Ready for a memorable Summer loaded with excitement and discovery? Then make plans to visit Florida’s Capital City. Here in Tallahassee families and couples have a wide range of attractions that are both amazing and amazingly affordable. From breathtaking nature-based activities to awe-inspiring, scientific wonders to historically significant places rich with heritage, there’s plenty of things to see, explore and do in Tallahassee. Many of which are either FREE or cost less than $10! So read on, and get ready to for a Capital Summer in the Capital City.
Ongoing Summer Events & Exhibits
| What | Baroque Painting in Lombardy from the Pincoteca Di Brera |
| Where | Mary Brogan Museum |
| When | Now thru September 2 |
| For the first time in history, 16th and 17th century Baroque paintings from the Pinacoteca di Brera Museum in Milan, Italy, founded by Napoleon Bonaparte, are being showcased in the United States and unveiled in Tallahassee, March 19 - September 2, 2011, at the Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science. Join us for this artistic and historical experience of a lifetime. | |
| Link: http://www.thebrogan.org/explore/exhibitions/3rd-floor/237-baroque-exhibit.html |
| What | Florida Highwaymen Art Presentation |
| Where | Museum of Florida History |
| When | Now thru December 31 |
| The Road to Prosperity: Art of the Florida Highwaymen features approximately 40 paintings by eight of the most notable original Highwaymen artists. The Florida Highwaymen are the group of African American artists who painted in their garages and backyards on inexpensive Upson board starting in the 1950s. | |
| Link: http://www.museumoffloridahistory.com/exhibits/current.cfm |
| What | Saturday Downtown Marketplace |
| Where | Downtown Chain of Parks |
| When | Every Saturday thru November |
| Every Saturday, come to the Tallahassee chain of parks and enjoy the Summer Sun as the parks transform into a flavorful market. Enjoy shopping for handmade arts and crafts, listening to live music, picking fresh produce from local farmers and trying unique refreshments provided by local vendors. |
| What | Born to be Wild 3D-Imax Theatre |
| Where | Challenger Learning Center |
| When | Now thru December 31 |
| Join us on a miraculous journey of second chances in Born to be Wild 3D at the Challenger Learning Center IMAX Theatre. Follow young orphaned elephants and orangutans on the trip of a lifetime, from birth to their rebirth into the wild. This family friendly documentary will transport moviegoers around the world to the far stretches of Kenya and Borneo and will inspire them to take action and save earth's precious creatures. | |
| Link: http://www.challengertlh.com/index.html |
| What | The Life of a Quilt |
| Where | Riley House Center/Museum of African American History & Culture |
| When | July 15 - December 2 |
| The Life of a Quilt presents beautifully composed and masterfully executed works of fine art that leads us to contemplate our history, cultural traditions, family relationships, and the human condition. | |
| Link: http://www.rileymuseum.org/ |
Summer Events
| What | Bedroom Farce |
| Where | Tallahassee Little Theatre |
| When | Now thru June 26 |
| Bedroom Farce is a wickedly funny play about Trevor and Susannah, a couple whose marriage is on the rocks. In the course of one long Saturday night they involve others in their public angst and they manage to ruffle beds, tempers, marriages, and domestic order! Bedroom Farce is a show that will keep you laughing long after the curtain has come down! | |
| Link: http://www.tallahasseelittletheatre.org/ |
| What | Tallahassee Model Railroad Show & Sale |
| Where | North Florida Fairgrounds |
| When | June 18 |
| Be sure to get on board when the Big Bend Model Railroad Association's Show and Sale arrives this summer! Expect exciting train layouts from large scale to the tiny Z scale.. Experts on model train design, layout, equipment and construction will be on hand, along with vendors featuring a wide range of trains and other model railroad items. | |
| Link: http://www.bbmra.org/show.html |
| What | Sizzlin Saturdays Concert Series - Mick Buchanon Presents: Tallahassee Classic Rock Showcase |
| Where | Challenger Learning Center |
