The Raney House Museum 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.

128 Market Street
Apalachicola, Florida 32320

Website: Visit Website

Phone: 850-653-1700

 

St. George Island Lighthouse

 

sea beach footprints steps

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

Hiking at Bald Point State ParkReady 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

St. George Island PaddlingWhether 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

Fishing on the Forgotten CoastWhether 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!

 

Palm Tree Lighting On St. George Island

Palm Tree Lighting SGI

December 5 @ 8:00 am5:00 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.

 

Cape St. George Lighthouse Museum and Gift Shop

https://thefloridachannel.org/videos/florida-lights-cape-st-george-light/

 

A Historic Treasure on Florida’s Forgotten Coast

On Friday, October 21, 2005, the Cape St. George Light collapsed into the Gulf of Mexico. On Monday, December 1, 2008, the reconstructed lighthouse was opened to the public. First built in 1833 and rebuilt in 1848 and 1852 on what is now Little St. George Island, the Light finally succumbed to beach erosion and pounding waves. Working with state and federal government support, the St. George Lighthouse Association spearheaded the effort to salvage the pieces of the Light. Volunteers cleaned the mortar off thousands of the old bricks. The original plans were obtained from the National Archives in Washington, D.C. and the lighthouse was reconstructed on St. George Island, using as much of the original materials as possible.

Construction of a replica of the original keeper’s house was begun next to the lighthouse in the fall of 2009.  The two story brick building was opened in the summer of 2011 and houses a museum which tells the story of the lighthouse and its keepers and a gift shop that offers visitors the opportunity to take home a memento of their visit to the historic lighthouse

Please browse the accompanying pages to read about the Light’s history and to see photos of the Light through the years. Take a look at our volunteer and membership opportunities, and the calendar of upcoming events. And come visit and climb the 92 stairs to the top of the Light. Your continued support of the Cape St. George Light is important to help maintain our historic lighthouse for future generations!

The Cape St. George Light is located at 2B East Gulf Beach Drive, St. George Island, FL 32328.

What’s New

The St. George Lighthouse Association Blog

August Full Moon Climb

Full Moon Climb at Cape St. George Lighthouse The August Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Wednesday, August 14, 2019.  The Sunset/Full Moon Climb will take place from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and will include light hors d’oeuvres.  Because space is limited, reservations are … [Read More…]

Full Moon Climb July 16, 2019

Full Moon Climb at Cape St. George Lighthouse The July Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will be held on Tuesday, July 16, 2019.  The Sunset/Full Moon Climb will take place from 8:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and will include light hors d’oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the full moon.  The sun … [Read More…]

200,000th Climber

Cape St. George Lighthouse Welcomed 200,000th climber The morning of Friday June 21, the Cape St. George Light welcomed its 200,000th individual to climb the historic lighthouse since its reconstruction. Fiona Huffman from Birmingham, AL., was the history making climber.

 

Exhibit on the Science and History of Atomic Bombs

In the month of August, The Camp Gordon Johnston WWII Museum, on The Forgotten Coast, will feature a special exhibit on the science and history of the atomic bombs used by the Allies to end the war. On August 6, 1945, the first atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Hiroshima. A second bomb was dropped on Nagasaki on August 9. What made these bombs so destructive, and how were they kept secret? Come and learn about the people, the places, the science and the aftermath of this significant event that ended WWII.

Due to public interest, the current exhibit on the role of women in WWII will be expanded and extended to August 31. Both of these exhibits include photographs, vintage film footage, artifacts and models.

 

Full Moon Climb at the Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle July 16 @ 7:30 pm – 10:00 pm

Carabelle Lighthouse

The Crooked River Lighthouse in Carrabelle is hosting a Full Moon & Sunset Lighthouse Climb on Tuesday, July 16 from 7:30-10 pm. Visitors can climb to the top of the tallest lighthouse on the Forgotten Coast, Crooked River Lighthouse, to see breathtaking views of the bay with the sun setting and the full moon.

For the July full moon climb we have exciting live music out of Tallahassee featuring Afro-Cuban drumming by Master Yazid along with several of his fellow drummers. Yazid Johnson has played in professional orchestras, is a jazz musician, has performed at the Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, and for former presidents and has been an instructor and leader for the FSU African Drumming Ensemble.

Enjoy this special opportunity to see the gorgeous natural surroundings of the St. George Sound, Carrabelle Beach, and Dog Island, under the glow of the setting sun while listening to the sounds of African-Cuban drums with this special Crooked River Lighthouse evening climb. Guests can also enjoy s’mores around the new fire pit. Cost is just $8. Music will start at 7:30 pm. So be sure to come early if you’d like to experience the music. The museum and gift shop will also be open. All climbers must be 44 inches tall.

