If historic homes interest you more than exploring Civil War forts, we’ve got good news for you. One of the best ways to immerse yourself in Gulf Coast history is through its architecture. Some of Alabama’s best coastal inns offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience a little bit of the state’s history, and Alabama’s Coastal Connection is a great way to find them!

Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast – Magnolia Springs Bed & Breakfast is located in Magnolia Springs, just nine miles north of Gulf Shores. This gorgeous, late-Victorian-style home was completed in 1898, and has in recent decades been beautifully restored to its former glory. Rumor has it that it was raided a number of times during Prohibition, and some say that public officials used the former hotel to cut deals away from the watchful eyes in Montgomery. The suites are comfortable and beautifully decorated, and the food might convince you to extend your stay!

SeaGlass Inn – Feeling more modern? Book a stay at SeaGlass Inn, a 1928, historically registered Mission-style cottage in Fairhope. Nestled on the bluff by Mobile Bay, this beautifully decorated, camellia-lined home is a short three blocks walk from downtown Fairhope, where visitors can learn about the city’s unique past at the Fairhope Museum of History. Your stay starts with gourmet, organic breakfasts and ends with a wine-and-cheese hour.

The Hotel Magnolia – Crafted in 1908 by the town’s namesake, John Burton Foley, the Hotel Magnolia has been around more than 100 years. The Chicago businessman turned Alabama cough medicine peddler was responsible for the early development of South Baldwin County. He bought land, built sawmills and constructed roads at his own expense. Eventually, he built Hotel Magnolia to house visiting prospects. This beautiful inn features authentic antiques, a chandelier in every room and a charming courtyard surrounded by hydrangeas and crepe myrtles.

Away at the Bay – Tucked away in residential Fairhope, this historic Alabama home has been housing guests since 1987. Of note at Away at the Bay is the beautifully intricate brickwork done by German master craftsman Peter Hening. During the war, with most of Hening’s male relatives serving on the front, his mother moved the family to Poland. When Russia overran Poland near the end of the war, Hening found himself behind the Iron Curtain. Communist authorities ordered Hening and some of his classmates to the police station, but his uncle intervened and smuggled him into West Germany on the back of a motorcycle. Trained by the West German government, Hening worked to rebuild Germany. One of his crowning achievements is the intricate brickwork featured prominently at this coastal home.

Alabama’s rich history and culture are often best showcased through its architecture, and these historic homes fit the bill. When camping or a modern hotel just won’t cut it, stay at one of the many bed and breakfasts along Alabama’s Coastal Connection.