Looking for a charming Old Florida town with oysters, history, and Gulf views? Head to Apalachicola! Nestled on Florida’s Forgotten Coast, Apalachicola is a laid-back fishing village known for its seafood, maritime heritage, and preserved downtown. It’s the perfect destination for travelers seeking coastal beauty without the crowds.

Apalachicola, FL Highlights:

  • For Seafood Lovers: Dine on fresh oysters straight from Apalachicola Bay – This town is famous for its world-renowned oysters and Gulf seafood.
  • For History Buffs: Tour the Apalachicola Maritime Museum – Learn about the area’s rich seafaring and boatbuilding history.
  • For Shoppers: Stroll the historic downtown district – Browse antique shops, art galleries, and boutique stores in preserved 19th-century buildings.
  • For Nature Enthusiasts: Explore Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve – Hike trails, birdwatch, and learn about one of the most productive estuaries in North America.
  • For Couples: Relax along the Apalachicola Riverwalk – Watch shrimp boats glide by and enjoy golden Gulf Coast sunsets.

Best Time to Visit Apalachicola, FL

The best time to visit Apalachicola is in the spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) when the weather is mild, the humidity is lower, and festivals are in full swing. Summer offers beach weather, but with higher humidity, while winter is peaceful and cool.

How to Get to Apalachicola, FL

  • By Car: Apalachicola is located along U.S. Highway 98, about 1.5 hours from Tallahassee and 2 hours from Panama City.
  • By Air: The closest airports are Tallahassee International Airport (TLH) and Northwest Florida Beaches Airport (ECP), both within a 2-hour drive.
  • By Boat: Apalachicola is a popular stop for boaters traveling along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.

Where to Stay in Apalachicola, FL

  • Recommended for Families: Water Street Hotel & Marina – Spacious suites with kitchenettes, river views, and a pool.
  • For Couples: The Gibson Inn – A beautifully restored historic inn with a wraparound porch and on-site bar and restaurant.
  • For Budget Travelers: Apalachicola Bay Inn – Clean, affordable lodging just minutes from the heart of downtown.

Best Things to Do in Apalachicola, FL

Step Back in Time at Orman House Historic State Park

Step Back in Time at Orman House Historic State Park

© Sven Böttcher/stock.adobe.com

Orman House Historic State Park is a Florida state park that preserves the historic Orman House, a gorgeous Antebellum home constructed in 1838 by cotton merchant and businessman Thomas Orman. The home showcases lovely Federal and Greek Revival design elements and is located along the banks of the beautiful Apalachicola River along the city's 5th Street. Visitors can tour the home for a nominal fee as part of guided tours Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays during the morning and afternoon hours. Lovely original design elements are preserved throughout the house, including wooden mantelpieces, heart pine floorboards, and molded plaster cornices. At the adjacent Chapman Botanical Gardens, named in honor of Dr. Alvin Chapman, visitors can peruse a butterfly garden or view the Three Soldiers Detail replica Vietnam memorial statue. Each year, the home hosts the Apalachicola Historic Tour of Homes and a November Historic Christmas event.

177 5th St, Apalachicola, FL 32320, Phone: 850-653-1209

If You Love Historic Homes, Explore the Raney House Museum

If You Love Historic Homes, Explore the Raney House Museum

© The Raney House Museum

The Raney House Museum is a National Register of Historic Places-listed Greek Revival mansion that is owned by the City of Apalachicola and operated by the Apalachicola Historical Society as a living history home museum. The 1836 home was constructed for area citizens David and Harriet Raney and housed members of the Raney family until 1914, including son David G. Raney, Jr., a Confederate marine officer in the American Civil War who was captured by Union forces in the 1864 Battle of Mobile Bay. In 1973, the historic home was acquired by the city and converted into a public museum facility. Visitors can tour the home Sunday through Thursday afternoons or during the morning and afternoon hours on Fridays and Saturdays. The home showcases original Raney family furniture, along with a collection of significant 19th-century artifacts and documents. Though admission is free, visitors should note that donations are greatly appreciated to facilitate future museum operations.

128 Market Street, Apalachicola, FL 32320, Phone: 850-653-1700

Wander Through the Echoes of the Past at Chestnut Street Cemetery

Wander Through the Echoes of the Past at Chestnut Street Cemetery

© Chestnut Street Cemetery

Chestnut Street Cemetery is an historic cemetery facility in Apalachicola, originally established in 1831. The cemetery, which is located along Highway 98 between the city's 6th and 8th Streets, is the oldest cemetery facility in the city and inters many of the area's most notable historic residents, including many figures associated with the town's original development. More than 540 marked graves are showcased, along with a large number of unmarked grave sites and burial areas. Grave sites connected to American Civil War veterans have been marked by the United Daughters of the Confederacy since 1912, with more than 79 Confederate and seven Union veterans interred at the facility. Each spring and fall, cemetery ghost tours are offered at the cemetery by the Apalachicola Historical Society, which details the region's cultural history and are led by interpretive performer tour guides. Visitors can also explore the cemetery as part of self-guided tours via the Chestnut Street Cemetery Walking Tour, which takes approximately 30 minutes to complete.

96 6th St, Apalachicola, FL 32320, Phone: 850-653-1700

Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:

Discover a Cool Invention at the John Gorrie State Museum

Discover a Cool Invention at the John Gorrie State Museum

© John Gorrie State Museum

John Gorrie State Museum is a Florida state park and museum in Apalachicola, honoring its namesake John Gorrie, the man to receive the first United States patent for mechanical refrigeration in the mid-19th century and an influential figure in the development of air conditioning technology. Today, the park, which is located along Apalachicola's 6th Street, showcases a replica of Gorrie's famed ice-making machine at its public museum facility, along with a wide variety of other artifacts related to Gorrie's career as a doctor and inventor. Temporary exhibits at the museum chronicle the history of the Florida Park Service and the development and cultural history of the Apalachicola region. Visitors can explore the museum Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays year-round during the morning and afternoon hours.

