Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park

August 14, 2009 By
Brick path leading to the Maclay house. Photo courtesy of Florida State Parks.

Brick path leading to the Maclay house. Photo courtesy of Florida State Parks.

3540 Thomasville Rd
Tallahassee, FL

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a wonderful place to get out and stretch your legs during a long trip. During blooming season, flowers paint the walk with beautiful colors and during the off season you can see every shade of green, says Jennifer of Two Kids and a Map, who brings us this review. I was on a road trip from Pensacola to Jacksonville, Florida with my two children by myself and we desperately needed a pit stop! The kids were getting hungry and anxious and I was tired of listening to the whining. Unfortunately, the exit I chose is awful for quick interstate stops. There are several lanes of traffic and it is difficult to turn around to get back on the Interstate. I spotted the trademark Florida State Park sign and followed it to the entrance. It was a perfect stopping place for us. The children got to run along the path of the gardens and burn off some steam. There was so much to look at: a hidden garden, a lake and a pond, and the beautiful home. The kids enjoyed looking for bugs and eating a picnic lunch on the grounds before we got back on the road.

Date last visited: July, 2009

Distance off the interstate: Approximately 1 half mile off of Interstate 10.

Hours and Admission Prices: $6.00 per vehicle to enter the park. During the blooming months, it is an additional $6.00 an adult and $3.00 a child to enter the gardens. However, during the off season (May through December) touring the gardens is free.

Bathrooms and Food Services: Bathrooms are available and there are picnic areas if you bring your own meal

Other tips: Be sure to get your Real Florida Passport stamped while you are there. You can walk down to the house and back in about 30 minutes if you do not stop too many times!

Website: http://www.floridastateparks.org/MACLAYGARDENS/

Directions: Located one half mile north of I-10 on U.S. 319
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Tallahassee Museum with kids

July 19, 2009 By
Discovery Center at the Tallahassee Museum

Discovery Center at the Tallahassee Museum

3945 Museum Drive
Tallahassee, FL

The Tallahassee Museum is located on I-10 mid-way between Pensacola and Jacksonville. Says Lucia of Dim Sum, Bagels and Crawfish, We drive I-10 between Florida and Louisiana on a pretty regular basis and each time we drive through Tallahassee I see the signs for the Tallahassee Museum. I often wonder about it and make a mental note to stop on a future trip. Well, last weekend on the way back from a week at the beach my mom and my son turned it into a memorable pit stop. They kept raving about all of the interesting animals they saw. My mom was especially impressed with the cypress lake and the fact that most of the paths are well shaded (very important and not always easy to find on hot Southern days). In addition to the outdoor exhibits, there are also some interesting hands-on displays inside.

For a map and more positive reviews on the Tallahassee Museum, check here.

Date last visited: July 2009

Distance off the interstate: Ten minutes from the I-10 exit (well marked with sign for the museum).

Hours and Admission Prices: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 12:30 p.m.  5 p.m. Sunday. Entry fees are $9.00 for adults and $6.00 for children, per their official website.

Bathrooms: Yes.

Food Services: A quick service cafe with kids’ meals.

Website: http://tallahasseemuseum.org

Directions: Take exit 196 for FL-263. Keep left at the fork, follow signs for Tallahassee. Turn left at Capital Circle NW/FL-263, then left W. Orange Ave. Turn right at Rankin Ave. Rankin Ave becomes Museum Dr.