Anyone familiar w/ Tallahasse, FL?

[gottago]

I'm not sure if this is the best place to post this question or not. Sorry if it doesn't belong here. We are going to try and make it to Tallahassee on our first day driving to WDW and then drive into Orlando the next morning. Can anyone give me advice on where to stay or what areas of Tallahassee are okay. Or is there another town that might be a better place? We will be traveling I-10. Thanks for any help you can give!

[Laura's Dad]

I used to live in Thomasville, GA which is just across the state line from Tallahassee. What type of place ae you looking for? There are several hotel/motel choices along I-10, especailly at the US-27 exit. Let me know what you are looking for and I should be able to help you.

[jaguar9748]

My son goes to school in Tallahassee. There are many, many hotel choices in Tallahassee along I-10. Last time we stayed at the Fairfield Inn. It was fine. My mom stayed at the Hampton Inn at I-10. Not much to do in Tallahassee if you're not a college kid!, but at least there are hotels and lots of restaurants. Be sure you reserve your room as early as you can. With 2 large universities in town, if something big is happening the hotels fill quickly. There are just not enough hotels for the town when something big is occurring.

The next big stop after Tallahassee would be Lake City as you turn south on I-75. Lake City also has hotels, but not as many choices as Tallahassee. Lake City is also a good 90 minutes past Tallahassee.

Tallahassee to Disney is 3 1/2-4 hours. Take I-10 to I-75 South. Take I-75 South to the FL Turnpike. Take the FL Turnpike to the Osceola Parkway which takes you directly to Disneyworld. You want to avoid I-4 at all costs - trust me!! Have a great time! :D

[ShannonP]

Actually I just made ressies yesterday with the Best Western Seminole Inn in Tallahassee. We'll be leaving our home in N.O. after work on a Friday evening and driving to Tall. We probably won't arrive until about 11:00 p.m. and we'll leave for DW early the next a.m. I lucked out and got an operator who was willing to give me the inside scoop on "secret rates" and got the "manager's special" at a rate of $49.95 per night (Boy, she'll never get a job at CRO - ha!), about $20.00 less than I was originally quoted. I figure we'll only be there for a few hours. I called quite a few hotels and it was by far the best rate I could find. It's off of I-10 at exit 209 (A), formerly 31 (A). Good luck.

[Bstanley]

But, if possible you might want to be on the 'Orlando' side of Tallahassee when you started the next morning - especially if they are still messing with I-10. The Florida DOT has a website that will show work in progress.

[Gagebre]

I live right outside of Tallahassee and the best place to stay is right off of I-10 on Hwy 27 or the Thomasville Rd. exit. The Best Western Seminole Inn is out of the way and near the University (also a little older hotel). I've stayed at the Hampton Inn and Fairfield Inn on Hwy 27 both were very clean and nice. I got the Fairfield on Priceline bidding Tallahassee North. At the Thomasville Rd. exit there is a Hilton Garden Inn which is fairly new and a Cabot Lodge.

[rponseti]

Hey Shannonp! I live in Mandeville, La and will be doing the same thing as you. I'm leaving friday May 3. I planned on getting a hotel in Tallahasse too. I've also done the drive all night thing and I'm debating on that. Let me know how your hotel choice works out. I haven't started looking for a room yet. Have a great time!!

Richie

[ShannonP]

Gagebre...I just called the BW Seminole Inn directly to confirm the information that I was given by the 1-800 number and they confirmed for me that this hotel is not right by the univerisity and that it is literally right off of I-10. He said it's just as you get off the exit. I'm almost positive that it's the same location that we stayed at a few trips ago and it was very convenient. I was having trouble getting a hotel ressie for one night because the weekend we are going is the summer graduation weekend for the university. Everyone had a 2 night minimum, especially the locations that are closer to the school. Oh, well...


rponseti...we won't be leaving until Aug. 2, so you'll get to have all of the fun before I do...boo hoo... We've decided against driving all night and would prefer to drive to Tall., sleep, and then arrive in DW in time for lunch. I'm still trying to talk DH into flying, but he says that by the time we get up early, drive to the airport, arrive at the airport hours ahead of our flight, get strip searched, travel, collect our bags, get a rental car and drive to the hotel, we could just drive all of the way and be done with it. I'm afraid he may have a point, but I'll continue to check airfares anyway. By the way, we live on the Westbank. My sister lives in Mandeville.

