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Off the Beaten Path in Tallahassee
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Tallahassee Off the Beaten Path

rosette spoonbills - Tallahassee
rosette spoonbills
by doug48
Tips and photos of unusual, out-of-the-way Tallahassee attractions, posted by real travelers and locals.
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Tallahassee Off the Beaten PathTips 1 - 10 of 30  
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The Florida State University School of Music
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • By pchamlis on October 23, 2004
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • Recent Jazz Ensemble program, featuring Carl Allen - Tallahassee
    Recent Jazz Ensemble
    program, featuring Carl
    Allen
    by pchamlis
    The School of Music at Florida State University produces a never-ending supply of excellent concerts and theatrical events. Many are actually free to the public, and even those involving an actual ticket price are inexpensive.

    On a personal note, my son Jeff is a junior at Florida State, in the School of Music. He is studying Music Education and will someday be a band leader or orchestra conductor.

    The last concert that my wife and I attended at FSU was October 20, and featured the university's VERY hip Jazz Ensemble. Among the songs performed were..

    Lazy Bird (John Coltrane)
    Groove Merchant (Jerome Richardson)
    Main Stem (Duke Ellington)
    My Brotha (Carl Allen)
    Everyday I Have the Blues (Joe Williams)
    Mean What You Say (Thad Jones)

    At many of these concerts, very renowned guest artists take part. For the concert I described above, NYC jazz drummer Carl Allen sat in with the ensemble. He had spend the day at FSU conducting several workshops and sessions with the highly-motivated and talented student body of the School of Music.

    C'mon out and enjoy the music at Florida State!

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  • Phone: 850-644-3424
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • Updated By pchamlis on July 7, 2008
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • Sara and Opie, a 3-week old fawn. soooo cute! - Tallahassee
    Sara and Opie, a 3-week old
    fawn. soooo cute!
    by pchamlis, 4 more photos
    SPECIAL NOTE, 7/6/08. For those of you who have heard the story of "the lucky duck", she's doing well. At this time, she's moved to a permanent home out at the Tallahassee Junior Museum. She can't fly well enough to be released into the wild, so this lucky duck will live the rest of her life being well cared for. If you'd like to help Goose Creek take care of rehabbing animals, please send a check made out to Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary, attn: Noni Beck. The address is 830 Watt Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32301. Please drop my name (Pete Chamlis) and say that you read about Goose Creek on my VT page. :)

    Also, if you'd like to see a photo taken today (1/21) of the famous duck, look at my second tip photo. This is my daughter Sara holding the rescued duck. :)

    Here's the original tip text:

    e Goose Creek Wildlife Sanctuary is really nothing more than a collection of people who truly love rescuing and rehabilitating injured wildlife. If you truly have an interest in this endeavor, give Goose Creek (Noni) a call when you're in Tallahassee.

    My daughter, Sara, who lives for this type of vocation, has volunteered with Goose Creek and Noni for over five years. In the attached photo, she's holding "Goober", a beautiful little adult Eastern screech owl. Goober cannot be released back into the wild because he cannot fly. So, Goose Creek takes care of him and uses him in educational demonstrations. My daughter has been working with Goober for years, and they make quite a pair. BTW, if you're wondering about Sara's (my daughter) outfit, she was wearing a skunk costume on this day. She was doing wildlife talks and demonstrations for small children at a local festival.

    ALSO, IF YOU TRULY HAVE AN INTEREST IN CARING FOR INJURED WILDLIFE AND WOULD LIKE TO SEND CONTRIBUTIONS TO A GROUP THAT WILL SPEND EVERY PENNY YOU GIVE TO THEM ::ON:: THE ANIMALS....NO ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS OR SALARIES, IT'S ALL VOLUNTEER, please contact me and I'll tell you where to send your dollars, euros, shekels, rupees, kroners or whatever. Thanks!

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  • Phone: 850-385-8792
  • Other Contact: Noni Beck, at the number above
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Bradley's Country Store, established in 1927
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • Updated By pchamlis on May 2, 2008
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • Bradley's Country Store - Tallahassee
    Bradley's Country Store
    by pchamlis
    About 12 miles out of Tallahassee lies Bradley's Country Store, home of Bradley's Country sausage. The fine folks at Bradley's (ie the Bradley family) have made great sausage for almost 80 years. I've eaten my weight in their specialty over the years. Bradley's also offers a first rate butcher-shop service for country-style meats. Fine country ham, pork chops, ribs and such can be had at Bradley's.

