You don’t need a lot of money to have a great vacation in your hometown. We live and LOVE Tallahassee and have spent most of our lives here. I’ve listed some of my favorite activities that are free/ inexpensive this summer. If you know of any others, please leave a comment and I will add it!
Wakulla Springs
Home of one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world, this park plays host to an abundance of wildlife, including alligators, turtles, deer, and birds. Daily guided riverboat tours provide a closer view of wildlife, and glass bottom boat tours are offered when the water is clear. Swimming is a popular activity during the hot summer months. A nature trail offers a leisurely walk along the upland wooded areas of the park.
Admission Fee:
$6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
Boat Tour Fees:
$8.00 per adult. $5.00 per child, 12 and under.
Florida’s new Capitol building has a rich ancestry, which began in 1824 with the establishment of Tallahassee as the new capitol city. The Capitol is the twenty-two story building. It is home to Florida’s Executive and Legislative branches. Others building at the Capitol Complex include the two four story office buildings for the House of Representatives and Senate as well as the Historic Capitol and Knott Building.
The Capitol is located in downtown Tallahassee at the intersection of Apalachee Parkway and Monroe Street. The Capitol is open to the public Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Closed weekends and holidays.
Third Saturday of every month is Free Kids day. Events will vary each month. Check the site for details.
11:00am – Children 12 and younger, accompanied by an adult, receive free admission to one of our newest Planetarium shows, Perfect Little Planet.
They also offer a free planetarium show on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00am. This planetarium show is presented by the Tallahassee Astronomical Society and coordinated with the monthly Democrat “Sky Guy” column.
Tallahassee Museum
From amazing native animals and rare historic buildings to beautiful natural scenery to exciting public programs, special events, and educational programs, there’s something here for everyone. They now also have tree to tree adventures – ziplining!
Admission Rates
Adults $9.00
Seniors (65+) $8.50
College Students (w/I.D.) $8.50
Children (4-15) $6.00
Children (3 and under) Free
Members Free
Ziplining startst at $15
St. Marks Trail
The Tallahassee-St. Marks Historic Railroad State Trail runs 20.5 miles from Florida’s capital city to the coastal community of St. Marks. This is a great paved trail that is perfect for bike riding (even little kids learning) and free to use. Not to mention, the majority of it is shaded! You can park near the Flea Market in Sout Tallahassee and ride the entire trip to St. Marks. Great day trip if you are avid riders!
St. Marks Refuge
St Marks is a great day trip that is relatively inexpensive. There is an AWESOME lighthouse and great little restaurants to try. If you want to show the kiddos old school Florida, this is a great spot to check out! Yes, the St. Marks trail (mentioned above) ends here!
Fees, Costs, and Rates: A $5/car entrance fee is collected at the St. Marks Unit of the National Wildlife Refuge. Fees for bicyclists/pedestrians are $1/day. An annual pass into the St. Marks NWR can be purchased for $15/12 months. Federal passes such as the new $80 America the Beautiful pass, $10 Senior Pass, and the free Access Pass are accepted and are sold/issued at the Refuge Visitor Center. Federal Duck stamps can be purchased they are $15 and are good from July 1 thru June 30. Commercial Tour buses and/or van rates are as follows: Bus or Van: 20 visitors or less is $25.00 and 21 visitors or more is $50.00. Note: Charter tour bus companies need to make arrangements with Refuge management prior to bringing their tours to St. Marks NWR. A user fee for the boat ramp is collected at the Aucilla River Unit.
Maclay Gardens
This is a local gem! Maclay Gardens is located near the overpass on Thomasville Road (behind Stein Mart) and has a great swimming area, beautiful gardens (great for photos), and picnic areas. Take a picnic lunch and spend the hot summer day cooling off in Lake Hall!
Admission Fee:
$6.00 per vehicle. Limit 2-8 people per vehicle. Does not include Gardens entry, January through April.
$4.00 Single Occupant Vehicle.
$2.00 Pedestrians, bicyclists, extra passengers, passengers in vehicle with holder of Annual Individual Entrance Pass.
$6.00 Garden Entry : Adults during Blooming Months (January through April).
$3.00 Garden Entry: Children, 2-12, during Blooming Months (January through April).
Museum of Florida History
Held at the Museum of Florida History, most events are free! Great place to spend an afternoon and beat the heat. Make sure to check out Grandma’s Attic. I remember playing in there as a kid 😉 Check out events here.
Tom Brown Park
If you haven’t checked out this park yet, you need to! It is amazing! There is a lake to walk around with nature trails, biking, disc golf, a HUGE playground (not suggested in hot times of the day), and a dog park. There is truly something for everyone here. FREE
A.J. Henry Park – in Killearn
This is another little gem of a park. Located in the heart of Killearn it offers a great shaded playground, a lake to feed fish and turtles, and lots of nature of biking trails. FREE
Trousdale Pool
Your kids will LOVE you for taking them to this one! It is a public pool on John Knox Rd that has a great water slide and water park. At only $1 per child and $4 per adult (cheaper if you get a pass) it’s a great way to spend a sunny afternoon!
Lake Ella
Lake Ella is located between North Monroe and Meridian Rd. It offers a lovely walking path (great for strollers!), ducks to feed, and a great old Oak for climbing. There is also nearby shops and an AWESOME ice cream shop (Barb’s Brittle’s).
