Staycations are basically being an active tourist in your town. They can be a great way to explore all that our town has to offer. Participating in nearby activities or events is a neat way to move on out of the house, becoming more physically active, stretching your brain, and engaging your senses. Tallahassee hosts festivals, farmers' markets, outdoor concerts, museum exhibits, holiday celebrations, and family-based activities. Below you'll find places to go for your in-town staycation.
The Tallahassee Automobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Drive, near I-10, 850-942-0137, www.tacm.com There are more than 130 rare automobiles, including several Batmobiles, and President Lincoln's hearse. Going up to the second floor you'll find lots of other collections, including Native American artifacts, sports stuff, pinball/slot machines, motorcycles.
Bradley's Country Store, 10655 Centerville Rd., 850-893-1647, www.bradleyscountrystore.com Family owned and operated since 1927. Make their own world famous sausage. Also carry country milled grits and southern good. Watch for their Fair Days in the spring.
Calhoun Street Historic District, Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation, 850-488-7334, www.taltrust.com Was referred to as the "Gold Dust Street" in the late 1800's because of the affluent political and social residents who built home here. Location of six historic homes constructed from 1840-1900.
Challenger Learning Center and IMAX Theatre and Planetarium, Kleman Plaza, 850-645-STAR, www.challengertlh.com Features a simulated Missio9n Control, with space station laboratory, 50 foot dome Planetarium, and the area's biggest 3D Imax screen
Downtown Marketplace, Ponce de Leon Park at Park Ave. and Monroe St. www.tallahasseedowntown.com Saturday's are a fun happening with live entertainment, arts, crafts, plant talks, farmer's market, and much, much more.
Florida Capitol Complex, downtown, S. Duval St. 850-488-6167 One of only four tower capitols in the U.S., the 22nd floor has a panoramic view from the observatory. The art gallery has rotating exhibits. House and Senate viewing galleries. www.myfloridacapitol.com
Florida Korean War Memorial, downtown, Cascades Park. Monument commemorates those who served in the Korean War.
Florida Historic Capitol Museum, downtown, Monroe St. www.flhistoriccapitol.gov Has been restored to its 1902 appearance, with a copper covered dome having stained glass. Houses the Florida Legistlative Research Center and Museum, restored House and Senate Chaambers, Supreme Court, and Governor's Office.
Florida Vietnam Veterans' Memorial, downtown, across from the Historic Capitol of Florida. Features a 40 foot American flag suspended between twin granite towers bearing the names of FLorida's Vietnam casualties and soldies missing in action.
Florida Vietnam Veteran's Memorial at Lake Ella, 241 Lake Ella Dr. A Huey UH-1 helicopeter and a stone marker stand lakeside to commemorate the veterans of the Vietnam Conflict. Names are added to the memorial each year on Memorial Day.
Florida World War II Memorial, Museum of Florida History, 500 S. Bronough St. 850-245-6400, www.museumoffloridahistsosry.com Comprised of 67 plaques, one for each county, honoring veterans from each county. A central pillar is a replica of the FLorida Pillar at the National Monument in Washington, D.C.
Goodwood Museum and Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Rd. 850-877-4202, www.goodwoodmuseum.org The plantation began in the early 1830"s growing corn and cotton. Today the estate totals 16 acres in the heart of Tallahassee and boasts 20 structures dating from 1835 - 1925. Artifacts in the house are from the middle of the 19th century. Ask for a copy of the Garden guide brochure.
Governor's Mansion, 700 N. Adams St., 850-922-4991, www.floridagovernorsmansion.com Built to resembe Andrew Jackson's home "The Hermitage", has antique furnishings and articfacts. The Christmas tour is particularly lovely.
Hernando de Soto State Archeological Site, Governor Martin House, 1001 de Soto Park Dr., 850-245-6444 Is the site of the Hernando de Soto Winter Encampment, and is the site of the first North American Christmas celebration. The deSoto expedition camped at this location during its first winter in North America, 1539-1540
John G. Riley Museum of African American History and CUlture, 419 E. Jefferson St. 850-681-7881, www.rileymuseum.org Built in it is the last visible evidence of Smoky Hollow, and African American community that once thrived in downtown Tallahassee. Extensive exhibits depicting life in Tallahass and Florida from 1865 to 1968.Mr Riley, a black educator and civic leader, was the principal of Lincoln Academy, the first black high school in Leon County.