    Lots of people drive out to Bradleys to buy sausage for their out of town friends when they visit. It's so tasty that people pack it in ice and take it home.

    The Bradleys are good people, too. For years, they've partnered with all sorts of civic groups, providing their sausage dogs at a very reasonable price for fund-raising. As a band parent, I've cooked a million of them. :)

    And last but not least, the Bradleys host two big Tallahassee events each year. In the fall, the store and lands around it play host to Bradley's Old Fashioned Day. There's craft sales, historical demonstations and, of course, a great opportunity to get some good country food.

    In the spring, Bradley's hosts the Tallahassee Renaissance Fair. Knights of old and such. Seems like a weird thing to happen at a country store, but it's very popular.

    Get yourself a Bradley's sausage on your next visit to Tallahassee. If your Tallahassee host really loves you, maybe he or she will drive you all the way out to the store. : )

    To find Bradley's FROM TALLAHASSEE, go about 12 miles "out of town" on Centerville Road, starting at Cap Circle NE. Bradleys' is well marked, on the right side of the road.

    To find Bradley's FROM MICCOSUKEE, go "towards" town (Tallahassee) on Mocassin Gap Rd. (Mocassin Gap Road in Miccosukee and Centerville Road in Tallahassee are actually the same road) About 6 miles towardsTallahassee, Bradley's will be on the left.

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  • Phone: 850.893.1647
  • Website: www.bradleyscountrystore.com/
  • Other Contact: 10655 Centerville Road
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Attend the pre-football game "Skull" sessions
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • Updated By pchamlis on November 24, 2004
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • The saxophone section at the skull session - Tallahassee
    The saxophone section at the
    skull session
    by pchamlis
    As mentioned in one of my sporting tips, college football is HUGE in Tallahassee. This community loves its Seminoles!

    As many of you may know, my son plays in Florida State University's marching band (The Marching Chiefs). The "World Renowned Marching Chiefs" (as they are known) always put on a bang-up halftime show, entertaining the crowd with a variety of musical styles and marching techniques. (There is a picture of the entire Marching Chiefs band on the field in my FSU football sports tip)

    However, IF you come to an FSU game, try to come a few hours early. The Chiefs hold what they call their "pregame skull session" over at the FSU baseball stadium. This is an opportunity for the band to make final preparations for the show of the day. And, it gives the crowd a chance to sit down and enjoy some musical fun and hijinks to boot.

    In addition to playing through most of the day's halftime music AND the school fight and spirit songs, the individual instrument sections work up their own little "cheers", which are actually student-arranged songs. For the most part, the subject matter borders on the silly and humorous. (For example, something like "The Jetsons Theme Song" and such) One particularly weird and funny cheer involved the 18 members of the tuba section (aka the "Royal Flush") playing "The Hokey Pokey song".

    So, if you ever find yourself attending an FSU football game, arrive at least two hours prior to kickoff. Go to the baseball stadium (just next door) and enjoy the skull sessions. It's completely free and comfortable, thanks to the outstanding seating at the baseball facility. You'll have a blast.

    SPECIAL NOTE. IN THE PHOTO ON THE LEFT (AND SLIGHTLY ABOVE), MY SON IS THE 9TH SAXOPHONE FROM THE LEFT IN THE LONG LINE. HE'S WEARING A GARNET COLORED BASEBALL CAP, AND HIS SUNGLASSES ARE ON THE BILL. And although he won't share such private information, he seems to have more than a casual interest in the lovely young lady who is 10th in line. : )

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    A great little deli in eastern Leon County
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • By pchamlis on April 12, 2005
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • The Hilltop Country Store and Deli - Tallahassee
    The Hilltop Country Store and
    Deli
    by pchamlis
    If you find yourself exploring out in eastern Leon County, somewhere in the MIccosukee-Lloyd-Monticello areas, there's a little gem of a country store and deli that you should try. It's call the Hilltop Country Store and Deli, and it's quite a find. They have wonderful deli sandwiches, as well as terrific barbecue and hamburgers. Fried chicken, too. All good.

