7 Old-World Towns to Visit on Florida's Emerald Coast
Florida has a longstanding history, even containing the oldest permanent European settlement in North America, the town of St. Augustine, which was founded in 1565. This community sits on Florida's eastern coast, but today we will move west to the state's panhandle, the famed Emerald Coast.
Experience the intriguing history of these old-world towns that call this idyllic stretch of coastline home, and get the inside scoop on where to go and what to do during your own visit to any of these memorable destinations.
Apalachicola
Apalachicola preserves the heritage of Florida’s early Gulf Coast trading communities, having been established in the 1830s. The town retains its old-world character by maintaining many of its original buildings, like 19th-century cotton warehouses and Victorian-era homes along its verdant streets.
Architectural highlights include the Greek Revival-style Trinity Episcopal Church, built in 1836, and the Orman House, which offer insight into the craftsmanship and design styles of the Deep South a couple of centuries ago. Small museums, like the Raney House Museum, also showcase Apalachicola’s role in regional trade and early Southern life.
The waterfront gives visitors a look into Apalachicola’s maritime roots as well, where fishing boats and seafood markets can be found, reflecting its roots as a major oyster and seafood producer.
St. Marks
Tucked a little ways from the coast along the banks of the St. Marks River, the town of St. Marks is one of Florida’s oldest towns, with a history dating back to the Spanish colonial period of the 1600s.
Its key landmark, Fort San Marcos de Apalache (the original Spanish name of the settlement), was initially established by the Spanish and later used by the British and Americans, as each grasped control of the area in later times. Today, the Fort San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park includes well-curated museum exhibits and preserved fort ruins, offering you a look into early colonial military history in America.
The town’s proximity to the St. Marks River and Wakulla River also exemplifies its past as a strategic trading post and fishing hub, as well as being one of the more remote towns in the states, surrounded by dense tropical forests on each side. With the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, the area draws birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts alike.
Another worthwhile landmark is the St. Marks Lighthouse. First lit in 1831, it remains a literal and historic beacon on Florida’s Gulf Coast and is one of the oldest of its kind in the state.
Grayton Beach
Grayton Beach is a classic "Old Florida" village retreat, with its laid-back atmosphere, historic cottages, and generally excellent weather. Established in 1890, it is named after Army Major Charles T. Gray, who built a homestead in the area earlier, in 1885.
Its renowned Western Lake provides a unique spot to go kayaking through cypress stands and coastal dune lakes rarely found outside the region. Walking through the Grayton Beach State Park reveals yet more diverse landscapes, like pine flatwoods and coastal sand dunes.
Finish your day off at a local eatery, like the iconic Red Bar, which offers a casual, communal dining experience, or Chiringo, a Spanish-style restaurant serving up fresh seafood, both just steps away from the ocean.
DeFuniak Springs
A little further from the ocean, at the intersection of Interstate 10 Highway 331 (a popular route to get to the coastline), sits the wonderful town of DeFuniak Springs. The centerpiece of this community is Lake Defuniak, a perfectly round, spring-fed lake surrounded by a beautiful park and walking paths, but besides its scenic appeal, this town of nearly 7,000 residents has a past that can be explored by all who visit.
The Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood, built in 1900, remains a prominent venue for community events and performances, while The Defuniak Springs Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, expertly preserving its unique character. Within the district is the Walton County Heritage Museum, a former train station that now contains much of the town's archives, exhibits, and even a gift shop.
Port St. Joe
Port St. Joe, originally founded in the early 1830s, is another port town that now appeals greatly to Emerald Coast historians. The site of Florida’s first Constitutional Convention in 1838, the Constitution Convention Museum State Park, where artifacts and exhibits chronicle Florida’s early statehood, is definitely worth a visit for history buffs too.
Walking through the streets of downtown Port St. Joe, you’ll find remnants of its early development, with small historic buildings and family-owned shops that maintain a slower, traditional pace. Many of the locales along Monument Ave, like Sparks Bar-B-Que & Brew or The White Marlin and Oysterette, are delicious spots to grab a bite, conveniently located both near the beach and the town's main dowtown core.
The waterfront area along St. Joseph Bay remains central to community life too, offering opportunities for you to view the waters that have supported local fisheries for generations. Nearby, the Cape San Blas Lighthouse, first established in 1849, is a great place to catch panoramic views of the coastline and learn a bit more about the town’s maritime history.
Destin
Destin, known as the "World's Luckiest Fishing Village," has been a popular fishing spot for countless decades at this point.
Originally settled by commercial fishermen and their families, the town's nickname still holds true with its massive fleet of modern fishing vessels (the largest in the state, to be exact) and locales that reflect this history, such as the Destin History and Fishing Museum. This museum shines a light on the region’s extensive fishing history and the evolution of the local economy.
Harbor Boulevard, now lined with shops and restaurants, continues to serve as another key destination to visit while in town. Here, you will get some of the best views of Destin Harbor, as well as many opportunities to fill your belly with some of the best seafood in the country. The Edge Seafood Restaurant & SkyBar is a highly recommended option, especially with its patios overlooking the water.
Milton
Located along the Blackwater River, Milton was originally highly linked to the timber and shipping building industries of mid-1800s America.
The historic district of Milton is perhaps the best place to explore this history. Destinations like the Imogene Theatre, built in 1912, showcase the classic architecture of the area that once served residents and visitors with regularly running shows. The Santa Rosa County Historical Society operates the Historic Milton Museum, which more directly offers a deep look into local history, including exhibits on Milton's early settlers and the region's timber industry.
Milton is also home to the beautiful Blackwater River State Park, where you can embark on a canoe trip, hiking, and wildlife watching.
Explore Florida's Past in These Small Towns
Florida, with its convenient location right across the Atlantic from Europe and favorable weather, serves as one of the best states in the Union to find old-world towns to discover. From its east coast to the western Emerald coast on the Gulf of Mexico, the Sunshine State continues to captivate historians and tourists alike with its huge collection of towns that today, date back centuries.
How many of these historic locations will you hit up during your next beachside escape on the scenic Emerald Coast of Florida?
