Carrabelle is a well-known city in the Franklin county of Florida—a popular destination for beach lovers. The city lies on the converging point of three freshwater rivers with the Mexican Gulf. This enables the locals and tourists to enjoy some of the best seafood—such as snapper, ariel, trout, shrimp, scallop, and the most famous Apalachicola Bay oysters. Also, you get to do several fun activities—hiking, hunting, trail riding, and bird-watching being some of them. An interesting feature of Carrabelle is its white-sand beaches. The city is fairly old, which is why it does not have huge buildings blocking your view or roads overcrowded by traffic. All it has are beautiful beaches, engrossing activities, unrestricted wildlife, and a pure welcoming spirit. Indeed you will not run out of interesting things to do in Carrabelle, Florida.
1. Explore Carrabelle History Museum
As the name suggests, Carrabelle History Museum was built with the intent to preserve the local culture and history for future generations. It is a project of a non-profit organization and is sponsored by numerous local organizations. The museum has plenty of artifacts and interpretive materials, which give an idea about prehistoric tribes and settlements. It is easy to see why this place is one of the most amazing tourist attractions in the city.
Carrabelle History Museum
Address: 106 SE Ave B, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Carrabelle History Museum
Opening hours: Thur - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon - Tue)
2. Enjoy fishing at Tate's Hell State Forest
If you’re a person who likes to enjoy a day in the lap of Mother Nature, do not miss out on the serene and beautiful Tate’s Hell State Forest. While you visit this place, you will feel extremely relaxed and calm in the soothing landscape of Ochlocknee. The place is ideal for primitive base camps where you can spend your time walking, sitting on a bench and reading a book, or fishing.
Tate's Hell State Forest
Address: 290 Airport Rd, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Tate’s Hell State Forest
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
3. Soak up some sun at Carrabelle Beach
According to most tourists, Carrabelle Beach is one of the hidden treasures of the world. The place is bewitching, and you’ll find it uncrowded. The beach is covered with easy parking spaces, bathroom facilities, outdoor showers, and numerous picnic tables. This makes it an ideal spot for enjoying some time walking, playing games, or just soaking up the sun at the beach. Take a short walk to the west end, and you can witness the stunning Crooked River Lighthouse.
Carrabelle Beach
Address: Carrabelle Beach Dr, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Carrabelle Beach
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4. Check out the unique Carrabelle Bottle House
Carrabelle Bottle House is one of the most interesting and unconventional places in the city. Made of just bottles of different colors, it is a famous tourist attraction due to its unique design and concept. The Bottle House was started in 2012, and soon it looked no less than a work of art, and people started visiting. The place is completely lit with lights after sunset, and that’s also the perfect time to drop by.
Carrabelle Bottle House
Address: 604 SE Ave F, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Carrabelle Bottle House
5. Explore World War II artifacts at Camp Gordon Johnston Museum
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum is the only war museum in Florida. The museum has several artifacts, antiques, interview footage of war veterans as well as civilians, books written on World War II after extensive research, and so on. Though there’s no fee charged for entering the museum, donations are more than welcome. The establishment is named after a retired colonel, Gordon Johnston, who fought several wars for America, such as the Philippine-American War, Spanish-American War, and World War I. This place should definitely be on your bucket list if you’re visiting Florida.
Camp Gordon Johnston Museum
Address: 1873 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Camp Gordon Johnston Museum
Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 11am - 5pm (closed on Sun - Mon)
6. Climb the historic Crooked River Lighthouse
If you enjoy beaches and sunsets, you must visit the tallest lighthouse in Carrabelle—Crooked River Lighthouse. This spectacular lighthouse is located on Dog Island and was built with the purpose of replacing three lighthouses that were destroyed by storms. The structure lets you enjoy a dreamy sunset and a shining full moon. Also, you get to see the natural beauty of the beaches and islands around. The scenery is no less than a treat to your eyes. Indeed the tower must be on every traveler’s bucket list.
Crooked River Lighthouse
Address: 1975 Hwy 98 W, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Crooked River Lighthouse
Opening hours: Wed - Fri: 11am - 5pm; Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 1pm - 5pm (closed on Mon - Tue)
7. Check out the World’s Smallest Police Station
Well! Have you wondered where the world’s smallest police station is? Yes, it’s here in Florida, in the city of Carrabelle. The station is actually a phone booth. It came into existence on March 10, 1963, to help tourists and police solve the problem of unauthorized calls. The place has also become a popular tourist spot, where you can see travelers standing to get photos. If you’re visiting Carrabelle, make sure to take a pause and click a picture outside the cutest spot in the city.
