Tag Archives: florida

I Heart Miami in One Day

We’ve talked about the romantic value of one-day long, epic day adventures. The idea is simple: hold hands with someone you love, or go sublime and solo, but binge on the flavor of a new city as if you had only one day to capture it all.

This month we visit Miami to explore parts that go beyond bikini-clad beaches. You can find lists all over the web about the hottest nightclubs and party spots in town, but next time you’re in the Magic City, consider this one-day itinerary that takes you to a different kind of wild life in Miami.

 

How to Spend a Day in Miami

A Cuban coffee is the only way most people start the day in Miami, so head for Bill Baggs National Park in Key Biscayne and begin your adventure with a classic Cuban breakfast at the Lighthouse Café. Located in the marina, you’ll enjoy a classic Florida scene of boaters pulling up for fuel and food.

cuban cafe
Photo by: flickr/Jeff Rocks under license CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

 

Then, rent a cycle and ride a quaint grassy seaside trail to the actual lighthouse. 

Crandon Park Miami

 You’ll enjoy pastoral seascapes of vegetation and wildlife all along this path that ends at the actual Cape Florida Lighthouse on the beach.  Be prepared to cross off many birds on the Audubon list.

Bird in Miami Beach

There are official tours offered for the lightkeeper’s quarters and grounds, but the glory of the moment is definitely a climb to the top for majestic, drone-quality views of the coast. Well-done for a morning on the tip of the country.

Cape_Florida_Lighthouse_(133476516)
Photo by: Ken Bosma (Cape Florida Lighthouse) CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

 

Leave the isle of Key Biscayne via the picturesque Rickenbacker Causeway and head for the artier side of things with a visit to the Perez Art Museum Miami (PAMM). Stroll exhibitions of modern art that wonder on the Poetics of Relation and other steamy subjects. Discuss over lunch at Verde, the museum’s spectacular café situated right on Biscayne Bay.

Flickr Hector A parayuelos _ Perez_Art
Photo by: Hector A Parayuelos under license CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

 

Then, head for less civilized things.

Head south on a leisurely drive down the scenic and historic Old Cutler Road for Coral Castle. Back in 1920, a young Latvian named Ed Leedskalnin came to America on the heels of a spurned engagement. He spent decades here, at the edge of the Everglades, in solitude, working on a “castle” made of megalithic stones. Like the great pyramids of Egypt, it’s still an official mystery how exactly Ed carved and moved these massive stones (weighing tons) into the fantastical juxtapositions you find here, but it’s fun to debate the theories as you explore this kitsch-y Miami attraction reminiscent of Old Florida.

flickr Coral Castle
Photo by: flickr/psyberartist under license CC BY 2.0

 

Afterward, keep heading south towards the agricultural section of Miami where you’ll spot authentic nurseries and farmer’s goods dotting the roadsides along Krome Avenue.

Krome Ave MIami

Follow along until you arrive at Robert is Here. One of the oldest establishments in the area, it’s come a long way from its original, austere “shake stand” persona to a fully-stocked farmer’s market with house samples of the sweetest mangos you’ll ever taste. Of course, you’re here at Robert is Here for the strawberry shake. Don’t be daunted by the line; it’s worth it.

Robert is Here Homestead, FL

As dusk starts to approach, head for the almost final stop of your day: the Anhinga Trail at Everglades National Park. Open 24 hours, you can enter any time for an otherworldly drive through the famous, uninterrupted terrain of the Everglades. Your first turn-off is the Anhinga Trail, which offers paved and elevated boardwalks that take you right to the wildlife action happening in the waters below.

We’re talking gators.

 Everglades Alligator

As dusk turns to sunset, you’ll see alligators trailing the waters with their trademark snouts gliding past unsuspecting prey. Dusk is the best time for wildlife viewing, as well as one of the most scenic times of day to view the vast Everglades’ river of grass.

