April 2026 update
Becky & Bill Jones close Bay Breeze Guest House
We got an email from Miss Becky that after 34 years they are closing Bay Breeze. For us this is very hard news to hear. There were so many aspects to their hospitality, the great stories at breakfast, the views of the bay, the sunsets, the local recommendations, and the history! In addition, Bill and Becky felt like "Good Grandparents" to us. We have so many fond memories of our stays there, beginning in Aug 2017, and enjoying our last visit in November 2025. Hopefully, they will have a nice retirement. But there are a growing number of Air BnBs in Fairhope; some of them are just a few blocks from the water.
Ms Becky interview about Tolstoy Park and other Fairhope history: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g__Azem5xx0
Becky and Bill 70th August 2025
Fairhope, Alabama 2018
A long, long time ago...
This was our family vacation spot during John's childhood. It's a charming small town with lots of unique shopping, restaurants and southern charm. Ellen also began visiting in 2012 as we had several family reunions. Fairhope became even more special when we met Miss Becky and Bill Jones in 2017.
Things to do
In town, there is shopping, antiquing and people watching. We always go to The Fairhope Store https://thefairhopestore.com/ 323 De La Mare Ave, Fairhope, AL 36532 and get a new shirt. There are several golf courses nearby. We like walking to the Fairhope pier (about 1/2 mile over the water). If you like to fish, you'll know what to do. We went crabbing, just like during our childhood. Search here: http://beautifulfairhope.com/
Check out "Live at Five" which is a concert series in an open air space in the Coastal Alabama Community College in downtown Fairhope. We have been to two concerts (including the Marshall Tucker Band). What a fun environment! https://www.liveatfivefairhope.com/
Update fall 2018: We had a terrific visit to Bellingrath Gardens. If you visit the area, you MUST put this on your list. It's 65 acres of various gardens,plus a 10,000 square foot house that was state-of-the-art in 1933 and is STILL magnificent. WARNING: There are two miles of trails on this estate, so you'll want to take a least 1/2 day to get it all in. See photos & videos below.
We also got to visit Tom Jones pottery, which has relocated from downtown Fairhope to somewhere about 10 miles away. Don't really know where, since we used GPS, but it was a pleasant country drive. https://www.tomjonespottery.com/
Here's a video of Tom Jones: https://youtu.be/Lg0zSaXjGho
We had a nice massage at Mountain Massage 251-928-0214 http://mountainmassagedayspa.com They can serve 2 or 3 clients at the same time.
Another unique spot is "Tolstoy Park" which is a stone hut that was built by hand in the 1920s by Henry Stuart, who thought he only had one year to live. He lasted 18 years! See video below. Spoiler: It's tucked away in an office park, so here is an address:
22787 US 98, Fairhope AL 36532 2026 update: There's some talk that they might relocate this hut, but it is sitting right in the middle of a one story office park!
FROM OUR 2022 TRIP:
We had a nice afternoon sail with Captain Steve McClure, at the Fairhope Marina. 251-459-2441. (Video & photo below). We scheduled a four hour afternoon sail with Steve and his wife handling the boat. All we had to do was enjoy the experience!
We visited Blakeley State park, home of the last major Civil War battle (April 1865). It's just north of Spanish Fort and I 10 freeway 251-626-0798 www.BlakeleyPark.com (Photos below)
Eating out
There's a nice blend of Gulf Coast seafood, and some "farm to table" restaurants. Update 2022: There's a growing list of "nice" restaurants in the area.
In Fairhope, we enjoyed casual fair at Dragonfly (7 South Church St. near Fairhope Ave.) 251-990-5722. This is in the walking area of downtown Fairhope. https://m.facebook.com/164521700231942/
The Hope Farm https://thehopefarm.com/ 915 Nichols Avenue, Fairhope, AL 36532 251-340-3276 is big city quality, and seems to stay busy.
Jesses Restaurant https://jessesrestaurant.com/magnolia-springs/ 14770 Oak St, Magnolia Springs, AL 36555 251-965-3827 is well liked by the locals, but is 15-20 min drive south.
