In 1975, the Mississippi Sandhill Crane was in big trouble. Due to habitat loss, its population was down to 30-35 birds. With the establishment of the Mississippi Sandhill Crane National Wildlife Refuge, the big stately birds were given a second chance. Today, the cranes number between 130 and 150 and visitors to the 20,000 acre refuge have an opportunity to see them in the wild.
On Mobile Bay, where the Mobile, Spanish, Tensaw, Apalachee, and Blakeley Rivers meet, the 5 Rivers--Alabama's Delta Resource Center offers visitors an up-close introduction to the Mobile-Tensaw Delta ecosystem.
The Hangout Music Festival, set for May 19-21 this year, has morphed into an award-winning, over-the-top beach vacation for music fans. Named "Music Festival of the Year" by Pollstar, Hangout Music Festival has continually ranked as one of the best festivals in the U.S.