Kirk Collection, WFSU/TV/FM, 1600 Red Barber Plaza, 850-487-3086, www.wfsu.org A 300 piece dollection of antique sound equiment, from 1900 - 1950. Includes the RCA Nipper Dog, and a 1933 Emerson Mickey Mouse radio.
Knott House Museum, 301 E. Park Ave., 850-922-2459, www.museumoffloridahistory.com, An 1843 historic site, the former residence of William and Luella Knott. The home has been restored to its 1928 grandeur. Watch for their Emancipation Celebration, and their Swing Dancing in the Streets.
Lake Ella--A pretty park nestled into an active part of town, where you can stroll, hike, run, bike, etc. Enjoy the shops in the old cottages around the lake, or enjoy a cup of coffee, ice cream. Check out the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Lake Jackson Mounds Archeological State Park, 3600 Indian Mounds Rd. 850-922-6007 Six earth temple mounds dating back to 1200 AD
Maclay Gardens State Park, 3540 Thomasville Rd. 850-487-4556, www.floridastateparks.org A 1930's home of NY financier Alfre B. Maclay. The grounds feataure over 200 varities of plants/flowers, a secret garden, hiking, biking, natuare trails. Lake Hall has swimming, fishing, boating.
Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, Kleman Plaza, 850-513-0700, www.thebrogan.org An affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute.
Medal of Honor Wall, Florida's Capitol Building, Executive Wing, Plaza Level, pays tribute to Floridians who have been awarded the Medal of Honor
Mildred and Claude Pepper Library and Museum, 636 W. Call St., 850-644-9217 , www.claudepeppercenter,fsu.edu Housed on the FSU campus, exhibits show the life of U.S. Congressman Claude Pepper (1900 - 1989). Is where classes for OLLI are held. (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)
Mission San Luis, 2100 W. Tennesse St., 850-245-6406, www.missionsanluis.org. Is the only reconstructed Spanish mission in Florida. Has small museum, interactive exhibits, re-created period buildings, archaeological excavations, and holds monthly lectures, the first Saturday of each month.
Museum of Florida History, 850-245-6400, www.museumoffloridahistory.com Traces Florida's history thru the centuries. Permanent exhibits, plus rotating ones, mean you need to keep coming back. Have 3rd Thursday presentations with music, and food for purchase, along with 4th Tuesdays History at High Noon.
Myers Park Historic District. Is one of the city's earlliest planned neighborhoods, and has been home to many of Tallahassee's civic, business and educational leaders. The area's setting, history and architecture create a special character that warrants its designation as Tallahassee'f first local residential historic district. A printed tour guide to the district is available.
National High Magnetic Laboratory at FSU, 1800 Paul Dirac Dr., 850-645-0034, www.magnet.fsu.edu The only facility of its kind in the US, the Mag lab is the largest and highest-powered magnet laboratory in the world. Tours are available. Watch for their annual Open House
Old City Cemetery, Historsic Tallahassee Preservation Board,In 1991, the City of Tallahassee completed the restoration of Old City Cemetery. Most gravemarkers were restored. Burial sites for Civil War participants, both Union and South., also houses graves of slaves, along with the leading folks from early Tallahassee. A printed walking tour brochure is available. Is located at the bottom of the Chain of Parks.
Park Avenue Historic District, Tallahassee Trust for Historic Preservation, 850-488-7334, www.taltrust.com This is Tallahassee's oldest green space, The chain of seven parks encompasses historic homes, with our old cemeteeries on the west end.
Railroad Square is our great cultural resource. Old warehouses have been converted to art galleries, studios, gyms, small, unique businesses. Fun to visit, First Friday is an event, as is the Third Saturday at the Square. At the entrance to the Square, you'll find the Sculpture Garden. You can drive the loop, but you'd do better parking, and just strolling around and into and out of each space. Don't miss the nationnally acclaimed alternative theatre company-Mickee Faust Club. 567 Industrial Drive, 850-224-1308,www.railroadsquare.com
Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research center and Museum, FAMU campus, 850-599-3020, www.famu.edu/Blackarchives Coleection of African-American artifacts, with more than one-half million historical documents.
Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Dr., 850-575-8684, www.tallahasseemuseum.org History of the area, zoo, classes, exhibits, zip lines. Something for everyone in the family.
Tall Timbers, Land Conservancy,850-893-4153, www.talltimbers.org They are dedicated to conserving the resources of the Red Hills Region. They have protected more than 100,000 acres through conservation easements.
