Things to Do in Apalachicola – 2025

Apalachicola is positioned on the banks of a sublimely beautiful river and bay. It is a hidden Florida treasure you won’t want to miss.

This is often referred to as “The Forgotten Coast” because many aren’t aware of this beautiful Florida location.

You can discover miles of unspoiled scenery, long stretches of Gulf-front beach, and historic sites that make Franklin County well worth exploring.

Here you’ll find Alligator Point, St. Teresa, Dog Island, St George Island, the towns of Carrabelle and Eastpoint, and of course, beguiling Apalachicola itself.

Visiting Apalachicola

At one time a port closely connected to the cotton trade, Apalachicola (called “Apalach” by residents) has known booms as well as busts.

Sponging once fueled the local economy, while today, that honor largely belongs to its famous oysters.

Fortunately for Florida history buffs, one can also see evidence of a successful local preservation movement in the vernacular cottages and Victorian mansions.

Houses, churches, and commercial buildings have been sensitively restored so that walking or biking around its streets is an absolute pleasure.

Despite the town’s modest size, it offers visitors a variety of dining, shopping, lodging, and cultural options, not to mention a chance to experience the natural wonders of Apalachicola Bay and the St. George beaches.

Orient Yourself in Local History

First things first: when you cruise into town, park by the Visitor’s Center at the corner of Commerce and Avenue E, and avail yourself of a Historic Walking Tour map (or simply summon it up on your phone).

Soon you’ll notice architectural details you might otherwise have missed and will appreciate the highlights of the compact downtown, such as the 1838 Cotton Warehouse and the 1840 brick Sponge Exchange.

Tour a handsome 1838 Greek Revival mansion, the Raney House, and don’t forget the Apalachicola Maritime Museum, dedicated to local maritime heritage.

Although there are 37 sites on the walking tour map, most are clustered together, so the tour is eminently doable.

Shop

Whether you need Floridians’ favorite footwear (flip flops.) or some polarized sunglasses for boating, Apalach Outfitters will get you kitted out.

This delightful store stocks men’s and women’s shoes, clothing, accessories, and even coolers for a laid-back, outdoorsy lifestyle.

Bookstores have sadly become an endangered species, so it’s gratifying to come across Downtown Books & Purl on Commerce Street.

Dedicated to both books and knitting, here you can take the opportunity to pick up a novel or peruse yarns, needles, and notions.

Another spot also worth popping into is Apalachicola Sponge Company with its natural sea sponges as well as handmade soaps and tupelo honey.

Dine

Nothing stimulates the appetite like shopping, and fortunately, Apalachicola offers some appealing options.

From the well-known Owl Café to the popular Apalachicola Seafood Grill, visitors find oysters, seafood and steak dishes aplenty.

Inside the iconic Gibson Inn is a restaurant with cuisine so delectable, it pays to make reservations.

Chef Ken Lumpkin heads The Franklin, a chic establishment featuring local ingredients artfully prepared with French and also Japanese influences.

The Waygu Coulote steak was exceptional, as was the Braised Oxtail Gyoza.

The menu includes inventive preparations of raw and cooked oysters, also.

The Parlor Bar next door fashions signature cocktails and makes for an ideal happy hour hangout.

For a casual meal with a view, stop in at Half Shell Dockside, located on picturesque Scipio Creek.

In the mornings, those seeking a restorative cup of java can make their way to Apalachicola Chocolate & Coffee Company. (Or, in the afternoon, also treat yourself to their gelato.)

Support the Arts

Apalachicola boasts several art galleries, and you’ll want to make time for a look inside 49 Palmetto.

Curated by a former New York art dealer and museum researcher, the sculptures and the paintings are strikingly original, truly top-drawer regional art and Folk Art.

The Apalachicola Center for History, Culture, and Art on Water Street also mounts interesting exhibitions as well.

Get Out on the Water

Apalachicola grew up in the nineteenth due to its position where the river meets the Gulf of Mexico.

The estuary landscape looks serene from a distance, but paddling through it in a kayak, you notice the busy birdlife, with fish jumping and dragonflies skimming the water’s surface.

Places to Stay

You can make Apalachicola a day trip, but it’s a shame to miss the night-time fun and the beautiful stillness of the early morning.

Spend some time on the Water Street Hotel balcony, gazing out onto the marshes and watching water birds soar by.

With dockage and a pool, it’s a convenient base.

The guest house and the carriage house at 50 Cherry looked charming, and you can stay in a bit of Apalachicola history. Plus, the space is ideal for families or couples traveling together.

Sometimes clichés are dead wrong, and in the case of Apalachicola, bigger is certainly not better.

An Authentic Florida destination if there ever was one, this little town, population 2200, brims with an outsized charisma.

For people who value such things as history, architecture, good food, and access to life aquatic, it’s the kind of place where you’ll find yourself musing over real estate listings — and also dreamily imagining yourself on the porch of your pastel-colored cottage.

Fifth-generation Floridian Laura Albritton has written four books on regional travel and history, including the recently published Hidden History of the Florida Keys.

Looking for more Florida travel ideas?

• 10 Authentic Things to do in Tallahassee, the “Other Florida”
• Madison Blue Spring State Park + Nearby Places to Eat, Stay, & Shop
• Best Florida Beach Towns
• Best Places to Kayak in Florida
• Best Places for Glamping in Florida
• Our 19+ Favorite Freshwater Florida Springs

Additional photos by Katy Warner (sign) and also Gary J. Wood (sponge shop), Creative Commons/Flickr.

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