Daphne: Parks, Museums and History

Daphne is located on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. Waterfront parks, trails and historic sites shape the range of excursions, as do museums with a variety of focuses. You can tailor your stay to whether you would rather spend time outdoors, explore history or combine both.

Parks, Trails and Waterfront Activities

Village Point Preserve is an 80-acre waterfront park. It has miles of hiking trails, as well as access to fishing and the beach. Historic sites include Jackson’s Oak and D’Olive Cemetery. This cemetery in Village Point Park is the burial place of Daphne’s early settlers. At Village Point Park Preserve, informational signs serve an educational purpose and add information about the area to your visit.

You can also factor in the trails when planning your visit: a boardwalk connects a park with Village Point Park Preserve via the Al Guarisco Boardwalk & Trail. A boardwalk is also connected to the Eastern Shore Trail. Daphne Central Park has walking paths and an 18-hole disc golf course. Together, these locations offer a range of ways to get outdoors, from a walk along a trail to a round of disc golf.

Kayaking and fishing are possible at a historic park and at a pier in Daphne. The activities available on site may depend on the conditions at each park. Access to the D’Olive Bay Ramp is via Highway 98, Yacht Club Drive and Lake Forest. This information can help you find your way if you’re planning to include waterfront activities in your visit.

Museums and Daphne’s History

The American Sport Art Museum and Archives offers free public admission and is open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Its collection includes more than 1,800 works across a variety of media: paintings, sculptures, prints, posters, photographs and assemblages. The wide selection makes the museum a destination in its own right, whether or not you’re especially interested in a particular medium.

Daphne’s historic sites include the Old Methodist Church. It was built in 1858 as a place of worship for Daphne’s residents. The Black Education Museum is dedicated to preserving the history and artifacts of the Baldwin County Training School and is located on the former school grounds. Together with Jackson’s Oak and D’Olive Cemetery, it offers a glimpse into different aspects of local history.

Practical Information for Your Stay

Daphne’s parks are generally open from sunrise to sunset. The fishing piers along the bay are an exception to this rule. The museum and parks therefore have different opening schedules: museum visits are subject to the stated weekday hours, while the general park rule is based on sunrise and sunset. Check the museum’s opening hours before your visit.

Another cultural highlight is Festa Italiana. It features homemade pasta, sauces, and food and crafts rooted in family traditions, and celebrates Daphne’s Italian heritage. If you’d like to plan around this culinary theme, check the event dates before your trip. This lets you put together museum visits, park trails and potential events to suit your interests, while keeping different opening hours and conditions in mind.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gulf Shores, Bay Minette, Foley, Spanish Fort, Loxley, Orange Beach, Perdido, Fairhope.

For the broader travel overview: Baldwin.