Union Bank Museum, Downtown, Apalachee Pkwy., 850-561-2603, Built in 1841, it is the oldest surviving bank building in Florida. the bank played a major financial role as a planter's bank in the territorial periond, and the National Freedman's Bank for the newly emancipated slaves during reconstruction in 1866. It now houses a small but impressive collection from the FAMU Black Archives.
Two walking tour guides for downtown Talllahassee are available from the tourist office on Jefferson St., across from the Capitol, and catty-cornered from City Hall. Ask for touring Downtown Tallahassee: A Walking Guide to Historic Downtown. Also, secure Capitol Downtown Cultural District which is a guide to exploring the arts and culture in downtown Tallahassee.
Council on Arts and Culture (COCA) has an online directory of outdoor art that creates a great driving/walking tour. There are more than 150 pieces on the list, including statues, murals, window art, sculptures, and memorials. All of the art can be viewed from the sidewalk or street, and is free. Excluded are art on K - 12 school campuses and private property. You can look at the directory online, and can be downloaded for printing. There is also a downloadable map option to help you find your way. Www.cocanet.org/outdoor art. And, if this isn't enough, try to check out some near-by interesting places.
BirdSong Nature Center has 565 acres of wildflower, meaddow, old field pine, forests, swamps, all home to an assortment of birds and other wildlife. From the early 1800's to the present the land was transformed from longleaf pine forest, to a plantation, then farm, and now a center for conservation and learning. Located at 2106 Meridian Road, Thomasville, Ga. 229-377-4408, 1-800-953-2473 www.birdsongnaturecenter.org
Florida Caverns State Park, Mariana, Fl. 850-482-9598, www.floridastateparks.org/floridacaverns Interesting caverns, with tours availabale, also horse/natuare trails, camping, fishing, swimming.
Gulf Specimen Marine Lab, Panacea 850-984-5297, www.gulfspecimen.org Marine biology with interactive touch aquariums, demonstration programs. Also have a Marine Lab on wheels
Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, 4500 Sunray Rd., Monticello 850-922-6007, www.floridastateparks.org/letchworthmounds has Florida's tallest Native American ceremonial mound, built between 1100 and 1800 years ago.
Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site, Woodville, 850-922-6007, www.floridastateparks.org/naturalbridge
Pebble Hill Plantation, 125 US Hwy 319 S. Thomasville, Ga. 229-226-2344, www.pebblehill.com A prime example of a twentieth-century shooting plantation with lots of outbuildings and gardens. Main house displays collections of sporting art, antiques, etc.
San Marcos de Apalache Historic State Park, 148 Old Fort Rd., St. Marks 850-925-6216 www.floridastateparks.org/sanmarcos Site of two wooden forts (1500 AD) which were replaced by a stone fort about 1739. Dduring the 1800's the stsones from the fort were used to build a US marine hospital.
St. George Lighthouse and Museum, E. Gulf Beach dr., St. George Island, 888-927-7744,www.stgeorgelight.org Originally built in 1852, the Light was rebuilt following its collapse in 2005, and now stands at the center of St. George Island.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, St. Maarks 850-925-6121, www.fws.gov/saintmarks Includes 68,000 acres along the Gulf Coast. Has at least 250 species of birds, waterfowl, and diverse habitats. Trails, fishing, hunting, boating, and an excellent nature center. Holds first Sunday presentations/lectures. Watch for the Monarch festival, and the arrival of the Whopping Cranes via ultra-lights.
Torreya State Park, bristol, 850-643-2674, www.floridastateparks.org/torreya The Apalachicola River Bluffs feature the rare Torreya evergreens, trails, camping and the pre-Civil War era Gregory House.
Wakulla Springs State Park, Wakulla Springs, 850-926-0700, www.floridastateparks.org/wakulla One of the world,s deepest freshwater springs. Has river boat tours, swimming, trails, 1937 lodge, dining.
Consider twinning some of these places, events together. By "twinning" you could do two or more places in the same day.
Examples might include: Challenger theater, Imax, with the Downtown Market Place
Old Historic Capitol with the New Capitol, 22nd floor, legistative sessions, and the nearby war memorials.
Claude Pepper Museum with FSU's Fine Arts Museum. Both located on Call Street
Mag Lab with the Tallahassee Museum
Have fun planning your day--and where ever you wander, just have fun, and learn lots!!!
