Florida's capital city is known for its two major universities, preserved 1920s architecture, and proximity to Apalachicola National Forest. A center of state politics and student life.
Tallahassee sits 200 feet above sea level, with rolling hills and oak trees that turn red and gold in autumn - a rare sight in Florida. As the state capital and home to Florida State University and Florida A&M University, you'll find 70,000 students filling local cafes like All Saints and Black Dog. At the Railroad Square Art District, you can step into working artist studios or browse vinyl records at Retrofit Records. At Mission San Luis, costumed interpreters cook, garden, and craft items using 1700s techniques in a reconstructed Spanish colonial settlement.
Getting Around Tallahassee
Driving in Tallahassee takes about 20 minutes from most points in the city. Interstate 10 connects the east and west sides, while the Capital Circle beltway links the western, eastern, and southern areas. Nine major roads with 100-year-old oak canopies cross the city, though traffic slows between 7-9am and 4-6pm. The StarMetro bus runs every 30 minutes through downtown and near the universities. From Tallahassee International Airport, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and JetBlue fly to major U.S. cities.
Museums and Cultural Sites
The Museum of Florida History displays mastodon bones, Spanish galleon artifacts, and items from NASA's space programs. At the Tallahassee Museum, you can take a treetop zipline course while watching red wolves and Florida panthers in their enclosures below. In Railroad Square Art District, more than 50 artists work and sell their creations in converted warehouses, with many offering hands-on classes in painting, pottery, and glassblowing.
Parks and Natural Areas
Cascades Park's 24-acre downtown space includes an amphitheater that seats 3,500 people, paved walking paths, and the Imagination Fountain where 73 synchronized water jets spray at different heights. Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park, 20 minutes south, maintains a swimming area in its 69-degree spring. The guided boat tours often pass alligators sunning on logs and manatees swimming near the surface. At St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge, you can walk through 68,000 acres of salt marshes and climb the 88 steps of the 1842 lighthouse for views across the Gulf of Mexico.
Weather Through the Seasons
Tallahassee's inland location creates distinct seasonal changes. Summer (May-September) temperatures reach 90°F, with thunderstorms common between 2-5pm. Winter temperatures typically range from 40-65°F. Spring brings purple thistle and yellow black-eyed susans along roadsides, while fall colors peak in late October. The city gets about 60 inches of rain per year, supporting the growth of magnolias, pines, and hardwood forests.
College Town Atmosphere
During FSU home games, 80,000 fans pack Doak Campbell Stadium, while FAMU's Bragg Memorial Stadium fills with Rattlers supporters. The universities employ 15,000 people, and 50% of city residents have completed college degrees. The College Town and Midtown neighborhoods stay active until 2am Thursday through Saturday, with live music venues and restaurants full of students and locals.
