By Carrie McLaren
As the state capitol, Tallahassee offers visitors ways to look back at the state’s rich history and at unique areas to explore, including a car museum and outdoor nature centers with zip lining. History nature and fun are all wrapped into one in Tallahassee.
Here are some fun places for families to explore places in Tallahassee:
Florida Historic Capitol Museum – The historic capitol restored to its 1902 appearance features recordings photographs and displays telling the story of the Sunshine State’s rich history including information about former governors and the restored chambers of the House of Representatives Senate and Supreme Court. My kids loved participating in the museum’s scavenger hunt during our visit. Admission is free donations are accepted.
Tallahassee Museum – This 52-acre living museum highlights North Florida’s history wildlife and nature. In the wildlife area of the museum an elevated boardwalk allows visitors to explore animals in their natural surroundings. Learn about Old Florida with a 1920s red wooden caboose train an 1890s schoolhouse and Bellevue – the Tallahassee cotton plantation home of George Washington’s grand-niece. The museum also features an 1880’s farm with live blacksmith demonstrations and a garden. For thrillseekers check out Tree to Tree Adventures – 19 zip lines and seven obstacles allowing guests to zip through tree tops and the swamps.
Tallahassee Automobile and Collectibles Museum - Take a step back in time with an enormous collection of more than 140 antique and classic cars on display. From the 1860 horse-drawn funeral hearse reported to have carried Abraham Lincoln to three Batmobiles this museum is a car lover’s dream. Other collectibles include outboard motors fishing lures breathtaking pianos golf balls pianos and a remarkable amount of sports memorabilia. And don’t miss the Native American artifacts – the collection of arrowheads on display is really worth seeing too.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park – Spend a day on the water at Lake Hall surrounded by picnic pavilions grills and a great playground there is plenty of lake shore spots available to enjoy the day. The state park also features over five miles of hiking and bike trails with each trail making a loop through the park providing some great scenery. The Maclay Gardens are spectacular year-round byt if you’d like to visit while the flowers are blooming park rangers consider Jan. 1-April 1 to be the high blooming season.
Experience all the places in Tallahassee that it has to offer – from the luxury and entertainment options in Downtown to cheering on the local college teams. You’ll also find great shopping and great parks to explore the nature and outdoors in Tallahassee too. You’ll never run out of things to do when you visit Tallahassee.
