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Why Dauphin Island for Thanksgiving?
So, how does a Thanksgiving road trip to Dauphin Island, Alabama sound? Before you wonder why we chose this quirky little island, let me give you a bit of context. Since COVID turned the world upside down, we’ve been skipping the big family gatherings. Initially, it was because we weren’t allowed to gather, but even when restrictions eased, we embraced the open road with our #VANLIFE RV adventures. This year, we decided to keep the tradition of avoiding big groups alive, but since our travel trailer was already winterized, we opted for a good old-fashioned road trip instead. Destination? Dauphin Island—a laid-back beach town perfect for some off-season exploring.
Prepping for the Journey: Filipino Comfort Food and Road Trip Plans
Before we hit the road, we had a hunch that being off-season, the island wouldn’t be brimming with open restaurants and grocery stores. So, Kevin, my better half and culinary genius, decided to whip up some Filipino dishes to sustain us through the trip. Trust me, there’s nothing like a container of Caldereta, Bulalo, and Relyenong Manok to keep the hunger pangs at bay on a long drive.
Speaking of the drive, the total journey from our place to Dauphin Island clocked in at about 10 hours. Since we had our furry companion, Georgia, with us, we broke it up into two manageable chunks: a six-hour drive and a four-hour drive. Plus, it was the perfect time for me to take advantage of my workplace's generous "Work from Elsewhere" policy. Kevin was transitioning between jobs and had three glorious weeks off, so we planned to spend a week chilling and adventuring by the beach.
Here is our Dauphin Island Thanksgiving Travel Guide:
Day 1: Hitting the Road and Exploring Fort Gaines
We kicked off our road trip on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Our first stop? Candlewood Suites in Tupelo, Mississippi—a super dog-friendly place that got Georgia’s tail wagging in approval. #bringfido #georgiaadventures. The hotel was quiet, which was great because after a long drive, all we wanted was some peace and a comfy bed.
We left the next day to head to our VRBO rental
The next day, we hit the road again, heading towards our VRBO rental on Dauphin Island. After about 4-5 hours (with the usual pit stops), we finally arrived. The sound of waves crashing and the salty sea air instantly made the long drive worth it.
We checked in a bit early—thanks, early check-in gods!—and settled into what would be our home for the next six days.
Convinced? Look for your next adventure stay!
After unpacking, I managed to squeeze in a quick run to get a feel for the area, while Kevin took Georgia on a walk and explored the island on his bike.
That afternoon, we decided to do a little sightseeing while there was still some daylight. Our first stop was Fort Gaines, a Civil War-era fort that turned out to be surprisingly dog-friendly, even allowing dogs in the small artifact section.
Georgia had a blast exploring the fort!
Fort Gaines was crucial during the Civil War, and it’s where Admiral Farragut famously said, “Damn the torpedoes! Full speed ahead!” But honestly, the most interesting tidbit for me was learning about the fort’s toilets, which, according to the literature, were flushed by the incoming tide. My question: what happens during low tide? Let’s just say it’s a less glamorous aspect of history that still makes you chuckle.
We even stumbled upon a giant anchor in the middle of the field—talk about a cool piece of history preserved in time.
Day 2: A Relaxed Day of Work and Island Exploration
ADay two was a bit more low-key. Since it was a “Work from Elsewhere” day for me, I spent the morning glued to my laptop. Kevin, however, wasn’t about to waste a day sitting around. After his morning walk with Georgia, he hopped on his bike and rode around the island. The weather was a bit chilly—not ideal beach weather—but perfect for a relaxed day of exploration.
We didn’t do much that day, which, to be honest, was exactly what we needed after the long drive. It’s one of those unplanned days where you just go with the flow, enjoying the slower pace of island life.
Day 3: Bellingrath Gardens—A Floral Wonderland
By the third day, work had started to slow down with Thanksgiving just around the corner, so I logged off early. This gave us enough time to visit Bellingrath Gardens s, a beautiful estate located about 30 minutes from Dauphin Island in Theodore, Alabama. This trip was a recommendation from my former work bestie, Jillian, who has since become an all-around good friend and travel guru.
Unfortunately, Bellingrath Gardens isn’t dog-friendly, but they do offer “Pet Motels”—essentially covered outdoor structures where you can safely leave your dog while you explore the gardens. We were a bit hesitant to leave Georgia there, but since it wasn’t busy, she was the only dog in the kennel, and we felt more at ease.