Everglades sunset

You’re now set for the best night’s sleep but if you’ve got the mojo to keep going, head back north to Miami Beach to grab a seat by a fading pool in an old hostel with the best cocktails this side of mixology at Broken Shaker. Cheers!

Broken Shaker

And now you know. Miami struts to the beat of salsa as much as the swamp. Next time you’re here, take a wander in the city of which Iggy Pop said, “…is nothing like me, and that’s why I need to be here – it’s the opposite. I’m practical, where this place is moody, I’m stolid in my interior, where this place has a certain flair, and I’m materialistic in a sense that this place is fundamentally spiritual – there’s a quicksilver quality about this place.” Exactly Iggy.

Camp in Long Key State Park, Florida

With so many posh hotels and touristy areas scattered throughout “The Sunshine State,” those looking for a vacay geared solely toward nature without all of the commotion of highly saute-after commercial destinations may struggle to find a location for them. Long Key State Park, located in the Keys, is a hot spot for those looking for tropical savanna temperatures with two main seasons – hot, humid and wet for part of the year and cooler and dry for the rest of the year – and a pristine beach. If you’re not interested in busy Florida beaches and are looking for a place to truly indulge in the splendor of the natural environment, Long Key State park is for you.

florida keys

Once you book your trip and travel down the U.S. 1 Overseas Highway to get to Long Key State Park, you’ll be greeted with a large campsite close to the beach. In total, Long Key State Park offers 60 campsites fully equipped with water and electric hookups. Visitors may choose to tent or RV camp at any site and are able to situate up to two tents on each site. (It’s vital for visitors to inquire about limitations regarding the size of RVs allowed, especially on the site of their choosing since RV size regulations vary from site to site.) Every site has a grill and a picnic table.

florida keys

Besides everything each site has to offer, the entire park has a great deal of amenities to provide travelers. First and foremost, the camp welcomes all domestic animals, so there’s no need for campers to find a kennel for their furry family members. The park has hot showers, restrooms and dump stations.

Despite the campgrounds offering primitive camping for those looking for an escape from all the technology and bustle of today’s modern world, the park is located within 10 miles of a post office, convenience store, church, restaurant, and public marina.

long key state park canoe

There’s something for everyone at this state park. You can enjoy boating, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, hiking, nature trails, soaking, wading, and snorkeling. Tourists can bird watch, witness breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean, and enjoy a boardwalk.

Because of the climate in the Keys, this particular state park is open to visitors year-round. Peak season is from December through January. Booking may be done up to 11 months in advance online or via phone, so you can start planning your undisturbed stay near Florida’s beautifulblue waters right now.

5 Last-Minute Warm Weather Getaways

Temperatures are dropping and there’s a smell of snow in the air that can only mean one thing. Winter is upon us and as magical as it can be it only takes one below-freezing morning or afternoon of shoveling snow before you’re daydreaming of a warm weather getaway.

There’s something extraordinary about sitting at your computer, realizing you need a break, booking a hotel, packing a bag, and hopping on a flight without a second thought. And while getting away this time of year, especially at the last-minute, can be frightful, it is possible. Whether you want to be at the beach by the end of the day or want to wake up to the desert sun, satisfy your winter wanderlust at one of these spots.

 

Costalegre, Mexico

Mexico is a no-brainer for a last-minute getaway but if you’re thinking Cancun or Cabo, stop right now. Yes, they’re beautiful but they’re also crowded and expensive. Instead, opt for often-overlooked Costalegre. Located on a 150-mile stretch of the Pacific coastline, it’s only a two-hour drive from Puerto Vallarta. Rent out a villa or stay at one of the numerous oceanfront hotels and prepare to post Instagram pics that will leave all your followers jealous.

Photo: Doug Matthews on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Photo: Doug Matthews on Flickr (CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)

 

Saguaro National Park, Arizona

With more than 91,000 acres to explore, Saguaro National Park is a hiker’s paradise. Prepare to see everything from desert tortoises to real horned lizards to roadrunners. While not as warm as a beach in Mexico, winters are mild, averaging in the 60s during the day. From ranches offering a detailed list of activities, to smaller inns that are simply a place to rest your head, to one of the park’s six designated camp sites, there is a place to stay near or in this park for every type of traveler.

