Tallahassee, meaning ‘old town’ or ‘abandoned fields’ in the Muskogean Indian language, is the capital city of the State of Florida. Surrounded by hilly terrain, this neo-metropolitan city has managed to preserve its old-fashioned charm and attracts visitors with a number of attention-grabbing highlights, fascinating museums and stunning natural scenery, above all the beautiful Apalachicola National Forest.
For the over 41 million yearly visitors to Florida, Tallahassee is an ideal two- or three-day distraction. Culture buffs can find several interesting historic sites such as the Mission San Luis de Apalachee, and a great variety of museums, galleries and theaters, while nature lovers will take pleasure in the planet’s deepest freshwater springs, extensive plantations, beautiful parks, lakes and a wildlife habitat.
Leisure activities abound in and around Tallahassee and include swimming and sunbathing at the nearby sandy and dune beaches, hiking on historic trails, camping, fishing, hunting, horseback riding and picnicking. Countless dining places provide diverse cuisines for everyone’s taste, from classic to international and from vegetarian to seafood dishes. Nightlife entertainment can be found in Tallahassee’s coffee shops, bars, pubs and clubs, some of them offering live music, dancing or comedy shows.
Highlights
Mission San Luis: Florida’s only rebuilt Spanish mission presents costumed living history, recreations of period buildings, hands-on exhibits and archaeological excavations. ****
Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science: on three floors, this museum features science exhibits, an Eco-Lab, weather station, Early Childhood space and the new Close Up Laboratory.
Calhoun Street Historic District: listed in the National Register of Historic Places, this area features historic homes dating back to 1830.
Historic Capitol of Florida: restored to its 1902 facade, the capitol is home to a research center and museum, the Supreme Court and governor’s suite.****
Challenger Learning Center: this institution boasts a state-of-the-art Space Mission Simulator, an IMAX theater and a domed high-definition planetarium.
Downtown Marketplace: this spot comes alive on Saturdays with live entertainment, fine crafts, literary café, farmers’ market, storytelling, hands-on art activities for children and more.
Apalachicola National Forest: situated near the city, this stunning area is the largest of the state’s three national forests and home to a variety of fauna and flora, rivers, lakes, streams and deep caves.