The Washhouse restaurant 17111 Scenic Highway 98 Fairhope, AL 36532 , about 5-10 minutes south of town. 251-928 - 4838 www.washhouserestaurant.com
And, the former Jesses chef has his own place. It's "unassuming" in a strip center on highway 98, but supposed to be very good. Southwood Kitchen
http://southwoodkitchen.com/ 1203 US HWY 98 Suite 3D Daphne Al 36526
251-626-6676
Where to stay (or not)
We have always stayed on the water, even during our childhood vacations. The downtown area is charming, but we LIKE being on the water for morning coffee, or an evening sunset. Our favorite place was Bay Breeze Inn, but they have closed. Fortunately there are a growing number of AirBnBs in Fairhope. On one visit, we did not have a good dining experience at the Grand Hotel, but they do have a nice golf course and their own private beach.
Miss Becky at Bay Breeze recommended Emmas Bay House https://www.emmasbayhouse.com/ We walk by here every time we visit. Looks nice, but I don't think they have king sized beds.
Miss Becky also mentioned The Jubilee Suites, which is on the bay and has a beach https://www.jubileesuites.com/ This looks like an accommodating and upscale property, but with prices to match. However, if you like to cook, the extra fee might be offset by not having every meal in a restaurant.
Miss Becky also mentioned Anil Vera (who we met in 2012). He manages a number of vacation properties in Fairlhope. https://www.cottagesoffairhope.com/
Videos of Bay Breeze Guest house from our several visits beginning in 2017:
On our next trip to Fairhope
Summer with the kids is great and builds good memories. However, we are more interested in going when it's NOT blazing hot! Cooler weather means comfortable walking. After spending some cool November days on this trip, I can confirm that (at least for us) cooler is better. We didn't get to spend as much time exploring the downtown area, so we will prepare better next time.
2018 Videos here -photos below
Tolstoy Park - in Daphne . Built in 1920s by Henry Stuart who thought he would only live one year. He last 18 years! 22787 US 98, Fairhope AL 36532 (Note: It is in the parking lot of a small commercial area!)
Bellingrath Gardens - The Rose garden
Bellingrath Gardens - The Green house
Bellingrath Gardens - The Great Lawn
Bellingrath Gardens - The Mermaid Fountain
October 2022 Update
New adventures from our 2022 fall trip to Fairhope
On the left: Ellen with Tom Jones. Tom Jones Pottery 1201 Clay City Rd, Fairhope AL 36532. If you can, you should get on their list for the yearly Thanksgiving pumpkin. Note: the pumpkin mouth is usually shaped like a bat! Videos in the 2018 "Things to do" section above.
2022 videos
Bellingrath gardens - Koi pond on Vimeo
Egret gets its lunch on Bellingrath pond https://vimeo.com/762506729
Oak tree Berkeley State park https://vimeo.com/762505818
Sailing on the bay https://vimeo.com/762503532
On our next trip to Fairhope
1) We really enjoyed our sailing afternoon with Steve McClure, and will save our allowance for another one.
2) Will also save our allowance for a return to Hope Farm restaurant.
3) And, we will schedule time to take a long hike (2-3 miles) inside Blakeley State Park
4) Will spend more time just wandering around downtown Fairhope to see the shops & people.
5) Since Bay Breeze Guest house is closed, we'll need to find a new "favorite" place to stay!
Bellingrath Gardens
On the west side of Mobile Bay, but worth the drive from Fairhope
We had a terrific visit to Bellingrath Gardens. If you visit the area, you MUST put this on your list. Walter Bellingrath was a Western Union employee and saved his money. In about 1900, he got distributorship to sell a product called ...
... Coca Cola.
Of course, they were able to create a fabulous estate south of Mobile. It's 65 acres of very different gardens,plus a 10,000 square foot house that was state-of-the-art in 1933 and is STILL magnificent. Heads Up: There are two miles of trails on this estate, so you'll want to take a least 1/2 day to get it all in.
https://bellingrath.org/ 251-973-2217
12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road
Theodore, AL 36582
PS They ALWAYS have flowering plants for every season.
Bellingrath kitchen video. They had 6 staff, 2 cooks and 40 gardeners!
The dining room. Table purchased from Sir Thomas Tipton.
Upstairs video
One of the guest bedrooms
Meissen Porcelain collection. (Our docent was CLEAR to say, "This is NOT Dresden porcelain."
The morning room
Part of the Bellingrath porcelain collection. In a bldg across from the house.