Saguaro National Park
Saguaro National Park

 

Key West, Florida

Settle into a hammock and let all thoughts of snow fade away. For those seeking sun and sand without needing a passport, look no further than Key West. The city’s peaceful, laid back vibe makes it perfect for a last-minute vacation. You don’t need an itinerary here. Hop a flight and head to the The Marquesa Hotel for a romantic getaway or the Pier House Resort & Spa if you need to be as close to the beach as possible. The hardest decision you’ll have to make is if you want to spend your day lounging in that hammock, jetskiing, or shopping in town.

key west florida

 

Maui, Hawaii

No list of warm weather destinations would be complete without a mention of Hawaii. While Hawaii can be expensive and require some planning, especially if you’ve never been, it is possible to do it last minute. Book an AirBnB on beach-bum favorite Maui for sun, surf, outdoor adventures, and food. You can spend your days wandering past waterfalls, sampling local food, or learning how to surf, and forget all about winter in the process.

Bamboo Forest, Maui, Hawaii
Bamboo Forest, Maui, Hawaii

 

Escondido, California

Nestled in the heart of San Pasqual Valley, the city of Escondido literally means “hidden” in Spanish, and while it’s only 30 minutes outside of San Diego, it feels truly off the beaten path. It’s a localvore paradise full of wineries, breweries, and restaurants and the mild Southern California weather means you can work up your appetite hiking. For a truly remote last-minute getaway, make The Ranch at Bandy Canyon your destination, where you can choose to stay at the main-lodge or in one of the cottages with 144 acres of nature surrounding you.

ranch at bandy canyon
Image courtesy of The Ranch at Bandy Canyon

Historic St. Augustine: Touring America’s Oldest Town

You may think Florida is all beaches and beach towns; but if you’re looking for a weekend away that combines warm ocean breeze with old world charm, look no further than the Sunshine State, where you’ll find the historic St. Augustine.

From its founding in 1565, St. Augustine has evolved over four centuries from a Spanish military stronghold into one of the best reasons to visit North Florida and brush up on your colonial history while soaking up the sun and inhaling the salty ocean air. Canopied pedestrian streets, locally owned boutique shops, historic hotels and inns, and a year-long warm beach breeze make America’s oldest city the perfect place to spend a winter weekend flip-flopping up and down the cobblestone streets.

st. augustine

The Castillo de San Marcos is the obligatory first stop on any St. Augustine tour. Dating back to 1672, the coquina fort, made of tiny crushed seashells from the Atlantic Ocean which it stands guard over, is the oldest masonry fort in the US. Take a tour along the tops of the walls of the centuries-old Spanish fortification, and stay to the end for a live demonstration of the seventeenth century cannon as period reenactors wage a brief imaginary war on the Atlantic Ocean.

From the fort, cross the elaborate Bridge of Lions, named after the marble sculptures guarding the bridge’s entrance, to Anastasia Island. There you can spend the rest of your morning at the St. Augustine Amphitheatre perusing the Old City Farmers Market. Open every Saturday until 12:30, you’ll find everything from fresh caught seafood to organic locally-grown produce, homemade fudge, ceramic handicrafts, and live music.

If you don’t fill up while grazing at the market, grab a light lunch at one of the city’s food trucks, and then treat yourself to the literal and figurative high point of your trip: the St. Augustine Lighthouse. In addition to serving as an active lighthouse guiding ships and fishing boats through the waterways, the building is home to the St. Augustine Maritime Museum, which host exhibits and educational programs about maritime archeology and marine sciences. But the real treats at the lighthouse are the views and the ghosts.

st. augustine

There are several different options for touring the St. Augustine Lighthouse, but whichever one you choose, you’ll have the opportunity to climb the 219 steps of spiraling staircase to the top. From just under the massive lens, you’ll have an unrivaled panoramic view of not just St. Augustine and the ocean, but on a clear day you can see all the way to the Jacksonville skyline some 40 miles away.

