Discover Apalachicola, Florida

When it comes to places to stay, Apalachicola has something for everyone. The town features meticulously restored hotels, charming Bed & Breakfasts and luxury waterfront accommodations.

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What is there to do in Apalachicola?
There are tons of exciting things to see and do in in Apalachicola—from dining, shopping and nightlife to fishing, paddling and pet-friendly fun. Nestled on the mouth of the Apalachicola River, this small coastal city features a beautifully restored historic district unlike any other in the Sunshine State. Here, you’ll discover unique boutiques, first-class eateries, art galleries and popular music venues tucked away in tin-roofed brick warehouses.

Considered a “distinctive destination” by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Apalachicola also includes a number of memorable museums and other interesting sites. This hip and historical town also is home to a thriving art and theater scene.

Extremely walkable, the small town features several parks and trails for nature lovers to enjoy. Take a self-guided walking tour along the tree-shaded sidewalks of Apalachicola’s distinguished Historic District, where you can check out the regal homes of past sea captains and river pilots.

Throughout the year, there are tons of fun festivals to attend in Apalachicola. From holiday events in December and the annual Oyster Cookoff in January to springtime art festivals and the famous Florida Seafood Festival in November, there’s always something happening in Apalach. To learn more, check out our calendar of events.

What is there to do in Apalachicola on a rainy day?
If you're dodging a rain shower or have had your share of the sun for the day, there is plenty to do in Apalachicola! Take the family to the Raney House Museum, John Gorrie Museum State Park, or the Orman House Museum. Drive through the Apalachicola Historic District and imagine what it was like to live in this thriving historic town. Have a beer at Oyster City Brewing Company or a sweet treat at one of the downtown shops, or check out one of Apalachicola's downtown open-air bars like the High Five Dive Bar or the Apalachicola Ice Company. Both have bar games like pool tables or air hockey, and it's not uncommon to see children scurrying around while the adults have a cold one. If you don't mind a short car ride, the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) in Eastpoint is a fabulous facility for adults and children to enjoy aquariums, exhibits, and a large open-air research facility. And just over the bridge on St. George Island, you could explore the shops and visit the Cape St. George Lighthouse. There are many possibilities to get into on a rainy day on the Forgotten Coast.

Where to stay in Apalachicola?
There are plenty of great places to stay in Apalachicola, with lodging covering a wide range of tastes and budgets. This small coastal city is home to quaint Bed & Breakfasts, vacation rentals and hotels & inns. Many of these accommodations are pet-friendly!

What does Apalachicola mean?
The name "Apalachicola" is a combination of the Hitchoti Indian words "apalahchi," meaning "on the other side," and "okli," meaning "people.” However, locals will tell you it means "land of the friendly people.” As soon as you set foot in this small town, you’ll understand why. Brimming with warm hospitality and smiling faces, Apalachicola makes everyone feel at home.

Where to buy Apalachicola oysters?
You can purchase Apalachicola oysters and other fresh, local seafood at a range of seafood markets across Franklin County. Located at 227 Water Street in Apalach, 13 Mile Seafood Market specializes in Apalachicola oysters and shrimp. Millenders Seafood Market in Carrabelle also serves up oysters and other fresh catches from local commercial fishermen.

In Eastpoint, check out Barber’s Seafood, a full-service, fresh seafood market. There’s also East Bay Oyster Company and Island View Seafood, both offering oysters and other local catches. Lynn’s Quality Oysters, also in Eastpoint, is a locally renowned, family owned market that sells Apalachicola oysters, scallops, shrimp, crabs, lobster, fish and all other varieties of Florida seafood.

Of course, most of Franklin County’s restaurants also serve up Apalachicola oysters, including Lynn’s Raw Bar, Hole in the Wall, Red Pirate Family Grill and Oyster Bar, The Station and Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café.

What grocery stores are in Apalachicola?
There are a number of grocery stores in Apalachicola, including Piggly Wiggly, Gulfside IGA, Family Dollar and Dollar General. 

