College Bucket List: 10 Fun Things to Do in Tallahassee for College Students
Summer is in full swing, which means school will be back in session before you know it. Whether you’ll be starting your freshman year of college in the fall, studying in the US for the first time, or are enjoying your last summer break before your senior year, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Tallahassee for college students.
From feeding the ducks at Lake Ella (no, seriously, hear us out!) to picnicking at Cascades Park to the burger you must eat before you graduate, you’ll definitely want to add these to your bucket list. How many have you crossed off?
1. Feed the Ducks at Lake Ella
Looking for unique and fun things to do in Tallahassee? One of your first stops should be Lake Ella. Located on the outskirts of downtown, Lake Ella boasts beautiful views, lots of shopping, a handful of great restaurants, and…ducks.
Students enjoy walking or running near the lake to get some fresh air, exercise, or to decompress after a stressful day. If you run on caffeine (or want to beat the Florida heat with an iced coffee or tea), be sure to visit the Black Dog Cafe, which is just steps away and has a patio overlooking the waterfront. You might even get some homework done here (wink wink).
If you need a break from studying and want to indulge in a little retail therapy, check out the Shops at Lake Ella, where you’ll find an eclectic selection of locally owned businesses like Quarter Moon and Yarn Therapy.
2. Go to First Friday at Railroad Square Art District
Half a mile from the Florida A&M University campus and College Town neighborhood is Railroad Square Art District. Home to more than 50 artist studios, galleries, and locally owned businesses, Railroad Square is consistently ranked one of the most offbeat and fun things for college students to do in Tallahassee.
This unique hangout has a little something for everyone. Scour racks of vintage clothing and thrifted treasures at places like After the Fox or CURIO Vintage for the quirkiest clothes to post a fire #OOTD to amp up your Instagram feed. Get a workout in at the Tallahassee Rock Gym, which is located inside a historic railroad warehouse and has rock climbing walls for beginners and experienced climbers. Once you’ve scored vintage gold or worked up a sweat, be sure to refuel at the Crum Box Gastgarden (you can’t go wrong with a pulled pork hoagie). Finally, finish off your meal with an ice-cold beer at Proof Brewery’s outdoor beer garden, located just a few steps away.
While Railroad Square Art Garden is open Tuesday through Sunday, you’ll want to be sure to make it to First Friday at least once! Also known as the “First Friday Gallery Hop,” this hugely popular event lasts from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on the first Friday of every month, and is a celebration of all things art, music, and culture.
3. Have a Picnic in Cascades Park With Your Squad
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It was a great night for a @tlhdowntown Sundown Concert at Cascades. #iHeartTally
Cascades Park is in the heart of downtown Tallahassee and offers endless outdoor and recreational amenities. This unique urban park boasts an amphitheater, an interactive water fountain, and is home to numerous events like the Sundown Concert Series which features live music, food trucks, and craft beer. Best of all? Cascades Park is completely free to the public, so it won’t drill a hole in your budget.
Visit Cascades Park and you’ll undoubtedly see fellow college students longboarding along the pedestrian bridge, walking the Capital Cascades trail, or lounging on a blanket in the plush grass. While all these activities are great, we recommend getting your besties together and heading to Cascade Park for a picnic. Pack a couple of blankets, have everyone bring a snack or two, and don’t forget to pick up a growler of beer from Proof Brewing across the street (can you say #SquadGoals?).
4. Order a “Gator Hater” Burger at Wells Brothers Bar and Grill
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The grill is up and running! Come on in for the best burgers in Tallahassee!
Whether you’re a student at FSU, FAMU, or Flagler, if you live in Tallahassee, hating the Gators is a requirement (#sorrynotsorry). So what better way to show your Tally pride than by ordering a mouthwatering cheeseburger lovingly named the “Gator Hater”? This culinary delicacy is dished up at Wells Brothers Bar and Grill which is arguably the best burger joint in town. The classic cheeseburger sandwiched between buttered sourdough bread and topped with bacon. Best paired with an ice-cold beer while watching the game! Bonus: put this scene on your Instagram story or Snapchat, and make your friends jealous!