Touring the lighthouse at night might not offer the same spectacular views, but for lovers of haunted houses and the paranormal, the Dark of Moon tour will take you through a different side of the lighthouse — the side that’s earned it a reputation as an epicenter of paranormal activity on the Atlantic coast. Popular TV shows like Ghost Hunters have investigated decades’ worth of ghost stories about disembodied voices and shadowy apparitions, but nothing comes close to the creepiness of the real experience.

Sometime during your stay, wash down the lighthouse heebie jeebies with a bottle from the San Sebastian winery. Sourced from vineyards just a few hours away in the Florida Panhandle, you can try San Sebastian’s award winning local wines in any of their daily complementary tours and tastings. Check their calendar of events and be sure to set aside time for a live jazz performance in The Cellar Upstairs, the winery’s very own jazz and blues bar, where you can sip chardonnay to soothing live jazz beats.

Finally, if you’ve got an extra day to escape the town and commune with nature, spend a day in peaceful relaxation at Anastasia State Park, just outside town on Anastasia Island. Rent a kayak or canoe and spend a night camping with the chirping sounds of the estuary ecosystem, or just spend a day strolling the beach and exploring the nature trail where you’ll encounter everything from songbirds to sea turtles.

Head to St. Augustine this winter for the Nights of Lights, when three million bright white Christmas lights radiate out from the town Christmas tree to cover each and every colonial roof and transform St. Augustine into a temperate winter wonderland. For the latest travel deals and local events, as well as tips on lodging and restaurant reviews, check the city tourism website and start planning a historic winter getaway.

The Best Beaches and Beach Towns of the Sunshine State

Translucent turquoise seawater and minty mojitos under the shade of palm trees and luxurious Miami high-rises: It’s the timeless image of Florida beaches that we’ve inherited through decades of tropical crime dramas and partying Kardashians.

But that’s just the start of it.

The other 1,300 miles of Florida coastline spanning the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea are home to all the beautiful Florida beaches and quirky beach towns that most visitors miss as they fly over the rest of the peninsula on their way to the southern tip of the Sunshine State.

Behind every great beach is a worthwhile beach town. From the pre-Columbian to the cosmopolitan, Florida’s beach towns and the famous beaches that line their shores come in a diversity of shapes, sizes, colors, and styles that can’t be beat this side of the equator.

1. St. Petersburg

Salvador Dali Museum Fisheye at Night
Photo by Matthew Paulson via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0


St. Petersburg is a lazy beach town turned dense metropolis, occupying the part of the Tampa Bay peninsula that juts out into the Gulf of Mexico and lined with some of the most award-winning beaches of Florida’s Gulf Coast.

Furthest south from Downtown St. Petersburg is Fort De Soto Park, where adventurous beach-goers can camp and kayak or rent bikes to explore winding nature trails along and between the bayou beaches. On the next barrier island to the north lies Pass-a-Grille Beach, famous not only for perfect white Gulf sands but also for its own Eighth Avenue historic district running along the Pass-a-Grille Channel of the bay, frequently epicenter of art exhibits and block parties.

At the end of the day, head back into downtown St. Petersburg and pay a visit to the Salvador Dali Museum, the largest Dali collection outside Europe; or take a night on the town hitting up St. Pete’s favorite microbreweries.

2. Amelia Island and Fernandina Beach

Defence
Photo by Jill/Blue Moonbeam Studio via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0


In the northeastern corner of Florida, nestled between Jacksonville and the Georgia border, is Amelia Island, the southernmost of the low-lying Sea Islands lining the coast of Georgia and the Carolinas.

