Tallahassee

Introduction

Tallahassee is the state of Florida's capital and home to the Florida State University, Florida A&M University, Tallahassee Community College and branches of Barry University, and Flagler College. Tallahassee is a regional center for trade and agriculture, and contains the Tallahassee Regional Airport.

Sights and Activities

• Florida Historic Capitol Museum, 400 S Monroe St (Monroe Street at Apalachee Parkway), ☎ +1 850 487-1902. 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, 400 S Monroe St (Monroe Street at Apalachee Parkway). The State Capitol is open Monday-Friday 8AM-5PM. Closed weekends and state holidays. 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, 1800 E. Paul Dirac Dr, ☎ +1 850 644-0311. The NHMFL at Florida State University houses the most powerful magnets on Earth. Tours available.
• Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science, 3945 Museum Dr.
• Tallahassee Automobile Museum, 6800 Mahan Dr (a short drive on Interstate-10 East of the main part of the city). Large collection of classic and antique cars and other curiosities.
• 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.
• Museum of Florida History, 500 S Bronough St, ☎ +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.
• Knott House Museum, 301 East Park Ave, ☎ +1 850 922-2459. Historic home constructed in 1843. free.
• Tallahassee Skate Park, Between James Messer Fields and TalTran Administrative Offices Jackson Bluff Road at Appleyard Drive. Sunrise to Midnight. The Tallahassee Skate Park is a state-of-the art, 26,000 square foot facility designed to provide maximum enjoyment and challenge for all who use it.

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.

• 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.

Events and Festivals

Holidays

• New Year’s Eve - The US celebrates the outgoing of the old year and incoming of the New Year quite dramatically. Every state boasts its own parties to ring in the New Year, but none is more extravagant than New York’s Time Square, which sees people overflowing into the neighboring restaurants, bars, parks, beaches, and neighborhoods.
• Martin Luther King Jr. Day (officially Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. and sometimes referred to as MLK Day) is an American federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, which is around King's birthday, January 15. The holiday is similar to holidays set under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The earliest Monday for this holiday is January 15 and the latest is January 21. King was the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
• St Patrick’s Day - March 17 celebrates the US’s large Irish population. Many cities around the country boast boisterous parades and Irish-themed parties, especially New York and Chicago, where the river is dyed green. Be wary of the drunkenness that dominates as this is definitely a party-day.
• Memorial Day - Memorial Day is an important holiday throughout the United States, but not for crazy festivities. Parades commemorating wartime heroes are often held and the day is also the ‘unofficial’ start of summer. Most visitors follow the crowds to parks and beaches, which are capped off with informal BBQs.
• Independence Day - Also known as the Fourth of July, Independence Day celebrates the US’s break from the British during the 18th century. Barbecues, street parties, beach trips, and weekend getaways are commonplace to appreciate freedom.
• Labor Day is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws, and well-being of the country. It is the Monday of the long weekend known as Labor Day Weekend. It is recognized as a federal holiday. Beginning in the late 19th century, as the trade union and labor movements grew, trade unionists proposed that a day be set aside to celebrate labor.
• Halloween - Halloween is a fun holiday on October 31 for all generations to dress up in costumes and relive their youth. Children walk around the neighborhood trick-or-treating for candy, while adults attend parties. Other seasonal events include haunted houses, pumpkin farms and carving, and corn mazes.
• Thanksgiving - On the fourth Thursday in November, Thanksgiving is held in almost every home in the US. Tourists will have a hard time finding anything to do as the country essentially shuts down in observation. A typical Thanksgiving meal consists of turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie commemorating the original Pilgrim’s feast at Plymouth Rock.
• Christmas - On December 25, Christians celebrate Christmas as the pinnacle of their calendar by attending church and opening gifts from Santa Claus. Almost everything shuts down to promote family togetherness. The northern regions hope to experience a “white Christmas,” with trees and festive lights blanketed by snow.

Sport

• Super Bowl Sunday - the world’s most watched sporting event and one of the highest grossing TV days of the year, Superbowl Sunday is a spectacular extravaganza. Held the first Sunday in February, the Superbowl is the final playoff game between the NFL’s top two teams. The venue rotates every year around America, yet the local parties seem to remain. Pubs, bars and restaurants are great places to enjoy the Superbowl or locals throw their own parties with different variations of betting.
• The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America, contested since 1903 between the American League (AL) champion team and the National League (NL) champion team. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff, and the winning team is awarded the Commissioner's Trophy. As the series is played during the fall season in North America, it is sometimes referred to as the Fall Classic.