42 6th St, Apalachicola, FL 32320

Honor Heroes at The Three Servicemen Statue

Honor Heroes at The Three Servicemen Statue

© kthx1138/stock.adobe.com

The Three Servicemen Statue, also known as Three Soldiers Detail, is a one-of-a-kind replica statue located within Apalachicola's Veterans Memorial Plaza, originally dedicated in 2008 as a replica of the statue of the same name, which is showcased within Washington, D.C.'s Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall. The statue, which was created by nationally-renowned sculptor Frederick Hart, strives to honor the heroism of the soldiers who served in the Vietnam War, serving as a visual representation of the courage and devotion of United States military forces. Apalachicola's sculpture was created from the statue's original molds and is set upon a black granite pedestal. It is located adjacent to the Orman House State Park historic home museum within the park's Chapman Botanical Garden facility.

71 Avenue B, Apalachicola, FL 32320, Phone: 850-653-1318

What to do if you are traveling with kids:

Spot Rare Wildlife at Saint Vincent National Wildlife Refuge

Spot Rare Wildlife at Saint Vincent National Wildlife Refuge

© Sheri Swailes/stock.adobe.com

Saint Vincent National Wildlife Refuge Refuge is an expansive 12,490-acre United States National Wildlife Refuge located along Apalachicoa's barrier island St. Vincent, within the Gulf of Mexico. The refuge was originally established in 1968 following the island's purchase by the Nature Conservancy and subsequent transfer to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

Though the nine-mile island has shown signs of human visitation since its occupation by area indigenous tribes in the year 240 AD, it rarely attracts large concentrations of visitors today due to its access being restricted to boat traffic. Park visitors can view a wide variety of native wildlife species at the island, including alligators, endangered species such as loggerhead sea turtles, and an array of native and migratory bird species. Visitors can stroll along the island's beachfront or explore its unique tidal marsh, sand dune, mixed hardwood, scrub oak, and cabbage palm habitats, though all visitors are asked to be respectful of sensitive environments and obey a leave-no-trace policy. Find it on a map

3100 County Rd 30A, Apalachicola, FL 32320, Phone: 850-653-8808

Admire Timeless Architecture at Trinity Episcopal Church

Admire Timeless Architecture at Trinity Episcopal Church

© innarevyako/stock.adobe.com

Trinity Episcopal Church, also known as Christ Church, is an historic church facility located along Apalachicola's 6th Street and Avenue D, listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972. The church was originally designed in White Plains, New York and constructed in Apalachicola in 1838 as the Christ Church. It was reorganized as Trinity Episcopal Church in 1936 and holds the distinction today as Florida's sixth-oldest church facility and second-oldest continually-operating congregation. Visitors can attend weekly services or explore its historic facilities, including its Queen Anne-style 1900 rectory, its adjacent 1932 Benedict Parish Hall, which is now home to the St. Benedict Montessori School, and its serene outdoor Trinity Memorial Garden, which showcases a mosaic fountain and memorial brick walkway. Community gatherings and classes are also held in the church, including tai chi and yoga classes and the Isle Newell Concert Series.

79 6th St, Apalachicola, FL 32320

Where to Eat in Apalachicola, FL

  • Recommended for Families: The Owl Café – Eclectic menu with fresh seafood, steaks, and a casual upstairs tap room.
  • For Fresh Oysters: Up the Creek Raw Bar – Casual waterfront dining with oysters, crab, and local beer.
  • For Casual Bites: Hole in the Wall Seafood – A small diner known for laid-back vibes and top-tier fried oysters.

If you are interested in local events:

  • For Foodies: Florida Seafood Festival (November) – The state’s oldest seafood festival featuring live music, oyster eating contests, and parades.
  • For Art Lovers: Apalachicola Art & Wine Walk (April) – Stroll downtown while enjoying wine tastings, art displays, and live music.
  • For Holiday Fans: Holiday Fresh Market (December) – Shop for gifts and seasonal treats while enjoying a festive small-town atmosphere.

Day Trip Itineraries Within 30–90 Minutes of Apalachicola, FL:

  • For Beach Days: St. George Island State Park (20 min) – Swim, sunbathe, or fish in this undeveloped barrier island paradise.
  • For History: Carrabelle (30 min) – Explore WWII history at Camp Gordon Johnston Museum and enjoy small-town charm.
  • For Nature: Tate’s Hell State Forest (30–45 min) – Hike, paddle, or birdwatch in one of Florida’s wildest preserved areas.
  • For Shopping and Dining: Port St. Joe (45–60 min) – Browse boutiques and enjoy fresh seafood in this picturesque bay town.
  • For State Park Lovers: Bald Point State Park (1 hr) – Spot eagles, hike coastal trails, and enjoy solitude along the Gulf Coast.

Frequently Asked Questions:

  • Where is Apalachicola located?
    • Apalachicola is a beautiful city along the scenic Gulf of Mexico, situated on a bay of the same name.
  • What is the origin of Apalachicola’s name?
    • The city’s name honors the region’s historic indigenous residents.
  • What is Apalachicola known for?
    • Apalachicola is best known for its historic downtown district, featuring a variety of preserved sites and landmarks.
  • Who was Dr. John Gorrie, and why is he significant?
    • Apalachicola is home to several historic sites connected to Dr. John Gorrie, who developed the process of cold-air refrigeration in 1850.
  • Does Apalachicola offer cultural experiences?
    • Yes! The city features live theatrical productions throughout the year at the Dixie Theatre, which originally opened in 1912.

Plan Your Trip