In addition to its 13 miles of laid-back beaches capped by nature reserves on either end of the island, it’s also home to the Victorian and Old South architecture of historic Fernandina Beach. This petite antebellum city hosts a laid-back afternoon’s worth of quirky shops and cafés, as well as the Amelia Community Theatre, with regular shows for the performing arts enthusiast in need of a few hours in out of the sun.

Hit Amelia Island in October for its locally famous Jazz Festival, the proceeds of which go toward a scholarship program funding higher education for aspiring jazz musicians and reinvesting in the local jazz scene.

3. Cocoa Beach

Cocoa Beach Pier Reflection
Photo by Matthew Paulson via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0


In the heart of Florida’s Space Coast, a couple dozen blocks of seaside highway down the road from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center is the town of Cocoa Beach.

Florida’s Atlantic surf capital, Cocoa Beach is home to the largest surf shop in the world, Ron Jon’s Cocoa Beach, which in turn houses the East Coast Surfing Hall of Fame, the perfect inspiration for a day spent catching Atlantic waves. Each year, Cocoa Beach hosts the country’s largest charity surf festival, the National Kidney Foundation Pro-Am Surfing Festival, always held during the perfect end-of-summer weather of Labor Day weekend.

When you start to crave a little shade from the direct Florida sun, head a few minutes up the Minutemen Causeway to the Thousand Islands conservation area, where you can canoe or paddleboard under and between the low-hanging mangroves and, with a little luck, find yourself paddling alongside a dolphin or a manatee.

4. Destin

Destin, Florida
Photo by David Kosmos Smith via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0

Way out west in the Florida Panhandle lies Destin, where a few dunes are all that separate famously white quartz sand from a shopper’s paradise.

Part of Florida’s Emerald Coast, named for its deep green ocean water and the literally squeaky-clean white sand that meets it on the beach, the sand at Destin is so fine-grained that your bare footsteps on the shore sound like rubber soles chirping across a freshly waxed linoleum floor. Outside of Spring Break season in late March and early April (and most days), you’ll have no trouble finding yourself a spacious slab of sand to stretch out in peace.

Aside from its picture perfect shores, what Destin is really known for is its unrivaled shopping, with the higher-end Destin Commons downtown and the unbeatable designer outlets of the Silver Sands Outlet Mall. Designer swim apparel at half price or less is the best way to enjoy the sun in Destin.

5. Dry Tortugas and Key West

FORT JEFFERSON DRY TORTUGAS
Photo by Copeland Photo via Flickr under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0


Reachable only by ferry, catamaran, or seaplane from Key West, Dry Tortugas is a small group of islands 70 miles west of the Florida Keys. These coral reef-encircled islands with their marine wildlife make the Dry Tortugas the perfect place for a peaceful snorkeling tour in a region further unspoiled by human activity, and it offers five Florida beaches surrounding Fort Jefferson, the historic structure that occupies most of the island.

At the end of your tour of the park you’ll need to head back to your accommodation in Key West, but don’t just use it as a place to leave your luggage and rest your head: Visit famous Key West attractions like the Hemingway House, and fill up on key lime pie and delicious Caribbean seafood while you’re there.

6. South Beach

South Beach, Miami
Photo by Aurimas via Flickr under CC BY-ND 2.0


There’s a reason it’s famous, and there’s a reason it’s the tropical playground of the rich and famous.

South Beach in Miami is the stuff of luxury dreams, from the salty Caribbean breeze to the beautiful people plastered on its white sand. Both SOBE and the neighborhood around it carry an air of devil-may-care luxury to match, with the kinds of dance clubs and beach bars that draw celebrities and their expensive tastes from across the US and Latin America.

Behind the barrier strip of beaches lies the most cosmopolitan and diverse city of the Southeastern US by far, where day-to-day life is multilingual and pan-American. It’s precisely this mix of Latino and Caribbean cultures with that of the American South that makes it a cultural capital worthy of international art events like Art Basel and puts irresistible arepas, Cuban sandwiches, and stone crab claws on the menu for chowing down after lying out all day.

