Just about four hours’ drive from the Fairhope area will find you transported to what Old Florida used to be like. The port town which borders Scipio Creek and Apalachicola Bay is a distinct 180-degree difference from the bustling and crowded cities of Palm Beach, Miami, Tampa and Fort Lauderdale.

And, besides its relatively quiet and small-town Florida lifestyle, it really does offer something for everyone.

Apalachicola is known as the “Oyster Capital of the World,” and just about anywhere you go, shuckers who have been shucking oysters for generations will serve up a dozen ((or two) of the best-tasting, freshest raw oysters around. Our favorite place is Dockside, which is at the marina on Scipio Creek. Those shuckers probably have the world’s record for shucking oysters—last July 4th, they told me, they shucked more than 600 oysters in about seven hours.

The shops in and around Apalachicola are varied and fascinating. Their beautifully restored, historic downtown is unique in Florida—you won’t see anything like it anywhere else in the Sunshine State. The Historic District offers a self-guided walking tour, where visitors can check out more than 900 homes formerly owned by sea captains and river pilots. The downtown area has eclectic boutiques, a variety of restaurants, art galleries, bars, and musical venues.

Apalachicola is also home to several parks and hiking trails, for those who love the outdoors. 

There are a variety of places to stay, from the wonderful and historic Gibson Inn to a number of bed-and-breakfasts in town.

For anglers, you can charter a fishing guide and try your hand at catching redfish, flounder, and more. For those who love the beach, there are more than 250 miles of unspoiled beaches from St. George Island to Dog Island and Carrabelle and Alligator Point.

Franklin County (home to Apalachicola) also offers visitors golfing, hiking, and exploring museums and lighthouses, and there are several state parks located within the county’s borders. Another plus: Franklin County prides itself on welcoming people with their four-legged, furry friends. And it’s not just dogs that are welcome: one weekend, we saw a man come into a bar with a macaw on his shoulder, while another patron brought in a hedgehog.

Beware: you may find yourself wanting to move here! 

For more on Franklin County, and Apalachicola, check out www.FloridasForgottenCoast.com.