Apalachicola, Florida: The First Ice Machine
Apalachicola
The Raney House Museum Apalachicola
Built in 1838 for cotton commission merchant David Greenway Raney, this Greek Revival mansion is listed on the National Register of Historic Homes. The museum contains furniture, documents and artifacts of the 19th century. It is open to the public 1:00 pm–4:00 pm Sunday – Friday; and 10:00 am–4:00 pm on Saturdays. Admission is free.
Florida’s Forgotten Coast is back in business, and we offer some of most breathtaking and uncrowded beaches in the Sunshine State! If you’re on the hunt for a laidback beach destination with plenty of elbow room and tons of outdoor activities, St. George Island (SGI) is the place to be.
Ranked time and again as one of the best beaches in the country, this beautiful 22-mile barrier island is home to the most pristine coastline in the Florida panhandle. You won’t find high rises or noisy crowds of tourists here. Just sugar white sand, fresh air and the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. And here’s some news that will really get tails wagging: Most of St. George Island’s beaches are pet-friendly, which means your furry friends can tag along for the trip!
To top it off, St. George Island offers a wide range of outdoor adventures the whole family can enjoy. Here are a few of our favorites:
Calling all cyclists! Home to miles of paved bike paths, St. George Island is a dream-come-true for bike enthusiasts. In addition to the paved paths, there are heaps of back roads and sandy trails where you can coast along the Gulf and bay side of the island. Whether you bring your own bike or rent one from a local shop, you’re certain to get a great workout and plenty of fresh air.
Even better, St. George Island offers an extremely safe biking environment for riders of all ages. The St. George Island Bike Path is a public paved recreational path that runs six miles paralleling Gulf Beach Drive, the island’s main road. This path is a great way to get around the island and visit shops, restaurants and other local businesses. Explore the island via the path and ride all the way to St. George Island State Park. There, you can park your bike and pick up the hiking trails. Which brings us to our next outdoor activity…
Hiking
Ready to hit the trails? You’re in luck! There are loads of hiking opportunities across Florida’s Forgotten Coast. Here on the island, St. George Island State Park spans nine miles of undeveloped beaches and high dunes, surrounded by the Gulf of Mexico and Apalachicola Bay. Inside the state park, hikers can hit the two-mile marked trail along the bayside. There is also a series of trails and boardwalks throughout the park, which offer exceptional wildlife sighting opportunities. Be sure to bring your binos and a camera! During your trek, you may spot raccoons, ghost crabs, loggerhead turtles, eagles and a variety of other birds.
Paddling
Whether you prefer SUP, canoeing or kayaking, St. George Island is every type of paddler’s paradise. No matter what floats your boat, you’re certain to have an memorable paddling adventure here.
Grab your paddles and hit the Gulf or Apalachicola Bay for peace and quiet, spectacular sights and a great workout. During your journey, keep your eyes peeled for all kinds of cool critters—from dolphins and manatees to rare sea birds and turtles. If you don’t have your own paddleboard or kayak, no worries! There are a number of shops on the island offering kayaks, canoes and paddle board rentals.
Fishing
Whether you’re a first-time fisher or an experienced angler, you’ll get hooked on St. George Island in no time. There are so many productive inshore and offshore fishing spots here. Plus, the island is home to several bait and tackle shops as well as two public boat ramps.
Whether you cast a rod from the beach, a pier, a kayak or motor boat, you’re certain to be rewarded with an incredible catch. Want a whole boatload of fish? Book a charter fishing excursion with one of our experienced local guides for a truly unforgettable adventure.
St. George Island is bursting with awesome outdoor activities for the whole family!
St. George Island Ranks as a Favorite Destination for Families
Year after year, St. George Island ranks as one of the greatest destinations for families—and of course 2020 is no different! In a recent article called, “12 Best Vacations for Families,” TripstoDiscover.com included St. George Island near the top of the list.
“If you and your family are looking to immerse yourself in some of Florida’s most tranquil landscapes visit St. George Island,” suggests writer Charity De Souza. “Escape the crowds at this Northwest Florida gem nestled along the Gulf of Mexico, where the entire family will enjoy climbing the 92 steps up Cape Saint George Lighthouse for beautiful views of the island, taking a scenic bike ride along the 17 miles of paved bike paths and can enjoy a peaceful picnic at the undeveloped beaches on St. George Island State Park.”
