You may have trouble pronouncing the name of this coastal town, but that shouldn’t stop you from adding Apalachicola to your summer vacation plans. Located on the Apalachicola River and Bay in Florida's northwest panhandle, Apalachicola remains a great, oil-free destination. Chock-full of historic sites and stunning natural beauty, Apalachicola is also home to delectable seafood dishes and wide, tree-lined streets surrounded by grand homes. In 2008, it was selected as one of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Dozen Distinctive Destinations.
History
More than 900 homes and buildings are listed in Apalachicola’s National Register Historic District. The town’s original plan, drafted in 1836 and modeled after Philadelphia, is still visible today. Apalachicola became a cotton-shipping hub during the 19th century, and later the lumber industry ushered in an economic boom that resulted in some of the stately houses that define the town’s character.
What to Do
Today, ships’ stores, old net factories and a sponge warehouse have been converted into a mix of boutiques, restaurants, galleries and meticulously restored hotels. To take a peek into Apalachicola’s past, visit the Orman House Museum, the Raney House Museum and the city's two remaining cotton warehouses. The John Gorrie State Museum pays homage to Apalachicola native Dr. John Gorrie, who developed an invention that paved the way for modern-day refrigeration and air conditioning.
While you’re visiting Apalachicola, you’ll have to sample the town’s world-famous oysters. Best known for their mellow flavor, plumpness and balanced saltiness, Apalachicola oysters receive high marks from seafood connoisseurs. More than 90 percent of Florida’s oysters, and 10 percent of the nation’s supply, come from the Apalachicola Bay area. Another local specialty, Tupelo honey, comes from the tupelo gum trees that grow along the Apalachicola River.
The Environment
The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is the second largest in the country, encompassing more than 246,000 acres. Despite the current Gulf Coast oil spill, the precious marine environment in Apalachicola has remained intact and unaffected. To promote the environmental well-being of the Florida Gulf of Mexico, there will be a release festival for the book “UnspOILed in Apalachicola” on June 11, with live music, a signing, readings and ideas for Gulf Coast activism.
Have you visited Apalachicola? Write a review or share your photos on Gozaic.
Gozaic (go-ZAY-ik). Noun. 1) The name of a website, Gozaic.com. 2) The fusion of “go,” for travel and the “mosaic” of heritage and culture. 3) The mosaic of images to illustrate the dimensions of a featured heritage or cultural destination.
History
More than 900 homes and buildings are listed in Apalachicola’s National Register Historic District. The town’s original plan, drafted in 1836 and modeled after Philadelphia, is still visible today. Apalachicola became a cotton-shipping hub during the 19th century, and later the lumber industry ushered in an economic boom that resulted in some of the stately houses that define the town’s character.
What to Do
Today, ships’ stores, old net factories and a sponge warehouse have been converted into a mix of boutiques, restaurants, galleries and meticulously restored hotels. To take a peek into Apalachicola’s past, visit the Orman House Museum, the Raney House Museum and the city's two remaining cotton warehouses. The John Gorrie State Museum pays homage to Apalachicola native Dr. John Gorrie, who developed an invention that paved the way for modern-day refrigeration and air conditioning.
While you’re visiting Apalachicola, you’ll have to sample the town’s world-famous oysters. Best known for their mellow flavor, plumpness and balanced saltiness, Apalachicola oysters receive high marks from seafood connoisseurs. More than 90 percent of Florida’s oysters, and 10 percent of the nation’s supply, come from the Apalachicola Bay area. Another local specialty, Tupelo honey, comes from the tupelo gum trees that grow along the Apalachicola River.
The Environment
The Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve is the second largest in the country, encompassing more than 246,000 acres. Despite the current Gulf Coast oil spill, the precious marine environment in Apalachicola has remained intact and unaffected. To promote the environmental well-being of the Florida Gulf of Mexico, there will be a release festival for the book “UnspOILed in Apalachicola” on June 11, with live music, a signing, readings and ideas for Gulf Coast activism.
Have you visited Apalachicola? Write a review or share your photos on Gozaic.
Gozaic (go-ZAY-ik). Noun. 1) The name of a website, Gozaic.com. 2) The fusion of “go,” for travel and the “mosaic” of heritage and culture. 3) The mosaic of images to illustrate the dimensions of a featured heritage or cultural destination.
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