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Franklin County Florida

Official Website for Franklin County Florida Government

Tourist Development

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Franklin County Tourist Development Council 731 Highway 98 Eastpoint, FL 32328

Phone:  (850) 670-3474

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Franklin County Courthouse 33 Market Street Apalachicola, Florida 32320 (850) 653-8861

Franklin County Courthouse Annex 912 N.W. Avenue A Carrabelle, Florida 32322 (850) 697-3263

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Explore and Discover

Heritage: Explore Apalachicola’s history, discover unique boutiques and enjoy fresh Apalachicola Bay seafood in area restaurants. In Carrabelle, play golf on a championship course, plan a boating or fishing trip from the area’s natural deep-water harbor or visit a museum. Climb historic lighthouses or watch fishing boats unload their catch along an authentic working waterfront. Festivals occur year-round so there’s always something to do.

Let’s Go To the Beach!

Beaches: Franklin County features more than 250 miles of salty shoreline that stretches from Alligator Point to Apalachicola. St. George Island is the area’s premier beach destination and is home to one of America’s Top Ten beaches. Carrabelle’s white sandy beaches feature easy access, showers and covered picnic tables. Nature enthusiasts flock to Alligator Point beaches for bird watching and seclusion.

Stay Awhile

Accommodations: Franklin County offers a variety of lodging options set amidst an authentic, Old Florida landscape. From a quaint beach cottage to a luxurious beachfront villa, accommodations providers offer a full selection in a wide range of prices. Sportsmen and outdoor enthusiasts have many options that range from waterfront condos, rustic fishing lodges or public camping

731 Hwy 98 Eastpoint, Fl 32328

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Apalachicola Bay Chamber of Commerce & Visitor Center 17 Avenue E Apalachicola, Florida 32320 (850) 653-9419 [email protected] Sitemap

Franklin County launches beach safety campaign, replaces signage at beach access points

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WCTV) - The Franklin County Tourist Development Council has launched a multi-media beach safety campaign recently that incorporates video, web, a mobile app and signage in an effort to outline important regulations relating to beach safety, turtle nesting protection measures and accessibility information at their beaches.

The beach safety campaign includes a page that details the county’s beach warning flag system, current beach conditions, pet-friendly rules and turtle nesting season rules along with the Leave No Trace requirements. It also identifies the location of accessible beach pathways that feature wheelchair and other mobility-impaired access to the public beaches.

The TDC also recently created a new informational beach safety sign to replace signs located at beach access points. The new signage includes information on the sea turtle nesting season, handicap access information, pet leash requirements and beach flag location. The signs will be placed at more than 20 public beach access points throughout the county.

You can access the beach safety campaign page and mobile app online here.

Copyright 2021 WCTV. All rights reserved.

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Carrabelle is located along the Gulf of Mexico in Florida’s Panhandle on the Central Coastal Trail of the Big Bend Scenic Byway, which is also designated a National Scenic Byway, 55 miles SW of Tallahassee, the State’s Capitol. By air, Carrabelle can be reached through commercial airports in Tallahassee and Panama City and by charter or private flights to smaller airports in Apalachicola, Carrabelle and on St George Island.  Carrabelle, located in Franklin County, is surrounded by over 200,000 thousand acres of parks and forests and more than 200 miles of lightly developed shoreline which includes four barrier islands: St. George, Dog Island, Little St. George, and St. Vincent Islands.  (The last three are generally accessible privately.)

The area’s only deep-water port, Carrabelle is often called “Gateway to the Gulf” for its numerous marinas and easy access to offshore fishing and boating.  Those arriving by sailing vessels call it “the best jumping-off spot in the Panhandle” for access to the Gulf’s Big Bend and southern ports.  The town is a “walkable community” with daily conveniences close by.   The Carrabelle area is the center of an outdoor paradise.  Affordable accommodations provide a centrally located base where you can stay to enjoy the region’s many outdoor activities.  Uncrowded, white-sand beaches are perfect for family vacations, river, bay and gulf fishing is unsurpassed.  Unpretentious and friendly, experience Carrabelle’s small-town nostalgia.  Unwind, stick your toes in the sand or waters, and feel the stresses of life fade away.