| When | Now thru December 31 |
| Come feel the music with us as we once again present the Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series at downtown's beautiful Kleman Plaza. Many of Tallahassee's greatest local acts are scheduled to perform during the 2011 series. Sizzlin' Saturdays will showcase a variety of entertainment and good fun for the entire family. |
| What | 7th Annual Summer SOULstic |
| Where | Railroad Square |
| When | June 18 |
| Come celebrate the solstice at Railroad Square Art Park. Wander through the unique community of artists, performers, collectors and more. Relax with live music throughout the park, local craft vendors, artists, jewelers and lots of yummy food. | |
| Link: http://www.tallahasseegrapevine.com/ |
| What | An Evening of Music with Marvin Goldstein and the Boys & Girls Club |
| Where | Los Robles Woman's Club |
| When | June 23 |
| Music makes our world a better place and so do the Boys & Girls Clubs. You can help bring these two ideas together by supporting this great concert. All donations will be matched to create a truly special gift to allow these clubs to continue changing children's lives. |
| What | Search for the Soul of Florida: Behind the Lens with John Moran |
| Where | Mission San Luis |
| When | June 25 |
| Join, prize-winning photographer John Moran who traveled the Sunshine State with his cameras, seeking his vision of natural Florida as it must have appeared to Ponce de Leon and other early strangers in paradise. These remarkable images celebrate the magic of a landscape born of water and "blessed with beauty beyond measure." | |
| Link: http://www.vivaflorida.org/EN.3.282.lasso?record_id=29692 |
| What | Sizzlin Saturdays Concert Series - Traveling Acoustic Ensemble |
| Where | Kleman Plaza |
| When | June 25 |
| Come feel the music with us as we once again present the Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series at downtown's beautiful Kleman Plaza. Many of Tallahassee's greatest local acts are scheduled to perform during the 2011 series. Sizzlin' Saturdays will showcase a variety of entertainment and good fun for the entire family. |
| What | First Friday Gallery Hop |
| Where | Railroad Square |
| When | July 1 |
| The monthly tradition of First Friday Gallery Hop has become a local favorite! Stroll around the park and enjoy live music, vintage shopping, cultural exhibits, art galleries and displays, and delicious food from vendors specializing in BBQ, vegan, international and food cart style treats and treasures. | |
| Link: http://railroadsquare.com/first_fri.html |
| What | Saturday Downtown Marketplace |
| Where | Downtown Tallahassee |
| When | July 2, 9am - 2pm |
| Every Saturday, come to the Tallahassee chain of parks and enjoy the Summer Sun as the parks transform into a flavorful market. Enjoy shopping for handmade arts and crafts, listening to live music, picking fresh produce from local farmers and trying unique refreshments provided by local vendors. |
| What | Blues & BBQ Festival. Kleman Plaza |
| Where | Harry's Seafood Food starts at 11 am Bands take the stage from 3 pm to 10 pm |
| When | July 2 |
| Satisfy your appetite for great music and down-home cuisine at Kleman Plaza in Tallahassee from 11 am until 10 pm. All kinds of BBQ will be served up starting at 11 am. Then King Cotton, Swinging Harpoon Blues Band and Pepper Drive take to the stage for some dynamite blues music beginning at 3 pm. It's a full day of food and festivities. |
| What | ECHO Street Food and Music Festival |
| Where | Railroad Square 3 pm to 8 pm |
| When | July 2 |
| Enjoy great eats and cool music, while supporting a very worthy cause, at the first annual 2011 Tallahassee Street Food & Music Festival. Local businesses and artists come together to host an eclectic celebration in Railroad Square. Just bring a canned food item for admission. |
| What | Bayou Bash Street Party. College Avenue. Downtown |
| Where | Po' Boy's Live music and great Cajun Cuisine 5 pm to 10:30 pm |
| When | July 3 |
