{"id":217553,"date":"2026-04-03T14:30:08","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T14:30:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/217553\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T14:30:08","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T14:30:08","slug":"top-5-best-summer-spots-near-tallahassee","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/217553\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 Best Summer Spots Near Tallahassee"},"content":{"rendered":"

This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at FSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.<\/p>\n

The sun is out, the wind is breezy, and the air is starting to smell like coconut sunscreen. Ladies, summer is fast approaching, and it\u2019s time we plan out our day trips and summer activities. Lucky for us, we live in the center of a plethora of outdoor activities.<\/p>\n

Tallahassee might seem like it has nothing much to offer, but trust me, there are plenty of places to go<\/a> and spend a beautiful summer day that don\u2019t include The Strip or Recess. With that in mind, let\u2019s take a little Florida tour and discover the hidden gems and beauties of the North Florida area!<\/p>\n

St. George Island<\/p>\n

Our first stop along our Florida tour is one of my favorite places to go with friends and family during the summer. A hop,\u00a0skip, and a bridge away is the beautiful St. George Island<\/a>. The island is about an hour and a half from campus and features a beautiful scenic drive along the panhandle coastline.<\/p>\n

Once on the island, there are many things to discover. My personal favorite spot on the island is the National Park<\/a>; it\u2019s lowkey and quiet, and usually very clean. The water is crystal blue, and the sands are as soft as cotton. Once you\u2019ve fulfilled your mermaid dreams, there are wonderful places to grab a bite on the island.<\/p>\n

The first and most iconic is The Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe<\/a>, an American seafood restaurant that specializes in Apalachicola Bay oysters and fresh catches of the day.\u00a0The Blue Parrot is a North Florida staple, providing service since the 1980s, where the Jimmy Buffett energy and way of life is just the thing you\u2019ll find. It\u2019s the only restaurant on the island and has been voted \u201cBest Outdoor Cafe\u201d by the Best of Florida Association.<\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve satisfied your seafood cravings, take a walk on over to Aunt Ebby\u2019s Ice Cream<\/a>. This ice cream shop has to be one of my absolute favorites. Their homemade ice cream is dreamlike, and the flavor options are endless. Aunt Ebby\u2019s has been a staple since 1993, serving amazing ice cream for decades.<\/p>\n

St. George is a classic stop along our tour for today. Make sure to pack your sunscreen and clean up after yourself once you leave the beach to ensure that the area can be enjoyed for years to come!<\/p>\n

Ichetucknee River<\/p>\n

It\u2019s time we head south! Our next stop along our Florida tour is the wonderful Ichetucknee River and Springs<\/a>. Also, a state park, the Ichetucknee River is one of the most popular natural lazy rivers within the Florida area.<\/p>\n

Bring your friends and goggles to tube down<\/a> the icy, cold river. The river is fed by two freshwater springs, also with public access. The Ichetucknee provides many recreational activities for your perfect summer day.<\/p>\n

You can float down the river, kayak, canoe, or paddleboard. For the perfect day, begin by tubing down the river with your friends, then head to the north entrance of the park to swim in the natural springs. In addition to a shallow spring pool, there\u2019s a cave and a large blue hole that\u2019s accessible to scuba divers, free divers, or amateur divers (like myself).<\/p>\n

Even though the water is cold, the views are beautiful; you can happily watch the natural wildlife and live out your Moon Pool Mako Mermaid dreams by diving into the blue hole. If you get hungry, that\u2019s no issue; Ichetucknee has a cafe with all-American cuisine<\/a> that\u2019s both delicious and satisfying. Overall, the Ichetucknee River is the perfect place to relax and unwind with friends, especially on a hot summer day.<\/p>\n

Vortex Springs at Ponce de Leon<\/p>\n

Heading back up north, our third stop along our tour is Vortex Springs at Ponce De Leon, Florida<\/a>. Vortex is one of my favorite hidden gems within the Florida area, about two hours away from FSU, nestled in the small county of Ponce de Leon.<\/p>\n

Vortex features water amenities and activities for people of all ages; there\u2019s a zip line, a natural slide, a rock-climbing wall, and more. Vortex is the perfect place to go, especially if you\u2019re an adrenaline junky. The activities are free along with a day pass, and are definitely worth it.<\/p>\n

Even though Vortex might not be as relaxing as Ichetucknee, the springs offer new ways to have fun for friends and family. If you don\u2019t want to partake in the recreational activities, that\u2019s OK! There\u2019s a swimming area that\u2019s fed by a spring, meant for swimming, wading, and snorkeling.<\/p>\n

If you don\u2019t have a snorkel or fins, no need to worry! You can rent them for the day at the park entrance. Vortex is the perfect place to have fun and to get your wiggles out. Make sure to stay safe and don\u2019t go too crazy on the zip line.<\/p>\n

Wacissa River<\/p>\n

Heading back towards home, our fourth stop is none other than the Wacissa River<\/a>. It\u2019s about thirty minutes outside of Tallahassee, and is one of the closest rivers, other than the Wakulla River, that you can kayak down.<\/p>\n

You might\u2019ve heard of the Wacissa River; it\u2019s a very popular place for paddleboarding, kayaking, or canoeing, and you can rent all of these amenities at the entrance of the state park. The Wacissa River is home to some of Florida\u2019s most special wildlife, like manatees, alligators, and snapping turtles. It\u2019s the perfect place to go if you\u2019re in the mood for paddling out on open water.<\/p>\n

About halfway through the river, there\u2019s a blue hole that feeds into the river. Here you can enjoy a rope swing and jump off trees into the crystal blue water. Wacissa is the perfect place to go on a quick day trip, become one with the wildlife, and enjoy the beautiful nature Florida has to offer.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Wild Adventures<\/p>\n

Our last stop along our tour of Florida is actually a little over the Florida-Georgia line. Our final stops land us in Valdosta, Georgia, about two hours away from Tallahassee, home to the unforgettable Wild Adventures. Wild Adventures is a theme park with roller coasters, giant swings, and even a water park. <\/p>\n

Wild Adventures<\/a> is perfect if you love riding rollercoasters and theme parks in general. If you\u2019re someone who lives for adrenaline, this is your place. From high-speed coasters that\u2019ll have you questioning your life choices (in the best way) to water rides that are necessary in that southern heat, Wild Adventures is the perfect mix of thrill and chill.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s giving main character energy: the wind is in your hair, and group selfies are captured mid-scream, but what makes Wild Adventures such a standout stop on this tour is its versatility \u2014 not everyone in the group has to be a roller coaster enthusiast.<\/p>\n

There are more laid-back rides, shaded areas to relax, and the water park section if you\u2019d rather float than flip upside down. It\u2019s the kind of place where everyone can find their version of fun, whether that\u2019s conquering their fear of heights or just vibing in the lazy river. Pro tip: go with a group!<\/p>\n

There\u2019s nothing better than hyping each other up before a ride and then immediately debriefing after, like you just survived something life-changing, because honestly, you kind of did.<\/p>\n

I hope you enjoyed this little tour of Florida and North Georgia! There really are so many things these areas have to offer in terms of summer activities. Now it\u2019s time to plan a day trip with the girls to live out your ultimate summer day!<\/p>\n