Dotted along Highway 98, the quiet towns that make up Florida’s Franklin County– Apalachicola, St. George Island, Carrabelle, Alligator Point, Dog Island and Eastpoint– exist in harmony with the productive Apalachicola Bay estuarine system that produces $14 million annually for the local seafood supply industry.
It stands to reason that “eating” is a foremost reason for some tourists to visit Franklin County. The quality and availability of fresh, wholesome and nutritious local seafood has lured more than one chef to set up shop here. It’s doubtful that there is anywhere else in the world where you can experience the peacefulness of such a remote location and also enjoy such a plethora of world class culinary talent.
Thankfully there are plenty of ways to burn off all the excess food you’ll want to indulge in. Given the ecological significance of the region, more than 87 percent of Franklin County is either state or federally protected land. Inclusive of four barrier islands, thousands of acres of protected shallow bays and managed forests, the protected natural areas are best explored by hiking, biking, canoeing and kayaking. With only 13 percent of the land available to develop and a lot of folks protective of it, it is guaranteed that hotel chains and condo builders will never
be able to make a dent here. There’s a certain beauty in not being able to find a Starbucks or McDonalds here. There’s no Holiday Inn, either. Instead, visitors find a treasure trove of lodging options set amidst an authentic, “Old Florida” landscape.
Special thanks to Lou Kellenberger & Pat Canova, and the Franklin County Tourist Development Council. for providing a number of the photos used throughout the Franklin County feature articles.
