The Forgotten Coast, along Florida’s eastern panhandle, is a treasure trove of beauty and entertainment if you enjoy the small-town scene. Some refer to it as Old Florida because you won’t see high rises along the coast, nor will you see many chain restaurants. What you will find is a natural landscape full of wildlife, small town charm and unique commerce.
Recently, I had the pleasure of spending three days and two nights in this region with a friend I hadn’t seen in far too long. The Birding Tour Trip was hosted by the Franklin County Visitors Bureau. I was both excited to have won their giveaway and to have the opportunity to go out with a very skilled Birder and learn more about the area’s flying friends.
Forgotten Coast Fresh Seafood
We all can acknowledge that fresh is always better. It doesn’t matter if we’re talking about tomatoes from the garden, eggs from the coop or fish from the sea. With fishermen going out daily for seafood of all sorts, you’re going to get some amazing dishes served to you.
Apalachicola Seafood Grill
Let this be a testament to how good the food is at the Apalachicola Seafood Grill. My friend and I ordered the same thing two days in a row for lunch! The only difference was that the first day I got my grouper sandwich blackened and the next day I ordered it grilled. Amy, who is not a fan of seafood, ordered a mouthwatering bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato fries both days. Both sandwiches are amazing, and it makes me hungry just writing about them.
Apalachicola Seafood Grill 100 Market St.
Blue Parrot
The Blue Parrot was conveniently located just a few yards down the street from our hotel. We tried a variety of items from their menu and were pleased with each one. The first night was a bit chilly outside and we’d eaten a late lunch so we opted for fried cheese curds and lobster bisque. It hit the spot! Our second night Amy wanted to try her tastebuds sampling some new seafood, so we ordered the huge seafood sampler platter. Crab cakes, oysters, scallops, shrimp, and grouper covered the plate along with a baked potato and a side salad. So. So. Good! The Blue Parrot has, of course, indoor dining, but they also have an adorable outdoor space with dried grass umbrellas that gives you a great view of the beach and water.
Blue Parrot 68 W. Gorrie St., Saint George Island, FL
Café con Leche
Apalachicola serves great coffee on all sides of town. Our favorite breakfast spot ended up being Café con Leche because of the food, drinks, hospitality, and ambiance. You can dine inside at tables or outside on the covered porch. Their customer service is excellent and something that means a lot to me when I travel. Typically, when I’m on the road, I like to try new foods to get as much flavor from the destination as possible. Well, just like at the Grill, I opted for the vegetable quiche two days in a row, accompanied by a mocha latte. This quiche was served up with whole pieces of broccoli, zucchini, artichokes, carrots and more. It was quiche like I’ve never had before. They also have board games for you to enjoy as you savor the laid-back feel of the coast.
Café con Leche 234 Water St. Apalachicola, FL
Apalachicola Chocolate Company
The aroma as you walk in this business is intoxicating. If you are lucky, coffee beans will be roasting up front surrounded by the imported coffee bags from all regions of the world. Fresh homemade chocolates, pies and pastries compete for your attention against the array of gelato flavors. Decisions, decisions!!
Apalachicola Chocolate Company 75 Market St. Apalachicola, FL
Forgotten Coast Businesses
The town of Apalachicola is small but mighty. You can feel the energy as soon as you approach the hub of the downtown. There are really only about four blocks of commerce, but they are packed with unique boutiques, restaurants, breweries, antique shops, and more. Parking is free, so the best advice is to find a spot and start walking. One shop will lead you to the next.
Each store has a vast variety of merchandise, and it is all displayed with great eye appeal. It’s fun to get to know the owners of these locally operated businesses and to hear their stories. They not only work for themselves, but they promote other vendors/artists as well.
Along Hwy 98 you will find Mom ‘n Pop commerce. Boutiques, antique shops, pottery shops, BBQ restaurants and food trucks are a just a few. The pottery store was an iconic business in Mexico Beach, but after Hurricane Michael, she has set up shop in this region.
Nautical antiques have always intrigued me. You can almost feel the sea bearing stories they hold of beautiful skies and torrential downpours. A fantastic stop to search for that perfect piece is the Tin Shed. It’s located a block away from the main hub, but worth the walk. Its quirky and eclectic vibe is entertaining in and of itself.
All throughout the town you will step into stores full of interesting pieces. There are shops with homemade goats’ milk soap, local artisans selling their wares, books, kitchen items and clothing. It is super easy to knock out an entire gift giving list all within the city limits.
Apalachicola Bee Company
New to Apalachicola, this shop is full of fun bee-themed merchandise and of course, many types of honey. You can sample tupelo honey at the counter along with infused flavors. While you’re sitting at the counter, you might want to order a flight of mead. This alcoholic beverage dates to 2000BC when it was produced in China. The shop offers four varieties of mead along with seltzer mead for a fizzy version. If you haven’t had mead before, this is a great opportunity to try it in a small dose. Their outdoor patio with a firepit makes an optimal location to sit and relax after all that shopping.
Apalachicola Bee Company 16 Ave. E Apalachicola, FL
Birding in Franklin County Florida
If you are a fan of nature, something you might want to consider is booking a birding tour. The abundance and variety of birds in the area is fantastic! Along with all of the typical shore birds you would hope to see, you’ll also get a chance to see a few bald eagles’ nests. We saw one eagle flying overhead and another tending to her young inside the nest.
There is a Florida State Park at the far end of St. George Island, and it is bustling with activity. Small birds flit in and out near the playground. Be sure to bring a good pair of binoculars and maybe even a comfortable chair.
If you would like to book a birding tour, you can contact Jon Johnson via phone or email. He is also a wonderful photographer and sells many of his beautiful prints.
Jon Johnson Photography
850-510-4568 jonjohnson@fairpoint.net
Lodging
Buccaneer Inn
The Franklin County Visitors Bureau set up our lodging reservations at the Buccaneer Inn on St. George Island. This is one of the few hotels on the island and it sits right on the beach. You can walk past the pool right onto the gorgeous white sand. It’s not only convenient for a beach walk, but it’s also located just a few yards away from the Blue Parrot, making lunch or dinner plans easy.
Buccaneer Inn 160 W. Gorrie Dr. Eastpoint, FL 32328
Without a doubt, Franklin County Florida is a perfect destination for making memories, unparalleled learning and savoring life. It may be part of the Forgotten Coast, but there is no reason to forget this piece of the Sunshine State when you are making travel plans.
I’d like to give a huge THANK YOU to the Franklin County Visitors Bureau and all of the businesses that contributed to this trip. It was a fantastic experience. We will definitely be back!
West of Apalachicola, on Highway 98, you’ll come to the small towns of Port St. Joe and Mexico Beach. Click on the following links to find additional articles on Mexico Beach and the Forgotten Coast Lighthouses.
Happy travels and enjoy soaking up that Vitamin D and Sea!
