Apalachicola Bay

Surrounded on all sides by water, the little town of Apalachicola and nearby Eastpoint are a seafood lovers' paradise with fresh oysters, blue crabs and shrimp right out of local waters. More than 90 percent of the state's annual oyster harvest comes from Apalachicola Bay. Oyster farmers can be seen harvesting more than 10,000 acres of carefully tended beds with special tongs. Whether slurping down oysters at a "raw bar" or having a seafood dinner, Apalachicola will tickle your taste buds. The area also boasts more antebellum sites than anywhere else in Florida. Upwards of 200 homes and commercial buildings, which hold boutiques, shops, galleries, restaurants, churches and bed and breakfasts, are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The circa-1912 Dixie Theatre hosts a summer repertory group. John Gorrie Museum State Park commemorates the 19th-century doctor who invented an ice-making machine, the precursor to modern air conditioning. Experience the bird-watchers' haven of St. Vincent's Wildlife Refuge, explore the fort at Fort Gadsden State Historic Site or view the lighthouse at Cape St. George. Nearby Carrabelle and Dog Island are also scenic retreats. If secluded beaches and native beauty are to your taste, Apalachicola is the place to unwind. It's also a great place to experience local events from oyster cook-offs to rock concerts by the sea.