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Gulf Coast Exploreum

3.5 (38 reviews)
Open 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
Updated 1 month ago

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Cool hand made Ferris wheel
Mike C.

It was 10 OCT 2020 and we were enjoying a quick getaway to Mobile & Gulf Shores, AL. We were looking for a kid friendly activity for our 8-year old and Yelp steered us to the Gulf Coast Exploreum Science Center. In theory, this place is truly awesome and has been a "center of science learning and family fun for over 30 years". There are several permanent and traveling exhibits here and there's even a domed theater for an extra charge. The Exploreum contains 150+ hands-on science adventures in 4 separate galleries: 1. Scratch Factory 2. Discovery Zone 3. Wharf of Wonder 4. My Body Works If your child is a first-timer here, it can be a bit of a sensory overload, as our son did not know which gallery he wanted to see first. The good thing is that there is something here for all ages, and I enjoyed the "My Body Works Gallery". Unfortunately, a lot of the exhibits were not functioning properly as there were a lot of broken and non-functioning buttons and levers. There was an exhibit called "Fear" that I truly enjoyed, but I think it may be a bit much for some younger kids, as there are some creepy exhibits that include sadistic looking clowns, creepy dolls, coffins and a section of assorted phobias. During this COVID-19 pandemic, a hands-on science center for kids is a major undertaking to keep clean and sanitized. The center has increased health and safety measures in place to continue to protect the visitors and staff to include: o Daily temperature checks and masks for all Exploreum staff o Plastic balls have been removed from the Wharf of Wonder o Hand sanitizing stations available throughout the building However, I still saw a lot of fingerprints and smudges on the exhibits. With several of the exhibits not functioning properly, I'd save this for a rainy day experience if you need to get the kid(s) out of the house. A little maintenance would certainly go a long way in getting their rating higher.

Map of the museum as of 6/2022
Katelyn T.

Honestly, kind of disappointed. I used to come here all the time with my family about ten-ish years ago, and I remember there being so much to do. We would spend a good four or five hours playing and interacting with the different exhibits. I came back with my husband and little brother, and we did everything in two hours. There were so many more exhibits that used to be here that aren't anymore. I wish there were a map of the museum and list of all exhibits on their website.

Andrea S.

Pretty cool place, it is fun for adults, too. We got a real kick out of this place. Goof clean fun.

Genghis Khan Exhibit entrance
Tim W.

Great museum packed full of science games and activities for kids. The special Genghis Khan exhibit is especially a treat to see while here. They also have an IMAX theater and a small gift shop.

Rocket Photo
Noel A.

The museum itself was decent from its small location. Not a lot of WOW to look around and the human body science area was a bummer due to a lot of the machines not working and it requested for a health card that probably didn't work like majority of the START buttons. To me, the place was just a giant in door playground for you as parents to be the orderlies to your own children's day care establishment that required you to pay for entrance fee. My kids enjoyed it bc well they are kids and they had enough to pull, throw, drag, run around, and be kids...but for adults, be ready to just enjoy the AC. The gift shop was nice, kinda expensive but it was expected especially in the location it was at. So, 2 Stars for the gift shop and letting my kids run around.

The front of the Gulf Coast Exploreum
Kara T.

Haven't been to the Exploreum in a long time until recently. My friend was interested in the "Drugs: Costs and Consequences" exhibit, so we made a trip to Mobile to see it. The Exploreum is not an overly large building and it's age is definitely beginning to show. The first floor has an exhibit for the human body. A lot of the activities or panel you can view are interactive and informative, but quite a few panels were broke or clearly wore down. The "special exhibit" was upstairs and this was great to walk through. Had a lot of information on various drugs, from how they were made and brought into countries to how they affect individuals, families, and communities. Again, not a large area but they crammed a lot of stuff on their exhibit floor. The other side of the building has a Dome Imax which an amazing experience to watch movies or specials in. I wish they offered more regular movie showings like the Dome Imax in Birmingham does, I'd come to the Exploreum more often for that experience. There's also a play/learning area for kids in the back.

Go forth and explore!
Matthew T.

This place is fantastic! We visited at opening, planning on leaving by noon for lunch and then heading home. The morning went as planned, but after lunch everybody wanted to head back to explore more of the museum! So the museum has something for everyone in the family. There is a medical section which has activities from as easy as putting the body parts where they go on a life sized outline to playing video games to help someone with diabetes. Another section explains and let's you do practice medical procedures. They emphasize health and tap into people's competitive nature with tests of strength, reaction time, and coordination. The small kids go for "The Wharf" play area which has a shallow ball pit and a kid sized boat. There are big foamy blocks perfect for fort building as well. For the older scientists in the group you can design your own paper airplanes and trial them in a wind tunnel. Then MacGyver your own parachute out of coffee filters, string, and Dixie cups. (Then test it out!) I could go on but you should just go ahead and explore it for yourself! Tip: Don't miss the outside courtyard part with the whisper disks, levers, and pulleys! If I lived close enough I would have annual passes for the family. The Gulf Coast is so lucky to have this place!

Play area for little kids

It has lots of stuff for smaller kids. I say up to age 12. They even have a fun section for little babes. The only complaint is some of the body works stuff needs recalibration and PARKING! There are two hour spots that fill up fast and the other parking area charges $7 a full day. The staff was really friendly and helpful.

Georgio B.

Great place for the family. Much to see and do. I would def return. Just be sure to let the folks at the counter know if you don't want the imax movie or they will charge you for it. Our mistake.

Stuff for daddy to do too.
Rob R.

