On top of its two vibrant college campuses, the Florida’s capital city boasts a variety of distinct historic, cultural and arts districts. You’ll also find plenty of opportunities to explore the outdoors on Tallahassee’s 700 miles of nature trails. From fine dining and cultural museums to natural wonders and historic railroad trails, the town locals call “Tally” truly is a Florida gem.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Explore Cultural Sites and College Campuses
Start your morning with coffee and pastries at Au Péché Mignon French Pastry Shop in College Park, where the chocolate croissants and Key lime tarts are crowd favorites.
Spend time in the stunning Grove Museum before an easy stroll brings you to the historic Knott House Museum, constructed in 1843 and at one time the home of Union Brigadier General Edward M. McCook, who enforced the Emancipation Proclamation for the greater Tallahassee region, thus granting freedom to enslaved people.
From here, walk to the local LeMoyne Arts gallery to check out a rotating exhibit of work from local artists. Next, head toward the Governor’s Walk district, where you can take in the Greek Revival-style architecture of the Governor’s Mansion, as well as the historic Old City Cemetery.
Grab lunch at Kool Beanz Café, a beloved and eclectic joint that’s been around for more than 20 years. Chef and owner Keith Baxter loves to offer unconventional fare like smoky corn-crab cakes with cilantro-lime sauce and jerk-pork and mango quesadillas.
Explore All Saints after lunch, a hip downtown district filled with more than 70 studios, galleries and shops. Here, Railroad Square Art Park serves as a creative haven for local artists and creative small businesses — and you’ll find plenty of vintage offerings, quirky gifts and art to peruse.
Afterward, check out the nearby college campuses. Florida A&M plays host to the incredibly extensive Meek-Eaton Black Archives, while FSU houses the largest and highest-powered magnet lab in the world, called Mag Lab, where you can take a fascinating tour of some of the largest and most powerful magnets in the country.
In the early evening, head to sprawling Cascades Park, within walking distance of both campuses and home to the Southern Shakespeare Company. If you’ve timed your trip right, you can catch a show at the theater.
From here, enjoy a fine-dining experience at the Edison Restaurant, showcasing some of Florida’s best regional cuisine, complete with deck-side views of the surrounding park.
Saturday: Enjoy Historic Landmarks and Local Fare
Spend your morning strolling the downtown farmers market before heading out to the Lewis Spring House, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright himself. Personal tours are available of this stunning home, originally owned by George and Clifton Lewis, active leaders in the Civil Rights Movement.
Afterward, it’s time to explore the Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, which encompasses six ancient Native American earthen temple mounds. One of the most significant archaeological sites in the state, this site was the ceremonial center of the local Indigenous peoples from 1050 to 1500.
Nearby, you can enjoy lunch at Sage, with its made-from-scratch New American cuisine. Try the tempura-fried Gulf oysters with kimchi and the mushroom flatbread. For an afternoon treat, indulge your sweet tooth at nearby Lofty Pursuits, an old-fashioned soda fountain where you can watch candy and other sweet treats being made before your eyes.
Enjoy afternoon kayaking at the expansive Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park before switching gears and taking in the glory of the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, home to one of the nation’s largest car collections. Near the museum, you’ll find the excellent farm-to-table restaurant, Backwoods Crossing.
Run by the Rice brothers, the restaurant proudly incorporates locally sourced soft-shell crab, sausage, duck, berries and other ingredients into unforgettable dishes. After dinner, end the evening on a high note at the Bradfordville Blues Club.
Sunday: Peruse a Flea Market
Indulge in a classic Southern brunch (with or without mimosas) at Madison Social to start off your morning right. Next, take in the natural wonders of the Tallahassee Museum. This 52-acre lakeside museum complex features nature trails, rotating wildlife exhibits and even zip line tours.
Afternoon calls for a visit to the local Tallahassee Flea Market before enjoying nearby St. Marks River Preserve State Park. Here, you can rent bikes and explore the Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail, which follows a 16-mile swath of the original railway, which ran from Tallahassee to St. Marks from 1836 to 1983.
At the end, in St. Marks, you’ll find a variety of casual restaurants and shops and kids will love the Florida Greenways Boundless Playground along the way.
Pimento cheese fritters, grouper St. Charles and Meyer lemon crème brûlée at refined Lucilla are the perfect way to polish off your trip. Owned and operated by chef Joe Richardson and Lara Hooper, this stylish neighborhood restaurant is replete with black-and-white floor tiling and always has fresh flowers at each table.
For the grand finale, stop by Sugar Rush Milkshake Bar for a sweet treat or head to Proof Brewing Company for a memorable Tallahassee nightcap.
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