    If you call ahead, they'll have your sandwiches ready to go.

    The Hilltop also has a lot of nifty local delicacies. One of my favorites are the amaretto chocolate dipped pecans, that come from nearby Monticello, Florida. I've shared these with friends far and wide to great acclaim. Guys, these are good enough to give to a woman you love, if you know what I mean. : )

    Hilltop's official address is 14807 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32309

    Their phone number is 850.906.0752

    FINDING HILLTOP....
    (from Miccosukee) Drive south on Veterans Memorial Drive (County Rd 59). When the road dead-ends at US90 East (Mahan Drive), turn left. Drive about 2 miles and Hilltop will be on the right... not surprisingly at the top of a hill. :)

    FROM TALLAHASSEE
    Drive east towards Monticello on US90 (Mahan Drive). Drive past Cap Circle, and the Interstate highway 10 on ramp. About 10 miles beyond the interstate intersection, you'll see Hilltop on the right.

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  • Phone: 850.906.0752
  • Website: Are you kidding??
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

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    Wild Adventures Theme Park and Zoo
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • Updated By pchamlis on March 12, 2009
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • One of Wild Adventures' NINE rollercoasters - Tallahassee
    One of Wild Adventures' NINE
    rollercoasters
    by pchamlis, 2 more photos
    The nearby south Georgia city of Valdosta, Georgia, hosts Wild Adventures Theme Park. There is also an adjoining water park (Splash Island), which is considered part of Wild Adventures.

    Valdosta is an easy drive, about 90 miles away from Tallahassee. WA is a pleasant little theme park, every bit as entertaining as your basic Six Flags type place....just a smaller scale. PRICES are on a smaller scale, too.

    One-day admission is about $30. Sometimes, they'll give you two days for the price of one. A SEASON pass is only $64 per person, and includes all the concerts (see below), too. And remember, your admission gets you into both Wild Adventures and Splash Island water park. A helluva good deal, if you only go a twice a year! And (sounds like a TV infomercial.....) there's even more..) your season long passport is also good at Cypress Gardens Adventure Park in Winter Haven, Florida. (both parks are owned by the same management)

    Wild Adventures is clean, civil and well-managed. Parking isn't a problem, nor is traffic. And, unless you hit it on a weekend in the summer, it's usually not crowded, either.

    How big IS Wild Adventures? Well, it's not remotely Disney or MGM.... but consider this... they have NINE rollercoasters! Some of them really move, too.

    In addition to the amusement park, Wild Adventures has a well-maintained wildlife park, where you can get an up-close look at many exotic animals. (see zoo tip in off the beaten trail, Tallahassee) There are the pre-requisite animal shows that you'd see at any theme park scheduled at various times during the day.

    And there are concerts...... your admission ticket will often get you into a concert being played by some famous entertainers. Your admission ticket only gets you general admission....if you want a reserved seat, you have to pay some extra. The last couple of years' acts at Wild Adventures have included Foreigner, Styx, Huey Lewis & the News, Loretta Lynn, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Boyz II Men, the Animals and EVEN Iron Butterfly! (remember In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida?) I heard this afternoon (March 2009) that Keith Urban is coming soon. I wonder if Nicole Kidman will come along for the ride?

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  • Phone: 229.219.7020
  • Website: www.wildadventures.net
  • Other Contact: Highway I-75, exit 13
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Beauty and peace after the storm.
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • By pchamlis on April 29, 2005
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • A north Florida rainbow out on Interstate 10 - Tallahassee
    A north Florida rainbow out on
    Interstate 10
    by pchamlis
    A lot of people have asked me about hurricanes and such. Sure, they're a pain, and can be deadly. But one thing that is almost magical..... after a storm passes, the weather becomes so incredibly serene and beautiful. It's almost as if we've passed some sort of heavenly test. Hmmmm.

    The same is true when we have one of our frog-choker (remind me to put that on my Southern Sayings list...) storms. After a few hours of torrential rain and blasting thunder/lightnening, it's as if peace returns in all her glory. Look around, and take in the beauty and calm after the storm.

