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Best Things to Do in Tallahassee, Florida

Are you looking to take a vacation soon? Are you tired of the mundane routine that you endure each week? You’re probably pretty eager to visit museums, taste delicious food, enjoy beautiful nature, and create lifelong memories, right?

Well then, you’ve got to head on over to Tallahassee, Florida! It’s a great city that attracts tourists, business travelers, digital nomads, and settlers. It’s perfect for solo travelers, couples, families, and groups.

Florida is known as the Sunshine State. And its capital city is a great place that captures the Florida spirit! It’s a city that’s got it all and one that you wish you’d have visited sooner!

Let’s look at the best things to do in Tallahassee, Florida

Things to Do in Tallahassee
Downtown Tallahassee FL USA shot circa 2020

NUMBER ONE – Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

One of the best things about Florida is that it boasts incredible nature and offers many destinations to stop and decompress. In Tallahassee, you’ll find the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park.

This is a beautiful park where you can see an array of beautiful flowers, including jasmine, gardenia, azaleas, and camellias. There are also great nature trails and paths for biking or hiking.

You can also visit the park for swimming, paddling, or even fishing! It’s also a great place to enjoy the serenity of nature – away from the chaos of the city. If you’re looking for some quiet time during your trip, this is the perfect place to visit.

It’s also a great introduction to Tallahassee and Florida as a whole. Here you’ll enjoy the beautiful nature that the state is famous for, and you’ll experience the relaxing lifestyle that draws so many people to the state.

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NUMBER TWO – Visit the Knott House Museum

Whenever you travel to a new city in America, you’ve got to learn a bit about the history of the place. The South has a fascinating history, and a huge part of this region’s history, of course, revolves around slavery and the American Civil War.

In the Knott House Museum, you’ll learn about this fascinating aspect of American history. The Knott House is a historical landmark in Florida’s history. In 1865, General Edward McCook read the Emancipation Proclamation in this home. The Knott House also once served as the headquarters of the Union Army.

It’s a fascinating museum that you’ve got to visit if you’re interested in American history. You can explore the museum on your own, or you can take a guided tour. You can also visit the Knott House Museum during Emancipation Week to see re-enactments of the Civil War and American life during that time period.

NUMBER THREE – Visit the Challenger Learning Center

This is a great excursion if you’re traveling with young children. The Challenger Learning Center is connected to an IMAX theater and a planetarium. It’s located in Downtown Tallahassee and is a great day to spend half a day.

The planetarium is a great way to teach your kids about the wonders of space and astronomy. There’s a mission control simulator as well as a space station laboratory that they’ll enjoy.

The IMAX theater shows documentaries about space travel and astronomy. If you’re fascinated with astronomy and space travel, then you’ve got to visit the Challenger Learning Center!

Make sure you get there early as the center can get packed very quickly!

NUMBER FOUR – Go to Railroad Square Art Park

This was once a prominent lumber yard. It later became a thriving business district. Today, the Railroad Square Art Park is a great place for shopping, perusing through art galleries, and enjoying delicious food and drinks. This is one of the most popular places in Tallahassee for locals and tourists alike.

For example, you can see the artist studio space for art students from Florida State University. You can watch these budding artists working on their craft. You never know. You just might come across one of the next iconic artists from Florida!

If you love live music, there are many venues throughout the park to enjoy. You can check out the Mickee Faust Academy for the Really Dramatic Arts or the Crumbox Gastgarden. You’ll also find several great restaurants, pubs, and cafes. This is an exciting place to visit at any time during the day. We recommend you visit the Railroad Square Art Park a few times during your trip to Tallahassee.

NUMBER FIVE – Visit Goodwood Museum and Gardens

This is a plantation house built in the 1800s and is open to the public to learn about life in the American South before the Civil War. It’s a 16-acre plantation, and you can see the incredible beauty in the gardens. Some of the most incredible nature you’ll find in Tallahassee will be right here at Goodwood!

You’ll see beautiful trees such as oak trees and Japanese maples. You’ll also find an array of beautiful flowers such as peonies, camellias, and azaleas.

