Posted Up

From a 100-hour train journey across North America to the streets of his hometown, Ian Osterhaus has been capturing moments that make his audience see the world,
and Tallahassee, differently. 

A travel influencer with a passion for positivity (and a born-and-raised Tallahassee local), Ian shares his
favorite local spots with a growing fan base that loves his honest and playful perspective. We spoke to Ian about what inspired him to start making social media content and how his new direction has changed his perspective on Tallahassee.

Photo courtesy of Ian Osterhaus

Q: What originally pushed you to start sharing moments on social media? 

A: I’ve always loved making content. My parents originally let me post tech and pet videos that didn’t have any individual identity. As I’ve grown, I’ve realized that the world can be a really negative place. If I can share positivity, even in a small way, I know it has an impact. Travel content, especially, is something I am passionate about that many other people also enjoy. I love going to and exploring new places. Sharing the content makes my travel more fun.

Q: Do you have a specific process for choosing destinations? 

A: There are a lot of places I want to go, but I try to be as intentional as possible. I pay attention to comments and feedback from viewers, and I often pick destinations that seem interesting, that people would enjoy watching, and that would spark a lot of conversation. 

Q: What’s the wildest trip you’ve ever taken? 

A: When I decided, just three days beforehand, to book a flight to South Korea. I was there for 18 hours, then flew to Guam for 15 hours, and finally took a flight from Guam that departed in 2026 [on New Year’s Day] and landed in Honolulu, Hawaii in 2025 [on New Year’s Eve, after crossing the International Date Line].

Photo courtesy of Ian Osterhaus

Q: Where would you take a visiting friend to eat like a local? 

A: I’d take them to Lemon Pepper. It’s such a Tallahassee staple. I went there all the time with friends for lunch in high school. My favorite thing to eat there is their fried oysters. 

Q: What does Tallahassee do better than people give it credit for? 

A: Pacing. Although there is a lot of action with politics and college night life, Tallahassee offers great nature and the possibility of a slower-paced lifestyle than most
other places. 

Q: Has your relationship with Tallahassee changed since you started documenting it so publicly? 

A: It’s made me more thankful to be home. When I am in the city, I get to appreciate a schedule, sleep, and the things I might not notice otherwise. I’ve also realized that Tallahassee has a lot of fun things that I did not appreciate while I was growing up here. For instance, the top floor at the Capitol is beautiful. It gives a great view of Tallahassee’s trees and rolling hills.