As well as being the state capital of Florida, Tallahassee is also the home of both Florida State University (FSU) and Florida A&M University (FAMU). As a result, Tallahassee can offer a little bit of everything to its residents, ranging from urban-style nightlife to pretty natural scenery. After a busy week, you can check out some of the amazing bars and restaurants nestled in Downtown. But if you’re looking for a more relaxing day, you can explore one of Tallahassee’s many nature trials or bike along its long roads canopied by gorgeous live oaks, old hickories, and swaying sweet gums.
Not enough for you? Well if there is one thing people enjoy here, it’s a Seminole sports event. During football season, it’s not unusual to find the city streets deserted on a Saturday and hear roars coming from FSU’s Doak Campbell Stadium. Many are happy to enjoy the typical Floridian weather, which is generally hot and muggy between March and October, with mild winters in the mid-60’s. In essence, Tallahassee is an unusual hybrid of college town, capital city, and easygoing Southern hamlet. Dedicated students or young people looking to gain a foothold in the political realm may find this city perfect location for them!
When to Search
Most students begin searching for their off-campus apartments around April. Most apartment touring and lease signing takes place around June, finishing up in August. Keep in mind that this area has a flourishing student population between FSU and FAMU, so the student housing market can be cutthroat. The key to winning at Tallahassee apartment searching: Start your search as soon as possible to get the kind of apartment you’ve been dreaming of!
Searching for an apartment in Tallahassee can be tough. That's why we scour the web to get all best listings around town. And our team of local experts verify the quality and accuracy of those listings to make sure that you have the best prices, images and information available. So unlike searching for an apartment on Craigslist, you can be sure that Rentable’s Tallahassee apartment listings are safe, trustworthy and accurate.
Staying in the Know
If you’re a foodie, you may love to know that Tallahassee is one of the few cities in the U.S. that have really embraced food truck culture. You can walk around just about anywhere in town and find a sweet-smelling truck parked next to a nearby curb and serving up some delicious grub. Get anything from traditional comfort food to Vietnamese fusion. Don’t believe us? The city even runs a special Facebook Page dedicated to food truck locations and schedules. If that’s not loving your food trucks, then we don’t know what is!
Life in Tallahassee
Transportation
The general consensus for best transportation in Tallahassee is a car. Many people, students particularly, enjoy carpooling with a friend or two. With that being said, there are plenty of public transportation options in the area. The FSU bus system is free, while the city bus system – called StarMetro – is affordable and offers monthly passes. FSU students can even gain free access to the city bus system by showing their University ID (a pretty nice perk!) Of course, it’s also important to know that transportation service is often limited in the evenings and on Sundays. Love to walk? Looking for a place around FSU may land you a more pedestrian-friendly neighborhood.
Where to play
If you like to hit the town on weekends, then the neighborhoods surrounding FSU will be your playground. Begin your Saturday night by seeing a cool indie flick over in All Saints, then head to your fav student hangout to grab a bite in College Town. Finish off your evening by hopping from bar to bar over in Tennessee Street Strip. If you’re the type of person that enjoys a relaxing hike more than prowling The Strip, then you’ll find your fair share of places to play too! Take a serene walk through the magnificent Maclay Gardens State Park or have a nice run on the immaculate trails at Apalachee Regional Park.
Attractions
Tally's scenic attractions go hand-in-hand with Florida's sunny weather. For natural beauty, check out the flourishing flora at the lush Maclay Gardens, which spans over 1,000 acres. For manmade wonders, travel back in time by touring the splendid Mission San Luis de Apalachee, a historic Spanish Franciscan mission. Looking for a little mix of both? Head over to St. Marks Lighthouse, which towers over 80 feet high and overlooks the sparkling Apalachee Bay.
Dining
T-Town isn't nationally renowned for its food scene, but that doesn't make its restaurants any less delicious. It offers a little bite of everything delicious, ranging from good ol' fashioned southern food to ethnic cuisines from across the world. With that being said, Tally restaurants aren't without their quirks. Many of the best gems in town are hidden in strip malls, such as the upscale Southern cuisine at Cypress and the rockin' brunch at Kool Beanz. In addition to mouthwatering food, T-Town features over 60 licensed food trucks, meaning that you can grab a tasty bite just about anywhere you go!
Bars
Though there are tons of different bars you could hit up throughout T-Town, some stand apart from the rest as town favs. Potbelly's offers the perfect hot spot for day drinking with out-of-this-world specials and a great location right by campus. Have a smoke or two at the Leon Pub, which offers a generous drink menu that pulls different kinds of beers from across the globe. Dance the night away at the somewhat sketchy Bajas Beachclub. For something a little more fancy, stop by the effortlessly upscale Fermentation Lounge for a glass of wine or some mead.
Culture
Most of the culture in Tally centers around the All Saints neighborhood, which features the artiest locations in the city. As you walk the streets, you can peek into a little gallery or two, or catch an indie movie at the All Saints Cinema. To see a play or two, hop over Northern T-Town for a show at the Theatre Tallahassee, which can range from a little indie play to a Broadway-level spectacular. It may not be New York City, but Tally doesn't skimp on cultural destinations for a city of its size!
Events
Like many college cities, Tally loves a good fest, but few are more adored than Springtime Tallahassee. Take a little stroll down Kleman Plaza while the dogwoods are blooming to check out all of the local crafts and the delicious food for sale. Live music is also abound, ranging from quaint local acts to rockin' national names. Many enjoy laying out a picnic blanket or two and lounging it up. There’s even a parade!
Shopping
Tally has two major malls to explore for your shopping pleasure, but to sink your teeth into some local stores, you'll want to head over to Midtown. This walkable area includes many specialty stores, ranging from home design to handmade jewelry to boutique clothing. If you're looking for a more artsy vibe, browse through Railroad Square's businesses including art galleries, vintage shops, and other unique stores. Bring your shopping experience to another level on the first Friday of every month, when Railroad Square invites visitors to go on a gallery hop as they enjoy mouthwatering eats and live music.
Sports
The surrounding colleges really define T-Town's sports culture. FSU's Seminoles get most of the love, though Florida A&M's Rattlers come in at a close second. In case you need some proof, it’s not unusual to see people overwhelming the entire area surrounding FSU's Doak Campbell Stadium on game day. The locals are so involved in college sports that there’s even a special city council dedicated to holding mini-fests Downtown every Friday before home football games!
Outdoors
Lake Ella and the adjoining Fred Drake Park offer beautiful views of the glittering 12-acre lake, along with the perfect hiking or picnic spots. Apalachicola National Forest is a similarly gorgeous spot for enjoying a sunny afternoon. If you want a side of awesome with your nature, take a look at Lake Jackson Mounds Archaeological State Park. This site boasts manmade Fort Walton tribe mounds, large earthen forms that once served as a ceremonial site for the now-extinct culture.