Mobile moves toward the hip trip tipping point One casualty of the Civil War was Mobile’s Mardi Gras celebration; the nation’s oldest, it began in 1703. Determined to revive that tradition and boost Mobilian spirits, Joe Cain paraded the streets in costume, decorated his coal wagon as a float and inspired neighbors to pool their meager resources and get the party restarted.

This can-do spirit has helped Alabama’s Gulf port city recover from wars, fires and storms — and create attractions aplenty for affordable escape with family or friends.