day trip to Apalachicola/St. George Is. worth it?

**colby** · 09-02-2008, 02:22 PM

Hey guys,

Wife and I are heading down in a couple weeks (staying in Seacrest Beach). We were thinking of taking a day trip down 98/30, possibly checking out Port St. Joe, St. Joseph St. Park, Alpachicola, or St. George Island.

We basically just wanted to soak up some scenery ... maybe find a good meal. Should we bother? Any suggestions on places to eat along the way?

cp · 09-02-2008, 02:47 PM

there was just a thread about this area! Good place to eat seafood in general. I came through there in Feb. and ate well!!I'll go try to find this thread

**DuneLaker** · 09-02-2008, 02:52 PM

Great trip. There is another thread on SoWal on this very topic somewhere with lots of suggestions. There is also a 30A road near Port St. Joe. Hope the Raw Bar is still open, great place. There are a number of quaint restaurants on main street in Port St. Joe. This "old" downtown area is just a block off 98 in Port St. Joe, you can't miss it. There is also a new restaurant promoted by JOE in their WindMark development. The harbor area at Port St. Joe used to be a scenic place to catch a nice lunch.

cp · 09-02-2008, 02:54 PM

[ame="http://www.sowal.com/bb/showthread.php?t=24821"]Is there anything cool to do in or around Apalachicola? - SoWal Beaches Forum[/ame]

**colby** · 09-02-2008, 03:41 PM

Thanks, CP.

And if anyone has more suggestions, let me know.

**danna B** · 09-02-2008, 04:21 PM

There is a fantastic antique/cool stuff shop right off the main drag of Apalach with really neat things in it called The Barn....I believe. It may be The Red Barn. Its fun not expensive. Nostalgic!

**thisnthat** · 09-02-2008, 04:26 PM

Do it! We had a great time there. Lots to do.

**Danny Burns** · 09-02-2008, 05:13 PM

It's been a couple of years, but the Owl restaurant in downtown Apalach was great the last time we ate there. Rustic and quaint taste of old Florida. Great antiquing within walking distance, too.

**rajs4** · 09-02-2008, 05:59 PM

You can take 98 all the way into Port St. Joe. You'll drive through Mexico Beach, Windmark Beach & a couple of other neat place to sightsee. Once you go through Port St. Joe you'll take a right on 30A. This will take you in to Apalachicola. On the way, be sure to stop at the state park, it is so beautiful. Indian Pass Raw Bar has some great oysters and cold beer (that you serve yourself). If you take a right across from the Raw Bar, you can go down to Indian Pass Campground. There is a boat ramp and a tour guide that will take you over to the island that is St. Vincent National Wildlife Refuge. The museum for the island is in Apalachicola.

Once in Apalach check out Boss Oyster Bar. It's overlooking the water and you can watch the boats coming in and out. It's a great day trip but I'd suggest staying overnight in The Gibson Inn if you can swing it. If not, plan to be over there all day! Have funn & be sure to report back!

**TreeFrog** · 09-02-2008, 08:35 PM

You can even go a little past Apalach and take in some of the interesting stuff in Carabelle. Go early, there's a lot to do that way. And remember, it takes a while to slug your way through PC on the way, so the trip is longer than the distance would seem to suggest.

DD · 09-02-2008, 09:32 PM

Love it!! Great day trip.

**rdelong43065** · 09-02-2008, 09:38 PM

I love Mexico Beach. There are so many shells on the beach. They have a nice pier as well.

**SWGB** · 09-03-2008, 01:35 AM

Go go go, it's a grayt trip and it has always amazed me the drive along the "other" 30A.

**UofL** · 09-03-2008, 11:51 AM

We always leave for So.Wal the night before we are scheduled to check in - so that we have a full day in Fl. We will head out of our way to visit spots we might not normally drive to once we get there - Mobile, Pensacola, Pananma City, etc. Appalachicola area we have found to be a great spot to look for shells (hope it is still alright to look for shells) and to see dolphins. Went into a nice little spot for breakfast the last time, across the street near the public beach. (This past June, the bridge at Pensacola/Navarre was closed - don't think there was a sign - so we had to head back around. Had a nice outdoor meal in Navarre near the bridge - across the street.)
We're not scheduled to go back until June 2009, but I think I need to head down there for a week after Xmas. We are slowly transforming the interior of our house from a northern/burgundy/evergreen interior with rugs to wood floors, yellow walls, white trim, white curtains, blue and peach accessories. We can close the curtains and pretend the beach is across the street. Sad:-)

**Snowfanatic** · 09-03-2008, 04:12 PM

Would highly recommend visiting Wakulla Springs State Park on your day at Appalachicola. We do it every 2-3 years. They have a great old hotel, good dining room and a wonderful 1 hour boat ride through the springs. You will see neverending wildlife including alligators, herons, many birds etc.

It is no more than 20-30 minutes north of 98.

**seagrovegirl** · 09-03-2008, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by danna B

There is a fantastic antique/cool stuff shop right off the main drag of Apalach with really neat things in it called The Barn....I believe. It may be The Red Barn. Its fun not expensive. Nostalgic!

I think it is called the Tin Shed.............