Magnolia Springs, Alabama

The peaceful little hamlet of Magnolia Springs sits on the road to Gulf Shores and at the headwaters of the Magnolia River in southwestern Alabama. It dates from about 1800 and became a popular destination for ex-soldiers after the Civil War. In 1900, a testing company declared Magnolia Springs’ water to be the world’s purest.

Considered one of the prettiest towns in Alabama, Magnolia Springs has tree-lined streets and front yards that burst with camellias, azalea, wisteria, and dogwoods. Local businesses include an art gallery, a public library, a Victorian bed and breakfast, and Jesse’s Restaurant. Jesse’s specializes in steak and seafood and hosts art shows. The garden club has helped produce a jazz and art festival. St. Paul’s Episcopal Church has a November Market Day packed with food and craft booths.

Golf courses in the area run the gamut from modest nine-hole ranges to massive 36-hole private clubs. The county is surrounded by water, and the mail is delivered by boat up and down the Magnolia River. Housing includes bungalows, cottages and ranch ramblers.

Weeks Bay and Bon Secour Bay are minutes away. Both offer trails, boardwalks, and infinite opportunities for wildlife watching (Magnolia Springs is itself a bird sanctuary). Nearby Blakeley State Park is the site of the Civil War’s last major battle. Guests can camp, discover the Tensaw River boardwalk, or hike the park’s 15 miles of trails. Gulf State Park, also not far away, rents cabins and cottages.