Tallahassee is often overlooked as a vacation destination. Those who do spend their vacation days in “Tally” will find plenty of things to do, both indoors and out. The young students at Florida State University and Florida A&M University keep the community evolving while decades-old arts, culture, and history are on full display at Tallahassse’s museums. Perhaps most surprising to visitors are state forests, natural springs, and state parks, where you’ll find hiking, birding, boating, and rare wildlife like boar and Florida panthers.
Tallahassee is one of the few Florida cities that sees temperatures drop below freezing in the winter, so don’t expect the beachy, sunshine experience when traveling around the holidays. Tallahassee is best visited in the autumn or spring when humidity is low, the sun is warm, and outdoor annual events like the North Florida Fair and Springtime Tallahassee fill the calendar.
Tallahassee is best explored by car unless you limit your visit to downtown. StarMetro, the city's bus system, is the only form of public transportation available, though downtown is very walkable for visitors. Taxis and rideshare services are available to reach somewhat distant attractions like the Tallahassee Automobile Museum and Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. To reach destinations further away—including Mashes Sands Beach and nearby towns like Thomasville, Georgia—you will need a car.
All sodas in Tallahassee are referred to as “Coke” by the locals; be sure to specify which beverage you want when dining out. For visitors flying into Tallahassee, remember that Tallahassee International Airport only serves eight destinations. It's a small airport, so it's easy to navigate, but you will likely need to take a connecting flight to and from the city if you live outside the Southeast.