The gardens were absolutely stunning, with massive expanses of flowers, a river with a scenic boardwalk, and a house tour that was definitely worth the time. We even got a sneak peek of the Christmas decor inside the house. The tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable about Mr. and Mrs. Bellingrath and their efforts to build the gardens themselves. The house, filled with opulent valuables, was impressive, but the real star was the garden—it was like walking through a floral wonderland.
The garden was massive with this river with a boardwalk.
As beautiful as the gardens were, Georgia wasn’t a fan of being left in the kennel. Every now and then, we’d hear her barking and howling from across the garden, which made us wrap up our visit a bit quicker than planned. Once we finished our tour, we rushed back to rescue her from her temporary captivity.
Day 4: Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving Day was all about relaxation, a bit of outdoor adventure, and, of course, good food. Jillian, the same friend who recommended Bellingrath Gardens, also made us matching hoodies for Thanksgiving, which we proudly wore. I’m telling you, every family should consider matching hoodies for Thanksgiving—it’s a game-changer.
To start the day, we decided to do a quick hike. Although Dauphin Island doesn’t have a ton of trails, we found the Audubon Bird Sanctuary, a dog-friendly spot with about three flat miles of trails connecting pine forests, wetlands, and beaches. Georgia was in sniffing heaven, trotting along happily in her Thanksgiving hoodie.
It was a decent 3 flat miles that connected multiple trails. Georgia enjoyed sniffing around. It was a combination of pine trees, wetlands and beaches. Georgia approved!
After our hike, it was time for a non-traditional Thanksgiving meal—Filipino Spaghetti! It’s a quirky tradition we’ve embraced, and Georgia seemed more than happy to lounge around in her hoodie while we enjoyed our meal. The rest of the day was spent relaxing, watching movies, and just soaking in the island vibes. Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones where you don’t do much at all.
Day 5: USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park and Christmas Lights
On Day 5, we decided to check out the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, located in Mobile, about 40 minutes from Dauphin Island. Kevin had visited when he was a kid, but it was my first time, so I was excited to explore. Since we didn’t want to leave Georgia in another pet hotel, we found a Rover sitter who agreed to watch her for a few hours. After a quick meet and greet, we dropped Georgia off and headed to the park.
The park is massive, with the USS Alabama battleship as the centerpiece. We started our visit by walking around the grounds, where we saw a B52 Bomber plane called “Calamity Jane” and a huge aircraft pavilion filled with retired fighter planes and a Presidential helicopter.
There was also a big airplane hanger that is called the Aircraft Pavilion that displayed retired fighter planes including a retired Presidential helicopter.
Exploring the USS Alabama was like stepping back in time. The battleship has five above-deck levels and four below, so there’s plenty to see. We started at the top and worked our way down, discovering everything from the armory to the crew quarters. It’s easy to lose track of time when you’re wandering through such a massive piece of history.
Then we went below which housed all the armory.
After our battleship adventure, we still had some time, so we decided to revisit Bellingrath Gardens to see their Christmas light display. It was well worth the second trip—the lights were stunning, and it was a perfect way to cap off the day.
It was a pretty nice display and we are glad we took the time to see it. Even more, we are thankful that we found someone to watch Georgia.
After the Christmas display, we picked up Georgia and headed back to the rental. We are checking out the next day so we started to pack up. We were going to do the drive straight through so we wanted to get as much of the packing done the night before
Day 6: Heading Home—The Long Drive Back
And just like that, our Dauphin Island adventure was coming to an end. On our final morning, Georgia and I went for a quick run to tire her out for the drive, while Kevin enjoyed one last bike ride around the island. After a quick cleanup and some final packing, we hit the road for the long drive home.
The drive was mostly uneventful, but with full bellies, happy hearts, and a very tired dog, we didn’t mind. We arrived home safely, with a treasure trove of memories from our off-season Thanksgiving adventure on Dauphin Island.
Why You Should Consider a Thanksgiving Adventure on Dauphin Island
If you’re looking for a laid-back, off-season destination for your next Thanksgiving, Dauphin Island might just be the perfect spot. From historical sites like Fort Gaines and the USS Alabama to the stunning Bellingrath Gardens, there’s plenty to explore. And if you’re traveling with a dog like we did, you’ll find plenty of dog-friendly spots to keep your furry friend happy.
Traveling during the off-season has its perks—fewer crowds, more peaceful experiences, and a chance to see a different side of popular destinations. Sure, not everything is open, and the weather can be a bit chilly, but that’s all part of the adventure.
So, would you consider celebrating Thanksgiving on Dauphin Island? If you do, I hope this guide helps you plan your trip. And who knows—maybe you’ll start a new Thanksgiving tradition, just like we did.
TTYL!
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