[rponseti]

ShannonP....You said you were leaving friday so I thought you meant this friday coming up. I can't wait to go! This will be our fourth trip, all driving. Last time, we drove all night, got there at 8:30am and went to the parks. It wasn't too bad. I'll have another kid this time though so I'm leaning against it. We are taking our oldest daughter out of school, so we are pressed for days. Only going to be there for 4 days. When I only had one daughter, we went in January and drove all night and was able to get into our room at about 6:00 am. I called the day before we left to see if they would have rooms available and they said sure! We took a nap for a few hours and went to the park for lunch time. Anyway, I'm running on....I was raised in New Orleans, eastbank, then moved to metairie for a few years and then to mandeville. Only a month left for me!!!

Richie

[fsu]

I graduated from FSU (Go Noles!) there are plenty of hotels right off the interstate, you wont have a problem. Also lots of good places to eat like Cracker Barrell. Then you probably have about 4 hrs to Disney. Have Fun!!!

[fsu]

I graduated from FSU (Go Noles!) there are plenty of hotels right off the interstate, you wont have a problem. Also lots of good places to eat like Cracker Barrell. Then you probably have about 4 hrs to Disney. Have Fun!!!

[Grumpy92]

The newest hotels in Tally are on Thomasville & Capital Cr of the I 10 exit. The Hilton gardens, Cabot, Ramada, Holiday Inn, Courtyard, Fairfield & Residence inn are all right there. Stayed at the Hilton & the HI and both were nice. This would be easy access for you and there are lots of restaurants like Outback, TGIFridays & Cracker Barrel in close proximity.

[Gagebre]

I gave you the wrong information. There is another Best Western that is on Apalachee Parkway and I had the two mixed up. I do know where your talking about it is one exit up after the Thomasville Rd. exit and there's not alot around it, but I think there is a restaurant next door (it's been a while since I've been out that way). Since it's graduation weekend you are very lucky to get a room. Have a great time!

[infoseeker]

We stopped in Tallahasse in Feb. and stayed at the Cabot Lodge. I went to Roomsavers.com and was able to get a coupon for a great rate. At the Cabot Lodge there was a cont. breakfast included--this worked out well because we arrived around 11pm, woke-up the next morning early, had our free breakfast and was on our way to Disney. The hotel was right off the interstate in a busy well lit area.

[Wonderlandmom]

Shannon, you are correct. That BW Seminole Inn is at Exit 209(HWY 90), the last Tally exit and closest to WDW! It is the only hotel at that exit though. There is a nice 9par golf behind it. Lots of residential areas at that exit. Nice and not scary. It is a 4 mile drive though to get to fast food etc. at that exit/motel. Exit 203 is the one before this, Thomasville RD exit. It has the Hilton Garden Inn, Marriott, Cabot Lodge and LOTS of restaurants and all the fast foods. These hotels may cost a bit more?? Depends on your dates as to when/whether you should book in advance. Lots of events can whip out all the rooms!
GO NOLES!:D

[ShannonP]

I want to go now!!!! rponseti...I wish I were leaving this Friday (today)...although, I'm at least pacified by the fact that I was just able to get my room rate lowered thanks to the post about new codes being out!! Yippee!!! (P.S. I figured you were a transplant to Mandeville - I don't know of anyone who was actually born and raised there - ha!)

gagebre...believe me, I know how lucky I am to get a hotelroom for only one night on that weekend, I called quite a few. Hopefully, we'll at least be able to find a place to eat breakfast...I need my food.

