Tallahassee

Tallahassee is the capital city of Florida, in the Florida Panhandle region of the state. In addition to housing the state government, it is a university town home to Florida State University, Florida A&M University, and Tallahassee Community College. Tallahassee has a good selection of restaurants for a city of its size. The universities' theater, art, and music programs, in addition to an active Council of Culture and Arts, also make for an unusually vibrant arts scene. == Understand == === History === === Climate === === Visitor information === 1 Downtown Tallahassee Visitor Information Center, 106 East Jefferson St, ☏ +1 850 606-2305, toll-free: +1-800-628-2866, VIC@VisitTallahassee.com. M-F 8AM -5PM. (updated Jan 2019) == Get in == === By plane === 1 Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH IATA), 3300 Capital Cir SW (5 miles (8 km) south of the Florida State University campus (west side of town) via Lake Bradford Rd), ☏ +1 850 891-7800. There are non-stop flights to Tallahassee Municipal Airport from Atlanta, Dallas-Ft Worth, Washington DC and South Florida with the following airlines: American Eagle/American Airlines (Charlotte (CLT), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW),Miami (MIA), Washington National) Delta/Delta Connection (Atlanta (ATL)) Breeze Aiways (Ft Lauderdale (FLL), Raleigh Durham (RDU)) Click here for list of taxi companies, car rental companies and shuttle companies at the airport. Star Metro (local public transportation) does not serve the airport. === By car === Tallahassee is on: Interstate 10 Tallahassee is accessed from exits 199 to 209 Tennessee St Monroe Ave & Apalachee Pkwy Capital Pkwy goes around town along the east and southside of town. It connects Thomasville, Georgia, through Tallahassee to US Hwy 98 on the Gulf Coast. === By bus === 2 Greyhound Lines, Flixbus, (bus stop) CK Steele Bus Plaza @ 111 E Tennessee St (bus stops nearest W Tennessee & N Adams St), ☏ +1 850-222-4249, toll-free: +1-800-231-2222. Connects Tallahassee to Atlanta (via Moultrie GA, Albany GA, Unadilla GA, Macon GA); Nashville (via Dothan, Birmingham, Montgomery, Huntsville); Jacksonsville (via Lake City); Orlando (Via Lake City, Gainesville, Ocala); and Houston (via Panama City, Ft Walton Beach, Pensacola, Mobile, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Beaumont-Vidor). Passengers transfer in Orlando to reach Miami (via W Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale); Naples (via Tampa/St Petersburg, Ft Meyers); and to other cities. Some buses continue to Miami (via Orlando, W Palm Beach, Ft Lauderdale) from Tallahassee but without transfer in Orlando. Nearest connection points to Amtrak trains are in Orlando, New Orleans, Jacksonville and Atlanta. Check schedules. The Greyhound bus stops are at Gates 3 & 4 towards the NE corner of the transit center towards the intersection of Tennessee St & Adams St. (updated May 2021) 3 Redcoach, (bus stop) 1021 St Augustine St (St Augustine & Walker St at Parking Garage #6 on FSU campus), ☏ +1 407-851-2843, toll-free: +1-877-733-0724. Service from Tallahassee to Miami via Ocala, Gainesville and Ft Lauderdale. One branch go from Ocala through Orlando, Ft Pierce, W Palm Beach, Pompano Beach and Ft Lauderdale. Another go through Tampa, Ft Myers, Naples & Ft Lauderdale. They also have another stop at 329 Marriott Dr in downtown. (updated Sep 2017) == Get around == === By foot === Tallahassee is not as pedestrian-friendly as some cities. Some areas of the city are more conducive for walking than others. Downtown, Midtown and Lake Ella are probably the most picturesque and convenient for walking. === By bus === STAR Metro. Tallahassee's public bus system typically runs from about 6AM to 7 or 8PM during the week and about 7AM to 7PM on weekends. Routes and hours are limited after 7PM and on Sundays. To get anywhere other than Downtown or one of the university campuses typically requires at least one transfer. Their "central bus station" or hub