If you ever find yourself in a small town in southern Alabama called Fairhope Alabama you might find that there really isnt' much to do. Its a quiet town with not many, if any, attractions that draw people to come and visit. There are some festivals and there are some historic places but in truth most people that come to visit go there for some quiet time. Its a good place to visit and then head downtown to just walk around and enjoy some time in a small town that isn't busy. In fact downtown is where you can find the pier, which also has beach access and a small duck pond, as well as a park for children. If you are looking for something different then the actual streets of downtown have small shops that very much remind you of an old time town. Parking is scarce and there are a lot of art galleries and places to just go and have a quiet bite to eat.
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If you find that you are walking around downtown and want a treat then make sure that you visit the ice cream shop, its called the Muffin Man, and they have some of the best ice cream that I have even tasted. There is nothing quite like getting some ice cream and walking down the streets that are downtown Fairhope. If you are looking for a place to eat then your best bet is to try Papa's Pizza. They have New York style pizza as well as many other pasta dishes. If you want to go shopping then you should try and make sure that you visit many of the art galleries that are around downtown, they support local artists that get their inspiration from the surrounding areas. Other shops include the Private Gallery Jewelry, A Christmas Shop, The Book Worm (for used books), Fantasy Island Toys, and so many more.
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If you are looking for more than just a quiet afternoon shopping then you might want to take a walk over to the playground that is built to look like a castle. This playground has tire swings and a castle, and a mini obstacle course that is great for children of all ages. Make sure that you take a stop and look at the wall of handprints. This wall has the handprints of all the people that helped to build this playground, in fact this playground was built by the people of Fairhope. If you come at the right time of year then you might even be lucky enough to catch the Art and Crafts Festival. This is a festival that features local craftsman and ones that travel into town to show their crafts. You can find everything from paintings, photographs, household items, and so much more. Its best to make sure that you check in advance to see when this event is taking place so that you can plan accordingly.
