Need info on camping in/near Mobile, AL

[oldmansax]

I am tentatively making plans for a trip to Mobile, AL. the last of March or beginning of April. It looks like we will be attending church meetings in the Mobile Convention Center. There will be me, my wife & grown daughter, my sister & her husband.

First, does anyone know if I can stay in the parking lot at the Convention Center. We intend to arrive Friday afternoon & depart Sunday afternoon. This would be the best solution. Second best would be a campground or other place fairly close to the Center. We are looking for safe & cheap! I'm cheap! What can I say? I throw all my money away on old buses!   That's what people tell me, anyway!

We are not looking for swimming pools & movie stars.... Just a clean, safe place to stay. The time there is pretty much already allocated.

If we have to we will stay in a full service campground & rent a car but I hope to find some other solutions.

Ideas? Suggestions? Places to absolutely not consider?

TOM

[white-eagle]

tom,
No, i don't have specific parking assistance for Mobile, AL.  however i parked in the back lot where the trucks unloaded in Atlanta at their new convention center.  i tried parking out front and wouldn't fit through either gate.  they had told me i could park in the lot and just pay the daily rate.  But NO ONE bothered me in the back area.  it was well lit, some trucks unloaded stuff for the next show, but i was far enough to the side not blocking anyone.  i guess management figured i was some high falootin entertainer.

The mobile website shows right downtown.  watch where you stay and make sure  well lit at nite and well traveled.  the web site says parking inside and across the street.  i'm sure you won't fit inside.  across the street would be ok if the lot is checked often and lit up.  We've also stayed at Walmarts, Lowes, and Home Depot, if they have their own centers, not part of some mall.  You're not likely to find them too close to the convention center.  
you might have better luck checking with churches downtown that are participating or your denomination, also.  just make sure you attend sunday before you leave.

We should be stopped in deering, ga last part of March, before heading back to OH for April. you might be near on your way home.

Good Luck and i hope this helped.

[white-eagle]

Looks like your best bet is Catholic, Presbyterian, or Methodist.  the Methodist is closest i think.  try googling the lot size.  Google doesn't show the street level on the south side as there is a tunnel, but it looks as thought truck parking at that end.  lots of parking across the street, but it also looks like lots of government offices which means they'd get concerned about a stray bus maybe.

[oldmansax]

Thanks Tom. I thought about parking with the trucks because I am an old trick driver anyhow.. but there is no OFFICIAL info on that option. I kinda wanted a plan when I get there. The Church doesn't have a plan for buses either, so far.

I was hoping someone would at least offer a recommendation for a campground. I could plan on that & hope for better upon arrival.

There must not be anybody who camps in Mobile.......

I'll get in touch with you as the time nears. Maybe we can catch up with you in Ga.

TOM

[Busted Knuckle]

TOM,
No info on camp grounds.............but I do know that they have parking for over-size vehicles available.
I know this because the convention center and cruise ship ports are right there together. And while we've never parked one in Mobile (we have dropped off & picked up there), occasionally the group will pay the drivers way on a cruise and we just park the bus in the provided secure parking area and pay the daily rate for it to sit there until the driver gets back.

Now this said, I have no idea what local ordinances or policies are about staying in the vehicle. But I would bet that providing you kept the shades closed or windows covered @ night and kept a low profile there should be no problem. During the day you'll mostly be busy with the convention anyway and who says you can't step out for a break, or lunch/supper?

So I'd say call or email the convention center or one of the cruise lines to verify that they have large "motorcoach" parking available (I know they do in New Orleans, Cape Canaveral, Tampa, & Miami do as we have used them in those locations)
  BK 

[longjohn]

Tom,here maybe this will help. Call Debra Graham, She is the director of Parking at the Artur R. Outlaw Convention Center In Mobile, Al. Her number is 251-208-7486. I was told that they have parking at the Civic center ( which is where the person that i talked to said that the ongoing "Revival" is being held) is like a block and a half away.. However maybe Ms Graham can give you first hand information. Hope this helps....Us Sho folks have to stick together ........john