Franklin County, FL

Located along the Florida Panhandle, you’ll discover endless activities on Florida's Forgotten Coast!

3 Must-visit Places:

• Historic Lighthouses on St. George Island and Carrabelle Beach - Franklin County boasts two restored lighthouses. The first is located on St. George Island. The second is located at Carrabelle Beach. Each tells a tale of coastal living in Franklin County more than 100 years ago and each is worth visiting. The Cape St. George Lighthouse and the Crooked River Lighthouse reflect the area’s maritime history and commitment to preserving a unique coastal heritage.
• Ralph G. Kendrick Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk - If you’re looking for a unique outdoor adventure, the Ralph G. Kendrick Dwarf Cypress Boardwalk in the Tate’s Hell State Forest is worth the trouble to find to experience one of Florida’s most unusual natural wonders—a dwarf cypress swamp featuring 150-year-old ancient cypress trees no taller than 15 feet! 
• Julian G. Bruce St. George Island State Park - The park offers nine miles of some of the most pristine beaches along the Gulf coast of Florida. It also offers ample opportunities for biking, boating, hiking, camping, and nature study. It features amenities that make it accessible to everyone, regardless of their mobility challenges—it’s equipped with three non-motorized beach wheelchairs, two electric beach wheelchairs, a recumbent floating wheelchair and mobility mats allowing unobstructed beach, bay and campground access within the park.

3 Must-do Activities:

• Rent a kayak and paddle along the bayside of St. George Island - Rent a kayak from one of the local outfitters and either launch it yourself or hire a guide to show you some beautiful and peaceful paddling trails along the quiet bay shallows. 
• Visit the local breweries for locally-inspired brews - Enjoy Excellent craft beers brewed on-site from two local breweries—Apalachicola’s Oyster City Brewing Company (OCBC) and the Eastpoint Brewery. The OCBC is located in the heart of Apalachicola’s historic downtown district and features local ingredients as part of its lineup of award-winning brews, including locally-harvested Tupelo Honey. The Eastpoint Brewery sits perched overlooking St. George Sound where you can watch the commercial fishing boats slide by on their way to the dock from a day of harvesting. 
• Take a Step Back in Time to the Raney House Museum - Located in downtown Apalachicola, the Raney House Museum is an example of architecture and the interpretation of life in Pre-Civil War Florida. The town entertained ships from foreign ports, and was very cosmopolitan. The house offers visitors a glimpse into life in "Territorial Florida" (1821-1845) with many artifacts donated by Raney Family members. It’s operated by the Apalachicola Area Historical Society, and admission is free but door donations are accepted.

Insider’s Tips:

• Check out the Music Scene Apalachicola. Carrabelle and St. George Island are growing in popularity for their unique music venues. In Apalachicola, the High Five Bar (literally a hole in the wall warehouse bar) is just a block off the Apalachicola River and features the region’s up and coming musicians in a laid back casual setting.
• Eat a chocolate Oyster Visit the Apalachicola Chocolate and Coffee company for an early morning caffeine jolt and one of their adorable oyster-shaped chocolates.
• Many businesses and restaurants in the area are open Tuesday through Saturday. It’s a good idea to call ahead if you have questions. 
• Carrabelle has a pretty unique must-see attraction—a house made with more than 6000 bottles. Visitors are always welcome—if the gate is unlocked, feel free to explore the yard and take a look inside the bottle house.
• The “World’s Smallest Police Station" is Carrabelle’s most photographed attraction today. It has been featured on television shows "Real People," "Ripley's Believe It or Not," and "The Today Show,"  and in the movie "Tate's Hell" which was produced at Florida State University.