The 5 Best Things About Mobile, AL

Going to college in New York City, I tell my friends here that Mobile is a big small town. While it might be small to some, it’s a growing and diverse city, expanding constantly with new opportunities.

#1 The University of South Alabama
The University of South Alabama has been a cornerstone of Mobile’s foundation since 1963. Everyone loves cheering on the Jags during football and basketball seasons, but it’s the students of South that make it so special. Two native Mobilians, Jordan Blackmon and Ebonee Burrell, are stepping up as leaders and making a difference on campus. Ebonee is a junior at the University of South Alabama, a multimedia journalism major, and Editor-in-Chief of the student newspaper, The Vanguard.
“Being a student and running a newspaper is far from easy,” says Burrell. “So my ability to manage between the two while excelling in classes and my field of study is something I will take with me out of this experience. The world has no limits when you’re as fearless as me.” Jordan Blackmon is a junior Civil Engineering major, and a member of the Society of Women Engineers, a club focused on encouraging women and other minorities in engineering. Blackmon says she knew when she chose engineering as a major that she was going into a male-dominated field. “I am not intimidated to be the only woman on a team or in a class,” says Blackmon. “I know I deserve to be there just as much as anyone else.” Jordan encourages more girls to explore engineering majors. “A lot of girls who might consider a STEM major don’t pursue it because society drilled into our minds since we were kids that it’s just 'not what girls do,’” she explains. “It can be a hard mental block to overcome, but once you do, you have the power to prove those people wrong and truly go down whatever career path you choose.”

#2 LoDa Artwalk

The second Friday of every month you can find much of Mobile on Lower Dauphin Street. Artwalk is a time where the art galleries on LoDa open their doors and the street is closed off to cars so people can walk around and enjoy the art. The whole family can enjoy Artwalk with food, street performers, concerts, and different themed nights. Cathedral Square is filled with different vendors selling unique gifts like candles, jewelry, and their own art. Sabah Siddiqui has been sharing her talents through giving henna tattoos at Artwalk for 4 years. Siddiqui says she reconnected to her roots and rediscovered a new medium for drawing through henna when she traveled to Pakistan for a relative’s wedding a few years ago.
“My favorite thing about doing henna at Artwalk is sharing a piece of myself and my culture with so many people in a tangible way!” says Siddiqui. She says that doing henna at Artwalk has led to many cool conversations about her culture as well as allowing her to learn about others’ cultures and customs. “Artwalk brings together a community of people from different walks of life to experience the beauty of one another through our expressions of creativity,” explains Siddiqui. “That's why we all keep coming back!”

#3 Azalea Trail Maids

The most stressful day of the year for 100 high school junior girls in Mobile: Letter day. The whole city holds its breath in anticipation of the “snail mail” to be delivered and reveal the new court of 50 maids. The 2-3 days between your county interview and letter day are dreadfully long and anxiety filled. For me, letter day happened to fall on my 17th birthday. Fortunately, I received a great birthday present that day, when I found out I would get to be an Azalea Trail Maid. The Azalea Trail Court began 70 years ago, and is still one of Mobile’s most beloved traditions today. Being an Azalea Trail Maid is a lot more than a girl in a pretty dress. In my year representing Mobile in my big peachy dress, I was able to visit children in the hospital, walk in the Marietta Independence Day Parade, the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade in Chicago, and the Disney World Easter parade. I was able to welcome people to the city such as Governor Kay Ivey and actor Craig T. Nelson, and take hundreds of photos with Mobilians and tourists, young and old. Being a Trail Maid gave me a whole new appreciation for my city and the kind people who live here. Wearing a giant, 50-pound hoop skirt gave opportunity for lots of conversation, and through my trail appearances I met so many people around Mobile that I otherwise wouldn’t have. And while the entire city is proud of the tradition of the Azalea Trail Maids, it is also a sisterhood of girls going through a beautifully unique experience that only a handful of people truly understand.

#4 Mardis Gras

The best part about growing up in Mobile is getting a week off of school for Mardi Gras. Of course, we can’t talk about Mobile without mentioning our claim to fame. Mardi Gras originated in Mobile in 1703, and we don’t have a problem letting everyone know it. In 2018 travel website, Sweet Home Alabama, even bought a billboard in New Orleans that said, “You are 114 miles from America’s Original Mardi Gras.” Mardi Gras is a deep rooted tradition that continues to be celebrated today. Mobile Mardi Gras is everything you love about New Orleans Mardi Gras minus everything you hate about New Orleans Mardi Gras. Everyone’s favorite time of year rolls around with parades, balls, moonpies, and fun the whole family can enjoy! Be careful, if you’re not looking, you might just get hit in the head with beads. Laissez les bons temps rouler!

#5 Mobile is Home
Mobile is a beautiful beach sunset on Dauphin Island with an Island Rainbow pizza to go along with it. Mobile is an evening stroll down Dauphin Street during Artwalk. Mobile is getting pelted in the head with beads with the sound of marching bands echoing in the streets. Mobile is the Azalea Trail Maids’ in their beautifully ornate and unique hoop skirts greeting you at events. Mobile is Friday night cheering on your local high school football team. Mobile is Sunday mornings going to church with the people who have known you since you were in diapers. Mobile is going to Bellingrath Gardens to see the Christmas lights. Mobile is the sight of Azaleas blooming in the Spring. Mobile is searching for the pot of gold around St. Patrick’s Day because of the legendary Crichton Leprechaun. Mobile is running into 3 people you know while just trying to make a quick trip to the store. Mobile is the smell of the Peanut Shop downtown as you walk by. Mobile is eating way too much chips and salsa at San Miguel’s. Mobile is endless hot and rainy summer days. Mobile is community. Mobile is southern hospitality. But most of all, Mobile is home.