Crooked River Lighthouse is located in Carrabelle, just west of the Carrabelle Public Beach Park. 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle. For more information, contact the Museum and Gift Shop at 850-697-2732. Reservations appreciated but not required.

 

Turtle Talk July 16 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm

Sea Turtles on the beach

Come learn all about our nesting sea turtles and find out how you can help them! Members of the St. George Island Turtle Patrol team will be on hand to answer questions and give an update about sea turtle nests on the island. Get the chance to touch a sea turtle carapace, or look close-up at loggerhead sea turtle eggs. This air-conditioned event is a wonderful chance to learn more about sea turtles and is great for anyone visiting the area alone or with family.

 

Discover Apalachicola, Florida

Apalachicola

Apalachicola Florida is a warm, welcoming port town bursting with hometown charm, friendly folks and rich maritime history. Nestled on the mouth of the Apalachicola River near St. George Island, this small coastal city is home to bustling seafood houses, weather-worn shrimp boats and stately historical buildings.

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

Oyster tonging.

The Seahorse TooTin Shed

Hip & Historical
Apalachicola has managed to retain its historic charm while evolving into a hip destination teeming with arts and culture. Affectionately called “Apalach” by locals, this picturesque town gives visitors a delightful taste of Old Florida while offering countless activities and events.

The town lays claim to a beautifully restored historic district like none other in the Panhandle. Throughout Apalachicola’s historic downtown commercial district, visitors will stumble across eclectic boutiques, unique eateries, art galleries and popular music venues tucked into brick, tin-roofed warehouses. It’s a distinctive destination that offers the best of both worlds: old world charm and new world cool.

 

 

Discover Small-Town Charm in Apalachicola: Named One of Florida’s Best Small Towns by Country Living Magazine!

Apalachicola, FL

Country Living Magazine recently named Apalachicola one of the best small towns in Florida—and it doesn’t surprise us one bit! For many years, Apalachicola has been renowned as one of the friendliest towns in all of the Sunshine State.

In fact, locals will gladly tell you that “Apalachicola” is a combination of Hitchoti Indian words that roughly translates into “land of the friendly people.” While there is some controversy surrounding the true meaning of the name, one thing is certain: Apalachicola makes everyone feel at home.

As soon as you set foot in our little slice of paradise, we guarantee you’ll fall in love. That’s because Apalachicola is bursting with hometown charm, friendly folks and rich maritime history. Nestled on the mouth of the Apalachicola River, our small, welcoming port town is home to bustling seafood houses, weather-worn shrimp boats and stately historical buildings.

“This quaint fishing town in Florida’s panhandle is the place for fresh catch,” writes Giannina Smith Bedford in Country Living Magazine. “Book a room at a charming inn and learn about the local oyster, timber, and fishing history or relax on miles of unspoiled beaches in nearby St. George’s Island.”

Florida Seafood Festival

While our small coastal town is certainly laid-back and quiet, there are plenty of things to do here—from upscale dining and shopping to museum hopping and sightseeing to kayaking and beach bumming. Extremely walkable, Apalach features several parks and nature trails. Visitors can take a self-guided walking tour along the tree-shaded sidewalks of our distinguished Historic District, where you can check out the regal homes of past sea captains and river pilots.

Of course, Apalachicola is also well-known as an angler’s paradise. The prolific ecosystem within the Apalachicola River and the Apalachicola Bay offer endless fishing opportunities.

Celebrated for superb local seafood (particularly our world-famous Apalachicola oysters) our small town is home to an impressive array of eateries—from casual downtown cafes to riverside oyster dives to fine dining restaurants. Apalachicola is also renowned throughout the Panhandle for our numerous annual festivals and events. After all, there’s a lot to celebrate in this charming coastal town!

Brimming with warm hospitality and smiling faces, Apalachicola is a dream destination for couples, families, empty nesters and anyone else searching for a small-town getaway.

 

Holiday on the Harbor & Boat Parade of Lights

Harbour Holiday

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Join us for Carrabelle’s 24th Annual Christmas Celebration!

Festival:  Marine Street & Ave B 1 pm until……8’ish pm

Find your favorite viewing spot for the Boat Parade along 2 miles of the Carrabelle River Parade starts at 6:15 pm

The Boat Parade can be enjoyed from anywhere along Marine Street & Highway 98

Sing Along & Awards ceremony at C-Quarters Marina after Fireworks

Join in the Fun with Your Family and Friends!

Plan to attend and/or put your boat in the parade.  Be a vendor.  Visit with Santa & his helpers

Trophies for each boat category      Fireworks Show Finale!

Also, our Downtown Merchants will be open during the Festival for your shopping pleasure

Music and other Entertainment throughout the weekend.

Holiday Boat

Holiday Boat