| Time for a bash, bayou-style! Head on down to the Po' Boys on East College Avenue in downtown Tallahassee for the Bayou Bash Street Party. College Ave. will be blocked off to accommodate stages with live bands and tons of lip smacking Creole Cuisine! Enjoy performances by King Cotton and Tobacco Road and get FREE Freedom Entry. Po' Boys normal menu will be featured with Macks Kitchen serving outside. There will be lots of free giveaways and other promotions. | |
| Link: www.poboys.com |
| What | Celebrate America |
| Where | Tom Brown Park Live music, delicious food and spectacular fireworks Bands and food start at 5:15 pm |
| When | July 4 |
| Join in as we celebrate America with a fun-filled afternoon and evening of activities that will offer something for everyone! Celebrate America activities and entertainment will kick off at Tom Brown Park. This year's entertainment will feature a free music festival with Boyd & Wood, The Billy Rigsby Band, J.B.'s Zydeco Zoo, Tobacco Road and King Cotton performing. The naturalization ceremony with U.S Judge William Sherrill administering the oath of citizenship and the grand finale is, of course, the fireworks show, powered by the City of Tallahassee. |
| What | Hairspray |
| Where | Young Actors Theatre |
| When | July 8 thru July 24 |
| Get swept away to 1960's Baltimore, where change is in the air. Loveable plus-size heroine, Tracy Turnblad, has a passion for dancing, and wins a spot on the local TV dance program,. Overnight she finds herself transformed from outsider to teen celebrity. Can a larger-than-life adolescent manage to vanquish the program's reigning princess, integrate the show, and find true love? Don't miss this "must-see" hit, directed by Worth Williams - Amber Von Tussle in the First National Broadway Tour of this Tony Award Winning smash hit! | |
| Link: http://www.youngactorstheatre.com/index.cfm?pageId=4&ContentId=25 |
| What | Sizzlin Saturdays Concert Series - Thursday Night Music Club |
| Where | Kleman Plaza |
| When | July 9 |
| Come feel the music with us as we once again present the Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series at downtown's beautiful Kleman Plaza. Many of Tallahassee's greatest local acts are scheduled to perform during the 2011 series. Sizzlin' Saturdays will showcase a variety of entertainment and good fun for the entire family. |
| What | 33rd Annual Swamp Stomp |
| Where | Tallahassee Museum |
| When | July 9 |
| Savor the summertime flavor of outdoor performances by singer-songwriters at the Tallahassee Museum's 32nd annual Swamp Stomp. Speaking of flavor, you can feast on watermelon and ice cream on the Big Bend Farm, then compete in a seed-spitting contest, see native Florida animals up close, dig for fossils, and play old-fashioned games such as "Graces" (hoop and stick). | |
| Link: http://tallahasseemuseum.org/swamp-stomp |
| What | Sizzlin Saturdays Concert Series - Bogazdi |
| Where | Kleman Plaza |
| When | July 16 |
| Come feel the music with us as we once again present the Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series at downtown's beautiful Kleman Plaza. Many of Tallahassee's greatest local acts are scheduled to perform during the 2011 series. Sizzlin' Saturdays will showcase a variety of entertainment and good fun for the entire family. |
| What | Sizzlin Saturdays Concert Series - Moonpie Fever |
| Where | Kleman Plaza |
| When | July 23 |
| Come feel the music with us as we once again present the Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series at downtown's beautiful Kleman Plaza. Many of Tallahassee's greatest local acts are scheduled to perform during the 2011 series. Sizzlin' Saturdays will showcase a variety of entertainment and good fun for the entire family. |
| What | Swivel Kings & Swingin' Harpoon Blues Band |
| Where | The Mockingbird Cafe |
| When | July 23 |
| Let Mockingbird Café treat you to a feast for all of the senses. The Swivel Kings & Swingin' Harpoon Blues Band will be playing all night while delicious local food and drinks are prepared to your liking. |
| What | Sizzlin Saturdays Concert Series - Tryst |
| Where | Kleman Plaza |
| When | July 30 |
| Come feel the music with us as we once again present the Sizzlin' Summer Concert Series at downtown's beautiful Kleman Plaza. Many of Tallahassee's greatest local acts are scheduled to perform during the 2011 series. Sizzlin' Saturdays will showcase a variety of entertainment and good fun for the entire family. |
