Things to do Before Leaving the Tribe Behind

By Joelle Garcia on April 21, 2014

Florida State University and Tallahassee have many things to offer in terms of entertainment, experiences, and traditions. Before you graduate and leave Tallahassee, here are a few things you should experience before you leave the Tribe behind.

Photo via viewsinfinitum.com

Embrace the tradition and take pictures jumping into Westcott fountain at night.

Jumping into Westcott fountain on your 21st birthday is a longstanding tradition at FSU. However, if your birthday is in the frigid cold months of December, January, February, and due to this year’s “polar vortex”, March, you may not have had your chance to jump-in due to fear of dying like Jack Dawson in Titanic due to hypothermia.So take the chance before graduation to jump into the fountain, take some pictures, or, if you just hate getting wet, take some glamour shots on a sunny day right in front of the fountain for some beautiful pictures you won’t regret.

Pro Tip: Whatever you do, don’t go into the fountain with your heels. I have seen this happen and it a traumatizing experience for all parties involved. Just don’t do it. 

Eat at Guthries after midnight, preferably after a night out. Guthries is a Tallahassee staple for fried chicken and, well, fried chicken. The menu only offers fried chicken in various sized meals with fries, coleslaw, and buttery toast. Despite it‘s delectable fried chicken strips, the ambiance is what really makes Guthries special. Torn seats, broken tables, and FSU and FAMU decorations on the walls, Guthries is a true college haven for those who just want to eat fried chicken forever.

Pro Tip: If you aren’t a huge fan of ‘slaw, request extra fries, toast, or sauce in its stead.


Take a trip to scenic and historic Thomasville, Georgia. Thomasville is about a 45 minute drive from FSU and feels like such a small town, despite it actually being the second largest in Southwest Georgia, that once you leave Tallahassee, you may never find a reason to visit it again. Thomasville is a quaint little town that boasts a 320 year old oak tree, a historic downtown, an annual Rose festival, and a history with Jackie Kennedy.

Pro Tip: Make sure to eat at Jonah’s Fish and Grits, it’s the closest I have personally ever gotten to a religious experience. The food is indescribably delicious and I just want my own personal Jonah’s delivery service because those fried green tomatoes are a force to be reckoned with.


Instead of drinking around the world, drink around the Union.

Once you have finally reached the glorious age of  21, it’s time to celebrate and experience FSU through beer goggles by drinking your way around the Union. The Union is a sanctuary for student life, with SGA offices, study halls, restaurants, lounges, computers, and three locations that sell alcohol, Chilli’s, Club Downunder, and Crenshaw Lanes. So take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to experience FSU after some Bo-Go Margaritas from Chilli’s.

Pro-Tip: Be careful not to indulge too much, you could find yourself doing some embarrassing drunken things in front of your peers if you have one too many beers while bowling.


Go to a Midnight Viewing of The Rocky Horror Picture Show or The Room at the Student Life Center.

The SLC is a special place at FSU, a place where one can view movies in the presence of other 18-22 year-olds. This may not seem like a particularly valuable experience, but watching a film like Rocky Horror with people in your own age demographic makes the film experience exciting, interactive, and engaging. Everyone wants to participate, everyone laughs at the same jokes, and no one chides the loud jokester in the audience.

Pro-tip: Get to the theater early because the line gets long and the crowd gets really into it, also, don’t forget your student ID!

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