Terrific Tallahassee

Tallahassee is the capital of Florida.

Tallahassee Museum of History & Natural Science, located on the outskirts of the city has manicured gardens and wilderness. The museum offers live exhibits of flora and fauna native to Florida. Here you can see the rare Florida panther, red wolf, and otters.

Mission San Luis was once home to Spanish colonists and the Appalachian tribespeople. The compound includes the soaring Council House. Tours are available. There are costumed interpreters. You can get an idea about how life was 300 years ago.

Knott House Museum has found its home in a white-columned 1843 house. During the Civil War, it was occupied by Confederates and later Union troops before the Emancipation Proclamation was read here in 1865. Free tours are available.

Florida State Capitol is most impressive rising up 22 stories. On the top floor is an observation deck from which you can get 360-degree views of the city.

Florida Historic Capitol Museum has made its home in the former Florida Capitol building dating from 1902. It is a political museum that includes a restored House of Representatives chamber and the governor’s reception area. There are many portraits and exhibits on immigration, state development and the infamous 2000 U.S. presidential election.

Florida State University is a liberal arts school with over 35,000 undergraduate and graduate students. There are free campus tours.

Lake Ella is situated right in the center of Fred Drake Park. Here you can enjoy fountains, shaded picnic areas and walking trails. You can walk, bike or skate. There are ducks, geese and turtles.

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a lovely botanical garden. This is a U.S. Historic District named the Killearn Plantation Archeological and Historic District. There are many historic buildings and the park was first opened to the public in 1823. You can see lovely flora and fauna including azaleas and camellias. There are Japanese maples and dogwoods. You can enjoy walking, cycling, hiking and fishing.

The Lake Jackson Mounds Archeological State Park is located on the south shore of Lake Jackson. This park has archeological significance in the area. The mounds are thought to date from 1950 to 1500 A.D. Two of the mounds can be visited and are listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. The park has many wonderful walking trails and you can enjoy the lovely Florida landscape.

The St. Marks Wildlife Refuge opened in 1931 and is one of the oldest wildlife refuges in the U.S. It stretches for 68,000 acres with plant life from the Gulf of Mexico area and marshlands, inlets, creeks and estuaries. Among the wildlife making their home here are coyotes, bobcats, and black bears. If you like you can also go fishing and boating. All through the refuge are hiking trails and if you like you can go cycling.

St. Marks Lighthouse dates from 1831 and is also part of the refuge. It is the second oldest lighthouse in Florida and is registered on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places.

The Goodwood Museum and Gardens has a plantation house that was built in the 1830s. The gardens surround the house and there are rolling lawns and lush foliage. It still has original features like glasswork, antique furniture, period porcelain, textiles and vintage artwork including paintings and etchings. The plantation house is also known for its fresco ceilings.

The Lake Talquin State Forest has an amazing 17,000 acres of land. Here you can hike, horseback ride and bike and if you wish you can camp in the forest. There is a lot of local flora and fauna. Among the animals you might see are bobcats, deer and wild turkeys. There are also lovely oak trees and maples.