The Unexpected Charms of Florida's Forgotten Coast

If you’re planning a trip to Florida panhandle beaches, particularly near St. George Island or Cape San Blas, you’ll want to keep Apalachicola on your list of places to visit! Apalachicola makes for a great day trip in the middle of your beach vacation, and these things to do in Apalachicola will help you plan your day.

We’ve been going to Apalachicola (or Apalach as if it is sometimes called by locals) for years, making a point to spend a day there whenever we visit St. George Island or Cape San Blas. We love strolling through the streets, shopping, and eating some great seafood.

Apalachicola is a port town with a small town feel and Southern charm. It’s part of Florida’s Forgotten Coast and it’s full of great seafood, unique boutique shopping, interesting historic sites, and is a great spot for outdoor adventures. And all this makes it a perfect spot for a day trip or a weekend visit!

Things To Do in Apalachicola

1. Go Shopping Downtown

The Grady Market in Apalachicola, Florida, a historic brick building with green shutters and a charming courtyard filled with plants, offers unique local shopping and waterfront views. Visiting this vibrant boutique hub is one of the top things to do in Apalachicola for those who love coastal charm and curated finds. — The Grady Market is one of my favorite spots to shop in Apalachicola!

Downtown Apalachicola has so many great boutique and specialty shops. You can shop for clothes, outdoor apparel, gifts, and of course, those beach supplies you may have forgotten.

Some of our favorite stores include Apalach Outfitters, Backstreet Trading Company, and Betsy’s Sunflower and Kitchen Store. Plus, don’t miss Grady Market, which is full of clothing, gifts, and unique items. (Also, if you’re visiting in the summer these shops are a must just for their air conditioning!)

You’ll find most of the shopping on Market Street, Commerce Street, and Water Street between Penton Street and Avenue F, with some shops spreading out a bit more. Just find a place to park downtown and you can easily walk to all the shops.

2. Visit the Bookstore

Interior of Downtown Books & Purl in Apalachicola, Florida, featuring cozy wooden shelves and tables stacked with bestselling novels, local interest reads, and a “Sea Turtles of the World” poster. Browsing indie bookstores like this is one of the most relaxing and charming things to do in Apalachicola for book lovers and curious travelers alike. — I always try to find an Indie Bookstore to stop at when I’m traveling!

Ok, since this IS a travel blog for bookworms, you know we need to specifically point out Apalachicola’s bookstore. Located on Commerce Street, Downtown Books and Purl sells a curated selection of books plus yarn for your knitting and crocheting projects.

We make a point to duck into this store and buy some books on every trip!

They are open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10:00 – 5:00.

3. Eat Great Seafood

Fresh grilled grouper sandwich served with crispy golden fries on a black-and-white checkered tray, a must-try local dish in Apalachicola, Florida. — My favorite local seafood – a grouper sandwich!

Since you are on the Gulf Coast, you have to make a point of eating seafood while you are there. Here are some of our favorites:

Apalachicola Seafood Grill — My favorite spot for a grouper sandwich!
Owl Cafe — Finer dining and really lovely!
Hole in the Wall Seafood
The Station Raw Bar

Apalachicola is especially known for their oysters, although recent climate conditions have devastated the Apalachicola Bay oyster population. Currently, oyster harvesting is banned until the end of 2025 in order to help the population recover (and it is showing some promising signs).

But you can still get oysters imported from other areas and of course other fresh seafood from the Gulf. My favorite Gulf seafood is a good grilled grouper sandwich!

Bonus: After your seafood meal, stop by the Apalachicola Chocolate & Coffee Company for some great gelato!

4. Visit Local Art Galleries

olorful outdoor art display in Apalachicola, Florida, featuring hand-painted signs of fish, oysters, sea creatures, and quirky sayings like "You're on Lake Time" and "Hippie Lounge." — Not an art gallery, but fun local art outside an Apalachicola store.

Downtown Apalachicola actually has so many art galleries featuring local artists. From photography to painting to pottery to jewelry, you’ll find so much variety in Apalachicola’s art. Many of them are, of course, inspired by the beauty of the local beaches, rivers, and forests.

And of course, a piece of local art makes for a perfect souvenir from your trip.

Some art galleries that feature multiple artists include:

Plus there are several featuring just one artist. Find a full list of Apalachicola art galleries here.

5. Walk Through Chapman Botanical Gardens

Entrance to Chapman Botanical Garden, with a white wooden sign surrounded by blooming wildflowers, green grass, and shady trees. A small white structure and a pergola sit in the background, creating a peaceful garden setting under a bright blue sky. — Entrance to Chapman Botanical Garden

For a little outdoor enjoyment, you can walk through Chapman Botanical Gardens. This small garden has a half mile loop you can stroll through, with several areas to sit and enjoy the garden. Entrance is free!

Chapman Botanical Garden is named after Dr. Alvin Chapman, a botanist known for his study of Southern plants and for discovering several rare Florida plants.

This is just a few blocks from downtown, but I would drive there (mostly because it’s probably hot) and park in the small parking lot that is for the Garden, The Orman House, and the Veterans Memorial.

