Yes, it’s the homeland of your mortal enemy. And you don’t even have to travel that far, relatively speaking, to watch the Gators play the Florida State Seminoles. That said, many, many Gators fans have never made the trip to north Florida to see their team in action against their greatest foe.
This season seems like a good time to end that streak. The Gators and Seminoles are set to clash on Nov. 25 at 6:30 p.m., the day after Thanksgiving, otherwise known as Black Friday. Millions will hit the stores looking for deals. You want the Gators to hit the field and give FSU a beat down.
But what to do before and after the game? Since you likely won’t return anytime soon to this part of your state – which will seem more like south Georgia than the Florida you know in Gainesville – the following offers up some places to visit during your foray into enemy territory (although you might find some friends where you least expect them).
Getting to Tallahassee
You can fly to Tallahassee, but it’s just a 2 ½ hour drive up I-75 to I-10, then take a left and enter a long, tree-lined drive that seems to last forever. Eventually, you will enter the land of your foe. You’ll know because the endless march of trees on either side of the car will give way to exits into the Tallahassee suburbs. The drive is just long enough to discuss all the ways you dislike the Seminoles, or listen to a few chapters of “Game of My Life: Florida Gators: Memorable Stories of Gator Football.” Again.
Where to Eat in Tallahassee
Of course, you want to believe that Seminole fans gnaw on root vegetables and old bones like any unevolved creature, but no! Turns out they have some interesting places to eat. Because it’s Thanksgiving weekend, make sure to double check to see what is open.
Madison Social. Great spot for a gameday burger and beer. The brunch menu is justifiably famous in Tallahassee, including the Hot Tottys and spiced honey chicken and waffles.
The Bada Bean. Want to load up with a good breakfast? The Bada Bean serves a variety of excellent breakfast dishes, including the Butcher’s Block (two eggs and homemade corned beef hash), Cassidy’s Country Fried Steak (two eggs and a breaded country fried steak) and the Pecan Pete (two eggs and grilled pecan smoked sausage with onions and peppers). Grits – and cheese grits – are on the menu, too.
Midtown Caboose. Some claim these are the best burgers in town. There’s only one way to find out. They certainly are inspired. The Classic Caboose offers an eight-ounce Angus burger on toasted sourdough bread, fairly traditional and tasty. But they also have the PB&J Burger with melted peanut butter, cheddar cheese and housemade blueberry, strawberry or grape jam. Others feature a combination of burger with ahi tuna, mac-n-cheese, mashed potatoes, and chocolate stout beer batter (this one is deep fried).
There’s also the S’more Than Words, which features a graham cracker-crusted burger topped with melted marshmallow, dark chocolate, smoked bacon and warm cocoa bread.
Kool Beanz Cafe. This place is known for its eclectic menu, which includes everything from smoky corn crab cakes to Cuban-spiced pork chops with mango habanero salsa and Tuscan-style lamb. The interior features modern art and is often referred to as “offbeat” and :colorful.” In other words, a perfect place if something different is your thing. The menu changes, but you can see plenty of examples right here.
Bird’s Aphrodisiac Oyster Shack. Fresh oysters from the Gulf of Mexico in a no-frills oyster shack. You can also get a burger or chicken for the non-oyster eaters in your party. What’s not to like?
Non-Football Related Attractions
Black Friday is a cool day to have a game, but it’s a bummer for trying to find other attractions in Tallahassee. Since it’s Thanksgiving Day Weekend, many places are closed. So, no Florida Capitol Building tour or visiting the Museum of Florida History (which is temporarily closed, anyway). Check to see if any of the following are open or remember this list for the next time.
Bradley’s Country Store. This is still a functioning store – it’s been open since 1927 – and also listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. It offers interesting items for purchase, including stone ground grits, onsite homemade sausage, locally made jam and baked goods.
Railroad Square Art Park. This historic warehouse district in Tallahassee is now home to more than 50 galleries, shops and art studios. You’ll also find thrift stores and shops with vintage clothes.
Goodwood and Museum and Gardens. This antebellum home still looks much as it did when first built in the 1830s. You can tour the house or visit the gardens on the estate grounds. The home offers almost two centuries of Florida history.
The Great Outdoors
This is an area where Tallahassee really shines. If you see the game Friday night and spend the rest of the weekend on the area, you can visit a variety of parks in the area.
Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. The park features a botanical garden and 20 historic buildings. Visitors can kayak on the park’s lake or hike, cycle or horseback ride on its trails.
Apalachicola National Forest. A beautiful forest with campsites, hiking trails and much more.
Lake Ella & Fred Drake Park. Just north of downtown Tallahassee, this park offers a tranquil setting for nature walks and picnic areas.
St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge. One of the oldest refuges in the country. It’s home to alligators, black bears and coyotes, as well as the St. Mark’s Lighthouse, built in 1828. This is good to visit on the way back to Gainesville (if you take State Highway 98 and then get one State Highway 27 in Perry.
Other Games
If you want to make it a 2-for-1 game weekend, you’re going to have to do a bit of driving. The holiday weekend makes for few sports choices. If you’re up for a road trip, the Jacksonville Jaguars host the Baltimore Ravens on Nov. 27 at noon.