Founded in 1824 as the state capital, Tallahassee is known for its history, trees, and culture. And one of the city's many museums does more than display these attributes: it brings them to life.
The Tallahassee Museum is more than its name; it is a living collection of all things Florida. Founded in 1957 and lush with North Florida's native flora and fauna, on 52 acres of land in the southwestern part of the city, the museum gives visitors a glimpse into Florida's rawest and most natural.
The museum offers something new to the more than 100,000 adventurers who visit every year. Whether you zipline through tall pine and cypress trees on the Tree-to-Tree adventure, encounter dozens of wildlife or walk through an old plantation house, there is something for everyone.
Visitors walk into the Tallahassee Museum on Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
What makes the Tallahassee Museum special?
Otters, panthers, alligators, black bears and other endangered species live on site in enclosures that have hardly changed, as all animals are native to the area and comfortable in the climate.
Throughout the year, the museum welcomes guest animals to stay for a while. Past visitors have included dingoes, capybaras and most recently foxes.
But make no mistake: the museum does not identify itself as a zoo, which often comes with the expectation of being entertained. Most of the animals in the museum are rescued and have birth defects or missing limbs. Some were adopted after being domesticated and lack the necessary instincts to survive on their own.
The Bald Eagle Exhibit at the Tallahassee Museum Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to walk through Florida history in four historic and original buildings on the property.
Climb into the bright red Seaboard train car and learn about Florida's market and transportation industry of the 1920s. Take a seat at the desks of the old Concord Schoolhouse, originally built in 1897 during Reconstruction to educate the children of former slaves.
Visit the pews of Bethlehem Missionary Baptist Church, founded in 1851 as the first regularly organized black church in Florida. Lounge at the Bellevue Plantation House, originally owned by Princess Catherine Murat, a Tallahassee native, a distant relative of President George Washington and a French royal by marriage.
The red wolf in their enclosure at the Tallahassee Museum Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
When and how to go
Most of the museum's offerings are outdoors, which may cause some discomfort during the sweltering heat of the Florida summer. On the plus side, the season can be most attractive with the blooming of pollinator gardens that bring native butterflies to the area, or the return of red wolf nests.
The property also hosts a number of annual festivals throughout the year, including the Tallahassee Jazz and Blues Festival held in April.
For those who want to visit, the museum is just a few minutes from Tallahassee International Airport.
The alligator exhibit at the Tallahassee Museum Wednesday, December 18, 2024.
The Tallahassee Museum
Where: 3945 Museum Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32310
Opening hours: The museum is open Monday to Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM and on Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The museum is closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Entrance fees: The general admission price for adults is $15.50. For students with ID and those over 65, the cost is $14.50. Children ages 4 to 15 pay $11 and children under 3 are free. Tickets for tree-to-tree adventures range from $21 to $55 and can be purchased online.
Members receive free admission, additional discounted tickets and other special offers. Visitors can purchase memberships online. For more information, visit tallahasseemuseum.org.
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Alaijah Brown covers children and families for the Tallahassee Democrat. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter/X: @AlaijahBrown3.
This article originally appeared in Tallahassee Democrat: Hidden Gem: Discover Florida's Raw History at the Tallahassee Museum
