature beagle yelp! Sophie and Charlie made an appearance to sniff things out but they weren’t ready to play this time. Hopefully they will jump in next week when yappy hour rolls around again! We should have a few more puppy friends in and I’m sure they will join the gang in digging jumping chasing and barking just outside the Sunset Properties Office!

Look for more dog events through the summer or just stop by to meet our fuzzy four legged friends as you enjoy your trip! See you soon!!!!!!

January 19, 2012

Winter Guest Activities

Winter Guest Schedule!!!

We are excited out Winter guests are back in town and we have planned a few activities for them to enjoy. We wanted to keep everyone posted. Take a look below at the fun stuff planned for January and February!!!

Every Tuesday, Starting in February we will have yoga classes at 10 AM! We’ll Carpool! The more that participate the cheaper the classes will be!!!
Every other Thursday we will be serving complimentary coffee and doughnuts at the Sunset Properties Office at 10 am. Come meet and greet with the other winter guests.
On the opposite Thursday’s we will have Yappy Hour at 3 in the afternoon. Bring your dog if you have one and let them make some doggy friends. If you are with out a fuzzy friend come by and meet the pups and your neighbors too! This will be outside at the Sunset Properties Office.

Below is a link to the Gulf ShoresActivities Calendar We’re so glad your back everyone!

Gulf Shores Activites Calandar