History & Heritage

Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park is a 1,000-acre historic ornamental garden and state park famous for its collection of floral displays, brick walkways, and lakeside views. Peak bloom season runs from January 1 through April 30, when thousands of azaleas, camellias, and dogwoods reach full bloom. The park offers hiking, biking, kayaking on Lake Hall, and seasonal tours of the historic 1923 Maclay House.

Tallahassee features over 10 unique museums and deep civil rights and state history. Top sites include:

• Goodwood Museum & Gardens: A preserved 19th-century estate featuring historic architecture, heirloom gardens, and century-old live oaks.
• Tallahassee Automobile Museum: Home to a massive collection of rare automobiles, including Abraham Lincoln’s horse-drawn hearse and original Batmobiles from Batman films.
• Mission San Luis: A national historic landmark featuring a living-history reconstruction of a 17th-century Spanish Franciscan mission and Apalachee Indian village.
• The Grove Museum: Focuses on civil rights history, governance, and historic preservation on the former estate of Governor LeRoy Collins.
• Tallahassee Museum: Set across 52 acres along Lake Bradford, the Tallahassee Museum is a living history and nature park featuring elevated canopy walk ziplines, native Florida wildlife habitats, and preserved 19th-century pioneer structures.