Exploring Tallahassee: A Guide for FSU Students
Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, is more than just a college town. Home to Florida State University (FSU), Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College, it welcomes nearly 90,000 college students. For incoming FSU students eager to explore beyond campus, Tallahassee and its surrounding areas offer a wealth of natural wonders, museums, and entertainment options.
The first day of classes for Florida State University’s fall semester is August 26.
Getting Around: Bringing Your Car to FSU
Yes, you can bring your car to FSU. Students may purchase optional reserved parking with a VRES permit or in the Stadium Green Lot. You can actually have up to five vehicles registered with a VRES parking permit, but you can only bring one vehicle to campus at a time. This permit allows 24/7 parking at five locations on campus. A virtual reserved parking permit is $415 annually.
Having a car opens up exciting possibilities for exploring Florida's panhandle.
Day Trip Destinations: Natural Wonders
FSU's campus is conveniently located near several natural attractions perfect for day trips, especially during August, one of the hottest months of the year.
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Wakulla Springs
Located just 30 minutes from FSU's Doak S. Campbell Stadium, Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park is home to one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. Wakulla Springs is one of the world’s largest and deepest freshwater springs. Located within the 2,860-acre Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Springs cover around 3 acres and the water stays at about 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Open 365 days a year until sundown, the park offers glass-bottom boat tours of its clear, blue, 70-degree water, which reaches depths of up to 185 feet. Admission costs $6 per car (with an eight-person limit; additional passengers are $2 each). Individual entry is $4, and those walking, biking, or with an annual individual entrance pass pay only $2. Location: R.A.
Caverns State Park
For a unique experience, head to Florida Caverns State Park, about an hour and fifteen minutes from FSU's campus. Unlike most caves in Florida, which are submerged, Florida Caverns State Park boasts dry caves accessible to the public. There are very few state parks with dry caves in Florida and Florida Caverns State Park is the only one that offers cave tours to the public, according to Visit Florida. The park's elevation of 180 feet allows tourists to explore the caves without diving gear. It costs $5 per vehicle to enter, and cave tours are $15 per person.
Providence Canyon State Park: "The Little Grand Canyon"
Venture into Georgia to see the "Little Grand Canyon" at Providence Canyon State Park in Lumpkin. The canyon's gullies are the result of past farming practices and now home to a rare azalea that blooms around the start of the school year. “The rare Plumleaf Azalea grows only in this region and blooms during July and August when most azaleas have lost their color. The park has a huge amphitheater that sometimes hosts free or cheap concerts, a walking path, a playground, a “splash pad”-style fountain and green space that you can sit, play and picnic on.
Museums and Cultural Attractions
Tallahassee offers a variety of museums and cultural attractions for students to explore.
The Tallahassee Museum
The Tallahassee Museum is just a 10-minute drive from campus and has been at its current location along Lake Bradford since the 1960s. The museum has boardwalks overlooking enclosures of rehabilitated or born-in-captivity animals that are native to the Sunshine State, preserved old Florida buildings (like a 1890s school house, and a 19th century church and plantation home) and a recreation of an 1880s farm. Admission to the museum is $13.50 with a student ID.
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The Historic Capitol Museum
Located just a five-minute drive from campus, the Historic Capitol Building and Museum offers a glimpse into Florida's political history. You can learn about Florida’s political history through a guided tour and explore three floors of exhibits. The Historic Old Capitol of Florida is open to tours, which run Saturday’s from 10:00am - 4:00pm. Location: 200 S. Nature walks and tours, come experience living history!
Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee
The Challenger Learning Center of Tallahassee boasts a beautiful 32,000 square-foot facility located at the beautiful Kleman Plaza right in the heart ofdowntown Tallahassee. Located right near the beautiful Downtown Tallahassee setting, this is the new social center of Tallahassee. It features 12 acres of arts, entertainment, education, and history.
CollegeTown: Dining, Shopping, and Entertainment
The Thirsty Professor is one of Tallahassee’s newest taprooms located in the heart of CollegeTown at the SunStop Urban Market. They focus on local and craft brews served up in pints, crowlers, or growlers. Hungry? Try one of their delicious menu items made fresh for you. The same people who brought Hotel Duval and Level 8 to Tallahassee have provided CollegeTown with a unique twist to a poolside bar and club. Vale Food Co. is a local, healthy, fast-casual restaurant that also offers catering! Little Masa is a fast-casual, counter service style restaurant serving all of your Asian fusion favorites, including wok-classics, noodles of Asia and fresh sushi. Tally + Fin is a local clothing boutique where you can find your perfect outfit for a night out, as well as your day-to-day clothing, accessories, swimwear and shoes. Tally + Fin has all the pieces you may need for any event, with a variety of trendy options and affordable prices. Barefoot is an apparel company with something for everyone. Since the company's inception in 2002, they have grown to be one of the largest and most versatile apparel providers in the country. It’s not just lip service, it’s their mantra. Fulfilling a dream to bring authentic south Louisiana food to Tallahassee, Coosh and Margaret opened the original Coosh’s Bayou Rouge in 2001. BB Studios thrives on making you look and feel drop dead gorgeous. Check out the salon's full-service menu to see all that they have to offer. The only convenience store in CollegeTown offering all the amenities you would expect, plus more. iDope is a full-service repair center and upscale boutique for the iPhone, iPad and MacBook with 10+ years in the repair business.
Seminole Spirit: Accommodation and Culinary Experiences
Live like a Seminole while staying steps away from Florida State University's Doak Campbell Stadium at Hotel Indigo Tallahassee. Decorated to reflect Tallahassee's fascinating history as a railroad town with rail map motifs on the walls and rugs, the 143 guest rooms and suites are welcoming to pets and include access to our 24-hour fitness center full of state-of-the-art cardio and weight equipment. A private club for Seminole Booster Members, 51 on Madison is a unique culinary experience that pushes the boundaries yet always remains true to its deep Tallahassee roots.
Other Activities
FSU’s newly remodeled golf. Call ahead to reserve tee-times. Location: 2100 W. Features 300-year-old artifacts found on site! The gardens date all the way back to 1923, when they were.
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