Do you love the excitement of tourist destinations? If so, Tallahassee Florida is a place you will enjoy. From its history to its culture, there are many things to see and do in this vibrant city. Here we will provide an overview of some of the best attractions and experiences Tallahassee has to offer tourists. Whether you’re looking for a fun family vacation or an exciting weekend getaway, Tallahassee is sure to please.
To help you plan your vacation to Tallahassee, we’ve put together this comprehensive list of the city’s top attractions. We are certain that it will be an amazing experience.
Visit the Challenger Space Science Education Center
On January 28, 1986, the Challenger 51-L launch went horribly wrong, and as a result, a new Tallahassee attraction was born: The Challenger 51-L Memorial. Challenger Center For Space Science Education pays homage to the heroic crew’s memory by advancing scientific understanding via instruction.
It has been providing “hands-on, minds-on” educational experiences for children in grades K-12 and the general public since March of 2003. Celebrate the accomplishments of the Challenger crew in the heart of downtown Tallahassee and prepare yourself for the voyage that is space flight.
Try your hand at a mission at the Space Mission Facility at the “edutainment” center, which is the closest thing to true space flight. In a Mission Control Simulator, you’ll team up with other “astronauts” and their virtual counterparts to fly a mission. A wide range of tasks awaits you, all of which may be modified to suit your age.
After that, have a look at the 150-foot-high dome theatre and planetarium with its 128 seats. Programming for the young and the young at heart will be shown on a high-definition screen with a Dolby Surround Sound System of 20,600 watts.
The IMAX theater at the Tallahassee Convention Center is the biggest in the city. Additionally, you’ll find instructional and entertaining films on the survival of the fittest and predator-vs.-prey in addition to commercial blockbusters.
Discover the past at Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
If you’re looking for one of Florida’s most fascinating historical sites, go north of Tallahassee to Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park. Native Americans built mud temple mounds in this location more than 800 years ago.
Two of the park’s six mounds are open to the public for visitors to observe. Picnic while admiring the impressive mounds of the Mississippian culture. Artworks, tools, and other objects have been unearthed by archaeologists.
There are two hiking routes in the park, which take you through magnificent woodlands and through historic structures like an 1800s mill. You may see a lot of different kinds of animals and birds in this area. The combination of nature and history in this park is one of the city’s top attractions.
Experience Live Music at the Bradfordville Blues Club
Tallahassee nightlife is enhanced greatly by the presence of excellent beverages and live music. Many outstanding pubs and restaurants can be found in the city’s downtown area. On foot, you may visit some of the city’s most popular attractions in this part of the city.
Bradfordville Blues Club, Fifth and Thomas, and The Fox & Stag are among our favorites. It’s a blast to listen to music at a place like this. Take a seat and enjoy the cool environment while listening to some of Tallahassee’s top blues artists.
Dozens of signed photographs of the “Kings and Queens” of the Blues may be found in the one-room cinder brick structure. Every night, a blazing campfire is lit for guests to enjoy while dining outside. Having a refreshing drink and chatting with the performers is a treat. Attending one of these events or concert series is certain to be a memorable experience. Music lovers in Tallahassee won’t want to miss The Tallahassee Performing Arts Center.
Learn More About Missionary Life at Mission San Luis de Apalachee
One may witness history at a museum, but it is hard to beat the actual object that was painstakingly restored. Mission San Luis de Apalachee was first erected in the 17th century. At that time, the mission was a Spanish Franciscan convent located in the center of Apalachee Province.
The Purpose You and the kids will love San Luis de Apalachee when you visit Tallahassee. A 17th-century mission has been restored on the magnificent grounds. For many centuries, this location was home to a church and a council house as well as blacksmiths and a fort.
It is possible for visitors to roam among the buildings and get a feel for what it was like to live in each one as it was when it was first constructed. Interpreters dressed as characters from a certain culture would happily answer any questions you may have about their daily routines. There are precious antiquities, maps, and religious relics in the main exhibit gallery, which is open to the public.
The Luis de Apalachee, now established as a US National Historic Landmark, is a fascinating site to visit, filled with authentic items from the 17th and 18th centuries.
The Maclay Gardens State Park Offers Beautiful Floral Recreation
The Gardens State Park is a botanical park, a historic monument, and a Florida State Park located in Thomasville. The Plantation Archeological and Historic District, which encompasses the gardens, is designated by the National Park Service as a U.S. Historic District.
There are 18 historically significant buildings in the region, in addition to four more that are worth seeing. Azalea and camellia blooms have made the park renowned since it was established in 1823. But the park’s trees, including cypresses and dogwoods, are also well-known. As opposed to this, the Native Plant Arboretum has plants such as eastern red columbine, English dogwood, and Florida flame azaleas, amongst other interesting varieties. In the gardens, you may go bird-watching, biking, canoeing, fishing, and hiking. This is a terrific spot to go if you’re seeking for romantic activities to do in Tallahassee, Florida.
National Forest of Apalachicola
Located in northern Florida, Apalachicola is a quiet fishing village. From Tallahassee, it’s a nice change of scenery that may be readily accessed. While the town itself has a lot to offer, you may also take a stroll in the town’s surrounding woodlands.
There is a national forest between Tallahassee and Apalachicola. Hikers, animal watchers, and environment enthusiasts will all enjoy this area. If you’re coming by car, take a break to take in the scenery along the route.