5. Get Scared at the Terror of Tallahassee
If you love Halloween, this one’s for you. Anyone who lives in the capitol of Florida is familiar with Terror of Tallahassee. The haunted house opened in 1999 and now, two decades later, continues to draw in terror-seekers near and far. Located just a half a mile from FSU’s football stadium, Terror of Tallahassee is known for being much more intense than Halloween Horror Nights in Orlando or Howl-o-Scream in Tampa. It’s one of the more memorable ways you and your friends can spend a fall night—but be warned—if you’re afraid of the dark (or things like rats, roaches, snakes, and clowns) maybe sit this one out!
6. Plan a Beach Day with Your Friends
Florida is home to some of the most gorgeous beaches in the world and as a college student in Tallahassee, the beach is (almost) in your backyard. That’s why one of the most fun things to do in Tallahassee for college students is to plan a beach day with your friends. You can even get matching red swimsuits with your gang and recreate the Baywatch opening! #iconic
St. George Island is roughly an hour and a half south of Tallahassee but is well worth the drive thanks to the nine miles of pristine, white-sand beaches it offers. The area has ample parking as well as inexpensive hotel accommodations so you can either hit the beach for a day or extend your stay if you want to keep the vibe going. St. George Island has lots of great for options, but we recommend stopping by the Blue Parrot Oceanfront Café so you and your besties can enjoy fresh-caught fish and a frozen margarita while working on your tan.
7. Sit Under the Live Oak at the Lichgate Cottage
Located on High Road right by FSU is Lichgate, a cottage that looks like it came straight out of a fairytale. Lichgate was built by a university literature professor named Laura Jepsen. In 1956, she was walking near the area when she saw an ancient Live Oak. Jepsen was so inspired by the massive tree and its sweeping branches that she purchased the surrounding field and built a small cottage. When Jepsen passed away in 1995, the property was intended to be sold for commercial development. Luckily, a group of Jepsen’s close friends and former students pooled their money to buy the cottage and surrounding field. Today, Lichgate is open to the public and includes a Shakespeare Garden, a meditation labyrinth, and the same Live Oak that Jepsen fell in love with more than 60 years ago.
This place is truly special and one of the best things to do in Tallahassee for college students…not to mention one of the most relaxing.
8. Take in the Views from the Capitol Building
Going to college in the state’s capitol requires at least one visit to the actual capitol building, right? Located in downtown Tallahassee, taking a trip to the Capitol building is well worth your time, mainly because the 22nd floor offers a stunning panoramic viewing deck where you can take in the Tallahassee skyline. You can also check out a gallery of works from famous Floridian artists on the same floor.
9. Explore Tallahassee’s Nightlife
Our list of fun things to do in Tallahassee for college students wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t include some of our favorite watering holes. Tally is known for its nightlife thanks to the seemingly endless bars, breweries, and nightclubs for college students to enjoy. No matter what night of the week you and your squad are looking to go out, there is always something going on.
We recommend starting your week off at Clyde & Costello’s “Mandatory Make Out Mondays” where ladies get in free until 11 p.m. Recess is the move for Tuesday nights since they offer $2 shots until midnight. Celebrate hump day on the Strip and do a bar crawl through Ken’s Tavern, Red Rocks, and Yanni’s. Thursday night is All You Can Drink (AYCD) at Potbelly’s, and be sure to hit up TENN’s rooftop bar on Fridays to dance the night away with your roomies.
If going out on the weekends is more your style, you’re still in luck. Students flock to Baja’s to dance under neon lights on Saturdays and brunch with your besties at Madison Social is the perfect way to close out the week. Bottomless mimosas, anyone?
10. Pop Bottles at the Westcott Fountain
There will undoubtedly be lots of reasons to celebrate throughout your college years in Tallahassee. Whether you aced an exam, snagged a killer internship, or are finally graduating, popping a bottle of champagne at the Westcott Fountain is a right of passage.
Graduating truly marks the end of an era. We can’t think of a better way to close out this chapter of your life than by posing for a Boomerang in your cap and gown with the friends you’ve made along the way!
Have You Found Your Student Accommodation in Tallahassee?
Now that you know 10 of the most fun things to do in Tallahassee for college students, do you know where you’ll be living? Whether you’re looking for Florida State University off-campus housing, a roomie near FAMU, or another student housing Tallahassee option, securing your place to live is important and Unilodgers wants to help. As you decide where you’d like to lease, check out our list of items to make sure you pack before heading to the Sunshine State.
Unilodgers is the world’s leading platform for booking student accommodations, serving over 1,000,000 million students from 195 countries every year. We provide students exclusive offers on student housing options and make it easy to book the accommodation that’s the best fit for you.
