When I started this blog, my intention was to let people know about all the many fun things to do in and around Tallahassee during the year. Since I am a Tallahassee native, I thought I would be a pro because I know everything there is to do around here. What an exciting journey this has been and so much of it is because I am learning how little I really do know about Tallahassee and how many new things there are for me to experience with my children.
Our latest adventure was a first for me. We went on a Ghost Walking Tour of Downtown Tallahassee. I had mixed feelings about going since I am a scardy-cat and I didn't want to expose the children to anything that would cause all six of them to need to fall asleep in my bed every night. Trust me...seven people in a full size bed can get quite uncomfortable. But in an effort to let people know about the things to do in the community, I summed up the courage and the kids and off we went for our first ghost tour.
What a pleasant surprise!!! Beth LaCivita, owner of Guided Tours in Florida's Capital and the Forgotten Coast, assured me that this tour was educational, interesting, fun and appropriate for children of all ages. My six year old son decided just in case any of the ghost were not nice, he would wear his Captain America costume so he could fight them off.
The tour began at 7:30 p.m. and darkness had set in when we met up at Kleman Plaza to begin our tour. Our ghostly, costumed tour guide began his story of how his boat sank after he had settled in at Goodwood Plantation. As tragic as his death was, he stopped his ghoulish tale long enough to remind us to cross the street carefully so none of us ended up a ghost like him. A ghost with a sense of humor is always a good sign!
We stopped at various places during our tour, like the Historic Bank Building, the Knott house, the downtown chain of parks, the Columns building and of course a visit to the old cemetery. It wasn't just a history lesson that we got along each stop, there always seemed to be some ghostly creature popping out to share his or her story and help us understand what was going on during the period that they died.
My children were fascinated and excited and quiet!!!! They still talk about what they learned that night and I am happy to report that there were no scary dreams that night, just a little more of Tallahassee's history that they can now share.
Schools from all over the state come to take this tour throughout the year. Do not think that this is only an event that occurs at Halloween time. Looking for a neat birthday party idea or a field trip idea for a scout troop or a class? Take a group of kids on one of these tours and give them a memorable and educational night!
Tags: Culture, Family, Ghosts, Graveyard, Haunted, Tallahassee
Blythe NewsomeBlythe Newsome is a single mother of six children ages 6,8,10,12,14 and 16. While a morning radio show host, her family was featured on an episode of the Supernanny in 2007. The reality of this single mom who spends her days getting GI Joes out of the toilet, explaining to her girls that you can not cut your hair like you do your Barbie’s, convincing herself that ketchup on a hotdog counts as a vegetable and letting America see what hides underneath her couch cushions made her family one of “America’s Most Asked About Families” from the show according to producers. ABC came back to film the 100th episode which aired in March 2010. When not playing the role of nurse, teacher, chef, referee, taxi driver, coach, or housekeeper, she writes a syndicated column called Flirting with Forty.
“As a Tallahassee native, I am passionate about this city, raising my children here and I am always searching for new adventures for us. When people think about a vacation, this is the place to come. The city is rich in history, annual events and provides people of all ages with something to do”. Each week Blythe and her children will share with you the stories and pictures of the adventures that are waiting for you in Tallahassee!
