Today was spent sightseeing in Tallahassee with a brand new twist (for me). Last night, while thinking about what I wanted to see and do, I came across the TripAdvisor listing for Tallahassee Segway Tours. Since the weather looked good, the central area is fairly large and  I had never ridden a Segway, I booked a two hour tour for this morning. As it happened I was the only person on the tour and so I enjoyed the total attention of my guide, Burt, throughout the experience. Before setting out Burt patiently taught me how to control the Segway and, despite a few anxious minutes on the indoor practice ramp,  once on the street I quickly gained confidence and found it was fairly intuitive.

Burt has detailed knowledge of central Tallahassee, showing me art pieces, landmarks, parks, monuments, cultural areas, Florida State University (FSU) and the Capitol complex and describing the history of everything we saw. I had a great time and, if the weather and terrain are suitable, I will definitely consider Segway tours when visiting other cities in the future.

After the tour I returned to the Capitol to see the Historic Florida Capitol Museum. In 1977 a “new” Capitol building was opened that consists of a modern 22 story office building with extensions to the north and south housing the Florida House and Senate chambers. At that time the Old Capitol was destined for demolition but a public outcry reversed the decision. The plan was revised to restore the building to its 1902 state and turn it into a museum. In addition to exhibits on topics such as the Florida constitution, system of government, education and environment the House and Senate chambers, Governor’s office and Supreme Court are fully restored and even contain some of the original furnishings.

My final sightseeing stop of the day was at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park a few miles north of town. The gardens are in peak bloom right now and create a colorful and relaxing environment to while away some time. The garden is carefully planned and managed but, apart from a few formal flower areas, the plants are mainly permanent shrubs and trees with magnificent old Oaks everywhere.

Since today involved only local driving I did not record a road video.

One of the early photo stops on the Segway tour was at the impressive Unconquered statue outside the massive Doak Campbell football stadium on the FSU campus. The stadium has a capacity around 80,000.

The school that would become FSU was founded in 1851 and, at various times, was a military school and a college for women. It is now co-educational and has 41,000 students. This is the main entrance.

I found the hardest part of riding the Segway was keeping it still. I mastered it long enough for Burt to capture this image with the current Florida Supreme Court in the background.

A better view of the Supreme Court.

The new Capitol building

and the old Capitol with the new behind it.

The House chamber almost as it appeared in 1902 – I’m guessing they didn’t have the little remote controls then.

Some images of the Maclay Gardens.