5 Hidden Gems in Tallahassee

I have always been one of those people who loves adventure, someone who craves it. You may not realize it, but Tallahassee has quite a few adventures that just might shock you! This is of course not a complete list of hidden gems in Tallahassee and if I gave you all of them that would leave no fun for you! Explore these jewels and maybe you can find a couple of places to call your own along the way. Happy adventuring!

1. Woodchuck’s Cafe

Woodchuck’s cafe will always have a special place in my heart and in my stomach. This is one of the best brunch places in town. I stumbled across this gem when a pal and I were in desperation of juicy burger. We were traveling down West Tharpe Street when I decided to search for restaurants near me. Woodchuck’s showed up on my maps, which I was a little skeptical of because I have never heard of it in my two years of living in Tallahassee. The ratings for the venue, however, had an astonishing 4.5 stars so we decided that we had to do some investigating and check it out for ourselves. We pulled up to a rickety gas station and next to the pumps was a building that had all of the windows blacked out, so you couldn’t see inside. We were confused until we looked at the door and saw a sign that read “Woodchuck’s Cafe”. We were there. My friend looked at me and kind of giggled, “Are you trying to murder us? Where are we?” The weird thing about this is that the parking lot was packed but there was no sign of life. In the end, we snagged one of the last parking spots available and headed inside. As soon as we opened the door, we were hit with sounds of laughter and chatter along with the sweet scent of pancakes and bacon. It was like we stepped into an alternate dimension, a delicious and mouth-watering alternate dimension. We looked around to see people our age, now realizing that this place is a secret little hole in the wall. It felt like we were getting accepted into some sort of secret club that happened to worship the best brunch in town. We sat down and had our orders taken right away. The whole experience was so unreal that we had to sit there for a couple of seconds in silence just to take it all in. Moments later our food came to the table. I had ordered a patty melt on Texas toast and something they referred to as “funnel fries”. I still think and dream about that meal to this day. After this experience that place became one of my favorite restaurants in Tallahassee. And even better, they have All You Can Eat Pancakes on Fridays for just about $3, which is every college kid’s dream. 

2. Lafayette Heritage Trail Park

I discovered this park when I was a freshman and I honestly never felt luckier. The second semester of my freshman year was a little rough for because I felt as though Tallahassee just didn’t have enough of what I wanted. I am originally from Georgia so exploring nature trails and climbing mountains was almost second-nature to me and when that wasn’t an option anymore in Florida, it broke my heart a little bit. That was until I discovered Lafayette Park. This park is about a 25-minute drive from campus, but nothing has been more worth it to me. I used to run freshman year (oh how times have changed) and I would try to run anywhere that could offer me a view. That view for the longest time involved me running past Denny’s and around Strozier, and as pretty as our campus is, you could say the view was not the greatest. That was when I decided to do some research and found one of my other favorite places, Lafayette Park. This park offers trails that go for miles and stretch parallel to bodies of water and bridge over railroads. The scenery of this place is simply unreal. After my run, I would go sit on the docks and watch the sunset as it reflected off the still water. It felt like a fairytale land I could just run and escape into. The park is also great for strolls and picnics, and if you have a pup I am sure they would love it too!

3. Abandoned Cement Factory

This is another cool place that I stumbled across in Tallahassee that I truly appreciate. Since I have been at Florida State, this place has definitely gotten more popular; however, I still think it is one of the most unique treasures near campus. Over on Blountstown highway remains the skeleton of what used to be a cement factory. It is now scribbled with graffiti and remains standing to be explored by the locals. It is quite an art piece, in my opinion, where new graffiti is consistently added to this stunning structure. You can explore abandoned warehouses and the factory itself, where you can climb stories of what used to be some sort of machinery. If you do partake in these activities, I advise you to do so with caution. It is also a wonderful place for photography where many students go here to just shoot. Disclaimer: I am not sure if it is entirely legal in terms of our local trespassing laws, but I have personally never, nor do I know anyone who has, had trouble with the law in any regards to this place.

4. St. Marks Lighthouse

If you are not a Tallahassee native, then you may not have heard of St. Marks Lighthouse. It is about a 45-minute drive from campus making it a prime destination for a fun day trip! This location is not only beautiful, but it is also filled with an abundance of history. The St. Marks Light House is the second-oldest light station in Florida, it has been a navigational beacon for over a century and a half. Not only is the lighthouse a stunning feature of this location, but it is also a historical one that tells an incredible story dating back to the 1800s. While the lighthouse is a key landmark to see, you can also stroll along the shores of the mouth of the St. Marks River, on Apalachee Bay. The sunsets here are truly an incredible site to see. St. Marks is also another place that is great for hosting your every picnic need, not to mention it’s romantic!

5. The Observatory Floor at The Capitol

Another fun gem in Tallahassee that many don’t know about, is the observatory at the Capitol. On the 22nd floor of the Capitol Building, you can enjoy panoramic views of Tallahassee and get to see your favorite city from a birds-eye perspective. The 22nd floor also includes a gallery that displays works and pieces created by many of Florida’s most prominent artists. So if you feel like you need a Florida culture binge, this place is for you. Come and see your town from a view you could have never guessed possible!

I hope you all have fun adventuring!

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