Tallahassee, FL

Tallahassee, with a population of approximately 169,000, is the capital of the state of Florida. The city boasts a lovely downtown skyline that twinkles in the Florida sunset. Located in Leon County, where it serves as county seat, the city's curious name can likely be traced to the Creek Indians, or Seminoles, and is usually translated as "old fields." The 12th-fastest growing metropolitan area in Florida, Tallahassee has in recent years experienced a growth rate that has surpassed that of both Miami and Tampa.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

Tallahassee is a regional center for trade and agriculture, and also has one of the fastest-growing manufacturing and high-tech economies in Florida. Around 55 percent of the workforce works for the private sector, while 33 percent works for the government. There are many major employers operating in the city, including General Dynamics Land Systems, a manufacturing facility for military and combat applications, and Elbit Systems of America, a military-communications manufacturing firm. Headquarters for Danfoss Turbocor, a manufacturer of oil-free, high-efficiency compressors. Figg Engineering Group is a bridge engineering firm.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

Some of the notable areas in Tallahassee include:

• Frenchtown is Tallahassee's historically African American neighborhood.
• Woodland Drives is a lush neighborhood with two parks.
• Downtown is dominated by the hilltop state capitol buildings.

Tallahassee accommodates about 68,400 houses, about half of them rentals.

GETTING AROUND

The city is provided with bus service by StarMetro and air service by the Tallahassee Regional Airport. As for major highways, Tallahassee is conveniently located near several important expressways and major arteries, including Interstate 10;U.S. Routes 27, 90 and 319; and the Apalachee Parkway.

EDUCATION

Institutions of higher learning abound in Tallahassee. The city is home to:

• Florida State University
• Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University
• Tallahassee Community College

The area is also offers two technical schools:

• Lively Technical Center
• Keiser College

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

Taking great pride in its culturally diverse offerings, the city of Tallahassee boasts a number of established performing arts groups and local attractions. Of these, some of the most notable include:

• Springtime Tallahassee
• The Winter Festival of Lights
• The Tallahassee Symphony Orchestra
• The Tallahassee Ballet
• Le Moyne Art Foundation
• The Mary Brogan Museum of Art and Science
• The Tallahassee Museum of History and Natural Science
• Shakespeare in the Park

Tallahassee's Downtown Marketplace hosts numerous events throughout the year. Open weekly from March through November, this renowned gathering place hosts fine-arts fairs, crafts sales, readings by authors and poets, live jazz performances and a thriving farmers' market. There is a number of special events scheduled throughout the year as well, including dances, costume balls, carnivals, parades and golf tournaments. All events are hosted by the Tallahassee Area Convention and Visitor's Bureau.

The Tallahassee Leon Civic Center is a first-class entertainment facility that presents shows and concerts year-round. Home to Florida State University men's and women's basketball games, the Center also presents Broadway shows, internationally recognized musical acts, festivals and special events such as Cirque de Soleil.

The bulk of Tallahassee's athletics scene focuses on its thriving collegiate sports programs. The FAMU Rattlers and FSU Seminoles annually go head-to-head with top-ranked schools from around the United States. Most notable is the pool of talented athletes that the area has produced, including two Heisman Trophy WinnersChris Weinke of the Carolina Panthers and Charlie Ward, who went on to have a professional career with the New York Knicks of the National Basketball Association. The 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist in diving, Phil Boggs, is also from the area, as is Deion Sanders, who was a celebrated athlete in both the NFL and MLB and is now a world-renowned sports commentator. Local baseball hero Andre Dawson, known as "The Hawk," was named Most Valuable Player of the Major League Baseball's National League in 1987.

FAMILY FUN

Tallahassee residents enjoy myriad recreational resources in the city.

• Tallahassee/Saint Marks Historic Railroad State Trail: This trail stretches from the city to the Gulf of Mexico and offers undisturbed scenic beauty to hikers, walkers, bikers, skaters, cyclists and equestrians.
• The Florida Trail: Located in the Apalachicola National Forest, this trail is perhaps the most remote wilderness trail in the entire state of Florida.
• Leon Sinks Trail: This trail is also part of the Apalachicola National Forest. Known for its tranquil beauty and many sinkholes, the Leon Sinks Trail provides outdoor activity to the residents of Tallahassee.

The city of Tallahassee is home to many lakes, each offering scenic beauty and recreational opportunities. These include:

• Lake Ella
• Lake Jackson
• Lake Munson
• Lake Talquin

FOR VISITORS

• Featuring a Space Mission Simulator, the Challenger Learning Center aims to inspire youngsters to pursue careers in math, science and technology.
• The Florida State Capitol building has been restored to its 1902 appearance and features exhibits designed to help bring to life the events that shaped Florida's history.
• Railroad Square Art Park is host to dozens of art studios and galleries, as well as the First Friday Gallery Hop, which sees thousands of visitors each month enjoy refreshments and check out local artwork.

EVENTS

• Tallahassee Film Festival: More than 2,500 film lovers attended this spring event in 2008, which features screenings, lectures and competitions.
• The Tallahassee Wine & Food Festival is a charitable event held each November and features cooking classes, wine tastings and other events.
• Springtime Tallahassee is an annual event each spring that features live entertainment, food, arts and crafts and a parade.