Things to Do

Most of our guests come to the McFarlin House for relaxation or a romantic getaway. But if you want to explore a bit, here are some of their recommended things to do in Tallahassee / Quincy within a 45 minute drive from our inn…

Goodwood Museum and Gardens
1600 Miccosukee Road, Tallahassee, FL 32308 (850) 877-4202
www.goodwoodmuseum.org
A gracious 1834 plantation gardens estate, the main house contains priceless original art and furnishings. The grounds include cottages, which are available to rent for special events, a skating rink, newly renovated reflecting pool and charming heirloom gardens. Gardens/Grounds open Mon.- Fri.9 am-5 pm (FREE and open to the public). Main House Tours Mon-Fri 10 am-4 pm; Sat 10am-2pm ($5/person, FREE/ages 3 & under). Paula’s Cabana Cafe open Tues.- Fri. 11:30am-2:30 pm. Office Hours Mon-Fri 9am-5pm.

Governor’s Mansion
700 N. Adams St. (488-4661)
Georgian-style Southern mansion patterned after Andrew Jackson’s home “The Hermitage” features antique furnishings and gifts from foreign dignitaries. Tours during annual Legislative Session only. Mon, Wed, Fri 10 am-noon. FREE.

Knott House Museum
301 E. Park Ave. (922-2459)
www.museumoffloridahistory.com
Known as “The House That Rhymes” for the poems written by 1928 owner who attached them to its Victorian era furnishings. Guided tours Wed, Thur, Fri at 1-2-3 pm and Sat 10 am-3 pm (on the hour). FREE.

Maclay State Gardens
3540 Thomasville Rd. (487-4556)
Enchanting floral architecture surrounds 1930s home of NY financier Alfred B. Maclay. Impressive grounds feature 200+ floral varieties plus hiking, biking and nature trails, swimming, fishing and boating. Daily 8 am-sunset; Park Admission is $4/vehicle (up to 8 passengers), $1 each additional person. Additional gardens fee (Jan-April) is $4/Adults, $2/Under 12, FREE/Infants in arms. House tour is included with the garden fee and is open Jan-April only.

Mary Brogan Museum of Art & Science
Downtown at Kleman Plaza, 350 S. Duval St. (513-0700)
www.thebrogan.org
Three floors of museum excitement. The first floor features traveling science exhibits that are always interactive and spectacular. The 2nd floor offers visitors the opportunity to interact with The Brogan’s permanent collection. The Eco-Lab with living sea specimens, Early Childhood space, WCTV Weather station and the new Close Up Laboratory will delight visitors for hours. On The Brogan’s third floor, visitors will delight in traveling world-class art exhibitions that range from the works of the most famous of artistic masters to the spectacular new styles of contemporary excitement. Mon-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. $6/Adults, $3.50/Kids/Seniors and Students, Free/Under 3.

Mission San Luis
2021 W. Mission Rd. 487-3711
www.missionsanluis.org
See history come alive through costumed living history, hands-on exhibits, re-creations of period buildings and archaeological excavations at the only reconstructed Spanish mission in Florida. The site was the capital of the western missions in La Florida from 1656 to 1704 and was home to 1,500 Spanish and Apalachee Indian residents. The council house is the largest historic Indian building in the Southeast. Guided Group Tours are available by reservation. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days. Tues-Sun 10 am-4 pm. FREE.

Museum of Florida History
500 S. Bronough St. 245-6400
www.museumoffloridahistory.com
The official museum of the state of Florida since its opening in 1977, the Museum of Florida History collects, preserves, exhibits and interprets evidence of past and present cultures in Florida. Permanent exhibits range from the prehistoric to the 20th century and include a nine-foot mastodon skeleton, the St. Johns Diorama (depiction of an early Timucan Indian village), a recreated 19th century steamboat and a tribute to Florida citizens in World War II. Mon-Fri 9 am-4:30 pm, Sat 10 am-4:30 pm, Sun noon-4:30 pm. FREE. Guided tours Mon-Sat 10:30 am & 2:30 pm; Sun 2:30 pm.

Natural Bridge Battlefield State Historic Site
Woodville, FL 922-6007
Confederate soldiers prevented Union troops from reaching the only Southern capital east of the Mississippi not captured during the Civil War. Annual re-enactment (March). Daily 8 am-sunset. FREE.

Pebble Hill Plantation
Thomasville, GA; (229) 226-2344
www.pebblehill.com
Premier example of 20th century shooting plantation. Main house features sporting art, antiques and Audubon prints. Lush grounds feature brick stables, kennel, fire house, cemetery, log cabin school-house. Tues-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-5 pm. GROUNDS: $3 Adults, $1.50/Under 12; HOUSE TOUR: $7/Adults, $3.50/Kids 6-12. Last house tour is called at 3:45pm. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day.