6. Visit the Orman House

Historic white house with green shutters and a red brick chimney, set on a sunny hill surrounded by palm trees and lush greenery. The house has a wraparound porch and sits under a bright blue sky, capturing classic Southern architecture and charm. — Side view of the Orman House

Located right next to the Chapman Botanical Garden, the Orman House is a historic Apalachicola home that you can tour.

The home was built in 1838 by an Apalachicola cotton merchant. It features both Federal and Greek revival styles, so any architecture or history nerd is going to love this. It also only costs $2 to enter (children 5 and under are free). So this is a relatively inexpensive stop on your trip.

7. Tour the Raney House

Historic bedroom filled with antique furniture including a dark wood bed, a vintage cradle, ornate rug, and a dollhouse displayed on a pedestal near the window. A fireplace with framed photos and a mannequin in an orange dress add to the period decor, capturing the preserved charm of the Raney House Museum. — Inside the Raney House Museum

Located just a couple blocks from the main thoroughfare of downtown Apalachicola, the Raney House was home to, you guessed it, the Raney family. This was the home of a prominent Apalachicola family, and the docent of our tour pointed out that members of the family still live locally.

This home was built in 1836. You can tour it Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 to 4:00. Admission is free, although donations are accepted.

In the house you’ll find the parlor, dining room, and upstairs bedrooms and bathrooms. You can also tour the kitchen out back. I really liked how they had clothes and mementos laid out. And, since very little is roped off, you can really get an up close look at history.

Note that because of the history of this house and its inhabitants, there is a lot of Civil War stuff: pictures, weapons, etc. I did appreciate, however, that our volunteer docent did make a point to mention the enslaved people who lived there.

8. Learn About the History of Air Conditioning at the John Gorrie Museum

Front view of the Gorrie Museum, a red brick building with white columns and a gabled roof, surrounded by palm plants and shaded trees. Signs in front label it as the John Gorrie State Museum and the Ice Machine Museum, honoring the inventor of mechanical refrigeration. — The Gorrie Museum

Did you know that the first patent that led to modern refrigeration and air conditioning came from Apalachicola? Dr. John Gorrie developed a refrigeration device and a cooling system after his yellow fever research led him to look for ways to cool patient rooms.

At the Gorrie Museum, you can learn about the history of the cooling devices and see a replica of his original invention.

This museum is also part of the John Gorrie Museum State Park near downtown Apalachicola. This state park is about four blocks which encompass the original Gorrie Square. You’ll also find Gorrie’s burial site here, as well as a monument.

The Gorrie Museum is open Thursday-Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is $2. Children 5 and under are free.

(Fun and embarrassing fact: The main street on St. George Island is named Gorrie Street, and I spent most of my life thinking it was named for some kind of fish. I only realized in the last several years that it was named for John Gorrie.)

9. Take a Boat Tour

Boats docked along a calm marina with a narrow waterway leading out to Apalachicola Bay under a bright blue sky. A small green building on the right and sailboats on either side frame the view, while a lone boat cruises toward the open water in the distance. — Marina Near Apalachicola Bay where some boat tours leave from.

Since we’re on Apalachicola Bay, one of the popular things to do in Apalachicola is to spend some time out on the water with a boat tour. You can do river cruises, airboat tours, deep sea fishing—basically if you want to get out on the water, there are all kinds of ways to do it.

Because the water surrounding Apalachicola is so integral to the town’s history, getting out on the water really can give you a perspective for what this place is all about. Plus you might just see some amazing marine wildlife.

Here are some spots you can book boat tours or fishing trips:

10. Have an Adventure in Apalachicola National Forest

If you’re up for a day of adventure on your trip, drive north of Apalachicola to Apalachicola National Forest for some outdoor fun.

This national forest is over 900 square miles (so yes, it will be a bit of a drive), and it is full of trails and rivers where you can hike, bike, kayak and more.

You can go as light or as intensely outdoorsy as your like here. There are maintained recreational areas and short hikes, but there are also over 80 miles of designated backpacking trails for the true adventurers. There are also places to fish and swim.

Find more details on Apalachicola National Forest activities here.

11. Enjoy a Beach Day

Wooden boardwalk leading through sand dunes and sea oats to a quiet beach with gentle waves and a bright blue sky overhead. A yellow kayak rests on the walkway, adding a pop of color to the peaceful shoreline on St. George Island. — St. George Island Beach

One of the wonders that makes this area of Florida so spectacular is the beautiful beaches. If you’re visiting Apalachicola and haven’t been to one of the local beaches, you’ll definitely want to take some time to check one of them out.

The closest option is St. George Island. It’s about a 20 minute drive from Apalachicola, and you’ll find public beach areas, a few restaurants, and a historic lighthouse. This is my favorite Florida beach, partially for nostalgia reasons, but also because it is so low-key.

Another option is Cape San Blas, which is about 30 minutes away. Here you’ll also find public beach access, a park, plus the most gorgeous sunsets. We also love Cape San Blas, which as a bit of a newer feel to it, mostly because it has seen more recent development and many parts have had to be rebuilt after hurricane damage.

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