As spring turns the corner on summer, escape plans move to the forefront of collective thinking. While planning to get out of town, consider a trip to Mobile, Alabama. With its central location that will save you money on gas, a host of fun summer activities and its proximity to the beach, Mobile is the perfect destination this summer.

When it comes to summer weather, one thing is for sure: keep moving. What better way to cool off than to feel the wind in your hair? Zip through the charming historic downtown and downtown Mobile neighborhoods without breaking a sweat on electric scooters and bicycles to see the streets of antebellum mansions and white cottages. After a hectic afternoon of sightseeing, celebrate mobile style with a craft beer from the city’s local breweries. With the four downtown microbreweries located within walking distance of each other, visitors can easily tour the brewery in Mobile’s liveliest neighborhood.

Mobile has long served as a cultural hub in the southern Gulf, which means a visit to one of its many museums is a must. Art lovers can stroll through Surplus in pantomime exhibition at the Alabama Center for Contemporary Art to witness expert work by black abstract artists from the southern United States. If abstract art isn’t your cup of tea, take a stroll through time in The Vikings begin exhibition at the Mobile History Museum to see relics dating back 1400 years.

As if Mobile didn’t offer enough culture, food and celebration, visitors and locals alike can join the crowds at Mobile’s 2^n/a Weekends. Until December 2^n/a The weekend takes place every second Friday and Saturday of the month. On Friday evening, the LoDa ArtWalk takes place; a stream of locals and visitors enjoy the art, food, music and culture of Mobile’s Lower Dauphin neighborhood. 2^n/a Weekend Saturdays feature a monthly concert series at Cooper Riverside Park. Attendees can picnic while enjoying live music, local vendors and food trucks.

Some days it is too hot to bear, calling for a day trip to Dauphin Island. Just a 40 minute drive from downtown Mobile, Dauphin Island sits in the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The island’s rich history dates back about a thousand years, as evidenced by mounds of oysters and shellfish left behind by Native American tribes. Once on the island, the real fun begins. Known for their white sand and clear water, the beaches of Dauphin Island are a paradise where beachgoers can kayak, swim, or board a boat-turned-tiki bar with Tiki Time Tours.

While you take a break from sunbathing, stop by The Happy Octopus to shop for clothes and souvenirs, the Alabama Aquarium on the Dauphin Island Sea, the historic Fort Gaines or take a ride on the Mobile Bay Ferry. With abundant access to fresh Gulf seafood, restaurants like Pirate’s Bar and Grill or Miguel’s Beach’n Baja serve up the flavors of coastal Alabama. Besides serving as the perfect day trip from Mobile, Dauphin Island is known to many as the sunset capital of Alabama. Before you go, to truly experience all that Dauphin Island is, you have to stay for the sunset! The beautiful sunsets can be seen from any point on the island, but the west end is the best spot in the house.

Centrally located on America’s South Coast, Mobile, Alabama is a cultural magnet home to some of the region’s best food, richest history and most vibrant spirit. With summer travel on the horizon, head to Mobile to see what the “Born to Celebrate” city is all about.