Time Zone:   Eastern Area Code:   850 Latitude: 29.85 N, Longitude: 84.67 W Climate:  Average Temperatures (F):  Spring -68 degrees, Summer- 81 degrees, Fall -71 degrees, Winter- 54 degrees

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TDC Launches Forgotten Coast Give Back Getaway

The Franklin County Tourist Development Council (FCTDC) launched an inaugural  “Give Back” Getaway contest this month to help promote volunteerism and tourism sustainability within the county.

“As our area continues to rebound and our tourism-dependent businesses have reopened, visitors often ask us  - what can we do to help this area?" said FCTDC director John Solomon. “This getaway is designed to partner our visitors with projects that they care about and let them be a part of supporting something that helps our area.”

According to Solomon, the Give-Back getaway is similar to other getaways that the TDC promotes throughout the year in that the winner gets to stay either at the beach, in an historic B&B or campground and is gifted with dinners and unique experiences. The difference, he said, is that in the Give Back Getaway, “the winner has the opportunity to make a positive impact on our area while they’re here.”

Some of the projects that the getaway winner may choose to involve themselves could include helping to clean the beaches, volunteer in a local museum or even assist in planting marine vegetation to help build a natural shoreline. The type of projects available will vary, says Solomon, depending on the time of year the winner comes and the capacity of the nonprofit group to oversee the short-term volunteer effort. Solomon said he sees the give back getaway as the first step in cultivating long term relationships.

“Many of our visitors end up moving here because they are drawn to the beaches, the history or the pristine natural environment,” Solomon said. “Reaching out to those people who want to make a positive impact while visiting helps us build a sustainable tourism industry that will thrive for all the right reasons.”

You can sign up for the Give Back Getaway through the FCTDC’s website floridasforgottencoast.com or through the mobile app Floridasforgottencoast.

MEDIA CONTACT: Franklin County TDC 850-670-3474

Franklin County tourism numbers jump 71% in 2020-2021

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WTXL) — The Franklin County Tourist Development Council (TDC) released 2020-2021 collections numbers this week.

According to statistics provided by the county, total collections for the 20-21 fiscal year netted $2,458,248.97; a 71.65% increase over 2019-2020 fiscal year.

“I could not be more pleased,” said FCTDC director John Solomon. “This has been a collaborative effort between the County Commission, TDC Board members, TDC vendors, lodging providers and hospitality workers.”

According to Solomon, a 1% lodging tax increase implemented in July bumped collection numbers by more than 30% during the last three months of the fiscal year.

“Without the additional one percent increase we would’ve still seen an increase of 46% over the previous fiscal year at $2,115,544.12,” Solomon said, “but the extra revenue generated this year means we are able to accomplish many important infrastructure improvements that were otherwise unaffordable for our small coastal communities.” The two previous years saw increases of 7.4% and 2.1%

According to Solomon, some of those infrastructure improvements already underway include infrastructure funding for local museums, beach park facility improvements including restrooms, parks and beach accessibility improvements.

Solomon added other tourism infrastructure improvements are currently under consideration by the Franklin County Commission.

The county noted numbers are welcome news to area businesses that rely on the area tourism to survive.

“These increases all happened even when faced with Hurricane Michael aftermath and a worldwide pandemic,” Solomon said. “I’m pleased with the results and I am proud to be part of a team that loves our community. It shows in a job very well done."

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TDC wins statewide recognition from VISIT FLORIDA

The Franklin County Tourist Development Council has been awarded two VISIT FLORIDA Flagler Awards for marketing, including a silver award for the Florida’s Forgotten Coast “The Florida You Remember” mixed media campaign. 

That marketing campaign, consisting of digital, print and video marketing components, was selected from entries from destination marketing organizations across the state of Florida.  