is at the downtown 1 C.K. Steele Bus Plaza, There are no longer ticket vending machines at the bus plaza, but tickets, passes and cards can be purchased at a kiosk by cash or credit card during business hours. $1.25. (updated Dec 2023) === By taxi === There are several taxi companies serving Tallahassee. Outside of the airport there are not many taxi stands around the city, so it is better to call and arrange for a pick-up. == See == 1 Florida Historic Capitol Museum (Old State Capitol), 400 S Monroe St (Monroe Street at Apalachee Parkway), ☏ +1 850-487-1902. M-F 9AM-4:30PM, Sa 10AM-4:30PM, Su Noon-4:30PM. The state government has moved to the new skyscraper capital building nearby, and the old building has been made into a museum, restored to how it looked in 1902. free. (updated Dec 2023) 2 Florida State Capitol, 400 S Monroe St (S Duval Street between S Monroe & Pensacola Streets, behind Capitol Museum (old capitol).), ☏ +1 850-488-6167. 8AM-5PM. Security screening is required prior to entering the building. Visit the 22nd floor for a panoramic view of Tallahassee. Stop on the 5th floor to see Florida's Legislative chambers. free. (updated Dec 2023) 3 National High Magnet Field Laboratory, 1800 E. Paul Dirac Dr, ☏ +1 850-644-0311. The NHMFL at Florida State University houses the most powerful magnets on Earth. Tours available. 4 Tallahassee Automobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Dr (a short drive on Interstate-10 East of the main part of the city). $20/adult, $17.50concession, $11.75/student, $8/child. Large collection of classic and antique cars and other curiosities. 5 Goodwood Museum & Gardens, 1600 Miccosukee Rd. The plantation home is now a historic house museum known as Goodwood Museum & Gardens that features original family furniture, porcelain, textiles, glassware, art and personal effects. The rooms have been decorated to appear in the years surrounding World War I. The house is visited by guided tour. The grounds cover 16 acres (65,000 m2), and the gardens also feature an early 20th-century design. Admission to the gardens is free. (updated Sep 2016) 6 Museum of Florida History, 500 S Bronough St (temporarily closed for renovations), ☏ +1 850-245-6400. "The Museum of Florida History collects, preserves, exhibits, and interprets evidence of past and present cultures in Florida, and promotes knowledge and appreciation of this heritage.". free. (updated Sep 2019) 7 Knott House Museum, 301 East Park Ave (temporarily closed for renovations), ☏ +1 850-922-2459. Historic home constructed in 1843. free. (updated Sep 2016) 8 Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, 3600 Indian Mounds Rd, ☏ +1 850-922-6007. 8AM til sunset. The park encompasses six of the seven known ancient Native American earthen temple mounds, with two available for viewing by the public.There are two hiking trails, 0.75mi and 2.2mi. suggested $3/car, $2/pedestrian, cash only. (updated Dec 2023) 9 Lake Talquin State Park, 14850 Jack Vause Landing Rd, ☏ +1 850-922-6007. 10 Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, 4500 Sunray Road, South, ☏ +1 850-922-6007. 11 Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park, 7502 Natural Bridge Rd, ☏ +1 850-922-6007. 12 St. Marks River Preserve State Park, 11950 Tram Rd, ☏ +1 850-922-6007. 13 First Presbyterian Church, 102 North Adams St. Completed in 1838, this is the oldest church in Tallahassee and the oldest building in Florida that's still being used for its original purpose. (updated Jul 2021) 14 Mission San Luis de Apalache, 2100 W Tennessee St, ☏ +1 850 245-6406. Tu-Su 10AM-4PM. Site where a Spanish Franciscan mission was built in 1656. The mission was destroyed in 1704 but some buildings have been reconstructed as a living history museum. $5/adult, $3/senior, $2/child, military free. (updated Dec 2023) 15 Tallahassee Museum, 3945 Museum Rd, ☏ +1 850-575-8684. M-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su 11AM-5PM. A 52-acre (21 hectares) site by the lake featuring