Tallahassee FloridaATTRACTIONS & THINGS TO DO
Listed below are the best attractions and things to do near Tallahassee, Florida.
1. Tallahassee Automobile Museum
VINTAGE CARS AND MEMORABILIA
The Tallahassee Automobile Museum houses an impressive collection within its 100,000 square foot facility, showcasing not just antique cars and trucks but memorabilia of all kinds. Visitors can explore the extensive exhibits surrounded by mirrored walls that enhance the viewing experience. The museum offers a fascinating journey through automotive history with its diverse collection of vehicles and related artifacts.
2. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
HISTORIC GARDENS AND TRAILS
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park delights visitors with its stunning ornamental gardens and natural beauty. The park combines meticulously maintained floral displays with extensive hiking trails through native Florida landscapes. Visitors typically spend several hours enjoying both the formal gardens and the more wild natural areas within this peaceful oasis.
3. Tallahassee Museum
HISTORY AND WILDLIFE PARK
The Tallahassee Museum spans 52 acres of flora and fauna, offering an oasis close to downtown with a unique blend of history and nature. A highlight of the museum is the working 1880s pioneer farmstead that brings Florida's past to life through authentic historical exhibits. Visitors can also observe native Florida wildlife in naturalistic habitats throughout the expansive grounds.
4. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
COASTAL WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge offers a scenic coastal sanctuary with well-maintained trails for hiking and exceptional wildlife viewing opportunities. Visitors can spot diverse wildlife including alligators and numerous bird species in their natural coastal habitats. The refuge also features a historical lighthouse and an informative visitor center complete with educational exhibits and a gift shop.
5. Mission San Luis de Apalachee
HISTORIC SPANISH MISSION
Mission San Luis de Apalachee transports visitors back to the 17th century when Spanish missionaries and Apalachee Indians coexisted at this historical site. The reconstructed mission includes the impressive council house, church, fort, and other buildings that showcase the daily life during this significant period in Florida's history. Visitors can experience living history through costumed interpreters, demonstrations, and interactive exhibits that bring the past vividly to life.
6. Florida State University
PREMIER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Florida State University stands as one of the most prestigious higher education institutions in the state, featuring impressive Gothic-inspired architecture across its sprawling campus. Visitors can tour the historic campus buildings, explore multiple museums and galleries, or catch sporting events at various athletic facilities. The university's cultural contributions include the renowned Flying High Circus, impressive arts programs, and research facilities that attract visitors year-round.
7. Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium
ICONIC FOOTBALL VENUE
Bobby Bowden Field at Doak Campbell Stadium dominates the Tallahassee skyline as one of college football's most impressive venues, home to the Florida State Seminoles. The massive brick structure, resembling a castle, offers tours that highlight the stadium's rich history and championship legacy. Visitors can explore the athletics hall of fame, view championship trophies, and experience the grandeur of this 79,000-seat facility even when games aren't in session.
8. Wakulla Springs State Park
NATURAL SPRING WONDER
Wakulla Springs State Park features one of the world's largest and deepest freshwater springs, offering crystal-clear waters perfect for swimming and wildlife viewing. Visitors can take ranger-led riverboat tours lasting about an hour that showcase the spring's natural beauty and diverse wildlife including alligators and manatees. The park's historic Lodge at Wakulla Springs adds cultural significance with its authentic soda fountain featuring what's reportedly the world's largest marble counter.
9. Florida A&M University
HISTORIC BLACK UNIVERSITY
Florida A&M University stands as one of the nation's premier historically Black universities with a campus rich in cultural heritage and academic excellence. Visitors can explore the university's notable landmarks including the Eternal Flame, the Black Archives Research Center, and the scenic campus grounds. The university is particularly famous for its incomparable Marching 100 band, which has performed at prestigious events worldwide and represents a significant cultural institution.
10. Florida Caverns State Park
UNIQUE UNDERGROUND EXPERIENCE
Florida Caverns State Park offers the only public tours of dry caves in Florida, where visitors can witness stunning geological formations thousands of years in the making. The guided tours last approximately one hour, beginning with a descent of 33 steps into caves that reach depths of 50 feet and extend for over half a mile. The carefully designed low lighting throughout the caverns allows guests to appreciate the delicate ecosystems and magnificent stalactites and stalagmites while minimizing environmental impact.
11. Cascades Park
URBAN OASIS AND AMPHITHEATER
Cascades Park serves as Tallahassee's premier urban park, blending recreational spaces with historical and cultural elements in the heart of downtown. Visitors can enjoy the interactive water fountain, amphitheater hosting concerts and events, and scenic walking paths alongside historical markers. The park's innovative stormwater management system doubles as an aesthetic feature while commemorating the natural cascades that gave Tallahassee its original appeal to settlers.
12. Museum of Florida History
STATE'S CULTURAL HERITAGE
The Museum of Florida History chronicles the state's rich cultural heritage from prehistoric times to the present day through engaging exhibits and artifacts. Visitors can explore significant periods including Native American settlements, Spanish colonization, and Florida's development into a modern state. The museum's comprehensive collections include everything from massive mastodon fossils to historical quilts, offering insights into how Florida's unique geography influenced its cultural development.
13. Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
ANCIENT NATIVE AMERICAN SITE
Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park preserves one of Florida's most important Native American ceremonial centers from the Fort Walton Period (1000-1500 CE). Visitors can explore six earthen temple mounds where the elite members of the Mississippian culture once conducted ceremonies and governed. The park offers interpretive trails through the archaeological site and surrounding natural areas, providing insight into both the cultural significance and the native ecosystems of the region.
14. Railroad Square Art District
CREATIVE CULTURAL HUB
Railroad Square Art District transforms a collection of historic warehouse buildings into Tallahassee's vibrant cultural hub filled with galleries, studios, and unique shops. Visitors can explore more than 50 studios where local artists create and sell their works, from paintings and sculptures to handcrafted jewelry and furniture. The district comes alive especially during the monthly First Friday events when studios stay open late, food trucks gather, and live music creates a festive atmosphere for art enthusiasts.
15. Florida Historic Capitol Museum
GOVERNMENT HISTORY SHOWCASE
The Florida Historic Capitol Museum stands as an architectural treasure in downtown Tallahassee, restored to its 1902 appearance with the iconic red and white striped awnings and stained glass dome. Inside, visitors can explore the historic chambers of the House, Senate, and Supreme Court through engaging exhibits chronicling Florida's political history. The museum's observation deck offers spectacular views of the modern Capitol building and downtown Tallahassee, providing perfect photo opportunities and a stark contrast between Florida's governmental past and present.