Overview
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.
15 sights · 3 things to do · 23 places to eat · 6 bars & cafés · 14 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Tallahassee
Florida Historic Capitol Museum
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.
Florida State Capitol
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.
National High Magnet Field Laboratory
The NHMFL at Florida State University houses the most powerful magnets on Earth. Tours available.
Tallahassee Automobile Museum
Large collection of classic and antique cars and other curiosities.
Museum of Florida History
"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.".
Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park
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.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–May. Summer highs reach about 92°F; winter lows dip to about 40°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Aug. (climate data from nearby Florida Panhandle)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- TLH Tallahassee International Airport, Tallahassee — 7 mi away. Directions
- VLD Valdosta Regional Airport, Valdosta — 62 mi away. Directions
- JAX Jacksonville International Airport, Jacksonville — 153 mi away (major hub). Directions
* 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.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Florida Historic Capitol Museum, Florida State Capitol, Museum of Florida History
- Lunch Au Peche Mignon
- Afternoon Knott House Museum, Lake Ella
- Dinner Hayward House
- Evening Amicus Brewing Ventures
Day 2
- Morning National High Magnet Field Laboratory, Mission San Luis de Apalache, Tallahassee Museum
- Lunch Los Compadres
- Afternoon Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, Lake Talquin State Park
- Dinner Gordo's
- Evening Bajas Beachclub
Day 3
- Morning Letchworth-Love Mounds Archaeological State Park, St. Marks River Preserve State Park
- Lunch Georgio's
- Afternoon Natural Bridge Battlefield Historic State Park
- Dinner Bahn Thai Restaurant
- Evening Proof Brewing Co
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
History
Climate
Visitor information
Get in
By plane
Go Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH)
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
Go Greyhound Lines, Flixbus
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.
Go Redcoach
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.
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
Place 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 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.
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
See Goodwood Museum & Gardens
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.
See First Presbyterian Church
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.
See Tallahassee Museum
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.
Do
Do Lake Ella
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.
Do Maclay Gardens (Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park)
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
Shop Railroad Square (Railroad Square Art Park)
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.
Eat
Eat Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar
Eat Sado Mori Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar
Eat Osaka Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar
Eat Au Peche Mignon
Coffee, tea and French pastries.
Eat Mom & Dad's Italian Restaurant
Drink
Drink Leon Pub
A smoking-friendly pub with dozens, if not hundreds, of beer selections from all over the world.
Drink Bajas Beachclub
A trendy, yet sketchy, night club.
Drink Fermentation Lounge
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.
Drink Proof Brewing Co
A very large brewpub with beer garden. $1 off Proof pints at happy hour (W-F 4-6PM).
Drink Amicus Brewing Ventures
Brewery. Beer garden and flights available.
Sleep
Stay Comfort Suites
100% smoke-free, exercise room, free high-speed wireless internet access, seasonal outdoor pool.
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
Nearby
St. Marks
City / town · 5 listings · 20 mi away
Crawfordville
City / town · 11 listings · 21 mi away
Quincy
City / town · 3 listings · 22 mi away
Apalachicola National Forest
Park · 6 listings · 29 mi away
Thomasville
City / town · 11 listings · 31 mi away
Bainbridge
City / town · 1 listings · 36 mi away
Perry
City / town · 3 listings · 46 mi away
Blountstown
City / town · 7 listings · 47 mi away
My experience
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