To get the most out of your time in Apalachicola, visit the beach, eat some seafood, and maybe even take a fishing trip! This is an excellent resource for anybody interested in learning more about Florida.
Have Fun at Cascades Park
Cascades Park is located just south of downtown. One of Tallahassee’s most popular attractions, the park was formerly the site of an abandoned gasification facility.
From Smokey Hollow Pond to Boca Chuba Pond, wheelchair-accessible paths wind their way through the park’s natural contours, through vivid gardens and Spanish moss-draped trees. You’ll find plenty of benches in both sunny and shaded areas, perfect for sipping coffee or eating a packed lunch. Toward the middle of the park is a stunning Korean War Memorial that is well worth a visit.
Concerts take place in the Capital City Amphitheater, which is situated at the park’s western end, throughout the year, so make sure to check the website to see what’s going on.
Manatee-Spotting Tours At Wakulla Springs Park
One of Florida’s most friendly species is manatees, which are endemic to the state. Manatees, who are members of the Walrus family, love to splash about in Tallahassee’s Wakulla Springs. Take a Jungle Cruise to get up and personal with newborn manatees and their moms.
The Wakulla River, where you’ll encounter manatees, turtles, alligators, vultures, and other natural Florida species, will also be on your itinerary.
Wakulla Springs Park also offers a variety of enjoyable weekend activities for families with young children. Biking and hiking are both popular activities in the park. The Cherokee Sink Trail and the Nature Trail are two of the paths.
One of the park’s lesser-known routes, the Cherokee Sink Trail offers a big sinkhole swimming area. The four-mile Nature Trail leads through the highland forest away from the river and is a pleasant stroll.
To help visitors see the area’s winter fauna and natural attractions, park rangers provide guided tours throughout the winter months. There are also scuba diving, horseback riding paths, a historic resort, and beaches in Wakulla Springs Park.
If you wish to visit more parks and serene places in Florida, see the things you can do in Ocala.
Go to Proof for a Drink
In addition to a polished tasting room and an outdoor beer garden, Proof is Tallahassee’s first craft production brewery. Proof, which was formerly located in the Railroad Square Art District, has relocated to the old Coca-Cola bottling facility, which is about a quarter of a mile away.
Brewery output has surged fivefold since the transfer, making it one of the most popular places in town. Proof now has the ability to produce 30,000 barrels of their popular craft beers annually rather than the previous 6,000 barrels.
Tallahassee’s “Proof” tasting facility is a must-do activity for adults. Everything from malts and lagers to wheat and sours may be sampled in a contemporary Tap Room. Big, bold, and tasty describe each of the new beers on the market today. With prizes like the World Beer Cup and Best Florida Beer, it’s no surprise that Proof has been recognized worldwide.
Although you must be at least 21 to drink, kids may enter with a parent or guardian. This is because Proof is more than just a destination for students in the college town! It’s also a popular spot for families, thanks in part to the restaurant just next door.
Proper, the sister restaurant of Proof’s brewery, is one of the top things to do in Tallahassee. Beer and food go together like peaches and cream! The Hazed + Confused Mushrooms and Bratstickers are delicious pub cuisine that will enhance your visit.
Take a Visit to Lewis Spring House
The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Lewis Spring House in Tallahassee is a must-see site. The property was once owned by the heirs of a bank established by notable civil rights activists George and Clifton Lewis.
The Lewis family also had a strong interest in Tallahassee’s creative community. Lewis Spring House in Tallahassee, Florida, has an odd design, like a boat or a football, thanks to its large windows and convex walls.
Many of Wright’s designs emphasize the interconnectedness of the inner and outside environments. Lewis House is presently owned by Byrd Lewis Mashburn, a descendent of George Lewis.
As a tour guide, she tells stories about her ancestors, such as her father’s time on President Kennedy’s Advisory Committee on Racial Equality, which he served on. It is over the course of her story that Mashburn describes the civil rights gatherings she held at her home in the 1950s and 1960s.
Check out the lighthouse and wildlife refuge at St. Mark’s
Wakulla County is only a short drive from the state capital, where you may experience the genuine splendor of Florida’s history, flora, and wildlife. Tallahassee is a great place to disconnect and take a stroll on the wild side if you visit St. Mark’s Lighthouse and Wildlife Refuge.
To begin, you should visit the Visitors Center. – Here, you’ll learn about all the amazing things to do in Tallahassee, Florida. Wildlife photography lessons are among the offerings in nature’s classroom.
Visit St. Mark’s Lighthouse, Florida’s second-oldest and the oldest on the Gulf Coast, thereafter. It is possible to explore the Keeper’s House on Tuesdays and the first Friday and Saturday of each month, as well as on other days as needed. Sadly, the steps are constructed of wood, so you can’t really climb the lighthouse itself.
Take a trip through slash pine woods, oak hammocks, and salt marshes on seven distinct hiking paths. The Crooked and St. Mark’s Rivers provide excellent canoeing and paddling for those who like the outdoors. Hiking trails may also be tailored to suit your own ability.
If you keep your eyes open, you’ll observe a wide range of protected animals. It’s not unusual to observe woodpeckers and bald eagles at the entryway to the Florida Birding Trail! Also, keep a look out for alligators in the marshes; this is one of the greatest spots in Florida to watch them in the wild.
Conclusion
In Tallahassee, Florida, you may have both an exciting vacation and a quiet weekend away. Visitors to this exciting metropolis will be wowed by everything from the city’s fascinating past to its picturesque college campuses.