Apalachicola is a great LONG-WEEKEND on the Florida Coast!
This small town’s location on the panhandle of the Florida coast is about 76 miles from downtown TALLAHASSEE, FL.
What can I say about Apalachicola? It has a tongue-twister of a name, seafood to live for, a laid-back vibe, and super happy people. Add in the above-average days of sunshine a year and the plethora of things to do, and I’ll admit that the “what if?” of not ever leaving is never far from my mind when I’m there. At the very least though, I recommend you make your stay in this sunny, happy, yummy town a long weekend.
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Fast Fact: “Apalach” is known for its Oysters!
Franklin County, on the Florida coast and home to Apalachicola, harvests more than 90% of oysters consumed in Florida and 10% in the US.
What does this mean for an oyster lover? You’re in for a treat. These oysters are as fresh as you can get and the talent that prepares them doesn’t disappoint. Wash them down with an icy craft beer, a tropical libation, or whatever suits you, then head back for another order! Just a suggestion.
FIVE Points of Interest on the Florida Coast town of Apalachicola:
1
High Five Dive Bar – Hands down, our favorite live-music meeting place in Apalach. And lucky us, they’ve expanded to include an onsite brewery, Coastal Soul Brewery, and a permanent food truck, Red Pirate out of Eastpoint, FL. Great live music, great beer, great food, an expansive outdoor area, and great super-friendly people. What’s not to love? Check out their Facebook page to see who’s in their current lineup before you go.
2
Oyster City Brewing Company – This is a small indoor-outdoor, easy-drinking beer establishment run by friendly people and, it appears, enjoyed by just about everyone who comes through this town. It’s a must-stop, which isn’t hard because it is located right in the center of town. Good beer, good people, and a great place to hang with friends on the Florida coast. Oh, and they have pretty cool merch as well, just sayin’.
3
The Station Raw Bar – This is one of those places that is surprisingly (or not surprisingly) awesome. I got the low-down from TJ, who happens to own the business with his genius wife. Genius because I was told that she was the one who concocted the idea of turning TJ’s parent’s old gas station into a great little restaurant, opening it in June 2017. This place has great people (which seems to be a theme
in this town) and really good food. Best fried shrimp I’ve ever had on a po-boy, and apparently, they are also known for their oysters. Go figure, an oyster theme in Apalachicola!
4
Airboat tours of the Apalachicola backwaters and barrier islands are a popular activity, with several establishments to choose from. Start your search with Captain Cook’s and see where he can take you, but the adrenalin rush will be real in any of the charters. Don’t forget to look for the gators and maybe even a dolphin. Also, both saltwater and
freshwater fishing opportunities are in abundance in Apalach, click here to check out a fantastic fishing experience! Don’t forget to get your fishing licenses first, get the information you need to know here.
5
Festivals happen year-round in Apalachicola, but especially in the fall months. The biggest one is held the first weekend in November, the Florida Seafood Festival. This festival features a host of entertaining events such as an oyster eating contest, an oyster shucking contest, blue crab races, a parade, live music, a carnival, and fantastic fresh Florida seafood!
Five Things to Know Before You Go to this Florida Coast Town:
- The busy season is from spring break until kids go back to school in the fall. If you want to avoid a lot of people, I would suggest going in early March or early September, missing the Spring break rush but also avoiding the snowbird rush (if there is such a thing).
- The only downfall to Apalachicola for me, is that it is situated on Apalachicola Bay, so there is no real beachfront. However, a short 15-minute drive over the St. George Island Bridge will take you to St George Island right on the Florida coast. Directly behind the visitor center at the end of the bridge, you’ll find public beach access to a wide stretch of gorgeous beach. If you want another option, drive another 15 minutes through St George Island and you’ll find St. George Island State Park, where for a small fee you can explore 9 miles of beaches and a campground. However, if you’re just looking for a gorgeous beach for sun and play, the public beach is just perfect, without the additional time and money.
- Remember, this is the south, and many establishments are closed on Sundays and Mondays, so be mindful of that when planning your trip here!
- There are many cool places to book for an overnight stay that are easy to find online, and this town does not have a lot of the typical big-box hotel chains, making the lodging experience exceptionally unique. Book ahead for the busy season and Apalach’s very popular festival weekends.
- I found plenty of free parking, although it can get frustrating to find parking during the busy season. There are no parking garages nor an abundance of huge parking lots, but there is plenty of street parking, and, depending on where you are staying, it’s super easy to leave the vehicle and walk into town if you are able.
More Photos From Apalachicola and St. George Island Beach:
