As the state capital of Florida, it was created as a territorial government point midway between established historical settlements of Pensacola and St. Augustine. The area is sometimes referred to as "The other Florida" due to its gentle rolling hills and somewhat more temperate climate.
This is a government town. As the capital city, much of the state's business is performed here. It is, nonetheless, an elegant town - one reminiscent of fine southern elegance. Old southern homes and mansions add to the town's charm. Many of its streets are shaded with magnificent oak trees draped with Spanish moss. With elevation that varies from sea-level to just over 200 feet, it is one of the few areas that actually have rolling hills!
At the top of a hill in the downtown district are the capitol buildings. Both the beautifully restored 1845 Old Capitol and the modern, business like New Capitol dominate the skyline. The Old Capitol is open free to the public and provides a fascinating glimpse into Florida's legislative past. Numerous historical exhibits recollect the past in this handsome building. Bravo to the state for choosing to preserve and restore this grand part of its past! The New Capitol building is also open for tour and has an observation deck atop its 22 story building.
The town is also influenced by the presence of two significant universities. Florida State University (FSU) and Florida Agriculture and Mechanical University (FAMU) call Tallahassee home.
Tallahassee is a rich resource for historical information about the region. Not only is Tallahassee a living monument to its past, but it celebrates various aspects of history through its many museums.
The Museum
of Florida History is one of several excellent museums and spans
the broadest historical period ranging from prehistoric times to
the 20th century. Over 40,000 artifacts are on display. These range
from the skeleton of a giant prehistoric mastodon, to recovered treasures
from Spanish Galleons, to Civil War exhibits, to life in frontier times
and finally into the beginnings of the tourism boon.
The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science is an outdoor museum set on 52 acres. Here one can walk on a boardwalk through a cypress swamp, a natural habitat area and view a group of historical buildings including an 1840's plantation home, an 1880 farmhouse, and a 1850s African-American church and schoolhouse.
Car enthusiasts might enjoy a different kind of history at the Tallahassee Antique Car Museum. Here rare and vintage automobiles can be appreciated including old Chevy's, Ford, a Duesenberg, DeLorean, Corvettes and the original Bat Mobiles.
Outside of the city one can enjoy nearby Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park. Located on this 2,900 acre state park is one of the nations largest fresh water springs discharging over 500 million gallons of cool, clear water each day. Snorkeling, swimming, picnicking, bicycling and hiking are popular at this park.
Just over 60 miles to the northwest near Marianna is Florida Caverns State Park. Underground caverns are unusual for this area and these spectacularly beautiful caverns offer dazzling collections of stalactites, stalagmites, flowstones, and rimstone pools.
Tallahassee Map
The Old Capitol
The New Capitol
The Old Capitol
The Old Capitol
Florida Caverns
Caverns State Park
Caverns State Park