Seacrest Wolf Preserve
3449 Bonnett Pond Rd.
Chipley, FL, 32428
(850) 773-2897
www.seacrestwolfpreserve.org
The Oaks Farm provides a perfect environment for the incredible wild species that call Seacrest Wolf Preserve home. These wild species include the Gray wolf, British Columbian wolf, Arctic wolf and small species of Gray and Silver fox, Arctic fox, Skunks, Raccoons and Coyote. By teaching tolerance and respect for these important wild species, the preserve hopes to educate the public on the vital role these animals play within the natural world, and cultivate a passion to protect them in the wild. Currently the largest wolf preserve in the Southeastern United States, Seacrest is licensed by the State of Florida and the United States Department of Agriculture. Seacrest Wolf Preserve, Inc. is open Monday – Saturday year around and is closed on Sunday. RESERVATIONS ARE MANDATORY FOR ALL TOURS!

St. Marks Historic Railroad Trail
US 319 and SR 363 245-2055; (877) 822-5208
Sixteen-mile paved trail borders Apalachicola National Forest and leads to Gulf of Mexico. Also features 7.5 miles of off-road bike trails encompassing more of the forest and several natural sink holes. Open daily from sun up to sun down. FREE.

St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge
St. Marks, FL 925-6121
Encompasses 68,000 acres along the Gulf Coast, home to more than 250 species of birds, waterfowl and diverse habitats, historic St. Marks Lighthouse, boat ramps, nature trails, fishing, hunting, hiking, special events, educational programs and Visitors Center. Group Rates available. Fee.

Tallahassee Automobile Museum
6800 Mahan Dr. (942-0137)
www.tacm.com
Winner of the 1999 National AACA Award: Museum of the Year for preservation of antique cars. Featuring more than 120 rare autos including an 1894 Duryea (oldest know fully-surviving automobile in US), 1931 Duesenberg, the Tucker, Batmobiles from the movies and a variety of collections including boat motors dating back to 1908, Native American artifacts, sports memorabilia, motorcycles, pedal cars, perfume atomizers, baby rattles and much more. Mon- Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun noon-5 pm. $15/Adults, $10/Students, $7/Kids 8 and under

Tallahassee Museum
3945 Museum Dr. (576-1636 or 575-8684)
www.tallahasseemuseum.org
The Tallahassee Museum is celebrating 50 years of creating memories and enriching lives. Enjoy fifty-two acres of living wildlife exhibits, nature trails, 1880s farmstead, bird aviary, annual events and more! $9/Adults, $8.50/Seniors & College Students with valid ID, $6/Children 4-15, FREE/Children under 4 and Museum Members.

Torreya State Park
Bristol, FL 643-2674
Apalachicola River bluffs, 150 feet high, feature rare Torreya evergreens, trails, RV/Tent camping, plus the pre-Civil War Gregory House. Daily 8 am-sunset. $2/Vehicle, $1/Pedestrian. HOUSE TOUR: Mon- Fri 10 am, Sat-Sun 10 am/2 & 4 pm; $2/Adult, $1/Kids.

Wakulla Springs State Park
Wakulla Springs, FL 224-5950;
www.floridastateparks.org/wakullasprings
One of world’s deepest freshwater springs features glassbottom and river-boat tours, swimming, trails, 1937 lodge and fine dining. Pets allowed in park. Daily 8 am-sunset. $4 per vehicle up to 8 people, $1 each additional person. BOAT TOURS: $6/Adult, $4/Kids.

Union Bank Museum
Downtown, Apalachee Pkwy. 487-3803
Built in 1841, Florida’s oldest surviving bank building. At various times housed a Freedman’s Bank, shoe factory, bakery, beauty shop and church. Mon-Fri 9 am-4 pm, Sat-Sun by appointment. FREE.

Florida Caverns State Park
850-482-9598
This is one of the few state parks with dry (air filled) caves and is the only Florida state park to offer cave tours to the public. The cave has dazzling formations of limestone stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, flowstones, and draperies. Florida Caverns is also popular for camping, swimming, fishing, picnicking, canoeing, boating, hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding (The park does not rent horses.). Stables are available for equestrian campers. Guided cave tours are offered every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The tour lasts approximately 45 minutes and is considered to be moderately strenuous. An audiovisual program, touring the cave and other natural areas of the park, is available in the visitor center. Located three miles north of Marianna on State Road 166.

Old Capitol
Monroe Street at Apalachee Parkway, Tallahassee
904-487-1902
In its present location since 1845, Florida’s historic Old Capitol was expanded several times, although it retains the original floor plan in the center of the building. In 1978, the last state employees vacated the stately, time-worn structure, which, after selective demolition, was restored to its 1902 appearance and opened as a museum in 1982. Today, The Old Capitol’s special exhibits interpret the state’s political history, constitutions, and the history of the building. Artifacts and reproductions are displayed in the Governor’s Suite and in the Senate, House, and Supreme Court chambers. 9 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday, 10 AM to 4:30 PM Saturday, 12 PM to 4:30 PM Sunday, closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.