1. Living in Tallahassee Is A “Capital” Idea
Welcome to the Florida State Capital. Yeah, you might encounter some smarmy government type folks seeing that in a city of around 187,000 the state employs about 20,000 of them.
So get your handshaking and small talking skills all firmed up and get ready to schmooze.
2. Garnet And Gold Or G.T.F.O
Welcome to Tallahassee, everything you own must now be a shade of garnet or gold, or combination of the two.
You certainly don't want to get caught walking around here with University of Florida Gators or University of Miami Hurricanes clothing or paraphernalia. This is a college town, and this is Florida State University Seminoles [astro]turf.
3. There Are Brains To Go With All That Brawn, Too
Florida State University is a major research center across multiple disciplines. There's some cool stuff, like the most powerful magnet laboratory on Earth, the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory. You can even see inside during their annual open house.
For a good time, walk by it with your grandmother with the metal artificial knee. Just kidding, please don’t do that.
4. Take A Spin In Three Real Batmobiles And… Umm… Abraham Lincoln's Hearse
OK, you're not actually allowed in them, but you still get to check them out at the Tallahassee Automobile Museum. And yes, it has a 19th century horse-drawn hearse reputed to have carried the assassinated President's body.
Oh, and more than 140 automobiles—mostly American-made—and six rare Steinway pianos and all sorts of cool antiques and bits of Americana.
5. Fest With The Best Of 'Em
Sure, they might be guilty of a little overkill with the name... The Tallahassee Film x Art x Music x Experience Festival, but it's not TFAMEF (gesundheit!) for short—it's TFFxFAME. Take it as a reflection of the organization's ambition, which they have no shortage of. All Tallahasseans can find awesome events during the festival, and even year-round.
6. Get Away From It All At The Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park
Sure, we all love the hubbub and brouhaha of the city, but sometimes we need nature. There's no finer place in Tallahassee for it than at the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. The gorgeous ornamental gardens were first planted in 1923.
Plus, there's a reflection pool, various gardens—including a secret garden (cue the oooohing), nature trails, a biking and horse trail, canoeing and kayaking, swimming, fishing, picnicking, great opportunities to spot native Florida wildlife, and more.
7. This Is A Place For Kickin' It Old-School, Southern Style…
This is an old-South city, especially from an architectural perspective. Stroll the Park Avenue Historic District, which has 27 historic buildings.
For a grand gaze back into the South's past, visit The Florida Historic Capitol Museum, the John G. Riley House & Museum, the Knott House Museum, and other historic sites open to the public.
8. Except When It Comes To Politics
There's nothing stereotypically old-South about this Democratic city with a solid reputation for left-wing activism.
Registered blue voters outnumber red ones by about 2–1 in the county and more than 60 percent of city votes consistently go to the Democratic candidate for President.
9. This City Springs To Life
Just when the pollen has you thinking there's no reason to go on, the Springtime Tallahassee celebration hits.
This weekend-long annual festival features all sorts of events for people of all ages and is widely considered one of the biggest and best in the Southeastern U.S. It pulls in around 200,000 attendees. There is a parade, loads of live entertainment and best of all, a beer garden.
10. Ditch The Bag Of Pork Rinds And Find Out What Real Chicharrons Are
It may not win any awards for most aesthetic or inviting storefront, but take a leap of faith and eat at Super Perros. You'll be glad you did. The authentic Columbian cuisine that awaits inside is well worth it. And they serve some pretty crazy, delicious burgers and hot dogs, too.
11. Score Krazy-Good Mealz At Kool Beanz Cafe
Kool Beanz Cafe is... well... they pretty much summed it up already. Dining at this funky, offbeat restaurant is an essential Tallahassee experience.
The food is creative and stellar, the atmosphere and service are boisterous and fun, the walls are covered in local art, and every visit is a memorable experience.
12. Gasp... Gasp... The Air's Really Thin At These Elevations
Most of Florida sits at sea level, flat as a board, but Tallahassee is mountainous by comparison. And by that I mean there are some hills. The highest peak tops out just over 200 feet above sea level, though. So that's relatively impressive.