Florida is more than one palm tree-covered stretch of sand copied and pasted like an outline around the peninsula: Every corner of the state’s nearly endless coastline has its own distinct identity. For culture, history, nature, adventure, shopping, and of course sun, look no further than Florida’s best beach towns.

Day it Forward – July 2016

We believe that every individual has the ability to make a difference in our world, and we want to give our readers a chance to bring attention to a cause that is important to them.

Every month, we will ask you to submit the charity of your choice (send submissions to contact@beyondwords.life with “July Day it Forward” in the subject line). Tell us what the charity is about, why it is important to you, and anything else you feel is important to share.

Your submissions will be reviewed by bestselling author Sylvia Day and she will select one to personally contribute to for the month. The selected charity will be featured in the next month’s Day it Forward to bring more awareness to its cause and allow for readers of Beyond Words to donate as well.

The submission chosen for the month of July is Equality Florida.

Equality Florida

Equality Florida consists of two organizations – Equality Florida Institute, Inc., our 501(c)(3) educational charity and Equality Florida Action, Inc., our 501(c)(4) advocacy organization. Together, these organizations form the largest civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. Through education, grassroots organizing, coalition building, and lobbying, we are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

Sylvia will be donating $1,200 to Equality Florida. You can donate, too, here.

If you would like to submit a charity to Day it Forward for the month of July, please send submissions by July 25th, 2016 to contact@beyondwords.life.

Tallahassee: the Florida City that’s Quietly Climbing its Way to Coolness

Most people planning a weekend trip to Florida have their eyes on the breezy beaches and cosmopolitan cities of South Florida, and you can hardly blame them. Miami has been a must-visit nightlife capital for most of living memory, and cities like St. Petersburg are among the first that come to mind when you think of young hipsters amassing to sip microbrews.

That’s partly why you should go to Tallahassee instead and enjoy the forgotten state capitol before everyone else figures out how awesome it has become almost overnight.

Tallahassee has historically belonged to that disdainfully ignored northern third of Florida that feels more like an extension of the rural South than the Caribbean seafood and palm tree-lined boulevards you see on Florida tourism ads. But in no more than a couple of years, this small town has transformed from a meh student town to a trendy urban center of entertainment, entrepreneurship, good eats, and locally-brewed drinks.

Tallahassee is first and foremost a student town. November's annual Homecoming Parade lights up the city with the international flavors of the university, like the Center for Intensive English Studies' float in last year's parade.
Tallahassee is first and foremost a student town. November’s annual Homecoming Parade lights up the city with the international flavors of the university, like the Center for Intensive English Studies’ float in last year’s parade. | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

Despite all the growth and change, Tallahassee is and probably always will be a student town at heart, which means there’s no lack of bars and clubs, from the tacky to the luxurious and everything in between. But now there’s so much more. If you’ve only got a weekend in Tally, try hitting most of these local highlights.

Tally Highlights: Obligatory Stops for a Weekend in the Florida Panhandle

Every burger joint in every American town boasts that it has the best burgers around, but Monk’s has the city awards and local cult following to prove it. Its official name is Wells Brothers Bar and Grill, but that’s too much of a mouthful for locals as they wax gastronomic about its perfectly fresh beef and argue over their favorite combination of the page-long list of options for building your own perfect burger for ten bucks. If your taste buds are up for a delicious adventure, try the Lip Smacker, their famous peanut butter burger, and consider ordering some homemade sweet potato fries with it. There’s a reason these guys have been voted Tally’s Best Burger pretty much every year in living memory.

The Warehouse is another popular hangout for Florida State English students and other literary enthusiasts, who go for the frequent readings and performances and stay for billiards and cheap beer.
The Warehouse is another popular hangout for Florida State English students and other literary enthusiasts, who go for the frequent readings and performances and stay for billiards and cheap beer. | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

 

That’s probably why Tallahassee’s favorite burger guys opened a second restaurant in the slightly upscale Midtown area, called The Midtown Caboose. It’s run by the same Wells Brothers of Monk’s, and despite being in a more moneyed neighborhood, the menu stops well short of being intimidatingly posh. You definitely shouldn’t shy away from the beef here, but also check out some of their inspired vegetarian and vegan dishes. A meal and a drink at Midtown Caboose will usually land you on the far side of $15, but you’ll have to throw in an appetizer or a second round of beers to cross the $20 mark.