The TDC also won bronze in the rural marketing category for its “How to Forgotten Coast Like a Local” web series. 

“Our home, Franklin County, is a special place. Our TDC team works together to produce our content. The recognition of a job done well is an honor,” said Ricky Jones, chairman of the Franklin County Commission and TDC.

VISIT FLORIDA, the state’s marketing entity, presented awards during the annual Governor’s Conference in Boca Raton on August 31.

Tourist Development Council Director John Solomon and TDC vendor Tana Kendrick, of the 2K Web Group, were on hand to receive the awards. The 2022 conference was also Solomon’s first meeting since being appointed to serve on the prestigious VISIT FLORIDA board of directors. 

This makes the sixth VISIT FLORIDA Flagler award the TDC has won in the last three years. 

“I am so very honored for the Franklin County TDC team which includes the Franklin County Commission, TDC board of directors, the TDC vendors, our partners and everyone that works in the hospitality industry in Franklin County,” said Solomon. “Our advertising efforts being recognized as some of the best marketing in the state of Florida is a tremendous accomplishment. “

The Flagler Awards, an annual statewide competition, was created by VISIT FLORIDA to honor the countless individuals and organizations that help position Florida as the No. 1 travel destination in the world.

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Meet the Editor

David Adlerstein , The Apalachicola Times’ digital editor, started with the news outlet in January 2002 as a reporter.

Prior to then, David Adlerstein began as a newspaperman with a small Boston weekly, after graduating magna cum laude from Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts. He later edited the weekly Bellville Times, and as business reporter for the daily Marion Star, both not far from his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

In 1995, he moved to South Florida, and worked as a business reporter and editor of Medical Business newspaper. In Jan. 2002, he began with the Apalachicola Times, first as reporter and later as editor, and in Oct. 2020, also began editing the Port St. Joe Star.

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Franklin County tourism director appointed to VISIT FLORIDA Board

FRANKLIN COUNTY, Fla. (WJHG/WECP) - Director John Solomon of the Franklin County Tourist Development Council (FCTDC) and executive director of the Apalachicola Bay Chamber was named to the VISIT FLORIDA Board of Directors of the 2022-2023 season.

VISIT FLORIDA’s board is made up of tourism industry leaders and experts, and provides guidance and input for the state’s marketing programs.

FCTDC sent out a press release Monday saying Solomon’s appointment to the board was confirmed by the Department of Economic Opportunity alongside Enterprise Florida on June 30.

Solomon has worked in community service for a number of years. He began his public service at the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office as a correctional officer sergeant and evidence officer in 1995, where he worked for 19 years. He also has served as President of the Florida Seafood Festival volunteer board of directors for 17 years and sits on boards of both the Florida BBQ Association and Florida Association of Chamber Professionals.

Solomon has held the executive director position at Apalachicola Bay Chamber since 2014, and named the director of FCTDC in 2019.

“I’m humbled at the opportunity to represent rural communities like Franklin County,” Solomon said. “I think it’s a great opportunity that rural communities such as ours and others in Florida will have a voice at the state level helping to make future decisions on tourism for the state of Florida.”

His position will run through June 30, 2024.

Copyright 2022 WJHG. All rights reserved.

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Franklin County Tourist Development Council - Eastpoint Visitor Center

• 731 Highway 98 Eastpoint, FL 32328
• (850) 670-3474

Franklin County, NC

Tourism development authority.

Thank you for your interest in the Franklin County Tourism Development Authority.

The Franklin County Tourism Development Authority was established under the authority of North Carolina Senate Bill 369, as ratified in the 2005 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly.

The purpose of the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) is to promote tourism in Franklin County and begin building a stronger economic base for the creation of job opportunities specific to tourism-related activities and endeavors.

The authority consists of nine members who meet quarterly.

Opportunities exist for tourism-related events to apply for grant funding via the Franklin County Tourism Development Authority.  Please review the Grant Application carefully to see if your event matches one of the key goals of the TDA - bring visitors from outside  Franklin County into the County, ideally requiring overnight accommodations.