13. Your Belly Will Go Loco for Local Cuisine At Cypress
Hit up Cypress Restaurant. It's run by a locally-grown husband-and-wife team with a passion for local ingredients and adding their special touch to the local dining scene.
Food and service here are invariably top quality. Just one meal and you'll know why this is a favorite spot among locals. And that's the last time I'll say “local.”
14. Get Your Local—Oops! Oh Well—Art Fix
If your finger isn't exactly on the pulse of the city's indie art scene, it's easy to miss the Railroad Square Art Park district and its locally owned galleries, shops, and studios.
Join the in-the-know city dwellers between 6 and 9 pm on the first Friday of every month for the First Friday gallery hop.
15. If You Can't Stand The Heat...
You probably shouldn't be in Florida. Duh. Tallahassee is summery, hot, and humid six months of the year. On the upside, the other six months tend to be pretty nice. Even the winter months have average highs in the 60s, though nights and mornings do dip down into the 30s and low 40s.
16. Veg Out At The Sweet Pea Cafe
Sweet Pea Cafe is the go-to lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch spot for vegan Tallahasseeans (Tallahassveegeans?). That should totally catch on. Much of the fare is locally sourced and organic. The tempeh Reuben and black bean burger are favorites off the standard menu, but the daily specials are always worth ordering.
17. Mosey On Over To MoFA
A trip to the Florida State University Museum of Fine Arts shows you what's new and exciting in contemporary visual arts.
See what local students are up to and support them at a pivotal developmental stage (read: right before they have to face a harsh, critical world and crushing destitution).
New exhibits go up all the time, so check online to keep up with what's going down.
18. Bathe Your Lungs With Fresh Air
As is common throughout the state, Tallahassee prioritizes large parks, nature trails, nature preserves, and other outdoor spaces for recreation and a break from modern urban living.
Get your greenage on at special spots like Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park, A.J. Henry Park and Lafayette Heritage Trail Park.
19. Dine Like A Royal Wife Of Ramesses The Great
Nefetari's offers an eclectic mix of internationally inspired cuisines, including a good number of vegetarian and vegan options. (Take note, Tallahassveegeans! See, it's happening!) The atmosphere is simultaneously fine and fun, and there are often performances from local artists in this community-focused establishment. Local and organic are food sourcing priorities here, too.
20. Famous FAMU For You
If you're looking to continue your education at the highly regarded and largest historically African American college by enrollment in the country, Tallahassee's your city.
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, better known as Florida A&M, offers more than 60 bachelor's degrees in over 100 majors, almost 40 master's degrees in more than 55 majors, 11 PhDs, and other programs.
21. Get A Bowl Of The Best Damn Soup You’ve Ever Tasted
Soup Swift is your spot for must-slurp soup. The house-made soups range from standard to creative, but they're all fantastic and free of artificial ingredients. The house-made quiche and pastries rock, too.
Vegetarian and vegan options are available (you know who I'm talking to... go ahead, you say it now). The menu changes daily to make use of the moment's best available ingredients and ideas.
22. Market On Your Calendar
When you're all panicked about finding holiday gifts for the people you love, like, or are obliged to give something to, take a deep breath and head to Market Days.
This annual two-day December event, held at the North Florida Fairgrounds, is one of the Southeastern U.S.'s biggest arts and crafts shows. About 300 artists display and sell their handmade creations.
23. AZU Like It
When you've got that special itch only a sushi roll can scratch, or when you need an excellent Chinese, Japanese, or Asian fusion meal, AZU Lucy Ho's is the place to go.
Savvy Tallahasseeans understand why this restaurant is so popular and why it's won a number of local awards for best Asian cuisine in the city.
24. I Do Declare, Goodwood Is A Great Way To Spend The Day
The Goodwood Museum and Gardens, that is. The museum is in a breathtaking antebellum plantation house and the gardens, which date back to the 1830s, are a unique example of garden design from the era. This is a Tallahassee treasures to explore.
Feature Image Source: Flickr user Lance McCord 
