1. Florida State Capitol: A Time Capsule for Politics Fans
Where the bills get passed and the state is governed, the Florida State Capitol has seen some dramas over the years. It's a fascinating site to visit, particularly with its unusual four-building layout. However, for tourists, attention usually focuses on the oldest of them all: the Old Capitol. Built in 1845 (before Florida was even a state), it's a beautiful 19th-century construction, and houses plenty of historical exhibitions that tell the political story of the Sunshine State.
2. Tallahassee Museum: A Fascinating Floridian Museum in a Gorgeous Location
Actually set in 52 acres of Florida's forest just southwest of the city, the Tallahassee Museum is one of the nation's very best. Find out about Floridian wildlife on extensive nature trails, whizz from tree to tree on exhilarating ziplines, and dive into the museum's collections, where exhibits range from imaginative dinosaur skeleton sculptures to beautifully reconstructed plantation houses, churches, and schoolhouses from over a century ago. It's a great balance of entertainment and education.
3. Tallahassee Automobile Museum: A Cornucopia of Collectibles
Right out on the eastern outskirts of the city, the Tallahassee Automobile Museum is a must for any motor-fanatics. Dubbed "Florida's Greatest Attraction", it might not quite live up to that grandiose billing, but it comes mighty close, with stellar exhibits like actual Batmobiles used on the movie sets, over 150 pristine vintage automobiles, and even a huge range of kids' pedal cars. It's not all road-related either, with collectibles like Barbie dolls and antique golf clubs among many other gems in this hobbyist's dreamland.
4. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park: Astonishing Azaleas and Fun at the Lake
Located a mile or so north of downtown Tallahassee, the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens is the city's premier park, and a superb place to be when Florida's sun is working overtime. It's full of different attractions too, with stunning azalea-lined boulevards, five miles of biking trails, and a chance to kayak, swim, canoe, or fish on Lake Hall. Take a tour of the gardens to avoid any of the spectacular blooms and be sure to check the events schedule, as there's always likely to be a jazz concert or an engaging scientific tour whenever you happen to be in town.
5. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge: A Gorgeous Gulf-Coast Haven for Floridian Wildlife
Just 26 miles south of Tallahassee, St. Marks is a beautiful place to get close to nature by the Gulf coast. The wildlife is the star here, from hordes of dazzling monarch butterflies in October, to a constant succession of migrating birds and wetlands that are home to huge colonies of alligators. If you just want to soak up the coastal beauty, the Florida National Scenic Trail passes through the Refuge, but there are plenty of shorter trails for hikers and cyclists to explore as well.
