Tallahassee, Florida, is home to many awesome museums that will both stimulate the senses and educate you.
Tallahassee Museum
For more than 60 years the Tallahassee Museum has been an iconic landmark. Situated on 52 acres of beautiful flora and fauna, the museum features living exhibits of Florida’s native wildlife and
gardens. Learn more about the state’s history, natural environment, and cultural communities by browsing the wildlife exhibits, watching the native animals, and walking along the nature trails. Fourteen historic homes from the 19th century allow you to immerse yourself in the time period, while also learning about the lifestyles and history of the southern communities.
For a thrill, feel the wind in your hair as you zip down the zip line or test your skills on the aerial adventure courses. Check out Jim Gary’s Twentieth Century Dinosaurs, an internationally acclaimed exhibit that features colorful dinosaurs made from recycled car parts.
The Tallahassee Museum is located at 3945 Museum Dr. and is open Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission rates are $12 for adults, $11.50 for seniors 65 and older and college students with I.D., $9 for children ages 4 to 15, and free for children three and under.
Museum of Florida History
Learn about Florida’s first people, early tourism, transportation, and the colonial era at the Museum of Florida History. The museum includes both permanent and traveling exhibits that are interactive and allow you to gain a deeper understanding. Browse the models of naval ships named Florida at Florida on the High Seas exhibit, discover how the state changed between the years 1521 and 1821 at the Forever Changed La Florida exhibit and understand Florida’s role during World War II at the World War II Memorial.
The museum hosts special outreach programs and classes throughout the year. Bring the family and attend informative lectures during the Second Saturday Family Programs.
The Museum of Florida History is located at 500 S. Bronough and is open Sunday from 12 to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free and donations are accepted.
The Knott House Museum
Built-in 1843, the Knott House was used as Union Brigadier General Edward M. McCook’s temporary headquarters after the Civil War ended. After the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect in 1865, all enslaved persons in the greater Tallahassee area became free. In 1883, Dr. George Betton, a local physician, bought and set up his office in the Knott House. This historic house is now a museum where you can learn about the people that once inhabited it as well as the time period. Take a guided tour to see Victorian-era furnishings and the southern charm that influenced its architecture.
The Knott House Museum is located at 301 East Park Ave. Guided tours are offered on the hour Wednesday through Friday from 1 to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free, but donations are accepted.
Whether you’re an outdoorsman or history buff, these museums in Tallahassee are sure to delight.