Weather

The city has a hot and humid subtropical climate. Tallahasse is characterised with long summers with brief intense showers and thunderstorms and mild, short winters. Summers are hotter than in southern Florida, and it is one of the few cities in Florida to occasionally record temperatures above 38 °C. On the other hand, from December to early April, nights can be chilly and even snow and frost have been recorded sometimes.

Getting There

By Plane

Tallahassee Regional Airport (TLH) offers flights to/from Miami, Tampa, Dallas, Atlanta, Fort Lauderdale, Charlotte and Washington, D.C..

By Car

Tallahassee is on Interstate Highway 10.

By Bus

Check Greyhound for options. Megabus has ervice from Orlando, Gainesville, Mobile, and New Orleans. The bus stop is located at Gate 24 of the Star Transit Terminal at W Tennessee St and N Adams St.

Getting Around

By Car

Many international rental companies have a wide selection of rental cars and these include Hertz, Avis, Dollar, Thrifty, Enterprise, Budget and Alamo/National. Most companies will require you are at least 25 years of age, although younger people might be able to rent cars at slightly higher rates and with some insurance differences as well. A national driver's license is usually enough, but an additional international one is recommended. Also note that it usually costs more to include lots of other extra things. For example extra drivers, GPS, the first full tank, SLI (Supplemental Liability Insurance), PAI (Personal Accident Insurance, usually covered already at home), road assistance/service plan, and drop-off costs for one-way rentals.
If you want to book a car, it is recommended that you book your car before arriving in the USA. This is almost always (much) cheaper compared to just showing up. Also, try and book with a so-called 'broker', which usually works together with a few or many car rental companies and can offer the best deal. Some examples include Holidayautos, Holidaycars and Sunny Cars. Some of the cheapest deals to book from Europe, includes Drive-USA, which also has a German version.

For more information and tips about renting cars and campers, additional costs, insurance, traffic rules, scenic routes and getting maps and fuel it is advised to check the USA Getting Around section.

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.

By Public Transport

Tallahassee's public bus system is known as STAR Metro. The full schedule typically runs from about 6AM to 7 or 8PM during the week and about 7AM to 7PM on Saturdays. 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.

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.

Eat

• Kiku Japanese Fusion, 3491 Thomasville Road #12 (Killearn Shopping Center, Thomasville Road), ☎ +1 850 222-5458.
• Sakura Japanese Restaurant and Sushi Bar, 1318 N Monroe St, ☎ +1 850 222-9991.
• The Rice Bowl Oriental Restaurant, 3813 N. Monroe St, ☎ +1 850 514-3632.
• Mori Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar, 2810 Sharer Rd # 8, ☎ +1 850 386-8449.
• Osaka Japanese Steak House and Sushi Bar, 1690 Raymond Diehl Rd, ☎ +1 850 531-0222.
• Kitcho, 1415 Timberlane Rd, ☎ +1 850 893-7686.
• Chou's Dynasty, 3507 Maclay Blvd. S, ☎ +1 850 906-0990.
• Bahn Thai Restaurant, 1319 S. Monroe St, ☎ +1 850 224-4765.
• Far East Cuisine - Vietnamese, Carriage Gate Shopping Center (Thomasville & S.R. 0352), ☎ +1 850 907-9400.
• Masa, 1001 N Monroe St, ☎ +1 850 847-0003.
• Jim & Milt's Bar-B-Q, 1923 W. Pensacola St, ☎ +1 850 576-2998.
• Wilson's BBQ & Soul Food Cuisine, 325 N. Bronough St, ☎ +1 850 575-3554.
• Angelette's Cajun Kitchen, 3551 Blair Stone Rd Suite 124.
• Craig's Killer Coffee, 1447 E. Lafayette St.
• Another Broken Egg Cafe, 3500 Kinhega Dr, ☎ +1 850 907-3447.
• Coosh's Bayou Rouge Market & Eatery, 2910 Kerry Forest Parkway, ☎ +1 850 894-4110.

Drink

• Bullwinkle's, 620 W. Tennessee St.
• Leon Pub, 215 E 6th Ave, ☎ +1 425-4639. A smoking-friendly pub with dozens, if not hundreds, of beer selections from all over the world.
• Waterworks, 1133 Thomasville Rd, ☎ +1 224-1887. A funky tiki bar with the occasional great live music act.
• Bajas Beachclub (at the intersection of Pensacola St and Ocala Rd). A trendy, yet sketchy, night club.
• Fermentation Lounge (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.

