Tallahassee, FL

Calling all outdoor enthusiasts to Alfred B. Maclay State Gardens Park in Tallahassee! Nature lovers are invited to stroll along the picturesque brick walkways through the park's ornamental gardens or enjoy water recreation like swimming and fishing. If you've got a thing for hiking, biking, or jogging, take a small adventure down on of the two short nature trails overlooking the lake.

Address: 3450 Thomasville Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32312 - MAP
Phone: (850) 245-2157
Web: www.floridastateparks.org

The Goodwood Museum and Gardens sit on 16 acres of sprawling lawns, gardens, and century-old oaks in Tallahassee. Nature lovers delight in discovering the outdoor beauty of what was once a cotton plantation, and seeing today's grounds owing its stately charm to the informal array of Old Garden Roses, oak trees and magnolias.

Address: 1600 Miccosukee Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32308 - MAP
Phone: (850) 877-4202
Web: www.goodwoodmuseum.org

Nature and wildlife come together at the Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science. Check out a zoo devoted exclusively to native wildlife in its natural habitat. You'll stroll along the museum's outdoor boardwalk to see animals in like the Florida panther, the state's official mammal, and the rare red wolf, once extinct in the wild.

Address: 3945 Museum Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32310 - MAP
Phone: (850) 576-1636
Web: www.tallahasseemuseum.org

Paddle your way to outdoor fun at The Wilderness Way, Florida's Big Bend paddle sport outfitter located minutes from Tallahassee. The Wilderness provides a one stop water adventure, offering kayak sales and rentals, guided and private tours with professional certified instructors, gear and accessories, and even summer kayak camps!

Address: 3152 Shadeville Rd., Crawfordville, FL 32327 - MAP
Phone: (850) 877-7200
Web: www.thewildernessway.net

Bird watchers land at St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge in Tallahassee on 68, 000 acres spreading over coastal marshes, islands, tidal creeks and the estuaries of seven north Florida rivers. It's a bird watchers paradise, with hundreds of feathered friends from pelicans to hawks to pigeons and doves inhabiting the area. If it has wings, it's flying here!

Address: 1200 Lighthouse Rd., Tallahassee, FL 32355 - MAP
Phone: (850) 925-6121
Web: www.fws.gov

Visit Florida's largest forest, the Apalachicola National Forest in Tallahassee. You'll see trees covering 571,088 acres, sharing 2,735 acres of forest with fresh water streams, rivers, lakes, and natural springs. Outdoor activities will have you busy hiking, swimming, boating, hunting, fishing, and horse-back riding. Be sure to keep an eye on the stunning wildflowers along the way.

Address: 11152 NW State Route 20, Bristol, FL 32321 - MAP
Phone: (850) 643-2282
Web: www.fs.fed.us