Usually, by the time February rolls by, I am ready for the excitement of Spring Break and the sunshine and travel that goes along with it. While I love the campus and everything that surrounds it, sometimes it’s nice to get out of town for the day and have an adventure with my friends. Below are my favorite day trips I’ve taken from Tallahassee and the itineraries I’d recommend.
Seaside Beach
Seaside Beach is a fan favorite for many Florida State University (FSU) students. This was the first day trip I went on, and I’ve returned many times since then.
The beach is incredibly picturesque, with soft, fluffy sand and a beautiful view of the Gulf of Mexico. The town of Seaside was in the 1998 film, The Truman Show, and it lives up to its movie set potential. There are many cute boutiques and food trucks that surround the town, so there’s plenty to do after spending the day at the beach.
My recommendation for the perfect day at Seaside Beach would start by leaving Tallahassee at around 9 a.m. By the time you reach Seaside, the sun will be high in the sky, allowing for the perfect combination of sea air, warm sunlight and ocean sounds.
The best days I’ve spent at Seaside included packing a good book and lunch for a day spent by the water. Once I’m all beached out, I love going into town. Seaside has an artistic, coastal feel that comes straight out of a destination magazine. There are plenty of eclectic shops to browse through, with some of my favorites being Sundog Books and Art of Simple.
Nothing completes a trip to Seaside like the food. The dining options for dinner are great. There is a range of restaurants and food trucks in the area, so there is something for everyone. My favorite restaurant is Pickle’s Burgers and Shakes, which has outside dining options and what I think are the best fried pickles on the west coast of Florida.
My favorite way to wrap up my trip to Seaside is soft serve from Dawson’s Yogurt & Fudgeworks before heading back to the beach for sunset. Seaside’s location makes it ideal for watching the sunset before heading back home. Overall, Seaside Beach is where I’ve made some of my fondest memories while being a student at FSU, and I’d recommend the place to anyone wanting to take a trip.
Thomasville, Georgia
Thomasville, Georgia is another one of my favorite towns to go and explore. It’s only a 50-minute drive from campus, so it’s great for when you have an afternoon free to go exploring.
When going to Thomasville, I’d recommend leaving Tallahassee late in the morning so you can try some of Thomasville’s amazing coffee shops and cafes. One of my all-time favorites is Grassroots Coffee, which has locally roasted grounds. The next best thing about Thomasville is strolling through Broad Street. There’s a variety of clothing boutiques, home decor shops and one of my favorite book shops, The Bookshelf, all located on this street. The Bookshelf is a few doors down from Grassroots Coffee and is the perfect local bookseller. Their selection is vast, and the way the shop is set up makes you feel like you’re walking through the set of Gilmore Girls.
Even though I’ve been to Thomasville, Georgia multiple times, I’m still finding that there are so many new places I want to try, which leads me to say it is one of my favorite day trip destinations from Tallahassee that I’ll keep going back to.
Providence Canyon State Park
My final day trip recommendation is Providence Canyon State Park. I just went to this park earlier this semester, and I’m so upset I hadn’t been before. It is a longer drive, around two and a half hours away from campus, but the view is worth it. The park centers around colorful canyons with the option of hiking on various trails through each canyon. In my opinion, I’d save this day trip for cooler weather, as the many hiking opportunities will work up a sweat.
When I went to Providence Canyon State Park, my friend and I left fairly early in the morning and packed lunch to eat once we got to the park. The park has some picnic tables near the lookouts of the canyon, so I was able to enjoy my lunch looking out at the view before going on the trails themselves. The hike I did took around two hours and revealed stunning views of the canyons.
I’m incredibly lucky to go to such a beautiful school in a wonderful town, but there’s always a travel bug in me that wants to go to new places. These three trips are some of my favorites that you can easily do in a day to spice up the weekend.
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