Alabama's 'Jubilee City' Is A Welcoming Gulf Coast Haven Off The Eastern Shore Trail With Unmatched Seafood

If you're looking for a relaxing coastal escape that trades tourist trappings for authentic small-town charm, look no further than Mobile Bay, Alabama. This unassuming region is home to some of the best-kept secrets on the Gulf Coast. A Mobile Bay hidden gem, Daphne is one of three cities on the bay's Eastern Shore, shared with the towns of Fairhope and Spanish Fort. This stretch of bayfront shoreline offers plenty of shopping, dining, festivals, and activities to fill any itinerary, all while embracing a slower pace of life.

Daphne is the largest of the three towns, which are connected by 22 miles of boardwalks, sidewalks, and bridges known as the Eastern Shore Trail. This trail is perfect for everyone, from long-distance runners to casual cyclists who want to explore the region's sights, culture, and history. The Eastern Shore is also a quick one-hour drive to Gulf Shores, home to a stunning state park with few crowds, scenic nature trails, and white sand beaches, and just 20 minutes from the vibrant bay city of Mobile.

Why is Daphne known as the "Jubilee City," you ask? The answer is cause for celebration: seafood. The name stems from the occurrence of the natural jubilee phenomenon along Daphne's shores. In fishing, a jubilee is when large quantities of bottom-feeding fish and shellfish get trapped in shallow waters, creating a bountiful fishing opportunity. Flounder, shrimp, and crab are usually the stars of Daphne's jubilees when they are forced up and ashore due to the natural occurrence of low-oxygen bottom waters in Mobile Bay, which make the fish lethargic. Jubilees are impossible to predict, but Daphne usually enjoys several jubilees each summer. The magnitude of Daphne's jubilees is thought to be rivaled by only one other place: Tokyo Bay, Japan.

Second only to Daphne's unique jubilees are its incredible views. Everywhere you turn, there's a shady park to take in the calm waters and picture-perfect sunset vistas of Mobile Bay. Parks are central to life in Daphne, and serve as community meeting places, green spaces to connect with nature, and event grounds for its many festivals. Along its stretch of the Eastern Shore Trail, Village Point Park Preserve is popular both as a starting point for the trail and as a natural haven. It has one of the last remaining public beaches in the bay. You can also enjoy bayfront access for paddlecraft just a boardwalk away at Bayfront Park or down the coast at May Day Park. All three parks  — along with several others in Daphne  — offer public piers or boardwalks to enjoy the bay. 

A little inland from May Day Park is Olde Town Daphne, a walkable town center full of local shops and eateries to explore. Before you wander along Main Street, stop by the beautiful city hall and pay a visit to its iconic Daphne statue, the Greek mythological nymph after whom the town is named. You can also check out the Daphne History Museum, located in the historic Methodist Church, built in 1858. 

Your visit is not complete without enjoying the fresh seafood that defines the town. Near Spanish Fort, enjoy the bayfront views from the covered patio at Boudreaux's Cajun Grill and try their swamp cakes or their Gulf catch of the day. At the nearby Market By the Bay, the Jubilee Platter is a great way to sample a taste of the town, or head further inland to Kravers Seafood for oysters, crab claws, and crawfish.

Along the Eastern Shore, there are endless small-town activities and regional wonders to explore. Each Eastern Shore town brings its own vibe, from local art galleries and high-end designer boutiques in Fairhope to Spanish Fort's gateway to natural wonders and rich history. On the other side of Spanish Fort is Alabama's Battleship Parkway, a causeway full of excellent seafood and resting place of the USS Alabama, a battleship that led the American fleet in none other than the other jubilee hotspot, Tokyo Bay. 

If you're more of a nature lover than a history buff, the area just north of Spanish Fort is described as "America's Amazon." The Mobile-Tensaw River Delta is one of the most biodiverse areas in the country thanks to its unique and varied wetland ecosystem. Visitors can explore the area through hiking and waterway trails, and the truly adventurous can embark on multi-day excursions on floating camping platforms. 

There are also plenty of accommodations to choose from along the Eastern Shore. Twenty minutes down the coast from Daphne, the Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in Fairhope offers luxurious amenities, whether you want to unwind at their full-service spa, in a cabana by the pool, out on the green, or enjoy the bayfront views from their lush gardens — complete with concierge service by their relaxing firepits. If you're looking for a halfway point between the Eastern Shore and the sugar-sand beaches of Alabama's Gulf Coast, head to Magnolia Springs, Alabama's 'Prettiest Town' and home to an idyllic, cozy bed and breakfast by the same name. From there, take a drive along Alabama's Scenic Byway, an underrated road connecting its serene seaside towns and beaches, and yes, even more delectable seafood.