As someone who grew up near some of the largest cities, whether it was a 30-minute car ride to a world-famous beach or an hour to Disney World, I was in for a bit of a surprise when I moved to Tallahassee. When I first moved here, I thought there was nothing to do and nowhere to travel. With a bit of research, I quickly learned that this wasn’t the truth. To save you the trouble, I’m here to tell you the top 5 places to go in and around Tallahassee, Florida.
1. St. George Island
As someone who grew up with the beach as a second home, moving to Tallahassee was an adjustment. Even though the biggest known beach here is Panama City Beach, there are many other smaller places to visit, not too far away. This is where St. George Island comes in. Located in a tiny little beach town, it is a destination you should be sure to visit before you leave the area. It is about an hour and a half car ride, but it is worth the wait. The island is filled with local restaurants and even a bed and breakfast to stay in. I will definitely be visiting before I graduate!
2. BEAR PAW AND BLUE SPRINGS
Another destination that is worth the car ride is these springs. Just about an hour and a half away in Mariana, Florida, it’s a beautiful place to travel to and one of the best things to do in Florida, with the heat. With a temperature of 72 degrees year-round, it’s perfect for a cool down during this time of year. You can go swimming or tubing, and even explore other activities available at the springs.
3. Thomasville, Georgia
Don’t be fooled by the fact that this town is in a different state, this destination is closer than the last two, with about a 40-minute ride. Thomasville is a small little town with a bunch of cool shops and great restaurants to visit. It is a great place to go just for the day if you’re looking for something to do. The best time to visit is near Christmas time, right around final exam week. The entire town is decorated and you won’t want to miss it!
4. black dog cafe
This is a much more local place, located right next to Lake Ella. This is a local favorite in Tallahassee and great for a relaxing day. If you want to go to a local cafe and study, this is the place to go. While having great pastries and coffee, this cafe is also an amazing place to study that’s not located on campus, especially during exam week. There is a great deck out back to sit at, and it’s open all day. Also, fitting with the name, this cafe is very dog friendly. If you sit outside and order, they will be your dog a treat, so be sure to visit!
5. Fat cat books
This is one of my favorites in Tallahassee, located right on Railroad Square in the historic art district. If you love cats and you’re looking for a good book, this is just the place for you. Inside this used bookstore, is a cat adoption center with a bunch of adorable cats roaming around. It’s a great place to have fun while looking for a new book, and maybe even find a new pet. It’s also surrounded by a bunch of other cool shops so don’t miss out!
All of these places are destinations you must visit before you leave FSU! As usual, if you visit these places or need any more recommendations, don’t hesitate to reach out!
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