The Wahoo. St. George Island Bridge Fishing!
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Fabulous Fishing on St. George Island
If you want to plan an exhilarating Florida fishing trip, it’s time to discover the Forgotten Coast! Renowned for prolific freshwater and saltwater fishing opportunities, Franklin County is every angler’s paradise. Whether you’re a reel rookie or a fishing pro, you’re certain to have the angling adventure of a lifetime here.
Want to try your hand at some inshore Apalachicola fishing? Wade, paddle or motor out into one of our many bays, where you’ll have a chance to hook into redfish, speckled trout, flounder, tripletail, black drum, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more.
When you’re ready to catch some saltwater species, it’s time for some Carrabelle fishing, St. George Island fishing or Alligator Point angling. If you’re looking to land the big one (or a whole cooler full of them), take an offshore charter off the coast of Franklin County. The high-volume Gulf waters around the Forgotten Coast are teeming with grouper, mackerel, snapper, hogfish, tripletail, amberjack, jack crevalle, cobia, mahi mahi, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, wahoo and more!
Want to try your hand at some inshore Apalachicola fishing? Wade, paddle or motor out into one of our many bays, where you’ll have a chance to hook into redfish, speckled trout, flounder, tripletail, black drum, pompano, Spanish mackerel and more.
When you’re ready to catch some saltwater species, it’s time for some Carrabelle fishing, St. George Island fishing or Alligator Point angling. If you’re looking to land the big one (or a whole cooler full of them), take an offshore charter off the coast of Franklin County. The high-volume Gulf waters around the Forgotten Coast are teeming with grouper, mackerel, snapper, hogfish, tripletail, amberjack, jack crevalle, cobia, mahi mahi, blackfin tuna, yellowfin tuna, Spanish mackerel, king mackerel, wahoo and more!
Ready to reel in a majorly massive monster? One of our area’s experienced fishing captains can take you 10 to 55 miles offshore to fish the Gulf’s dynamic federal waters, where you could score an epic marlin or sailfish.
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Full Moon Climb December 11 @ 5:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Climb to the top of the lighthouse to see spectacular views of the sunset and full moon, and light refreshments are served. Contact Gift Shop for reservations.
The December full moon is called the Cold Moon for obvious reasons: winter is about to arrive and temperatures are dropping. It’s getting cold! Full Moon names are attributable to Native American tribes, most notably t
he Algonquin, who named the moons to mark the changing seasons.
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The Gift that Keeps on Giving: Discover Unforgettable Holiday Shopping on the Forgotten Coast
With Turkey Day just around the corner, you may be itching to get a head-start on your holiday shopping. Look no further than ! Franklin County is home to an array of charming boutiques, antique stores and art galleries brimming with rare treasures, handmade goodies and one-of-a-kind gifts.
Don’t plan to dive into holiday shopping until after Thanksgiving? We’ve got you covered. On Saturday, November 30, Franklin County shops will be participating in the Small Business Saturday campaign. This is the perfect time to come on down to the Forgotten Coast for a seasonal shopping spree.
All across our communities, from Carrabelle and Eastpoint to St. George Island and Apalachicola, you’ll discover great deals on everything from art and jewelry to food and apparel to home décor and fishing gear. Find the perfect gift for everyone on your list without fighting crowds at the mall—all while supporting small, locally owned businesses.
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Palm Tree Lighting On St. George Island
December 5 @ 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Celebrate the season at St. George Island’s Lighthouse Park on Thursday, December 5 and enjoy the festive display of holiday lights on the Cape St. George Lighthouse, Visitor Center, and along Franklin Boulevard. There will be a games for kids, face painting, carolers, hotdogs & cookies, visits with Santa plus lighting of the palms around dusk.
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Apalachicola Bay Estuary Class October 4 @ 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm |Recurring Event Free
Do you know what an estuary is and why it is so vital our economy and way of life? Join the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve this Fall as we explore the estuary we depend on. Participants will learn about the habitats and creatures that make up our estuary and how the river and bay are intricately connected. We will see these habitats up close aboard the Reserve’s research vessel the Henry Lee.
The class cost is free to attend but you must get tickets before class on our eventbrite page, as spaces fill up fast. Please be sure to bring weather appropriate clothing, and eat lunch in advance.
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