While it is always exciting to attend Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, the current global pandemic has created an uncertain, foggy atmosphere. All anybody knows for sure is there doesn't seem to be much to do! If you find yourself bored in the apartment and you're in the apartment bored, don't fret. There are a myriad of things to do around your FAMU apartment that can boost your morale while keeping you and those around you healthy.
Support Local Eats!
During this quiet time, you may have days where you'd prefer not to cook for yourself; the refrigerator may be empty, you're tired of your old recipes, or you may just not feel like cooking! While Tallahassee is far from its normal, uproarious self these days, there are plenty of local restaurants that are happy to serve up some grub! A stone's throw from Florida A&M University is Voodoo Dog, where you can find some of the best hot dogs in the Eastern United States! I always make a point of bringing out-of-town friends and family to this venue because while hot dogs usually get a bad rap, Voodoo Dog gives them a warm bun.
If you are a fan of seafood, you'll be happy to know that just around the corner from FAMU is Shell Oyster Bar, a local favorite for oyster lovers. Truthfully, before coming to Tallahassee, I couldn't stand seafood; now, I eat it almost every day. If you've never had an oyster burger before, you'll be pleasantly surprised by this one!
If you are looking for something a little lighter, Square Mug Cafe is the place for you. Just down the street from campus, and under the shady trees in the Railroad Square Art District, Square Mug Cafe offers a variety of coffees, teas, and cafe eats inside a creative atmosphere.
Right across the street from Square Mug Cafe is The Other Side Vintage, where you can find just about anything if you look hard enough. All around Railroad Square, you can find thrift stores, art studios and galleries, and other creative businesses you couldn't find anywhere else!
Get Some Sun!
Also by FAMU campus is Tallahassee's Cascades Park, where you can do pretty much anything except swim in the water. There are food and drink opportunities, special events hosted in the amphitheater, a beautiful running trail, and grassy fields perfect for any friend or family outing. Personally, I run this trail pretty frequently, and the scenery never gets boring for me; plus, this is a favorite place to people-watch! Just keep a 6-foot distance!
Spruce Up Your FAMU Apartment
Florida's rainy season is coming up, which is kind of perfect timing since we are inside more often anyway these days. While visiting local parks can boost your morale because of all the scenery, you may want to spruce up the outside of your apartment with some greenery yourself! You can go ahead and grab yourself some seeds or potted plants at Tallahassee Nurseries or any gardening shop around town, and show off your new plants to the neighbors! Last year, I decided my back porch needed an update, so I bought a couple of fiddle leaf figs to give my back porch a fresher look!
This is a uniquely challenging and odd time for the globe right now as we figure out the best course of action for taking out COVID-19. However, you don't have to be stuck in your FAMU apartment if you don't want to; there are plenty of things around Tallahassee to get you out of the apartment and in higher spirits!