Any requests for grants must be submitted to the TDA office well in advance of the actual event and provide ample time for review and recommendation for approval by the TDA Board.  The TDA Board will make a recommendation for grants approved to the Franklin County Board of Commissioners who will ultimately determine approval for the funding.  Meeting dates and grant deadlines are as follows:  Franklin County Tourism Development Authority 2024 Grant & Meeting Schedule

For additional information, contact Bobby Cooper, Chairman at (919) 702-4051 or Fannie Brown at (919) 426-4734.

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You are here: Home > Blog > Feeling Adventurous? Enter to Win the Forgotten Coast’s Adventure Getaway!

Feeling Adventurous? Enter to Win the Forgotten Coast’s Adventure Getaway!

By Forgotten Coast Web Team | February 21, 2020

Calling all thrill-seekers and adventurous explorers: Now is your chance to take an exciting Adventure Getaway on Florida’s Forgotten Coast ! Enter to win this spectacular sweepstakes now through April 20, 2020.

The lucky winner of the Adventure Getaway will win the following prizes:

FREE Two-Night Stay on Florida’s Forgotten Coast

Receive two free nights in Franklin County’s fabulous accommodations. From Apalachicola and St. George Island to Carrabelle, Eastpoint and Alligator Point, our beautiful coastal communities offer wonderful lodging options and tons of fun adventures for the whole family to enjoy. While you’re here, don’t forget to check out our breathtaking, sugar sand beaches . Our area offers some of the most uncrowded, pristine coastline in the Sunshine State.

Hiking Tour of Tate’s Hell Forest

The Adventure Getaway also includes a hiking tour of Tate’s Hell Forest. Nestled between Franklin County’s Apalachicola River and Ochlocknee Rivers, this breathtaking forest spans more than 202,000 acres managed by the Florida Forest Service.

The forest’s High Bluff Coastal Hiking Trail winds six miles through the forest, often paralleling St. George Sound. When you visit, be sure to pack your binoculars for spectacular wildlife viewing. Countless species of animals and birds make their home here, including bald eagles, Florida black bears, red-cockaded woodpeckers and gopher tortoises.

Pedal Boat Excursion on the Apalachicola River

All aboard! The winner of the Adventure Getaway will also win a free pedal boat cruise along the scenic waterways of the Apalachicola River. During these truly unique tours, boat passengers keep the boat cruising along with foot pedals. Enjoy a few cold drinks, snacks and breathtaking views as you pedal your way up the river.

 Scenic Lighthouse Climb

The Adventure Getaway winner also will receive a free climb up one of our Forgotten Coast lighthouses : The Cape St. George Light on St. George Island or the Crooked River Lighthouse at Carrabelle Beach. Each of these striking lighthouses reflect Franklin County’s long-standing coastal history and offer breathtaking views from the top.

Climb the 92 stairs of the Cape St. George Light to take in stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico, Apalachicola Bay and St. George Sound. Or hike 138 steps up to the top of the Crooked River Lighthouse to look down on Apalachicola Bay, St. George Sound and Tate’s Hell State Forest. Both of our local lighthouses host special climbs on full moon evenings.

 Two Evening Meals at Area Franklin County Restaurants

During all of these thrilling adventures, you’ll probably work up a big appetite. We’ve got you covered! The lucky Adventure Getaway winner will enjoy two free evening meals our some of our area’s delicious restaurants .

If you’re a seafood lover, be sure to sample our world-famous Apalachicola oysters, clams, shrimp, blue crabs and the catch of the day straight from the Gulf. Our local eateries also dish out an array other cuisine, including burgers, pizza, steak, sandwiches and more.

If you’re an adventurous person who enjoys exploring beautiful coastal retreats, this is the perfect getaway for you! Sign up today for your chance to win this awesome Adventure Getaway. Don’t delay—this sweepstakes ends on April 20, 2020.

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