re: Fairhope AL, Grand Hotel at Point Clear

Second the recommendations for The Wash House, Jesse’s, Dragonfly, Sunset Pointe, and Punta Clara Kitchen (the candy store in front of The Wash House.)

Jesse’s is in Magnolia Springs, a short drive away. HIGHLY recommend both the restaurant and the town. I had the shrimp and grits on our visit last summer; delicious, and different from local NOLA preparations. MS regularly makes travel site lists of most charming towns.

I mentioned that it was a “date night” when I made our Wash House rez, and was rewarded with an excellent table and service.

Sit outside at Sunset Pointe if you can manage it.

Bellingrath Gardens and Charles Phillip Antiques are both well worth the trip across the bay, but each will eat up several hours of time. Lots to see there. Charles Philip has an IG account (ctpantiques), if you want to get a feel for what he carries. (Doesn’t do the place justice, though.)

Of course, you’ll want to spend some of your time at The Grand in Bucky’s Lounge.

There’s a charming independent bookstore in Fairhope - Page and Palette. Premises also host a coffeehouse and wine bar.

Very little is open in FH on Sun. Perhaps take a stroll out onto the municipal pier. There will soon be a Blind Tiger (fun chain restaurant and bar) on the pier, but the opening date appears to have been delayed.