native Florida flora and fauna (including Florida panthers and red wolves), cypress swamp, hiking trails, zip-lines, adventure courses, a live 19th-century farmstead reconstruction, and an outdoor exhibition of Jim Gary's 20th Century Dinosaurs. $14.50/adult, $13.50/concession, $10/child. (updated Jun 2022) == Do == Tallahassee Skate Park (between James Messer Fields and TalTran Administrative Offices Jackson Bluff Road at Appleyard Drive). Sunrise to midnight. A 26,000 square foot (2,400 m2) facility. (updated Jun 2020) 1 Lake Ella (in north central Tallahassee on US 27 just south of Tharpe Street). Lake Ella has an area of 12 acres (49,000 m²). Lake Ella is attached to 6.5 acre (26,000 m²) Fred Drake Park. The park has picnic shelters, a site for community activities and a paved walking trail that completely encircles the lake. The lake is bordered on the west side by quaint little shops and cafes. One vendor is the Black Dog Cafe where joggers can get a cup of coffee for their morning run around the trail. Visitors can walk, skate, or skateboard around the lake. (updated Jun 2020) 2 Maclay Gardens (Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park), 3450 Thomasville Rd (in north Tallahassee near I-10 and Capital Circle), ☏ +1 850-487-4556. Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park has at its heart the winter home and gardens of Maclay and his wife Louise. The house is open to the public as an interpretive museum. The surrounding gardens are known especially for their camellias and magnolias. Other than the gardens, the park offers biking, hiking and equestrian trails as well as kayaking, canoeing and fishing among other activities. The park is open all year round during most daylight hours. The gardens are open all year round 9AM-5PM. == Buy == 1 Governor's Square, 1500 Apalachee Parkway. (updated Mar 2025) 2 Centre of Tallahassee, 2415 N Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-385-7145. Formerly known as the Tallahassee Mall. (updated May 2021) 3 Railroad Square (Railroad Square Art Park), 567 Industrial Dr (between the FSU and FAMU campuses on Railroad Ave.), ☏ +1 850-224-1308. The Railroad Square Art Park is a collection of studios, galleries and other unique shops. On the first Friday of each month Railroad Square hosts a gallery hop called First Friday. Businesses stay open late and offer live music and even food. 4 Bradley's Country Store, 10655 Centerville Rd, ☏ +1 850 893-4742. Sausage and grits since 1927. (updated Jan 2024) == Eat == 1 Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, 1318 N Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-222-9991. 2 Happy Wok, 3813 N. Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-514-3632. 3 Sado Mori Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar, 2810 Sharer Rd # 8, ☏ +1 850-386-8449. 4 Osaka Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar, 1489 Maclay Commerce Dr, ☏ +1 850-531-0222. 5 Bahn Thai Restaurant, 2531 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850-224-4765. 6 Masa, 1650 N Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-727-4183, masasushi@aol.com. 7 Coosh's Bayou Rouge Market & Eatery, 6267 Old Water Oak Rd, ☏ +1 850-894-4110. 8 Gordo's, 1907 West Pensacola St, ☏ +1 850-576-5767, comments@GordosCubanFood.com. 9 Black Dog Cafe, 229 Lake Ella Dr, ☏ +1 850-224-2518. 10 Au Peche Mignon, 220 North Duval St, ☏ +1 850-668-5533. Coffee, tea and French pastries. 11 Clusters and Hops, 1866 Thomasville Rd, ☏ +1 850-222-2669, clusterhop@aol.com. 12 Food Glorious Food, 1950 Thomasville Rd (Betton Place), ☏ +1 850 224-9974. 13 Kool Beanz Cafe, 921 Thomasville Rd, ☏ +1 850-224-2466. 14 Essence of India, 1105 Apalachee Parkway, ☏ +1 850-656-7200. 15 Bella Bella, 123 E. Fifth Ave, ☏ +1 850-412-1114. 16 Z. Bardhi's, 3596 Kinhega Dr, ☏ +1 850 894-9919. 17 Mom & Dad's Italian Restaurant, 3421 Bannerman Rd, ☏ +1 850-877-4518. 18 Los Compadres, 2102 W Pensacola St, ☏ +1 850-576-8946, loscompadrestallahassee@gmail.com. 19 San Miguel, 200 W. Tharpe St, ☏ +1 850-385-3346. 