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    Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • By pchamlis on April 26, 2005
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • Right this way for Sister Fay ---> - Tallahassee
    Right this way for Sister Fay
    --->
    by pchamlis
    One of the first things I noticed when I moved to Tallahassee in 1968 was that we had an official gypsy fortune teller in town. Sister Fay has been in business locally for well on 35 years, a regular pillar of the community. As for the tramps and thieves part of the title, I really don't know of any trampish behavior on the part of Fay over the years.

    As for thievery.... let's just say that if collecting money for dubious services is a crime, then the phone company would be in maximum security right now.

    I've never had my palm read by the good madame, but I've heard that she's big into getting you to "come back" because she's seen some "unclear issues" in your reading. Hmmmmm.

    But, if you're in the mood for something really silly, have a couple of beers and go see Sister Fay. I'd tell you to say hi for me, but why bother? Since she has special powers, she's probably already hearing me as I type now.....

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  • Phone: 850.878.9327
  • Other Contact: 1729 Mahan Drive, Tallahassee
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    If you want more exotic animals......
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • By pchamlis on April 30, 2005
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • It ain't Sesame Street, but it IS Big Bird. : ) - Tallahassee
    It ain't Sesame Street, but it
    IS Big Bird. : )
    by pchamlis
    There is an interesting animal exhibit at Tallahassee's Museum of Natural History. (otherwise known of in Tallahassee by it's old name, the "Junior Museum") But, if you'd like to see more exotic animals, you might want to motor over to Valdosta, Georgia, some 90 miles away. Wild Adventures Amusement Park and Animal Park has a nice collection of exotic wild animals in a well-maintained and reasonable spacious habitat.

    Now, I agree with most of you..... animals in a zoo are not what makes me really happy. Nothing compares to seeing them in the African bush. But, zoos do important research and serve their purpose. I have no issue with zoos so long as the animals are healthy and cared for. This is the case at Wild Adventures.

    For more information on Wild Adventures, see my separate tip.

    Summing it up, I"m not sure that Wild Adventures is worth the drive if you ONLY want to visit a zoo. (If that's the case, I'd suggest driving the 160 miles to Jacksonville, Florida). But if you'd like to enjoy an amusement park, a water park, some good live music AND a zoo, check out Wild Adventures.

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  • Phone: 229.219.7080
  • Website: www.wildadventures.net
  • Other Contact: Highway I-75, exit 13
    • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    The Lewis Park May Oak, RIP 1986
  • Tip Rating:
    • pchamlis
  • Updated By pchamlis on August 18, 2006
  • Tallahassee Page by pchamlis
    • What remains of our May Oak - Tallahassee
    What remains of our May Oak
    by pchamlis
    Lewis Park is one of a string a parks that run throughout the center of Tallahassee. Approximately two blocks east of our main thoroughfare, Monroe Street, Lewis Park has a long history in Tallahassee celebration. For almost 80 years, the annual "May Celebration" including a May Pole dance for young women, was held in Lewis Park, under one of the most stately oak trees in the city. Known of as the "May Oak", this grand old tree was a fine example of the mighty oak at its grandest. Back when I was only 13, our junior high school marching band (Elizabeth Cobb Junior High School, home of the "Cobb Cubs") held a spring concert underneath the branches of this oak in May of 1970. I still have a cassette recording of the event. We weren't very good. I remember that we played the "Colonel Bogey March", which some of you may know as the "whistle song" from the classic 1957 film, BRIDGE OVER THE RIVER KWAI. Anyway, the Lewis Park May Oak played a big part in Tallahassee's spring celebrations for many years. The May Dance ended in 1974, and was shortly replaced by a larger Springtime Tallahassee festival. (See photos on my Tallahassee travelogues). The old oak continued to shade folks as they enjoyed picnics, or maybe a little early evening quite kiss-kiss session with their sweethearts.

    Sadly, on August 9, 1986, the May Oak finally just collapsed, its massive bulk no longer able to be properly supported by its trunk. The city maintenance crews sadly sawed up and removed the grand old tree. Today, a marker, denoting the tree's history in Tallahassee remains in Lewis Park, along with the massive stump.

    There are other fine old oak trees in Tallahassee and Leon County. But in 1986, we lost one of our most special ones.

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