Does Your Town Make the Grade?

One of the many reasons we travel is to experience culture and scenery different from the place where we live. We want to see different vistas, hear different accents, taste different cuisines and experience different adventures. But, for all the differences we look for, there are some qualities that consistently make visiting some towns superior to others. We like towns that are easily walkable and have a variety of shops and restaurants. We love towns with beautiful landscaping, parks, green spaces, art displays, murals and creative lighting. We enjoy towns that share their history and preserve historic buildings. We look for towns with a vibrant atmosphere where there are events, festivals, street performers, artists and musicians. Towns that appear well loved and clean are always appealing. Downtowns that not only have shops, restaurants and businesses, but also spaces for living are more interesting. These are the characteristics that make people want to visit and keep them coming back. How does your town stack up? If you award up to 10 points for each of the following components of a great community, does your hometown pass or fail? 

▢ Pedestrian-friendly design:

Does your town have wide sidewalks, well-placed benches, shade trees, well marked crosswalks, and traffic calming measures to prioritize pedestrians? 

▢Variety of businesses:

Does your town have an interesting mix of retail shops, restaurants, cafes, cultural institutions, and offices to cater to different needs and interests?

▢ Public spaces and gathering places:

Are there parks, plazas, green spaces, open squares, and outdoor seating areas where people can relax and socialize? 

▢ Aesthetic appeal:

Are the buildings well-maintained with attractive facades, interesting public art, and landscaping? 

▢ Historic preservation:

Does your downtown have well maintained historic buildings to add character and a sense of place?

▢ Accessibility:

Do you have public transportation options? Do you have bike lanes? Is there convenient parking near your downtown?

▢ Active street life:

When people visit your town, will they find outdoor dining, street performers, events, and activities to create a vibrant atmosphere?  

▢ Community focus:

• Are there events and activities that promote a sense of belonging and connection among residents?

▢ Safety and cleanliness:

Does your town have well-lit streets, visible security presence, and clean sidewalks?

▢ Mixed-use development:

• Does your community have mixed-use buildings with a combination of residential, commercial, and office space to encourage a live-work-play environment? 

  
  

  Add up the scores. Did your town make the grade? Which

  areas need the most improvement? Is anything being done 

  to make improvements to any of the areas? Tell us how your 

  town scores.

Spend a Day in Fairhope: 5 Uniquely Fairhope Things to Do

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.