20 Crystal River Seafood, 2721 N. Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-383-1530. 21 Georgio's, 2971 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850-877-3211. 22 Ted's Montana Grill, 1954 Village Green Way, ☏ +1 850-561-8337. 23 Hayward House, 228 S Adams St, ☏ +1 850 825-7081. (updated Jan 2024) == Drink == 1 Bullwinkle's, 620 W. Tennessee St. 2 Leon Pub, 215 E 6th Ave, ☏ +1 850-425-4639. A smoking-friendly pub with dozens, if not hundreds, of beer selections from all over the world. 3 Bajas Beachclub, 2020 West Pensacola St Suite 120 (at the intersection of Pensacola St and Ocala Rd), ☏ +1 850 727-4555. A trendy, yet sketchy, night club. 4 Fermentation Lounge, 416 All Saints St Unit 113 (All Saints District). A hip, but still down-to-earth lounge featuring a wide selection of wines and beers and even harder to find items such as mead, sangria and ciders. 5 Proof Brewing Co, 1320 S Monroe St, ☏ +1 850 577-0517, info@proofbrewingco.com. W-F 4PM-10PM, Sa 2PM-10PM, Su 2PM-8PM. A very large brewpub with beer garden. $1 off Proof pints at happy hour (W-F 4-6PM). (updated Dec 2023) 6 Amicus Brewing Ventures, 717 S Gadsden St (right by Cascades Park in the NRHP-registered old city waterworks building). Th 4PM-10PM, F-Sa Noon-10PM, Su Noon-8PM. Brewery. Beer garden and flights available. $6-8/pint. (updated Dec 2023) == Sleep == 1 Best Western Tallahassee-Downtown Inn & Suites, 2016 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850-656-6312, toll-free: +1-800-827-7390, fax: +1 850-942-4312. 2 Comfort Suites, 1026 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850-224-3200, fax: +1 850 216-0558. 100% smoke-free, exercise room, free high-speed wireless internet access, seasonal outdoor pool. 3 Courtyard Tallahassee Capital, 1018 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850 222-8822, fax: +1 850 561-0354. 4 Econo Lodge, 809 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850-877-2755, fax: +1 850 877-2755. Pet-friendly hotel, and free high-speed internet access in all rooms. 5 Econo Lodge North, 2681 N. Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-385-6155, fax: +1 850 385-6155. Pet-friendly hotel, and free high-speed internet access in all rooms. 6 Hilton Garden Inn, 1330 Blairstone Rd, ☏ +1 850-893-8300, fax: +1 850-656-2033. 7 Wyndham Garden Tallahassee Capitol, 1355 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850-999-7348. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: 11AM. 8 Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 2725 Graves Rd, ☏ +1 850-536-2000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 9 Motel 6 Tallahassee - Downtown, 1027 Apalachee Pkwy, ☏ +1 850-877-6171, fax: +1 850 656-6120. 10 Motel 6 Tallahassee West, 2738 N Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-386-7878, fax: +1 850 385-5616. 11 Quality Inn, 3090 North Monroe St, ☏ +1 850-562-2378, fax: +1 850 562-2378. Pet-friendly, free high-speed wireless internet access, seasonal outdoor pool. 12 Residence Inn Tallahassee North I-10 Capital Circle, 1880 Raymond Diehl Road, ☏ +1 850-422-0093, fax: +1 850-422-0584. Free high-speed wireless internet access, indoor pool, pet-friendly, full kitchen. 13 Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, 522 Silver Slipper Ln, ☏ +1 850 386-2121, fax: +1 850-386-3632. Seasonal outdoor pool, and free internet access in all rooms. 14 SpringHill Suites Tallahassee Central, 1300 Executive Center Dr, ☏ +1 850-325-1103. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. All-suites hotel in downtown. Spacious rooms, free hot breakfast, swimming pool, free internet, meeting facilities, and Florida vacation packages. $110. == Go next == Apalachicola National Forest The Gulf Coast is less than 1 hour south Monticello, Florida is about 35 minutes east. Thomasville, Georgia about 30 minutes northeast. Bainbridge, Georgia about 30 minutes northwest. Wakulla Springs lodge, 20 minutes south of Tallahassee