White clapboard houses with wide porches set along a quiet road. Ancient live oaks dripping with Spanish moss offer a spot of shade. Downtown streets lined with seasonal flowers that bloom year-round. Welcome to Fairhope – the epitome of southern town charm. Founded around 1900 as a communal colony, over the years Fairhope has evolved into an art center.

The downtown area offers a great mix of galleries, antique shops, funky boutiques and eateries. The Eastern Shore Art Center features different exhibits throughout the year and sells museum-quality art by area painters and sculptors. The Fairhope History Museum is much bigger than you’d expect in a town of this size, featuring an intriguing collection of artifacts from the area.

After a long stroll, downtown Fairhope’s French Quarter offers a shady place to sit and enjoy the view. Hungry for a snack? Stop at Panini Pete’s Cafe & Bakeshoppe, recently featured on the Food Network. Whether you come to Gulf Shores for a beachside vacation or a weekend getaway, make time for a daytrip to Fairhope. You’ll always leave with fond memories of this classic southern town. For more information, go to www.gulfshores.com.

White clapboard houses with wide porches set along a quiet road. Ancient live oaks dripping with Spanish moss offer a spot of shade. Downtown streets lined with seasonal flowers that bloom year-round. Welcome to Fairhope – the epitome of southern town charm. Founded around 1900 as a communal colony, over the years Fairhope has evolved into an art center. The downtown area offers a great mix of galleries, antique shops, funky boutiques and eateries. The Eastern Shore Art Center features different exhibits throughout the year and sells museum-quality art by area painters and sculptors. The Fairhope History Museum is much bigger than you’d expect in a town of this size, featuring an intriguing collection of artifacts from the area. After a long stroll, downtown Fairhope’s French Quarter offers a shady place to sit and enjoy the view. Hungry for a snack? Stop at Panini Pete’s Cafe & Bakeshoppe, recently featured on the Food Network. Whether you come to Gulf Shores for a beachside vacation or a weekend getaway, make time for a daytrip to Fairhope. You’ll always leave with fond memories of this classic southern town. For more information, go to www.gulfshores.com.