Mission San Luis in Tallahassee nominated for USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award for best open-air museum in 2026
Tallahassee, Florida – Mission San Luis, the historic Spanish mission located in Tallahassee, has been nominated for the USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Award in the category of Open-Air Museum for 2026. Secretary of State Cord Byrd made the announcement, encouraging Floridians to vote for the site and help highlight its significance on a national stage. Voting is now open and will continue through February 9.
“Mission San Luis is Florida’s only reconstructed Spanish mission and provides families the opportunity to explore Florida’s influential role in national history through tangible encounters and immersive experiences,” Secretary Byrd said. “As we honor the 250th anniversary of our nation, I invite all Floridians to help Mission San Luis promote our state’s unique history before a national audience.”
Mission San Luis stands as Tallahassee’s only National Historic Landmark and encompasses 60 acres of green space and historic gardens. Visitors can explore six reconstructed buildings, including a Franciscan church, a Spanish house, a palisaded fort, a blacksmith shop, and the largest reconstructed Apalachee council house in the Southeast. Each building offers a glimpse into the lives of the Spanish colonists and the Apalachee people who lived at the mission more than 300 years ago.
Archaeological and historical research forms the backbone of Mission San Luis, making it the most thoroughly investigated Spanish mission in the southeastern United States. Interpreters dressed in period-appropriate attire provide educational programming, demonstrating daily life, crafts, and social structures from the 17th century. Visitors can watch traditional blacksmithing, learn about Apalachee council meetings, or participate in hands-on activities designed to teach history in an engaging, interactive way.
The nomination for the USA TODAY 10BEST award highlights Mission San Luis not only as a site of historical preservation but also as a center for education and family-friendly programming. The recognition places it among the country’s top open-air museums, inviting broader attention to Florida’s colonial past and the diverse cultures that shaped the region.
“Mission San Luis represents a unique opportunity to experience history in a very real and immersive way,” said Secretary Byrd. “The work done by the staff, volunteers, and historians at the mission ensures that visitors of all ages can learn about and appreciate Florida’s rich heritage while walking the very grounds where history was made.”
Voting for the award is simple and accessible, with the public invited to vote daily through February 9. Residents and history enthusiasts are encouraged to participate and support Mission San Luis in its bid to earn national recognition as a premier open-air museum.
For those interested in visiting or learning more about the mission, additional information, including hours, events, and educational programs, is available at MissionSanLuis.org. The nomination comes at a special time as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, offering a timely reminder of the region’s early colonial history and the ongoing work to preserve and share it.
Mission San Luis continues to serve as a hub for historical education and cultural enrichment, providing an engaging and immersive experience for visitors while honoring the legacy of both the Apalachee people and Spanish settlers. The nomination underscores the mission’s vital role in connecting Floridians and visitors to a past that has shaped the state and the nation.
