Tallahassee is a city primarily known as the capital of Florida as well as the home of Florida State University. College life in the city is obviously remarkable, but what about those seeking an experience that strays from the standard ideals of college students?
At first glance, it may seem it may seem like there isn’t much to do in Tallahassee other than binge drink, and that assessment is fairly accurate.
After living in Tallahassee for nearly four years, I have compiled a list of restaurants, activities and destinations that add a layer of depth to this seemingly surface-level city.
Restaurants
Pho Me
I’ve written about pho in the past for my London Guide, however this restaurant, Pho Me, is what ignited my passion for the dish. Located a few miles off of campus is a small family-owned pho restaurant that is my favorite place to go in town.
They offer a large variety of pho soups, different spring rolls, banh mi, as well as specialty drinks, such as Thai iced tea and Vietnamese Iced coffee. The menu caters to all consumers, offering vegan as well as vegetarian options, even providing a “build your own bowl” option.
The amount of choices available can be overwhelming for a first time customer, and if that is the case, pictured above is my order of a bowl of rare beef pho, you cannot go wrong. Just make sure you grab a table with full bottles of sriracha and hoisin sauce to fully enjoy your meal.
Bada Bean
Located just a few blocks away from Pho Me is my favorite breakfast/lunch joint in town, Bada Bean. Bada Bean offers a large variety of dishes ranging from the cinnamon roll pancakes pictured above to more savory options, such as wraps and potato skillets.
As far off campus as Bada Bean is, it is always absolutely packed. I highly recommend making a reservation in advance to avoid waiting 45 minutes to an hour just for your breakfast.
In regards to what dishes to get, order the cinnamon roll pancakes and getting a side of their Cajun-seasoned home fries. It is a perfectly odd combination of salty and sweet that will leave your entire pallet satisfied.
Lucky Goat
Lucky Goat Coffee is a staple around Tallahassee, they are a local, specialty coffee shop with various locations around town. It would be a shame to hit up Starbucks or Dunkin’ Donuts rather than go to this off-campus staple.
They have a variety of drinks, including americanos, lattes, cappuccinos, as well as Cubans and others. With that being said, it is important to note their cold brew is easily their most popular beverage. My personal favorites from the shop are the “tallyccino”, a specialty cappuccino and the goat bomb, a glass of cold brew with a shot of espresso.
I would go with the tallyccino if you are feeling a sweeter beverage with not too much caffeine, but if you need to knock out a good deal of work embrace your caffeine-addicted self and get the goat bomb.
The atmosphere in the Lucky Goat shops is worth mentioning as well. It is normally packed, but oddly quiet as the shopis generally filled with students and those looking to stop and be productive for a few hours. They offer indoor and outdoor seating, depending on your preference, and if you sit outside there is a solid chance you will be sitting next to a dog which is a clear plus.
Shopping
The only Tallahassee exclusive store that comes to mind is an incredible vintage spot called The Other Side located in Railroad Square. The Other Side is a store that can have any number of hidden gems inside. It is a scavenger hunt for vintage gold, and more often than not I have left the store with something I could not believe I found. Pictured below are my favorite finds from the store.
I bought these three pieces collectively for less than $100. It certainly takes some digging, but any given consumer can find something within The Other Side’s walls that they feel is a treasure. For me, it was the Florida State puffy jacket.
Being a university in Florida, one of the hottest and most humid areas in the United States, official winter Florida State merchandise can be extremely difficult to come by. I was amazed when I located the jacket within a pile of coats and jackets, and for an exceptionally reasonable price of around $50; it was impossible for me to say no.
However, aside from clothing, The Other Side has vintage records, toys, trading cards and much more. The inventory is constantly shuffling thanks to a cult following as well as frequent vendors that sell filtered vintage gems to the store. This environment is essentially a standard thrift that has been condensed to be the best possible pieces one can find in the Tallahassee area. It is a concise thrifting experience that can only be described as addicting.
Lastly, there is a man that goes by JunkManDoug on Instagram. Give him a follow as he sporadically hosts pop-up events and sells the best vintage FSU gear in the area. If he hosts a shop while you are in town it is absolutely worth the time and effort to go see him. He gathers the best vintage he can find over several months and then opens a temporary mega store that drives people insane.
Natural Attractions
Wakulla Springs
Florida’s panhandle is renowned for its natural springs and parks, my favorite being Wakulla Springs. Wakulla Springs is a smaller spring located a few minutes outside of Tallahassee and it is the perfect activity for a hot summer day.
The location is discreet and generally scarcely populated. Pick up some pub subs, chips and beverages, rent your kayaks, and embrace the day on the water.
It is also worth noting that the water is surprisingly very cold due to the fact that the water source is a natural spring. Also, there is a 20 foot tower that you can jump off of if you are feeling adventurous.
Wakulla also offers airboat tours for the lovers of wildlife and Florida history. The ride lasts around an hour and your tour guide will point out different species of wildlife such as gators, snakes, turtles, various different bird species and even manatees if you are lucky. It is the perfect activity to incorporate into your day at Wakulla.
There are also tons of incredible North Florida springs to check out just outside of Tallahassee in Columbia County, like Ichetucknee Springs among others.
Bear Paw
Located less than an hour from town is a lazy drinkers oasis. All you need to do is bring an inner tube and a metric ton of beer to keep you and your buddies busy as you float several miles downstream. As you continue to indulge in your brews of choice, you will drift past various areas of interest including rope swings and beautiful river banks perfect for a squad shotgun or other form of chug.
It is ideal to bring a floaty for everybody attending as well as a central floaty to store the coolers for the drinks and any food or snacks you may have brought. It is a simple and humbling experience that really cannot be replicated.
However, it is important to note that no glass is permitted along your trip and there may be a few stops downstream to ensure you are drinking out of cans and that all people drinking are of age.
As for wildlife, you will see a fair amount but nothing alarming in the dangerous sense. The river trail is generally too populated for gators or other dangerous creatures to be comfortable so that is not an issue.
Create Your Own Experience
Tallahassee is all about finding your own hidden gems to return to time and time again. As much as I love everything I mentioned, rather than use this post as an itinerary, use it as a stepping stone to create your own adventure of Tallahassee and the panhandle in general. There are countless restaurants, shops and experiences I have yet to discover that you may call your own hidden gems. There is a world to discover in this lesser-known part of Florida, go and find something to rave about! Don’t forget to hit up neighboring cities like Jacksonville and Pensacola Beach next!