Sleep

• Best Western Pride Inn & Suites, 2016 Apalachee Pkwy, ☎ +1 850 656-6312, toll-free: +1-800-827-7390, fax: +1 850 942-4312.
• Best Western Seminole Inn, 6737 Mahan Dr, ☎ +1 850 656-2938, toll-free: +1-800-996-6537, fax: +1 850 656-6380.
• Comfort Inn, 2727 Graves Rd, ☎ +1 850 562-7200, fax: +1 850 562-6335. Free high-speed wireless internet access, seasonal outdoor pool.
• 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.
• Courtyard Tallahassee Capital, 1018 Apalachee Parkway, ☎ +1 850 222-8822, fax: +1 850 561-0354.
• 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.
• 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.
• Hilton Garden Inn, 1330 Blairstone Rd, ☎ +1 850 893-8300, fax: +1 850 656-2033.
• Holiday Inn, 1355 Apalachee Parkway, ☎ +1 850 877-3171.
• Holiday Inn Hotel & Suites, 2725 Graves R, ☎ +1 850 536-2000.
• Holiday Inn Select, 316 West Tennessee St, ☎ +1 850 222-9555.
• Motel 6 Tallahassee - Downtown, 1027 Apalachee Parkway, ☎ +1 850 877-6171, fax: +1 850 656-6120.
• Motel 6 Tallahassee North, 1481 Timberlane Rd, ☎ +1 850 668-2600, fax: +1 850 894-3104.
• Motel 6 Tallahassee West, 2738 N Monroe St, ☎ +1 850 386-7878, fax: +1 850 385-5616.
• 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.
• Quality Inn & Suites, 2020 Apalachee Pkwy, ☎ +1 850 877-4437, fax: +1 850 878-9964. 100% smoke free, pet-friendly, free high-speed wireless internet access, seasonal outdoor pool.
• Ramada, 2900 North Monroe St, ☎ +1 850 386-1027.
• 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.
• Sleep Inn, 1695 Capital Circle N.W, ☎ +1 850 575-5885, fax: +1 850 576-5788. Pet-friendly, free high-speed wireless internet access, seasonal outdoor pool.
• 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.
• Tallahassee Microtel Inn & Suites, 3216 North Monroe S, ☎ +1 850 562-3800, fax: +1 850 562-8611.
• SpringHill Suites Tallahassee Central, 1300 Executive Center Dr ,, ☎ +1 850 325-1103. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 12noon. All-suites hotel in downtown. Spacious rooms, free hot breakfast, swimming pool, free internet, meeting facilities, and Florida vacation packages. $110.

Keep Connected

Internet

There is a very small internet bar/cafe culture in the USA. Even then most of the internet bars/cafes tend be located in major urban centers. Accessible WiFi networks, however, are common. The most generally useful WiFi spots are in coffee shops, fast-food chains, and bookshops, but also restaurants and hotels more and more have a network to connect on. Some of them might require you to buy something and you might need a password too, especially in hotels.

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

The general emergency phone number is 911. The USA has a great landline phone system that is easy to use. The country code for the U.S. is +1. The rest of the telephone number consists of 10 digits: a 3-digit area code, and a 7-digit number. Any small grocery store or pharmacy has pre paid domestic or international phone cards. These phone cards are very cheap and offer good rates. The once ubiquitous pay phone is now much harder to find. Likely locations include in or near stores and restaurants, and near bus stops. The cellphone network in the states is slowly getting better but is still not as good when compared to other western countries. Cell phones tend to operate using different frequencies (850 MHz and 1900 MHz) from those used elsewhere in the world (2100 MHz). This used to prevent most foreign phones from working in America. Phones must be tri- or quad-band to work in the U.S. Fortunately, technology has meant that most phones should now be able to pick up one of the U.S. networks. Prepaid phones and top-up cards can be purchased at mobile phone boutiques and at many discount, electronics, office supply and convenience stores. A very basic handset with some credit can be had for under $40.

Post

The US Postal Service is a very good and well priced mail system. There are post offices in every small and large town for sending packages internationally or domestically. Although some might keep longer hours, most are open at least between 9:00am and 5:00pm. If wanting to send a letter or postcard it is best just to leave it in a blue mail box with the proper postage. First-class international airmail postcards and letters (up 28.5 grams) cost $1.10. There are also private postal services like FedEx, UPS, TNT and DHL, which might be better value sometimes and are generally very quick and reliable too.

External Links

• Official Governmental Website