Tallahassee City Guide

Food focuses on Southern comfort, seafood, and barbecue. There's growing international cuisine including Mexican and Asian. Vegetarian and vegan options are increasingly common. Late-night food is available near campuses.

Nightlife is driven by universities, with sports bars, pubs, live music, and clubs especially around College Town and Gaines Street.

Coffee options include local shops and chains with some focus on specialty roasters.

Tipping is expected in the US: 15-20% in restaurants and taxis, also for service providers.

SIMs are available at carrier stores and electronics shops. AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile offer good coverage. Prepaid SIMs usually don’t need ID for purchase.

Tallahassee is generally clean with regular waste services and little sanitation issues.

Some pharmacies and convenience stores are open 24/7. After-hours food is mostly fast food or diners near campuses.

Supermarkets like Publix, Winn-Dixie, Walmart, and Whole Foods carry international products. Local markets offer fresh produce. Most stores open from 7 AM to 10 PM, including Sundays with shorter hours.

Most places accept cards, so cash isn’t often needed for daily buys.

ATMs are easy to find at banks like Bank of America and Wells Fargo, plus many convenience stores. Fees apply if using out-of-network machines, usually $2.50 to $5.

Schools teach mainly in English. There are no international schools available. Local public schools include Leon High School and Lincoln High School.

The digital nomad community is small but growing, mainly due to universities. Some meetups happen at coworking spaces.

The city offers many parks and shaded trails. Cascades and Tom Brown Parks are favorites for outdoor time.

Good running routes include trails at Tom Brown Park and Cascades Park. Running clubs are active.

Gyms range from national chains to local health centers with some offering guest passes.

Public parks and clubs have tennis courts. Coaching is available, but rentals are rare at public courts.

Padel courts are not commonly found in Tallahassee.

Several studios offer various yoga styles and drop-in classes with English-speaking instructors.

Martial arts like BJJ, Muay Thai, Boxing, Taekwondo, and Karate have local gyms and instructors.

No skiing options due to Florida's warm climate.

Kayaking and paddleboarding on local rivers and lakes are popular. Sailing and windsurfing are available on the Gulf Coast.

No surfing locally; nearest surf spots are hours away on the Atlantic coast or Gulf during storms.

Freshwater springs like Wakulla Springs offer snorkeling and cave diving for certified divers. Some Gulf of Mexico dive sites exist but have variable visibility.

Hospitals like Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare have English-speaking staff. Pharmacies such as CVS and Walgreens are widespread with extended hours and drive-thru.

Tap water meets all safety standards and is good to drink.

The city has many parks, kid-friendly cafés, and attractions such as the Tallahassee Museum and St. Marks Refuge. Playgrounds and family stores are easy to find.

The city is generally accepting, aided by university influence, with some inclusive venues and annual Pride events.

Tallahassee is pet-friendly with dog parks, veterinary clinics, and pet stores. Some restaurants and hotels welcome pets.