Welcome to Fairhope, You've Arrived! Arrived in paradise, that is, if your version of paradise is live oaks dripping with Spanish moss in a flower covered slice of heaven overlooking Mobile Bay. Fairhope is arguably on of the most picturesque small towns on the Gulf Coast. Here are five Uniquely Fairhope things to do in this sunshine covered hamlet.
1. Let's start with The Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa. With a private beach, two 18-hole golf courses and a slew of high-end, exclusive experiences and events designed to cater to the needs of its discerning clientele, The Grand is, well, bliss. If you are looking for a memorable getaway, this beautiful resort is a wonderful place to start.
2. Love a good book? Then you have to visit Page and Palette, a Fairhope landmark for over 40 years. With creaky wooden floors, shelves packed with amazing books and gifts and a bar and coffee shop in the back, Page and Palette is the kind of place where you can get lost for hours.
3. For quirky and unique history, you must visit the handmade Hobbit hole, Henry Stuart House. Known as Tolstoy Park, the Henry Stuart House sits in the middle of a parking lot that was once the 10 acre woodland home of Henry Stuart, the Hermit of Montrose. In 1923, diagnosed with tuberculosis and living in Idaho, Stuart was advised to move to a warmer climate. He chose Fairhope and spent two years fashioning his own bricks to build his tiny round home. Finding Tolstoy Park can be challenging, but it is so worth the effort.
4. Eat the world's best beignets at Panini Pete's. Yes, New Orleans gets all the attention for Mardi Gras and beignets, but Alabama is home to the first Mardi Gras in the country and the most divine beignets. The powdered sugar pastries at Panini Pete's are airier and lighter than their Louisiana cousins. They come with a squeeze of lemon and they are delicious!
5. Visit the Fairhope Tea Plantation, the only tea farm in the state of Alabama. Savor a cup of the house tea and sit under the covered porch while you enjoy learning about one of the oldest tea plantations in the country.
And there you are, five reasons to visit beautiful Fairhope. These five will get you started, but don't stop there! There is so much more to do and see and eat in this fair village. Once You've Arrived, be sure to come back and tell us what you discover.