What is open on Sunday in Apalachicola?
Many of Apalachicola’s restaurants are open on Sunday, including Tamara’s Café, Olde Time Soda Fountain, The Franklin, The Station, The Tap Room, Half Shell Dockside, Hong Kong Bistro, Apalachicola Chocolate Company, Owl Café and Up the Creek Raw Bar. Hours vary depending on the season, so be sure to call ahead!

As for bars and nightlife venues, Apalachicola Ice Company and Oyster City Brewing Company are open on Sundays throughout the year. Bowery Station is also open on Sundays in the months of October through May.

Most Apalachicola museums are open on Sundays, including The Raney House Museum, John Gorrie Museum State Park, Apalachicola Maritime Museum and The Orman House Museum. Contact each museum for specific hours.

Where to eat in Apalachicola?
Apalachicola is home to a wide array of places to eat—from casual beachfront cafes to riverside oyster dives to fine dining restaurants.

If you’re craving an upscale seafood dinner, look no further than The Franklin. Located inside the Gibson Inn, this culinary destination spotlights local seafood and farmers, re-imagining familiar favorites by fusing Japanese, French and Southern cuisines. Tamara’s Café, a chic Apalachicola eatery, features fresh seafood caught daily by local fisherman, blending modern Florida flavor with South American flair.

Offering river view dining, Owl Café dishes out fresh, local seafood in addition to steaks, pastas and homemade desserts. Other delicious options include Apalachicola Seafood Grill, The Station, Half Shell Dockside, Hole in the Wall and Up the Creek Raw Bar.

When do stores close in Apalachicola?
The majority of Apalachicola shops and boutiques close around 5 or 5:30 pm. However, store hours vary depending on the day, season and each individual store.

How to pronounce Apalachicola?
Apalachicola is pronounced "ap-UH-lach-uh-KOH-la." Locals call the town “Apalach” for short.

When was Apalachicola founded?
The town was incorporated as West Point in 1828. It was renamed Apalachicola in 1831.  

What is the population of Apalachicola?
Apalachicola has a population of nearly 2,300 people.

What type of ecosystem is Apalachicola Bay?
One of the most productive estuaries in the northern hemisphere, the Apalachicola Bay and River system is ecologically critical to the eastern Gulf of Mexico. The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve (ANERR) encompasses 246,766 acres of public lands and waters in the Florida Panhandle. The Reserve boundaries include 52 miles of the lower river and its associated floodplain, most of Apalachicola Bay, two barrier islands, part of a third, and several small out-parcels. The Apalachicola NERR was designated a Biosphere Reserve in 1983 by the UNESCO Man and Biosphere Programme, and it was re-designated in 2019. This important title brings international recognition to the Apalachicola Bay, River and floodplain—one of the least polluted and most resource-rich systems remaining in the U.S.

What is Apalachicola’s zip code?
The city of Apalachicola covers two zip codes: 32320 (standard) and 32329 (PO Box).

Who founded Apalachicola?
Europeans first explored Franklin County in the early 1500s when Panfildo de Narvaez visited a location near present-day Apalachicola. Narvaez’s journal describes a coastal island that is believed to be either Dog Island, St. Vincent Island or St. George Island. The first known European settlement in Franklin County was a fort built at the mouth of the Apalachicola River by the Spanish in 1705. It remained under Spanish ownership until it was ceded to England in 1763.

In 1783, the area returned to Spanish control after the Second Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War. However, some British trading companies were allowed to remain. In 1811, the trading business, John Forbes and Company, persuaded Spain and the Indians to cede 1.5 million acres between the Apalachicola and St. Marks Rivers to their firm to pay off large debts. The transfer became known as the Forbes Purchase.

In 1818, the U.S. army attacked Indians living in Spanish Florida in what became known as the First Seminole War. Spain ceded the state of Florida to the United States in 1821.