A Day Out from Exit 209A: What Tallahassee Guests Go See

An RV park is where you sleep. The reason you came is usually somewhere else. Tallahassee RV Park sits just off I-10 at Exit 209A, a short way from the Capitol, the universities and a good many museums and country drives. The park's own list of nearby attractions is a good starting point, and this guide goes through it in plain terms. Hours and prices change, so check them before you go.

Start close: the Tallahassee Automobile Museum

If you only have a spare afternoon, begin here. Two different guests wrote reviews recommending the Tallahassee Automobile Museum, and both said it's about half a mile from the park. One called it outstanding. The other said it's so much more than cars. That's a good sign for a place you can reach so easily. Look at the museum's own website for hours and tickets, and give yourself time to wander rather than rushing through.

History in town

Tallahassee is Florida's capital, and the history shows. The Museum of Florida History tells the story of the state from its early peoples forward, which makes a good rainy-day stop. The Capitol is downtown, and Florida State University and Florida A&M University are both only minutes from the park. Walking a campus on a quiet morning is free entertainment, and if you're in town for a graduation or a game, you'll want to know where things are before the crowds arrive.

Mission San Luis is another good one for history lovers. It's tied to the Spanish and Apalachee people who lived in this part of Florida long before the town was a capital, and it gives you a very different picture of the place than the Capitol does. If your kids or grandkids like stories about how people actually lived, this is a good place for it. As always, check what's open before you drive over.

Springs, woods and wildlife

Wakulla Springs is a big natural spring a drive south of town, and a lot of Tallahassee visitors put it at the top of the list. People go to see the clear water and the wildlife around it. Check conditions and hours before you go, because springs and the weather don't always cooperate. The Tallahassee Museum is another way to spend a morning, mixing exhibits with an outdoor setting and Florida wildlife. It suits a family with kids better than a long museum day would.

Country drives and an old-fashioned store

Outside the city lies the Red Hills region, rolling country with big oaks, old farmland and quiet roads. It rewards a slow drive with no fixed plan. Bradley's Country Store is also on the park's list of nearby attractions, and an old-fashioned country store is a fine reason to take that drive. Fill up the tank first and bring your own water, since country roads have fewer places to stop. Bring a camera too, and let the afternoon run as long as the light does.

If you'd rather ride than drive

All Aboard Capital City Tours is on the park's list too, and a guided tour is a fair choice if you'd rather have someone else do the driving and the talking. Visit Tallahassee and the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce are good places to look for what's going on during your dates, from events to seasonal things you won't find in a book. The park is a proud member of the chamber.

Plan the day, not the whole list

• Pick two or three things, not eight. A rushed day is a tired day.
• Group them by direction on the map so you aren't crossing town twice.
• Check hours and any tickets before you leave, since they vary by day and season.
• Carry water, sunscreen and a rain layer. Florida weather changes on a whim.
• Plan to be back in time for the pool and the clubhouse, because a good day ends with your feet up.

Finding your way home is easy. Take Exit 209A off I-10 and the entrance is less than a mile on the right. Remember the park's check-in is at noon and check-out at 11 AM Eastern, and quiet time starts at 10 pm. To plan your stay, send a request through the park's reservation page or call (850) 878-7641.