MOBILE, Ala. -- As one enters the port city of Mobile life takes on a slower pace and a feeling of warmth and hospitality emerges immediately.
As Mobilians say, "DIS IS DA PLACE," and Money Magazine agrees, ranking Mobile as one of the "300 Best Places to Live" in its 2001 survey.
The oldest and largest colony planted in North America has undergone a recent facelift and plans for new and expanded busineses are in the works.
Landon Howard, vice president of the city's tourism organization, says in perhaps an understatement: "There's a lot going on in Mobile."
But despite the modern spiffing up, the city's Southern genteelness that is equated with Mobile has not been forgotten. By simply walking the historic district one can take a step back in time due to the restoration efforts of the community.
There is much to celebrate in Mobile.
Three hundred years ago Thomas Jefferson, blessed with a vision of what this country could eventually be, led the plan to buy this land from Napoleon. Known as the Lousiana Purchase, the U. S. added a huge and valuable territory for a relatively measley $15 million. What a bargain that turned out to be! Do you suppose Jefferson envisioned that Southern Living magazine would list Bellingrath Gardens, Rivera Factory Stores and Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail among the nation's most favorite places to visit for the past three years?
Mobilians will tell anyone there is no better place on the northern continent that has better sea food restaurants than Mobile.You can't get any fresher than the catch of the day.
Serious seafood lovers can feast on fried crab claws that are to die for at the Mariner. "Fried, stewed or nude" oysters and enertainment all for the price of your meal at Wintzell's Oyster House, founded in 1938. The walls at Wintzell's are covered from top to bottom with thousands of signs, slogans and witticisms to read when you belly up to the oyster bar and slurp a few dozen or a big bowl of gumbo with a West Indies salad that can only be found in this part of the country. Your place or theirs, from Mobile to Memphis, Roussos Seafood Restaurant will cater any event from 100 to 10,000. There are small party rooms and large banquet rooms to seat 500 people and while you are there take a tour of the restaurant and the 8,000 square foot kitchen that is offered daily.
Being named an official attraction by the Alabama Bureau of Tourism and Travel and by the Alabama Travel Council is quite an honor for Roussos and customers are encouraged to enjoy the many photos and history of the restaurant on the walls. The friendly atmosphere and superb seafood along with impeccable service is the obvious reason for the enormous success of Roussos, located in the Fort Conde Village.
Willis Robinson, owner/operator of Nan-Seas Restaurant for eight years, knows the slogan GO WHERE THE LOCALS GO means a restaurant has to be good to deserve such a recommendation.
Nan-Seas is where families gather regularly in a friendly and unpretentious setting overlooking the bay, enjoying some of the best seafood in Mobile.
There is no better way to wield the day than in the breathtaking Bellingrath Gardens. It is truly a Southern paradise with hundreds of acres of flowers and blooming shrubs filling the air with perfume that simply takes your breath away and brilliant colors exploding at every turn.
It is easy to imagine lazing the day away on a swing under a live oak tree covered with spanish moss, drinking a mint julep while the breeze from the bay exudes a sense of tranquility.
A tour of the Bellingrath mansion is well worth the time spent; and there are scenic river cruises on the Southern Belle that showcases the native vegetation, history of the bay and Bellingrath Gardens .
Whether you are looking for excitment or serenity, gumbo or gator, seafood or sightseeing . . . DIS IS DA PLACE -- MOBILE!

This story was published on 08 May 2003.