Activities, Tours & Field Trips   

The perfect place to explore Mother Nature. The beautiful unpaved paths that curve around Piney Z Lake offer breathtaking views of the woodlands, picturesque sights of the lake, and majestic glimpses of local wildlife—turtles, alligators, and native birds. These trails are perfect for trail runners, water-sport aficionados, wildlife lovers, and mountain bikers.

Enjoy TSO concert "Hellfire & Heritage" in a relaxed atmosphere with music composed by Dvorak for Cello, Concerto in B Minor. Public is welcome.

BOO! OLLI’s Scarecrow Crew is Back!

Join fellow OLLI members as we participate in our 3rd annual Scarecrows in the Garden installation in support of the Friends of Maclay Gardens.

Earn the coveted Master Recycler Certificate and be a part of growing green!

The Master Recycler Program empowers Leon County residents to reduce waste, recycle effectively, and become leaders in their community. This program provides interactive education for citizens on local waste systems, recycling best practices, and waste reduction solutions. Through hands-on learning and local insights, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to guide others in creating a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable community.

Tour the Holy Mother of God Greek Othodox Church led by Father Robert O'Loughlin. Learn about the architecture and Greek symbology. Find out about the origins of the annual Tallahassee Greek Food Festival.

Witness the inner workings of our local fulfillment center. One hour tour will end with a Q&A session with senior staff members or the General Manager. The walking tour will involve starirs (not recommended for people with mobility issues).

 

Pinball Nostalgia - Vintage fun! One hour of gaMin: g goodness with friends. Plan on going to dinner afterwards in a location nearby.

Immersive theatrical adventure featuring four Shakespeare scenes performed across three local bars, Hummingbird Wine Bar, The Monroe, and Battle Pony. Audience members will travel by trolley from stop to stop, enjoying drinks, theatre, and surprises along the way! Start the Crawl at The Monroe. Additional Bar(d) Crawl opportunities are Sat. 9/19 11:00 am and Sat. 7:30 pm.

Design and assemble a unique suncatcher or plant stake using vibrant fusible glass in various colors and shapes. No experience needed. All materials provided.

Wonder what Pickleball is all about? Why is it the fastest growing sport in America? Come and see! Pickleball Instruction by Coach Tim. Balls and Paddles provided. No partner needed. Wear sports clothes and tennis shoes.

Improve your Pickleball skills! Learn the rules, tips for playing and ways to win. Pickleball Instruction by Coach Tim. Balls and Paddles provided. No partner needed. Wear sports clothes and tennis shoes.

Day trip to Dog Island. Play on the beach and learn about the island. Bring your own sunscreen, water, snacks, beach towels. (No room for chairs on the boat.) Carpool available. Leave Tallahassee 8:00 AM. Lunch around 1:00 at the Fisherman's Wife in Carabelle. Return to Tallahassee about 4:00 pm.

Enjoy a fun evening with fellow OLLI members!

Witness the inner workings of our local fulfillment center. One hour tour will end with a Q&A session with senior staff members or the General Manager. The walking tour will involve starirs (not recommended for people with mobility issues).

 

Blind Book Exchange and Pumpkin Decorating! Bring a new/gently used book wrapped in plain paper with the book genre and details written on the outside. The title remains a mystery, a Blind Date with a Book! Foam Pumpkins and pumpkin decorating supplies will be provided. Meeting at Chris Aron's home.

Wonder what Hypertufa is? Find out! Bring the look of stone without the weight of rocks to your garden. Make a lightweight rectangular planter out of concrete, peat moss, and perlite under the direction of Cassia Wagner (Maclay Gardens Supervisor and Landscape Specialist). Gloves will be supplied. We will be outside. Come dressed for the weather and for working with cement. Finished planter can be picked up Monday 9/28, with free entry into the gardens.

BOO! OLLI’s Scarecrow Crew is Back!

Join fellow OLLI members as we participate in our 3rd annual Scarecrows in the Garden installation in support of the Friends of Maclay Gardens.

BOO! OLLI’s Scarecrow Crew is Back!

Join fellow OLLI members as we participate in our 3rd annual Scarecrows in the Garden installation in support of the Friends of Maclay Gardens.

AR Workshop will teach us how to make a beautiful Chunky Knit Blanket in time for the holidays! No experience or knitting needles required. You will knit using just your hands and the chunky yarn! All supplies and instructions provided. Come 15 minutes early to choose your yarn colors. Bring beverage and snack. Optional lunch nearby after the workshop.

