Capital of Florida
Tallahassee | Southern Charm in the Capital
You’re quite surprised, aren’t you? Miami is not the capital of Florida, but Tallahassee, or Tally for short. This is where the political heart beats beneath the coziness of the southern state. I’ll take you under impressive live oaks to the majestic Capitol. A tour of Florida State University makes the visit to the other Florida perfect – let’s go!
Tallahassee – Key Facts at a Glance
- Florida’s Capitol – seat of government with the imposing State Capitol
- Best Travel Time – Spring Fall for pleasant temperatures blooming landscapes
- Top Attractions – Mission San Luis, Cascades Park, Florida State University (FSU)
- Nature Outdoor – Hikes in Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park kayak tours on the Wakulla River
- Southern Flair – Oak-lined avenues with Spanish moss, historic mansions relaxed atmosphere
Climate and Weather
Florida Car Rental Guide Offers
All information about booking, insurance providers – with direct comparison at the end
Information Route Planner
| Size | 102.4 mi² |
| Population | 202,221 (2023 estimate) |
| County | Leon County |
| Coordinates | 30° 26 “19 ‘N 84° 16’ 50” W |
| Area code | +1 850 |
| Tourist Info | Visitor Information Center Tallahassee |
The Perfect Day in Tallahassee
The tower of the new Capitol is hidden behind the old Capitol in Tallhassee.
Small park next to the old Capitol
Spanish moss on the Live Oak
Early in the morning, it’s worth taking a stroll through the historic center of Tallahassee when Florida’s capital is still asleep. Around the Chain of Parks, the smell of freshly brewed coffee fills the air and the charming Victorian houses cast long shadows on the cobbled streets. An ideal place to sit down on a park bench and watch the city awaken – with a coffee from one of the small cafés on Monroe Street.
Around mid-morning, we continue to the Florida State Capitol, where the contrast between the historic Old Capitol with its red and white dome and the modern high-rise behind it is impressive. If you like, you can visit the viewing platform of the new Capitol – the view over the green Capitol City is surprisingly expansive. From there, we take a leisurely stroll to the Museum of Florida History, which offers an insight into the eventful history of the state in a compact format and with great attention to detail.
Things get closer to nature in the afternoon: the extensive grounds of the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park begin just a few minutes outside. The park with its azure blue lakes, hidden garden paths and magnificent camellias is a real highlight, especially during the blooming season in spring. Alternatively, those who prefer hiking can head to Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, where shady trails lead through oak forests and over rolling hills.
Back in the city, we end the day in the grounds of Cascades Park. The modern city park with its amphitheater, waterways and walking paths is a popular meeting place for locals. In the evening, we recommend a visit to the nightlife district around College Avenue – many restaurants offer fresh southern cuisine at fair prices.
As the sun sets and Florida State University students flock to their favorite bars, a sense of serenity and authenticity remains.
Activities highlights around Tallahassee in Florida
Nature Parks Beaches
Emerald Coast: beaches and water of superlatives
St. George Island State Park | Untouched beach landscape
Events
Relaxed city life in the capital of Florida
The First Baptist Church of Tallahassee
Florida-Scout meets Visit Florida
The Florida Association of Counties (FAC) is a non-profit advocacy organization representing the 67 county governments in the state of Florida.
The dolphin sculptures in front of the new Capitol in Tallahassee symbolize harmony, freedom and Florida’s close connection to the sea.
Florida Supreme Court – the Supreme Court of the State of Florida.
In the middle of Tallahassee
The gateway to Florida State University
Dodd Hall – one of the most historically significant buildings on campus
Tallahassee University: You want to study here.
Bronze football statue in front of Florida State University’s Doak S. Campbell Stadium
Tallahassee is not a classic tourist town – but that is precisely what makes it so appealing. The locals affectionately call their city Tally. Nature, local culture and relaxed city life come together here without any hustle and bustle but with charm. As a green city, Tally offers numerous parks, cozy cafés and a creative flair, with a large student scene at its heart.
The town is nestled in gently rolling hills and is surrounded by old oak trees, whose drooping moss stretches across the streets. This picture immediately gets visitors to slow down.
This can be experienced particularly well in Cascades Park, a modern city park with water features, picnic areas and an open-air stage. Those looking for a little more peace and quiet will find a green oasis with garden paths, ponds and flowers in Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park – a real highlight, especially in spring.
There are many parks in Tallahassee.
Live Oak shade
Beautiful old oaks
So you won’t forget the time in the beautiful facilities.
Tally also offers a pleasant mix of creative cuisine and relaxed eateries. Locals start the day with a hearty breakfast at Canopy Road Café, while the Railroad Square Art District comes alive in the evening with small food spots, craft beer and an alternative atmosphere. For a stylish dinner, head to Sage Restaurant, which combines French-inspired dishes with regional ingredients.
Charming accommodation with local flair is available, for example the stylish Hotel Duval with its roof terrace or the cozy Little English Guesthouse, which impresses with its lovingly furnished rooms and family atmosphere.
Tally is the ideal stopover for anyone who wants to experience the real north of the country – without overcrowded attractions, but with many small discoveries that are all the more memorable.
History of Tallahassee
The Senate Hall in the Old Capitol
Seating in the Senate Hall of the Old Capitol
Women for President – yes, but a little younger again, please
Beautiful staircase in the Old Capitol
In Tallahassee, history is more than just a chapter in a book – it still shapes the cityscape and attitude to life in the region today. As the only major city in inland Florida, Tally was a political and cultural center early on. In 1824, it was officially designated as the capital of the then still young state – a decision made out of geographical necessity between the rival cities of St. Augustine and Pensacola.
The name Tallahassee comes from the Apalachee Indian language and means “old field” or “old place”, which refers to earlier settlements in the region. Traces of these early cultures are still visible today, for example in the nearby Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park, where impressive earth mounds are a reminder of the pre-Columbian past.
Over the course of the 19th century, Tallahassee continued to develop through agriculture, cotton trade and educational institutions. With the founding of FL State University (FSU) and Florida AM University (FAMU), the city became not only a political but also an academic center. FAMU is one of the most important historically black universities in the USA and still plays an important role in African-American culture in the South today.
The old town around the Old Capitol, which forms the historic heart of the city with its red and white striped dome, is particularly impressive. Many well-preserved residential buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries can also be found here, reflecting the transformation from a frontier town to the capital.
Even today, history is omnipresent – be it in the Victorian houses, the museums or on a stroll through the oak-lined avenues. Over time, Tallahassee has developed from an administrative center to a lively, diverse city – rich in contrasts, culture and the past.