World’s Smallest Police Station
Address: 102 Ave A N, Carrabelle 32322
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
8. Tee off at St. James Bay Golf Club
There’s a lot apart from beaches in the city of Carrabelle. If you’re done visiting the beach, consider teeing off at St. James Bay Golf Club. This amazing spot sits right along Gulf Coast Pines and North Florida Pines. Surrounded by tall trees with natural wetlands, the place is an ideal tourist destination all throughout the year. Apart from a golf course, the place also has swimming pools and tennis courts, giving travelers more reasons to visit.
St. James Bay Golf Club
Address: 151 Laughing Gull Ln, Carrabelle 32322
Website: St. James Bay Golf Club
Opening hours: Tue - Thur: 8am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 8am - 9pm; Sun: 8am - 5pm; Mon: 10am - 5pm
9. Visit Will S. Kendrick Park & Sports Center
Will S. Kendrick Park & Sports Center is the perfect go-to spot if you want to enjoy a light walk or run in the evening. If you’re here with a group of friends, there is a softball court, a basketball court, or a playground that you can access. The park also welcomes kids with its assortment of swings, slides, and other fun activities. Do not miss out on this park when in Carrabelle.
Will S. Kendrick Park & Sports Center
Address: 1601 Kenneth B Cope Ave, Carrabelle 32322
10. Go hiking on High Bluff Trailhead East
If you are in Carrabelle, take a day out and go hiking on High Bluff Trailhead East. The trail’s features are unique to the Gulf coastline. There are varieties of plants, woody shrubs, sand pines, and small oaks found here. The trails are marked with red, orange, and blue lines to ensure the safety of the trekkers and to protect the natural habitats in the region—and it’s always advisable to follow them.
High Bluff Trailhead East
Address: Carrabelle 32322
Website: High Bluff Trailhead East
Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)
11. Try local seafood at Fathoms Restaurant
Your trip is incomplete without tasting some local food. When in Carrabelle, head to Fathoms Restaurant. This eatery is located along Carrabelle River and is known for its wide variety of mouthwatering seafood and unique local drinks. The place has become popular for chilling and hanging out with friends and family due to its upbeat atmosphere, mesmerizing scenery, and live music.
Fathoms Restaurant
Address: 201 St James Ave, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Fathoms Restaurant
Opening hours: Tue - Wed: 11am - 8pm; Thur - Sat: 11am - 12am; Sun: 11am - 8pm (closed on Mon)
12. Buy gifts for friends and family at Shop by the Sea
Shop by the Sea is a weekend getaway that is situated right next to Carrabelle Police Station. It is a small local shop where you get varieties of locally crafted jewelry, gifts, paintings, children’s clothes, and more. The owner of the shop is friendly, and you will find plenty of unusual items to take back home as gifts for friends and family. The owners have been doing this since 2001 and want every tourist in this city to visit their store at least once. You can be sure Shop by the Sea is a great place to find amazing gifts.
Shop by the Sea
Address: 104 St James Ave, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Shop by the Sea
13. Rent a boat from Gunner Pontoon Rentals and explore nearby islands
Explore the nearby islands in Franklin County with a boat from Gunner Pontoon Rentals. The rentals started in 2016, run by Mike and Debbie Mock, and are completely family-owned. You can rent a pontoon and go enjoy boating in the exotic River Islands, the Apalachicola Bay, and other rivers in the area. You could also take a tour of the mystic and unpeopled Dog Island or St. George’s Island. Also, you can go for a number of fun activities such as watching dolphins, scalloping, fishing, and so on.
Gunner Pontoon Rentals
Address: 1012 NW Ave A, Carrabelle 32322
Website: Gunner Pontoon Rentals
Opening hours: 8am - 5pm (daily)
14. Catch amazing views of the sunset from Carrabelle River
It is safe to say that Carrabelle River is one of the most underrated places in the city. The river has some amazing varieties of fish and is popularly known to be the commercial hub of the fishermen in this place. If you enjoy fishing and magical sunsets, you must visit Carrabelle River. The spot has some impressive side scenes that will rejuvenate your mind and make you feel relaxed and happy. Do visit this stunning location while you’re in the area.
15. Plan a family picnic at George Sands Park
George Sands Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the city of Carrabelle. It is a children’s playground with beautiful ponds, fountains, and walking paths. The place is also a popular picnic spot and location for birthday celebrations for the people of Carrabelle. On top of these, the park is a well-known tourist destination. You can come and spend some time here with your friends and family.
George Sands Park
Address: 607 Ave B S, Carrabelle 32322
Relax on the beaches of Carrabelle
Carrabelle is the perfect place to spend some lazing on the beaches, away from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you want to know more about the history of the city, then a visit to Camp Gordon Johnston World War II Museum or Keeper’s House Museum is a must. These activities and more truly make the city overflowing with fun and interesting things to do.