Great place for the kiddos. Mine are 6 and 3 and it's perfect for them. We visited on Monday so it wasn't very crowded. They have IMAX movies too if that's what you like.

The little kid's area is pretty cool.
Kim M.

We got a family membership which is a great deal because I can take my child as often as I want. She loves the kid's area and it's appropriate for all ages. I love the featured exhibits that come through as well as the IMAX. I do wish they'd repair the health exhibit, because it is really cool when everything is working.

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Review Highlights - Gulf Coast Exploreum

The exhibits were very informative and easy to read my kids had fun learning and trying out the different hands on learning exhibits.

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USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park - Missile room

USS ALABAMA Battleship Memorial Park

(278 reviews)

One of my most memorable vacation experiences ever. It is truly awe-inspiring to climb aboard a…read morepiece of history. Do not pass up the opportunity to visit. They are open every day except Christmas Day. It's a well done military museum experience, made more impactful by the simple fact of standing in a genuine WWII battleship (USS Alabama) and submarine (USS Drum). There is a lot at the memorial: the museum building full of aircraft and artifacts, the battleship, and the submarine, plus a few more vehicles outside. You could easily spend half the day here. Plan for 3-5 hours depending on your level of interest. I am not a military history buff, but I do like history, which "comes alive" when you are standing on the spot where something happened. So if you are even a tiny bit intrigued, just go! Wear reasonable shoes and be prepared to climb up some stairs and ladders, BUT don't let that scare you off, either. Young and old, thick and thin were enjoying the experience with us. FYI, you have to climb stairs up to a grid platform to enter the submarine from the top, and our group member with a heights phobia couldn't handle it, but he did okay everywhere else. You will learn a lot, and you will be able to imagine what the war was like for the men who lived it. My visit fueled my curiosity and prompted me to find and read every page of //World War II At Sea// by Craig L. Symonds, which basically describes every naval engagement in WWII. The USS Alabama is not mentioned by name in the book, but having climbed all over the Alabama and Drum made the harrowing naval history all the more poignant. There is plenty of parking, even for buses and RVs, and parking is $5. If parking a large vehicle (RV, camper), parking is $30 BUT includes one adult ticket (normally $18), so it's not that much more. Don't expect to eat here; we availed ourselves of the vending machine for some water at the end of our visit. I was a little bummed that the gift shop closes early.

Such an awesome, family day, adventure! Especially if you have a history buff in the family…read more Online they do not inform you of paying for parking but it wasn't much and does support the unkept of the grounds and historical artifacts. There is a guided tour option and a self guided tour option. We had our kids with us, so we decided to guide ourselves and it was so fun. The kids learned some fun facts about our military history along with fun facts on how the vessels were used after being shored. Highly recommend making the drive from Pensacola, Gulf Shores, or any of the surrounding areas.

Mobile Carnival Museum

Mobile Carnival Museum

(34 reviews)

Looking for something interesting to do not too far from Pensacola, we found the Mobile Carnival…read moreMuseum located in old town Mobile, less than an hour from Pensacola. Parking is free, the site is very close to the freeway, the museum staff are very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful, and the displays are great. We took advantage of the free museum guided tour and learned so much about the history of Mardi Gras, like the fact that the first Mardi Gras celebration held in America was in Mobile, not New Orleans. That was just for starters. The displays are excellent, too, and they change periodically. The cost is pretty reasonable and there's a great little gift shop where you'll get a free moon pie at the conclusion of your visit. I'm sure we'll be back at some point!

What a gem! It was busy because it's Carnival season, but not so packed that we couldn't enjoy the…read moremuseum. There was a guided tour when we were there. We listened for the first part in the large event space, but there was too big of a group to continue through the smaller rooms, so we dropped off and did the self-guided tour. I could not get the QR code to work so that I could follow along with the exhibits, but it was fine- I still enjoyed it. Some of these Mardi Gras Kings and Queens capes are just spectacular. There was one with such precise details and little embroidered hummingbirds. It was my fave. Just gorgeous. Then there were some really creepy older costumes on display too, which were duly fascinating to see. I love the old home where the museum is housed and would have enjoyed learning more history about the building itself.

Bellingrath Gardens and Home - An osprey nest near the Fowl River

Bellingrath Gardens and Home

(84 reviews)

We were in the Mobile area and decided to visit this expansive estate. Azaleas and camellia were…read morethe primary bloomers in mid-March, but there were other things to see in the gardens. Bellingrath is not among the gardens giving reciprocal admissions. After we paid, we were given a map and a brief explanation. Many of the garden paths are shady, while others are wide open. There are areas where there are lots of mosquitoes. Sunscreen and bug repellant are recommended for your visit. We enjoyed the water features, bridges, and the beautiful reflections. The so-called Asian-American garden near the end of the tour had some interesting hardscape but wasn't well maintained. The greenhouses were definitely worth a visit. There were lots of plants for sale during our visit. We didn't visit the Bellingrath Home Museum, which had an extra charge. All in all, we got some exercise and saw beautiful scenery during our visit. I'm guessing the gardens will be much nicer beginning in May. Hopefully the roses will be blooming by then.

It's inexpensive but not very expansive. For anyone traveling from out of state it's nice but…read morenothing incredibly memorable. There are some attractive water features and trees but a lot of the other plants will be garden flowers. It takes about an hour or so to walk through. If possible, avoid during the evening because even during the winter there will be mosquitoes unless it's actually cold. A nice walk and not that expensive so it's worth a trip if you're in the area.

Gulf Coast Exploreum - amusementparks - Updated May 2026

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