7 Best Things To Do in Tallahassee, FL

January 26th, 2023

7 Best Things To Do in Tallahassee, FL

Things To Do in Tallahassee

Are you currently living in or moving to Tallahassee, FL, and looking for fun things to do? This guide will go over the seven best things to do in Tallahassee that you should experience, whether you are a resident or just visiting the area.

One of the best ways to get to know an area is to explore all it offers. As the capital of Florida, Tallahassee has endless things to do that are perfect for all ages. Located only 22 miles inland from the Gulf of Mexico, this beloved college town is near some of the most beautiful beaches with white sand and clear waters. 

Home to various attractions, including parks, five-star restaurants, museums, and local breweries, you will find that the fun always continues in Tallahassee. Whether you are looking for something fun to do with the whole family or are searching for a new date night idea, Tallahassee has it all. 

With nearly 200,000 residents, people moving to Florida flock to Tallahassee for its sought-after activities and amenities. Known for having a rich history and a vibrant culture, there is always something new to explore around every corner that will appeal to anyone, no matter what you like to do for fun. 

So if you are wondering how to spend a day in Tallahassee, keep reading this guide to see all that Tallahassee has to offer throughout the city! 

Downtown Tallahassee, FL skyline during the day brick buildings

Here are the seven best things to do in Tallahassee!

Check Out the Museums

Considered to be one of the best places to live in Florida, Tallahassee is home to many museums around the city that cover the history of Tallahassee itself and Florida. As the state capital, these museums are perfect for seeing thousands of artifacts dating back to the city's founding.  

Not only are there historical museums, but other museums showcase art, cars, and more! A lot of the museums in Tallahassee reside in historic buildings. It is fascinating to learn about what made Florida and Tallahassee what they are today, but you can also learn about the building you are currently standing in at the same time.

Here are a few local favorite museums, but tons are located around the city!

Local Favorites:

  • Tallahassee Museum: This museum is unique because it has an indoor museum with exhibits and artifacts, an outdoor trail, and a zipline!
  • Mission San Luis: This Spanish mission and living history museum is located only two miles west of the Florida Capitol Building. 
  • Florida Historic Capitol Museum: Visit this state-government museum to explore its interactive exhibits, political artifacts, and historical photos. 
  • Goodwood Museum & Gardens: This museum allows you to tour the historic mansion and the surrounding grounds, including a beautiful garden!
  • Antique Car Museum: Home to one of the nation's largest collections of antique cars. 

Night Life

This section is for night owls or people who want to enjoy a night on the town with their friends and family! Tallahassee is known to have a wide range of nightclubs because it is the capital and has two colleges within city limits. Most of the clubs in Tallahassee can be found all over the city.

The most popular area to find clubs and bars open late at night is on the "Tally Strip." Many bars in these areas are for 18 and up because they try to cater to the college students and the atmosphere. However, more mature bars are strictly 21 and up if you prefer those bars and clubs.

Dancing in a nightclub party with blue lights and drinks

Local Favorites:

  • Yianni's: This is a popular one for 18 and up! It is a nightclub that is located on the Tally Strip. They do have options at this establishment to rent a VIP booth to allow you to escape the crowds.
  • TENN: This nightclub is also for 18 and up customers. However, this bar prides itself on its many bars and bartenders. If you like electronic dance music, you should check out this place!
  • Top Flite Club: This nightclub caters to a more mature audience and is a 21 and up-only bar. They also host comedy and karaoke nights, as well as great food.
  • 926 Bar and Grill: This bar has a delicious menu and is more laid back than the others. This establishment is known for it being the most LGBTQ-friendly nightclub in Tallahassee.

Good Eats

Because Tallahassee is the state's capital and a college town, you can only imagine their dining options in the city! Tallahassee has tons of restaurants, and is all different in its way. The list can be endless with the number of restaurants loved by the locals in the area.

If you are moving to Tallahassee, you will quickly learn that the city has everything, whether you are a foodie who likes to explore restaurants around the world or just looking for the perfect place to enjoy dinner with your loved ones. They have a variety of restaurants that are Italian cuisine, American cuisine, Mexican-Spanish cuisine, Mediterranean, and more!

Italian pasta with red sauce in a white bowl

Check out some of these best restaurants in Tallahassee where you can enjoy a delicious meal! 

Local Favorites:

  • Savour: This is the perfect restaurant if you want a chic dining experience. They have a welcoming atmosphere and serve some top-notch dishes! 
  • Table 23: This restaurant prides itself on serving the most authentic southern-style dishes!
  • Bella Bella: This has been a town favorite for 14 years. They serve homemade fresh Italian cuisine! Bella Bella is the customer's go-to spot to enjoy a meal with friends and family!
  • The Edison: Come to this restaurant and enjoy a made-from-scratch meal in this upscale establishment. While eating your dinner, you can see the views of the natural watershed and rolling hills throughout Tallahassee.
  • 347 Grille: This restaurant is owned and operated by former NFL coach, Coach Shula! It is named after his 347 wins in the National Football League. This establishment is more relaxed and still has high-quality meals!

