The Museum of Florida History is one of the best museums in Tallahassee. It has awesome artifacts, fun interactive displays, and it's FREE!

A Visit To The Museum Of Florida History

To really get to know the history of Florida, we recommend a visit to the Museum of Florida History in Tallahassee. With awesome artifacts and interactive displays, it’s a fun place for everyone to learn the story of the 27th state of the United States.

 

Museum of Florida History

We’ve been to a lot of museums and all over the world, but this is seriously one of the coolest museums we’ve ever been to. Unless you’re really a history buff, it’s hard to keep the attention of the average person in a museum. Yes, there are interesting things to see and read about. But how often to do you get to touch or play with these interesting things?

 

Interactive exhibits at the Museum Of Florida History
Interactive exhibits

 

That’s what we loved about MFH. So many of their displays aren’t behind glass, and kids (and adults) are encouraged to pick things up, push buttons, and twist and turn things. Another really cool feature is their audio system. As you’re walking through their exhibits, you hear different things that are associated with what you’re looking at.

 

For example, when walking through the “Spanish Exploration” exhibit, you’re walking along a dock that leads to a replica of a Spanish ship. The whole time you’re hearing clinking and clanking, people talking, and typical sounds that you would hear at a dock. It’s details like that that really impressed us about MFH.

 

Museum Of Florida History, On the ship, you can practice tying different knots. From the outside, you can see what it would look like from the dock or from the beach.
On the ship, you can practice tying different knots. From the outside, you can see what it would look like from the dock or from the beach.

 

There are also interactive activities, like rooms where kids can play with replicas and different games that can be done by touchscreen (apparently we suck at figuring out the steps to load a cannon). Plus, there are life cast models that tell the story of historical individuals. All of these visualizations are a great way to learn and, more importantly, to remember what you learned.

 

Prehistoric Florida, Native American history, Spanish colonization, and trading with the British. Museum Of Florida History
Prehistoric Florida, Native American history, Spanish colonization, and trading with the British.
A reconstruction of a typical citrus packing house (because... oranges), old school cars typically seen in Florida, the "Florida Remembers World War II" exhibit, and an early 1900s riverboat. Museum Of Florida History
A reconstruction of a typical citrus packing house (because… oranges), old school cars typically seen in Florida, the “Florida Remembers World War II” exhibit, and an early 1900s riverboat.
Museum Of Florida History
The museum also has temporary exhibits like the Sun, Sand, and Speed–Florida Auto Racing exhibit. The exhibit details auto racing history from 1903 to the present and includes cars, memorabilia, and videos.

 

We should also mention that admission to MFH is free (although they do appreciate donations) and it is conveniently located near the Florida State University campus and the new and old capital buildings. There are two parking garages nearby, as well as street parking. We recommend parking at a garage because street parking is difficult to find.

 

Pro Tip: After the museum, stop in to one of these Fun Places To Eat In Tallahassee.

 

Final Thoughts On The Museum of Florida History

We highly recommend a visit to the Museum of Florida History because it does an excellent job of telling the history and culture of Florida and it’s people in a fun way that everyone can enjoy. Make sure to check out their website for upcoming events and exhibits.

 

Like this post? Pin it for later!

The Museum of Florida History is one of the best museums in Tallahassee. It has awesome artifacts, fun interactive displays, and it's FREE!

** A big thank you to Elyse Cornelison for taking the time to show us around this wonderful museum!**

 

Similar Posts

24 Comments

  1. Wow, a free state history museum. That is really nice. I shall definitely try to visit it on my next trip near Tallahassee.

  2. So great that you get to interact with it all, much better than the dull and stuffy exhibits in glass cases we usually see.

    1. I’m so glad you agree Heather! It’s such a fun way to learn. 🙂

  3. This is such a nice museum about Florida! I am sure my kids would love it!

  4. Sounds like an awesome sensory experience! Alcatraz is kind of like that, but the sounds are part of the audio tour playing on headphones in your ears.

    How cool that it’s free! I always like to return the goodwill and donate to places like that. 🙂

    1. I’ve never been to Alcatraz, but those kinds of tours are always great!

  5. That looks like a fascinating place. I don’t associate Florida with culture, nice to know there’s more there than fabulous beaches…

    1. There is so much amazing culture and history in Florida!

  6. Looks like a very interesting place. Perfect to start a trip to Florida and so different from what we normally see. Thanks for the tip.

  7. I will have to visit this museum some time. I love the ones with interactive exhibits and actually went to one similar in Charlotte today.

    1. Nice! Interactive museums are so much more enjoyable. 🙂

  8. Gotta love a good museum, especially a free one! We’ll have to check this out next time we’re in Tallahassee.

  9. Wow this looks amazing. Right out of “one night at the museum” esp the first pic, hehe. Great place and MFH looks just as interesting as it is educational.

  10. I def prefer museums that are interactive. It makes the experience more and fun and I find more memorable

  11. Interaction in museums are the best, makes learning so much fun for kids (and adults). Love the sleek red car!

  12. I always imagine beaches and ocean when I hear a word Florida! 🙂 But it is good to know that there are also other places worth visiting 🙂 Thank you for the tip, Buddy!

    1. Hi Julius! Yes, it’s a common misconception but Florida has a lot to offer it’s visitors.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.