After dinner at Monk’s, head one block down High Road to Proof Brewing Company, another locally-owned favorite. Unlike so many other bars in college towns, Proof maintains a solid mixed demographic, with lots of 21-and-up students and grad students as well as young professionals and generally just people who like good beer. Recent years have seen Proof evolve from a pub with a great selection of European beers to a craft brewery and centerpiece of the local beer scene.

The Tallahassee classic All Saints Cafe, in the artsy Railroad Square neighborhood
The Tallahassee classic All Saints Cafe, in the artsy Railroad Square neighborhood | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

During the development boom, they opened their Brewery, Taproom and Beer Garden just south of Florida State University. It’s a perfect place to sip a fresh brew with a view of the process that brought it to your appreciative lips, as the garden has a perfect view of the brewery itself. Check their schedule to catch some live music, or if you go on a quieter night you can enjoy your beer with a game of table tennis or bocce ball.

foodtruck outside an art store on Gaines Street close to the Railroad Square neighborhood
Food truck outside an art store on Gaines Street close to the Railroad Square neighborhood | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

The Beer Garden is in the Railroad Square neighborhood, long-time beating heart of Tally’s arts scene. Railroad Square Art Park is sandwiched between Florida State, Florida A&M, and the hip coffee shops of Railroad Avenue. The Art Park itself is full of galleries and studios, from painting to woodwork to clothing, and scattered between the art shops are plenty of places to sit down and have a meal or a drink. Make sure to catch First Friday, on the first Friday evening of every month, when all the local Tallahassee artists are there presenting and selling their crafts while the whole city comes to peruse their shops and stalls.

the International Bookmine
The International Bookmine | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

In walking distance from Railroad Square is Gaines Street, the hotspot of the current urban development. In the midst of all the new there, you’ll find a pleasant piece of old, a favorite of many Florida State English students and of local bookworms in general: the International Bookmine. This place has been here since the dirt in Tallahassee was new, and it’s a nice break from all the shiny new apartment buildings that surround it. As soon as you walk inside, the smell of old books and old buildings will converge on your nose in a more effective sales pitch than any of the 2-for-1 specials on the same street.

Street art in the parking area of Catalina Cafe, a coffee roaster and bakery on the newly developed Gaines Street.
Street art in the parking area of Catalina Cafe, a coffee roaster and bakery on the newly developed Gaines Street | Photo: Jakob Gibbons
Brand new upscale housing developments on Gaines Street
Brand new upscale housing developments on Gaines Street | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

If you’ve only got one weekend in Tallahassee, try to finish it up with a visit to the newly constructed Cascades Park, smack in the center of Downtown under the shadow of the capitol building. ‘Park’ is hardly a fair word for this place: it’s got your standard-issue swing sets and walking trails, but the Capital City Amphitheater is the epicenter, perfect for a great outdoor concert. On weekends when the amphitheater is empty, opt for a meal in The Edison, the new hip eatery in the repurposed county electric building, or enjoy a stroll under the perfect North Florida sun.

Brand new Cascades Park, a multi-purpose outdoor area with an amphitheater and live music venues, with the Florida state capitol building towering in the background.
Brand new Cascades Park, a multi-purpose outdoor area with an amphitheater and live music venues, with the Florida state capitol building towering in the background. | Photo: Jakob Gibbons

All the signs are pointing in the same direction in the Florida Panhandle: Tallahassee is the next up-and-coming big thing. Get ahead of the curve and schedule your next Florida vacation for the capitol, so you can assure its growing hipster population that you were there before it was cool.