We’ve had a lot of inquiries about whether downtown shops and restaurants are open, and the answer is yes! Restaurants have been adapting to the regulations concerning distancing tables and limiting capacity. The City recently authorized temporary usage of the parking spaces on the north side of Avenue D for outside dining. Tamara’s Café and the Owl Café now offer outdoor dining under tents in this area in addition to their indoor tables and takeout service.
The Chowder House has expanded its patio area into an adjacent lawn and created not just outdoor dining, but also a beer garden! Others such as Up the Creek Raw Bar, Up to No Good Tavern, Half Shell Dockside, and the Apalachicola Seafood Grill also offer outdoor tables in addition to their indoor dining areas. Retailers are following guidelines about limiting the number of guests in their shops to help maintain social distancing.
Looking for some tranquil sites to take in the scenery while social distancing? There are several great places to enjoy our beautiful surroundings after a delicious meal, some shopping, and a stroll through town. Riverfront Park is always a favorite. It’s central downtown location and view of the river, bay, and shrimp boats makes it a favorite for photographers. You can sit in the swing at Battery Park or enjoy a walk down the pier overlooking the marina and Apalachicola Bay. The River Ramble trail is a gorgeous boardwalk trail that leads to a beautiful deck overlooking Scipio Creek and Turtle Harbor. The Chapman Botanical Garden also offers a nice place to take a walk. Look for the osprey nest atop the water tower.
Franklin County boat ramps and beaches are also now open.
Enjoy your visit to Apalachicola! Please help us protect our downtown workers and locals by following CDC guidelines. We want everyone to stay safe and healthy as Florida reopens.
To see Gov. DeSantis’ Phase 1 Reopening information, please click here.
