Bellingrath Gardens is a 65-acre garden estate in Theodore, near Mobile, about two hours' drive from Gulf Shores. It's open daily from 8 am to 4 pm; the gardens cost $17 for adults, or $27 with a tour of the 1935 Home.
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Plan your visitBellingrath Gardens, Theodore, Alabama · Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain · Credits
From Gulf Shores it's close to two hours each way. Picnics aren't allowed, so plan lunch at the Magnolia Café.
Sources: plan your visit, directions and parking.
The Home adds $10 for adults. During the regular season, the last Home tickets sell at 3:30 pm and the last garden tickets at 4 pm. General admission doesn't cover special events like the Christmas lights.
Source: Bellingrath: plan your visit.
Adults
Gardens only$17Gardens and Home$27Youth 5–12
Gardens only$11Gardens and Home$184 and under
Gardens onlyFreeGardens and HomeFreeMembers
Gardens onlyFreeGardens and HomeFreeThis is the 31st year of Magic Christmas in Lights. Evening visitors pay special event prices; members get in free in the daytime only, until 3 pm.
Sources: Magic Christmas in Lights, ticket sales.
In spring, the Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival takes over the evenings from April 22 to June 27, 2027, Thursday to Sunday from 5 to 9 pm, Memorial Day included.
Source: Bellingrath: plan your visit.
Something is in bloom every day of the year; the camellias flower from November to March.
Source: Browse the estate.
Bessie Bellingrath's gardens started at Belle Camp, a rustic fishing camp. Her husband always credited her with creating them.
Source: Bellingrath: our history.
The drive goes around Mobile Bay by road.
The Mobile area attraction pass covers 11 stops, Bellingrath Gardens and the USS Alabama among them. Prices and ratings as of November 3, 2026.
Alabama Tourism
One ticket for 11 attractions around Mobile Bay, including Bellingrath Gardens, the USS Alabama Battleship Park, GulfQuest and the Alabama Aquarium on Dauphin Island.
You don't have to pick your stops in advance, which helps when the weather changes your plans.
From $25 on Viator
USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park
Walk the decks of the battleship USS Alabama, climb down into the submarine USS Drum and see tanks, artillery and the aircraft pavilion in a 100-acre park on Mobile Bay.
It's self-guided, so you set the pace, and kennels are available if you travel with a dog.
From $18 on Viator
It's in Theodore, about 30 minutes from Mobile, at 12401 Bellingrath Gardens Road. From Gulf Shores, plan on close to two hours each way.
A flex pass for any one night costs $33 for adults and $25 for children for the gardens, or $42 and $32 with a Home tour.
The Gulf Coast Chinese Lantern Festival runs April 22 to June 27, 2027, Thursday to Sunday from 5 to 9 pm, Memorial Day included.
In the daytime, $17 for adults and $11 for ages 5–12 for the gardens, or $27 and $18 with the Home. Children 4 and under get in free.