| What | "Sky Guy" Planetarium Show - Digital Dome Theatre |
| Where | Challenger Learning Center |
| When | August 6 |
| Come down to the Downtown Digital Dome Theatre and Planetarium and enjoy a free planetarium show. This show is presented by the Tallahassee Astronomical Society and coordinated with the monthly Democrat "Sky Guy" column. The August sky over Tallahassee will be reviewed including prominent constellations, stars and planets. | |
| Link: http://www.challengertlh.com/Info/coming_soon.html#skyguy |
| What | Throwback Fest - Outdoor R&B Concert |
| Where | North Florida Fairgrounds |
| When | August 6 |
| Try something new with Throwback Fest. This one-day outside old school R&B Concert features national award winning artists and the smooth sounds of yesterday. |
| What | Frenchtown Heritage Fest |
| Where | Downtown |
| When | August 6 |
| Experience the sweet sounds and delicious dishes of the Frenchtown Heritage Fest. Live music will fill the air as will the heavenly scent of fantastic BBQ. The festivities begin at noon and finish at 6 pm. For more information contact Annie S. Harris (850) 510-5621 or Althemese Barnes (850) 766-4266. |
| What | 2nd Saturday Space Mission Simulation |
| Where | Challenger Learning Center |
| When | August 13 |
| Think you have what it takes to be an astronaut? You can experience the next best thing to space travel at the Challenger Learning Center Space Mission Simulator - now open to the public. You will have the opportunity to be a part of a NASA voyage to Mars. You'll take on the role of a life support scientist, navigator, and probe engineer, medic or communications specialist inside the mission control room and onboard the space station lab. | |
| Link: http://www.challengertlh.com/info/events.html#public |
| What | 22nd Annual Exotic Bird Festival |
| Where | North Florida Fair Ground |
| When | August 27-28 |
| A fun-filled two-day family-oriented event featuring exotic birds, cages, bird toys, special activities for children, educational demonstrations, performing parrots, great bargains, good food, prizes and more. |
| What | Downtown Get Down |
| Where | Downtown Tallahassee |
| When | September 2 |
| Your favorite Friday night is back! Come mingle with friends and family in this community block party. Enjoy special activities for kids, amazing local food and drinks, street performers, vendors, live music and much more. |
| What | FSU Block Party |
| Where | Kleman Plaza |
| When | September 2 |
| Your favorite Friday night is back! Come mingle with friends and family in this community block party. Enjoy special activities for kids, amazing local food and drinks, street performers, vendors, live music and much more. |
| What | Florida State University Football Game vs. Louisiana Monroe |
| Where | Doak Campbell Stadium |
| When | September 3 at 3:30 p.m. |
| Who's ready for some football? This game marks the home opener for the 2011 FSU Football Program. Bring the whole family for a day of exciting competition and some classic college football. |
Special Offers
aloft Tallahassee Downtown
The newest twist in travel! Book two nights, get the third night complimentary! Jet-setting style at a steal! Not valid on special event dates as determined by hotel.
850.577.5903 www.alofttallahassee.com
Cabot Lodge Tallahassee
15% off for the months of June, July and August for any number of nights or stay 2 nights and get the 3rd night at 1/2 price.
850.386.7500 www.cabotlodgethomasvilleroad.com
Four Points by Sheraton
Stay 2 nights, get the 3rd night free!
850.671.2020 www.fourpoints.com/tallahasseenorth
Hampton Inn & Suites I-10/Thomasville Road
Summer special of $109 weekday and $89 weekend. Breakfast is included daily, free parking, internet, local calls and complimentary dinner Monday-Thursday. Ask for the Capital Summer special. Valid through August 31, 2011. Contact: Michelle Wilson at (850) 320-9913
850.320.9913 www.hamptoninnandsuitestallahassee.com
Hilton Garden Inn Tallahassee
The Hilton Garden Inn, I-10 & Thomasville Rd. is offering a Special Reduce Rate of $79.00 from May 27th - Sept 5th, excluding Special Event Weekends. Call and ask for Capital Summer Rate. Book early, limited number of rooms available.