[Lcm2108]

Hi---

We are from Lafayette. LA and Tallahassee is the stop for us too. We have stayed at the Hampton Inn several times as well as the fairfield inn. Both are very clean and have free breakfast! We leave Tall. about 8 in the morning and are at WDW for lunch! I usually try to stay at a place where we have a coupon---out of one of the books at the FL state line rest areas/welcome centers.

Lisa

[Shadeaux]

We're from Lake Charles, LA and also stop in Tallahassee on our way to WDW. The last two years we stayed at Microtel Inn, Hwy. 27 north. We've also stayed at the Hampton Inn & Cabot Lodge (same exit). We like the motels north of I-10 mainly because the area is a little less congested than the area to the south. We always stop at the Florida Welcome center to get the coupon booklets for motels along I-10.

[jaguar9748]

Absolutely stay at the hotels north of I-10 or just to the south of I-10. It is so much nicer, quieter and gives easy access on and off. Highway 27 North is a good location with lots of motels and restaurants. The last thing you want to do is stay at a place in the city or near the universities. Ugh!

The Fairfield Inn at Highway 27 North has an indoor pool. I hadn't seen one of those this far south in years. It was nice because the last time we were in Tally it was cold!

I teased my son who's moving into an apartment just north of I-10 that he could probably rent out his room on the weekends to Disney travellers. :D

[blackbart43]

BW Seminole Inn is less than 3 mi. from our house and is off last Tallahassee exit going towards WDW. As long as all you want is a bed and bathroom you should be good and you can't beat the rate in town. Brgr Kng is 4 miles away on US 90. Have a Magical trip!


"Whar's that blasted Goof???":smooth:

[Laura's Dad]

You made a good choice if you are just spending the night. You will be on the Disney side of Tallahassee and can get up and get on the road quickly from where you are staying.

[gottago]

Just want to say thanks for all of the help! I knew nothing about the area. I will check on some of the hotels that you all recommended. I really appreciate all of you helping out!

[jaguar9748]

Query for you Louisiana folk - how many hours drive from New Orleans to Tallahassee? Thanks! :)

[infoseeker]

It took us close to 6 hours to get to Tallahasse from New Orleans.

[gottago]

ShannonP - check out www.roomsavers.com they have a coupon for the same hotel that you booked for $42.95. It does expire 4/30, but if you check around the time you leave maybe they will have one then.

rponseti - I'm sending you a PM

[Deb & Bill]

We just drove from Houston Tx to Tallahassee about a week ago. Took about 11 hours for the trip including a few stops for lunch, etc. We stayed at the Comfort Suites right near the Capital Bldg. We had no problem getting back on I-10 in the morning. We were going opposite most of the traffic. There are lots of nice hotels right off I-10 - Comfort Inn, LaQuinta, etc. We just wanted queen sized beds instead of doubles.

From Tallahassee to Orlando took about 6 hours with a short stop at my aunt's home in Leesburg. The traffic on I-75 was atrocious - it really slowed us down. Course this was Good Friday and traffic was terrible both directions.

[mmounsey]

I am awakening this old post...we found Motel 6 for 37.99 at their website (it was 39.99 at orbitz)...anyone ever stay here?

1027 Apalachee Parkway
I-10 at US 27, Exit #199
Tallahassee, Florida, United States, 32301

[BlueFairy]

Just a word about busy Tallahassee weekends: DO BOOK early!! We had no idea our trip would be on grad weekend a few years back. We played it by ear and decided to stop in Tallahassee LATE on a Fri. night. We almost got stuck driving. Everything was full. We finally ended up at an Econo Lodge where the guy was charging no-show credit cards. We got one of those rooms. We'll stop in Tallahassee again, but not without a reservation.

[snuggles]

I can't believe all these Tallahasse area people coming out of the woodwork!! I live in Thomasville! Hi to all my neighbors!