Northeast Tallahassee - Tallahassee, FL

Prior to World War II, virtually no development outside of the mile of Tallahassee proper existed, as the state's more populous areas included Orlando and Tampa Bay. The construction and increasing popularity of Tallahassee's colleges and expansion of the government, however, drove some economic growth and so the city continued to develop outwards, particularly in the 1960s.

Most of Tallahassee's museums situate downtown and the African-American Museum of History and Culture is a must-go and provides an insightful look at the nation's climate right after the Civil War. They also screen new and classic films.

Several artists live and work in the area, and many allow visitors to their studios. Check out Salt Spring Treasures or On Quest Creative, Inc for great pieces.

Most of the restaurants in Northeast Tallahassee line Route 319 and mainly consist of casual eateries. or a romantic evening out, try Z. Bardhi's Italian Restaurant. Housed in a log cabin, the restaurant's atmosphere says cozy and romantic. Eat al fresco if you can, since even in the cooler months, the patio stays warm from two wood-burning stoves. Try the calamari and the chicken marsala.

Some of the best sushi in Tallahassee can be found at Miyako Japanese Restaurant. The restaurant plates your food gorgeously to boot, with special touches like flowered ginger. If you feel particularly hungry, go for the surf-and-turf for some tender steak and fresh seafood with a kick. Don't forget to pair it with a glass of Japanese wine. If you prefer take-out, the restaurant offers easy ordering online.

Red Elephant Pizza and Grill, a Tallahassian institution with several locations around the city, serves up fresh, oven-brick pizza and other casual food. Pair your pizza with the giant onion rings or an order of artichoke dip. Bring the kids, as Red Elephant works great for family night as they even have a game room.

Most of the nightlife in the area consists of restaurants and some sports bar chains. But for something a little different without heading downtown, check out Bradfordville Blues Club. Though this backwoods club sits a little down the beaten path on Moses Lane, just follow the tiki torches and you'll be in for a treat. The club brings in different musicians every week. As a family-owned business, you're even likely to witness the owners tapping along with the music, too. Keep in mind the bar only serves beer and wine and does not offer food.

Car ownership is just about mandatory in the area. The public transportation, StarMetro, mostly only runs through the downtown area. Most find car ownership convenient as gas prices are low, parking relatively cheap and easy highway access gets commuters downtown within a half-hour. All the Tallahassee cab companies service the area, as does Uber, but you should call them well in advance.

For those who prefer to use their own brute strength to travel, you will find most of the highways have designated bike lanes, and even a novice cyclist could bike downtown within an hour. Walking to run errands might prove a bit more difficult, though plenty of sidewalks exist, due to the spacious layout of the area.

Horticulturists should head to Alfred B. Maclay Gardens, a beautiful 5-acre garden and park complete with shared walking and equestrian trails. High-blooming season runs January through April, and during that time the gardens charge a small fee to enter. The park also runs several annual events, including "Kids Fishing Day" each summer and "Scarecrows and Jazz in the Gardens" during October. Double-check their pet policy before you bring your pooch, as they are only allowed in certain areas and must be on a leash.

Directly adjacent to Maclay Gardens, the wooded Elinor Klapp-Phipps Park provides miles of walking and hiking trails, plus it sits right on Lake Jackson. Besides its outdoor beauty, the park also houses an indoor recreation facility that hosts adult and youth sport leagues for athletes and weekend warriors. Dogs are permitted on-leash in all areas.

Plenty of grocery stores line Route 61, with Publix at Bradfordville Center the closest for your food needs. You could also head to shop at The Fresh Market or Trader Joe's for organic goods. Orchard Pond Organics sells fresh produce and veggies off their farm, as well as fresh grass-fed beef products. The Tallahassee Farmers Market also runs every Saturday on Timberlane Road.

High-value chain retailers such as a Walmart Supercenter dot Route 61, or you can try your luck at the high-end stores at the Killearn Shopping Center or in that surrounding area. However, the Northeast's local shops are definitely worth a look.

Shopping for the person who has everything can be a nightmare, but Sweet Blue Gifts can probably help you out. They offer an array of personalized gifts, phone cases, jewellery, troll beads and bags by designers like Vera Bradley. Bibliophiles will find comfort at My Favorite Books, which sells new and gently used books. The locally owned shop also runs book clubs and book signings, so be sure to ask about them when you pop in.