Experience North Florida Wildlife at this non-profit organization that offers sanctuary to dozens of rescued and non-releasable animals: American White Pelicans, Giant Anteaters, Two-Toed Sloths, Lemurs, Red Kangaroo, and many more. Our guided tour will provide educational information on each animal. Carpool and lunch plans will be shared with registrants.

 

Kick off the new academic year with OLLI friends! Our first MINGLE of the fall semester is also a special New Member Welcome. Whether you’re brand new to OLLI or a longtime member, come meet new people, reconnect with friends, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon together.

MINGLE is for everyone: single, married, divorced, widowed, new or returning. Grab your favorite beverage, wear your OLLI name tag if you have one, and come ready to MINGLE!

Kayaking on Lake Bradford. Kayaks, oars and life vests supplied. Dress for the weather and to get wet. Lifeguard on duty. Bring sunscreen, hat, water and a sack lunch to enjoy in the Garnet Pavilion after kayaking.

Explore rolling hills and deep ravines with forests of pines and hardwoods, and a beautiful overlook of Lake Talquin. Keep an eye out for wild turkeys, bald eagles, ospreys and deer. Easy one hour walk followed by optional lunch at Summers restaurant. Carpool options for registrants.

Curious what lives on our shoreline? See the research and restoration hatchery, lab building, teaching spaces and more on the LAB Tour. (The tour one hour tour is accessible for anyone.) Optional guided beach walk to explore our local coastline looking at a variety of animals and plants along the way. Dress for the weather, such as hat sunscreen and water. (One hour beach walk is on uneven ground.) Car pool and lunch options for registrants.

Live Jazz! Look for the OLLI sign ?on the lawn in front of the Maclay house under the big oak tree. The Annual Moon Over Maclay concert ?h?as a great music line-up playing in the gardens as a full moon rises over Lake Hall! This is the Friends of Maclay Gardens 15th Annual Moon Over Maclay jazz concert at Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. The gate opens at 5:00pm. Music lovers bring a blanket, lawn chairs, picnic supper, and beverages of your choice. ?Relax under the moonlight and enjoy great music.

Bowl with friendly competition! Fee pays for ball, shoes & auto scoring.

WHODUNIT? Immersive Death at the Dinner Party game where guests will become suspects in the murder of Mr. Addington, the owner of London's elite gated community, Emerald Hill. Will you be able to solve the mystery and guess the murderer before dessert? Come to dinner to see WHODUNIT!

BOO! OLLI’s Scarecrow Crew is Back!

Join fellow OLLI members as we participate in our 3rd annual Scarecrows in the Garden installation in support of the Friends of Maclay Gardens.

Volunteer to feed our neighbors. Volunteer to work a shift at Second Harvest, the local facility that coordinates the collection and distribution of healthy food for neighbors facing hunger and food insecurity throughout our 16-county Big Bend service area. Be prepared to stand, bend. There will be light lifting. We will be inside. Wear comfortable clothes suitable for the weather.

Southern Shakespeare's touring production of Romeo & Juliet will bring Shakespeare’s timeless tale of young love to schools and community audiences throughout the region. Featuring just five actors portraying an entire cast of characters, the production places special emphasis on the story’s iconic masquerade and the exhilarating energy of first love.

The Cathedral of Palms is a 5.3 mile loop hike which is part of the more extensive Florida trail in the St. Marks Wildlife Refuge. This is a flat easy trail but may be muddy in spots. You will get to walk through a beautiful stand of cabbage palms (the official state tree) with a side trip to the picturesque Shepherd Spring. Hiking boots are recommended. We will park at the Spring Creek highway entrance. Parking is somewhat limited. Carpooling options for registrants.

Learn about BioChar and find out how to properly dispose of things that can’t go in the regular trash. Be ready to walk and stand for the tour. Must wear closed toe shoes.

Make 3 lovely beginner projects - a willow star with fairy lights, a willow heart and a beautiful Catalan tension tray. Order the "getting started" willow kit from MYOWN2HANDS.CO no later than Oct. 25. Presoak your willow in water, bring a pair of garden pruners and spend a few hours creating beautiful woven treasures together with friends!

Working title: "From Praise to Peace" major works to include: "Gloria" by John Rutter; "Let All the World in Every Corner Sing," Ralph Vaughan Williams; "The Armed Man, A Mass for Peace" by Karl Jenkins.