When you visit the house, you’ll see the original furniture from the 1800s. You’ll also see antique glassware, textiles, and artwork. You’ll get to tour the house to see how an American family lived in a plantation house during this era.

NUMBER SIX – Get behind the wheel of a classic car at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum

If you’re a car fanatic, then you’ve got to visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. This is a museum that showcases the best examples of American transportation. There are over 150 automobiles to see, from cars to vans to public transportation vehicles.

You can also see a variety of unique automobiles at the museum. For example, you’ll see quite a few bat-mobiles at the museum! You’ll also see the hearse that once carried Abraham Lincoln’s corpse!

Most automobiles are from America, but there are also a few historic cars from around the world. You can even find a few unique Native American artifacts at the museum. This is a great place to spend your day enjoying unique cars. It’s a popular museum that attracts both tourists and locals.

If you’re a history buff, then you’ve got to visit the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. It’s a great way to see the history of America through its cars. You’ll see the innovations in the automobile industry throughout America’s history.

NUMBER SEVEN – Visit Mission San Luis

Part of American history involves the history of missionaries and the missions they set up throughout the land.

Mission San Luis was established in Colonial America during the 1600s. It was a Franciscan mission for the Apalachee Province. It’s located West of Tallahassee, so you’ll have to schedule your time to visit it during the day.

You’ll see many restored buildings from the mission. Of course, you’ll also see the church, convent, and fort. It’s now considered a historical landmark, and it’s one that attracts visitors and locals from Tallahassee.

The surroundings are also incredibly beautiful, so it’s ideal if you enjoy incredible scenery.

NUMBER EIGHT – Drinking and Science Lessons at Waterworks

If you’re a science geek, the Challenger Learning Center isn’t the only place to go! If you’re traveling without kids, you should head to Waterworks.

This is one of Tallahassee’s most popular bars. But it’s also a place where you can listen to lectures and discussions from scientists and academics. You can learn about a variety of topics from biotech to chemistry to astronomy. All this, while enjoying a few drinks!

This is what makes Tallahassee and Florida unique. If you’re looking for a great place to have a drink and stimulate your brain, you’ve got to head to Waterworks!

NUMBER NINE – The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science

This is another great museum to visit and is considered one of the best museums in Florida. It’s a 52-acre facility where you can learn about history and natural science through exhibits and activities.

You can learn about the native animal and plant species in Florida. You can also enjoy trails for walking. If walking sounds too boring, don’t worry, there are opportunities for zip lining as well! There are also several obstacle courses which are perfect if you’re traveling with young children.

You can explore the museum on your own or take a guided tour. You can also take classes in arts and crafts or enjoy the occasional music festival. There’s a living history museum where you can see wildlife exhibits and even a butterfly garden.

Make sure you set aside a day for visiting the museum as there’s lots to see! It’s the perfect place to spend several hours and enjoy quality time with your children.

NUMBER TEN – Listen to music at the Bradford Blues Club

Tallahassee is a city full of talented musicians. Many of whom congregate at the Bradford Blues club. Here you’ll get to enjoy some of the best live Blues performances.

 It’s a great place to visit at night to enjoy a great dinner while listening to talented musicians perform. If you’re traveling as a couple, this is one of the best places to visit during your trip. You can also enjoy the music outdoors as there are several special events outdoors.

These outdoor events include Bluegrass Sundays, Mardi Gras celebrations, and summer concerts.

We know that you’ll love your vacation in Tallahassee! It’s an exciting city where you can see great art, listen to fantastic music, enjoy great food and drinks, learn about history and science, and witness some of the most incredible nature in the country. You’ll wonder why you didn’t visit sooner!

So, are you ready to book your trip to Tallahassee? If so, what are you looking forward to the most?

Are you looking forward to visiting the various museums and learning about Florida’s history? Or are you looking forward to enjoying the nature while soaking up the sun?

Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments.

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As always, thanks for watching! We’ll see you in the next video!