City Escape: Tallahassee, Florida
Florida is a more varied place to ride than many motorcyclists realize. This City Escape out of Tallahassee is admittedly a bit longer, but it takes you across three distinct Florida Panhandle environments that each offer their own kind of charm.
As you roll southbound out of Tallahassee, the roadsides are lined with thick leafy woods on both sides. Hang a right on SR 267 and the environment soon begins to change as you plow deeper into the Apalachicola National Forest.
The road narrows, the trees turn into conifers, and you begin to pass hiking trailheads and campgrounds as you motor along Smith Creek Rd. Feel free to stop if outdoor activities call your name. These are some of the best forested curves Florida has to offer.
Moving on, you’ll proceed to the Gulf Coast part of the ride, consisting of a section of the Big Bend Scenic Byway. Ocean breeze blows in and a beautiful waterscape opens up to your left—and right as you cross East Bay along the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge.
After Port St. Joe, you’ll turn inland again on SR 71. The following miles will show off Florida’s peaceful, rural environs. You’ll roll by old Southern farmhouses, open fields, and small towns as you make your way back to Tallahassee.
This tour shows off everything Florida Panhandle has to offer—beautiful nature, incredible ocean vistas, friendly small town, tranquil farms, and excellent seafood. And yet, you still have things like St. George Island left to discover. The area around Tallahassee is a motorcycling gift that keeps on giving.
Points of Interest
Leon Sinks Geological Area
This fascinating natural area showcases large sinkholes rain and groundwater have carved into the region’s karst terrain. With multiple hiking trails (4.4 miles at their longest) and lots of wildlife, the sinkholes are a great excuse to stretch your legs.
Carrabelle, FL
Carrabelle is a small city on the Gulf Coast that retains much of the Old Florida charm. The ocean vistas are great, there are many fascinating sights (like the World’s Smallest Police Station), and the convergence of the sea and three rivers creates amazing fishing opportunities.
Cape San Blas Lighthouse
The Cape San Blas Lighthouse has had a tough run, as it’s been destroyed multiple times by gales, waves, and Civil War battles. The white skeleton tower that stands today is on the Lighthouse Doomsday List, so go see it while it’s still there.
Gregory House
The Gregory House in the Torreya State Park is an old plantation house showcasing what swanky Old Florida living was like in the mid-1800s. Originally built in 1849, the house was abandoned after the Civil War until it was moved to its current location across the river and rebuilt in 1935.