North Florida is full of amazing parks. Click here to see them all and find a park near you!
Also make sure to check out the Visit Tallahassee website.
Don’t live in Tallahassee? Here are some other ideas:
Mid Atlantic
NW (or all), Connecticut :: Parenting Miracles
Boston (or all), Massachusetts :: Maven of Savin
Central, New Jersey :: Our Good LIfe
Adirondak Mountains and Central, New York :: For This Season
Buffalo/Niagara Falls, New York :: Ann’s Entitled Life
Syracuse, New York :: I am THAT lady
Erie, Pennsylvania :: Growing Kids Ministry
Greater Harrisburg, Pennsylvania :: Family Balance Sheet
Hershey, Pennsylvania :: Good Deal Mama
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania :: Beyond the Cover
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania :: The Coupon “High”
Poconos, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains
Scranton, Pennsylvania :: Bucktown Bargains
Midwest
Des Moines, Iowa :: Make the best of everything
Aurora, Illinois :: A Savings WOW!
Central, Illinois :: The Homeschool Scientist
Chicago, Illinois :: Chicagoland Homeschool Network
Naperville, Illinois :: The Sensible Mom
Schaumburg, Illinois :: Ravings By Rae
Fort Wayne, Indiana :: Simplified Saving
Indianapolis, Indiana (Metro Area) :: In Good Cents
Muncie, Indiana (Central IN) :: the daisyhead
Northern Indiana :: So Dough Savvy
Kansas City Area :: Kansas City Mamas
Metro Detroit, Michigan :: Saving Dollars and Sense
Grand Rapids, Michigan :: Give Me Neither
Oakland County, Michigan :: Bargain Shopper Mom
Minneapolis, Minnesota :: Creative Couponing
Rural Minnesota (either Southern our Lake Country) :: Mommysavers.com
St. Cloud, Minnesota :: Frugal Finders
Kansas City, Missouri/Kansas :: Kosher on a Budget
Springfield, Missouri :: Getting Freedom
Cincinnati, Ohio :: Family Friendly Cincinnati
Columbus, Ohio :: Cleverly Simple
Dayton, Ohio :: Savings Lifestyle: Dayton
Mansfield, Ohio :: The Traveling Praters
NE Ohio :: Raising Lifelong Learners
Northeast Ohio (Canton, Akron, Cleveland) :: Sisters Shopping on a Shoestring
Black Hills, South Dakota :: Little House Living
South Dakota :: Moms Mustard Seeds
Oshkosh, Wisconsin :: Adventures of a Stay at Home Mom
Mountain
Phoenix, Arizona :: Mom Endeavors
Scottsdale, Arizona :: Saving For Someday
Tucson, Arizona :: Desert Chica Ramblings
Colorado Springs, Colorado :: The Greenbacks Gal
Denver, Colorado :: Bargain Blessings
Helena, Montana :: The WiC Project
Omaha, Nebraska :: Mom Endeavors
Reno, Nevada – Lake Tahoe (Northern Nevada) :: Saving in Nevada
Pacific
Fresno, California (Central Valley) :: NerdFamily Blog
Los Angeles, California :: Savings.com
San Diego, California :: Good Cheap Eats
San Diego, California :: Life as MOM
Portland, Oregon :: Frugal Living NW
Seattle, Washington :: Thrifty NW Mom
South Atlantic
Arkansas :: Discovering Arkansas
Washington, DC :: Kidventurous
Clearwater Beach, Florida :: Bargain Briana
Jacksonville, Florida :: Saving The Family Money
Southwest Florida (Ft. Myers area) :: Chaos Is Bliss
St. Augustine, Florida :: Simply St. Augustine
Tallahassee, Florida :: SwagGrabber
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: Hodgepodge
Atlanta, Georgia (metro area) :: The Couponing Couple
Annapolis, Maryland :: The Happy Housewife
Hagerstown, Maryland :: Cheryl Pitt
Asheville, North Carolina :: Paradise Praises
Charlotte, North Carolina :: from our front porch lookin’ in…
Raleigh/Southeastern, North Carolina :: Upside Down Homeschooling
Upstate South Carolina :: The Tween & Me
Charlottesville, Virginia :: How to Have it All
Richmond, Virginia :: Teachers of Good Things
Smithfield, Virginia :: Walking in High Cotton
Virginia Beach, Virginia :: The Coupon Challenge
South Central
Coastal Alabama :: Meet Penny
Huntsville, Alabama :: The Traveling Praters
Northern Kentucky :: Simply Sherryl
Chattanooga, Tennessee :: Living Chic on the Cheap
East Tennessee (Smoky Mountains, Knoxville) :: Finding Joy on the Journey
Nashville, Tennessee :: Montessori Tidbits
Arlington, Texas :: Grocery Shop For FREE
Austin, Texas (Hill Country) :: Ponder the Path
College Station, Texas :: How to Homeschool My Child
Dallas, Texas :: Surviving The Stores
East Dallas, Texas :: Funky Faith Girl
Fort Worth, Texas :: Coupons & Freebies Mom
Houston, Texas :: MomsToolbox
Houston, Texas :: MyLitter
Katy, Texas :: Moms Confession
McAllen, Texas (Rio Grande Valley) :: iLoveMy5Kids
San Antonio, Texas :: Melissa’s Bargains
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