850.329.9024 www.tallahassee.hgi.com
Hotel Duval
Book two nights, get the third night complimentary! Blackout dates may apply.
850.224.6000 www.hotelduval.com
Howard Johnson Express Inn
Book two nights, get the third night for 50% off. Nightly rate of $52 plus tax. Blackout dates apply.
850.386.5000 www.the.hojo.com/tallahassee09896
Quality Inn & Suites
'Stay Another Day' at Quality Inn & Suites - Capital District Hotel and get your second night 50% off! This recently renovated hotel offers Full Hot 23 Item Breakfast Buffet, Free Wi-Fi, Access to YMCA, and Evening Manager's Reception. Can't stay 2 nights? Rate is $75.00 on every room in the hotel, mention Capital Summer Rate at the time of reservation to get the deal. We'll See You There! Offer valid until 9/1/11
850.877.4437 www.qualityinn.com
Sleep Inn
Sleep Inn offers free deluxe breakfast and free hi-speed internet and is minutes away from FSU, FAMU, and the airport. Please call the hotel directly and ask for the Promo2 Rate for a 15% discount.
850.575.5885 www.sleepinn.com/hotel/fl337
Suburban Extended Stay Hotel
Stay two nights, get the third night free! Rate code: Free Night. Special summer rate of $69 per night. Based on availability, not offer during special events and it based on 1 to 2 persons.
850.386.2121 www.suburbantal.com
University Inn & Suite
Stay 2 nights and get the third night free at rack rate or special "Summer" rate of $49 plus tax per night. Any stay will receive a free appetizer at Vintage Bistro and Bar. All rates are subject to advance reservation using the promo code "Summer". All reservations must be made by calling the hotel directly. Rates are valid from June 1 thru September 5, 2011. Blackout dates apply.
850.224.8161 www.universityinntallahassee.com
Andrews 228
Four course dinner for two for only $49.99. Make a date to go downtown! Includes free valet parking nightly.
850.222.3444 www.AndrewsDowntown.com
Barnacle Bill's Seafood Restaurant
Free Smoked Salmon Dip appetizer with purchase of dinner to anyone with an out of county ID. Great happy hour everyday from 4-7 and then again 9-11.
850.385.8734 www.BarnacleBills.com
Harry's Seafood Bar & Grille
10% discount off the entire check, max $100 check. Mention code: Visit Tallahassee.
850.222.3976 www.hookedonharrys.com
Challenger Learning Center
$1.00 Off Per Ticket to the Big IMAX 3D Theatre, as well as the Downtown DigitalDome Theatre & Planetarium. Mention "Summer's better with Challenger!" to receive your special offer. Valid up to four tickets. Visit ChallengerTLH.com for showtimes. Some restrictions may apply.
850.644.IMAX www.ChallengerTLH.com
Knott House Museum
The 1840s Knott House was restored to 1928. Free admission. Fee for group tours. Closed on Sundays and Mondays and the month of August. Re-opens Saturday, August 20.
850.922.2459 www.museumoffloridahistory.com
Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science
$1 OFF admission. The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science, located in downtown Tallahassee, Florida offering hands-on science experiences and a world-class art museum in one building. The Brogan Museum has something for everyone - open 7 days a week Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
850.513.0700 www.thebrogan.org
Museum of Florida History
Museum of Florida History is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. Holiday hours are noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free. Fat Sandwich café and Florida's History Shop.
850.245.6400 www.museumoffloridahistory.com
Tallahassee Museum
Buy one admission ticket, get one free. Offer cannot be combined with other Museum discounts or offers. Use code: CS2011.
850.575.8684 www.tallahasseemuseum.org