Beautiful Parks

Tallahassee is home to some of the most charming parks and gardens! These parks should be high on your list if you are trying to decide what to do on a nice day in Florida. There are so many to choose from, but whichever you visit, you will be satisfied with what it offers.

These parks have gorgeous trees for shade, lakes for water activities, gardens with unique plants, and trails for walking or biking. Here are some of the local's favorite gardens and parks in Tallahassee!

Local Favorite:

  • Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park: This 1,176-acre state park is full of botanical gardens and historic sites. This is a perfect park to visit and spend the day while taking in everything it offers!
  • Cascades Park: This park is considered historic since it is why they chose the location for the capital city. There are insane waterfalls and walking/biking trails.
  • Tom Brown Park: This vast park is 255 acres of fun things to do. It is a perfect place to take your family. They have baseball fields, disc golf, tennis courts, a BMX track, a bike trail, picnic tables, playgrounds, and so much more!
  • St. Mark's Lighthouse: This is Florida's second-oldest light station! It is located on the east side of the mouth of the St. Marks River on Apalachee Bay! Tons of trails located here overlook the stunning bay views.
  • J.R. Alford Greenway: This greenway is perfect for trail riding on horses, biking, or simply walking under the canopy of trees. This destination has mind-blowing trees that you usually don't see daily.

st. marks lighthouse tallahassee florida parks during sunset

College Town

As most people know, Tallahassee is home to two large universities, which consider the city a "college town." However, not all of Tallahassee feels like a college area. The city's outskirts are more suburban and quiet than the downtown area or the surrounding areas of the universities.

Florida State University is one of the nation's elite research universities. It is also considered one of Florida's oldest continuest sites of higher education. This university has nearly 46,000 students who are enrolled in college. If you are registered at Florida State University, you can experience all it has to offer. They have a campus bowling alley, a movie theater, club sports, two television stations, four radio stations, and so much more!

The other university that is home to Tallahassee is Florida A&M University. It is a public 4-year that is a historically black university. This college is unique because it is the only historically black institution in Florida! They are known for leading national public universities in competitive graduates, transformative research, and innovation.

Shopaholics

Who doesn't love shopping? Tallahassee has many shopping malls to choose from if you want to dedicate your day to purchasing new items. They have large shopping malls, antique stores, local boutiques, and more to explore!

When shopping in a town that is a close-knit community, checking out the small local businesses should be a top priority. Most small businesses put so much time, effort, and love into their stores, and they deserve recognition and love like big chain stores.

Local Favorites:

Local Breweries

Tallahassee is home to some great local breweries! It has a handful of high-quality crafted breweries scattered throughout the city. Breweries are popular with those who enjoy a unique beer while hanging out with their family and friends in a welcoming atmosphere.

If you are looking for a place to watch a sports game, hang out in the warm Florida weather, or go on a date with your significant other, breweries are the perfect place to enjoy these things. The breweries in Tallahassee offer a range of experiences as well as tastes. Here are some of the big breweries in Tallahassee.

brewery - three glasses of beer

Local Favorites:

  • Ology Brewing Company: This is one of the biggest brewing companies in Tallahassee. It has two Tallahassee locations, one in the Northside and one in the Midtown area. They have a variety of sours and IPAs, as well as frozen and fruit-infused beers. 
  • Proof Brewing Company: This one is located near Florida State University and is another well-known brewery in Tallahassee. It is the first female-owned brewery in North Florida!! They also offer seasonal southern dishes at this establishment. 
  • Lake Tribe Brewery: This is a family-owned brewery with an outdoorsy atmosphere! They also host bands and singers for live music on their outdoor patio!
  • Oyster City Brewing Company: This establishment is a modern beer garden with live music on occasion! Visit Oyster City and try their award-winning blonde ale! 

Things to do in Tallahassee, Florida - The Final Thoughts

After reading this guide on all the fun things to do in Tallahassee, we hope you understand better what to expect from the city. Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, has a vast, busy downtown area with nature parks and family-friendly activities. Whether you are looking for something to do on a rainy day or a sunny warm day, Tallahassee can accommodate all! 

Tallahassee has so much to offer to its residents and its visitors. You can enjoy a nice hike to St. Marks Lighthouse, then enjoy a nice dinner at one of the local restaurants, and top your night off with visiting a local brewery to watch the Seminoles play or go clubbing. Whatever you choose, your experience will be well worth the adventure!

If you or any you know are considering moving to the Tallahassee area, you can contact us here to get connected with a local real estate agent to walk you through the buying and selling process. These specialists are also there to ask questions regarding purchasing a home or if you have questions about the area.

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Ryan Fitzgerald

Ryan Fitzgerald

Hi there! My name is Ryan Fitzgerald, and I am a REALTOR®. My goal is to help you learn more about real estate through our Real Estate Blog! Hopefully, you enjoyed the above blog post and it found a way to provide help or value to you. When you're ready to buy or sell a home of your own let us know here. Please feel free to join the conversation by dropping us a comment below.