Southeast Pensacola - Pensacola, FL Area Guide

Goulding is a census-designated place in Escambia County. Known as the "City of Five Flags," Pensacola has flown the U.S., Spanish, French, British and Confederate flags since its founding. With so many colors and cultures leading or influencing Pensacola over time, it should come as little surprise that Goulding and Pensacola provide a wide variety of amenities for folks with different tastes. Annual events include everything from the Pensacola Seafood Festival, which combines the flavors of the sea with the surroundings of downtown, to a family-friendly Mardi Gras. As the “Cradle of Naval Aviation,” Pensacola hosts the Blue Angels, which means some top-notch flying formation shows. Take the kids to the Pensacola Children’s Museum to play in the model fort and Indian village, or travel southwest to explore the real Fort Pickens.

The downtown area houses many of the local restaurants and bars. The End of the Line Cafe, an intriguing but unsuspecting blue brick building with band flyers taped to the windows and a few bicycles parked in front, serves savory vegan meals. In between pouring your own water and clearing your own table, let your eyes flit from painting to painting hung on the wall being sold there by local artists. If you go for one of its popular Thursday dinner or Sunday brunch set meals that include soup, an entree and dessert, make sure to arrive early before the food runs out. Apart from a few signatures, the menu changes every day. From spicy burritos to white bean soup, there's plenty of menu options waiting for you to discover.

If you seek a breakfast that’s simply good, visit the Coffee Cup Restaurant. The comfortably cozy and casual interior welcomes you as you search the menu for the day's offerings. Some of the popular food items include the pecan waffle and the grits, which have bacon, ham, green pepper, tomato and hot sauce for added punch. Take a seat at the bar, and watch the chefs cook on the open grill.

You’re in for an experience when you arrive at Pot Roast & Pinot. Inside, empty wine bottles and light bulbs hang suspended above wooden tables. The small dining space with large windows keeps the room bright, but tight seating makes for more intimate settings. You can call ahead and place reservations to avoid long lines. Make sure to try the pot roast, the BLT-E and the chicken and waffles when you visit Pot Roast & Pinot.

An enjoyable array of nightlife surrounds Goulding, such as Play, a unique bar and arcade to the south of the neighborhood. This 21-and-over bar has plenty of games, such as air hockey and skee ball, and it also serves the King Koopa, the speciality drink of the house. Challenge your friends to a game, or attend the bar's hosted events during the Pensacon comic convention.

Can you handle a night at the Pensacola Handlebar? Dark and cool with brick walls and lots of grunge, this spot features live rock music and games. Take your chances in the mosh pit, energized by a live band. On non-concert nights, play your favorite rock music on the juke box, and enjoy a beer as you beat your friends in pool or darts.

Many locals use the sidewalks, bike lanes and public transportation in Goulding. More residents ride bicycles or walk to work in Goulding than people in the rest of Pensacola and in other neighborhoods in the United States. The Escambia County Area Transit buses provide access to much of Pensacola. In addition, a national Amtrak train station provides convenient transportation just three miles away from Goulding.

Many Goulding residents own a car and enjoy a convenient commute to work. Highway 110 provides an easy route to Pensacola, and it takes less than five minutes to get to Interstate 10, enabling the option for longer commutes. You can find free public parking throughout Goulding for your convenience. While parking in the heart of downtown Pensacola might seem tricky, the city has 2,000 off-street and 7,000 on-street free, time-managed and paid parking spaces available at all times.

Hailing a cab in the downtown area takes a lot of time, so call a company such as Pensacola Taxi ahead of time to avoid standing around. Uber operates in Goulding and provides an affordable alternative.

Residents of Goulding have a handful of options if they want to enjoy a park. Visit the Hawkshaw Lagoon Memorial Park, and stroll along the boardwalk to a beautiful sculpture called The Sanctuary, where you can also soak up serene views of the bay. Farther away, the Pensacola Community Maritime Park has scenic sidewalks and places to enjoy a picnic; it also hosts the Pensacola Blue Wahoos minor league baseball team and has an amphitheater for concerts. You can access the parks for free and bring your pets if you like.

Residents in Goulding enjoy a less-than-average cost of living than residents in Pensacola and other parts of the country. Following that trend, gas costs approximately 2 percent cheaper in Goulding than in the United States on average, and you can purchase a beer for under $3. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Goulding has a price tag of about $680.

The downtown area has numerous shops and boutiques, including a unique furniture store called DUH. It has many restoration items and accessories available and provides shipping for people out of town. You know you’re entering a special place as you pass by the giant DUH sign erected from the ground and the fountain on your way to the entrance.

For clothes shopping in Goulding, dd’s Discounts has similar clothes from places like Ross or TJ Maxx. It sells home decor at affordable, discounted pricing and has clothing and accessories for men, women and children. When shopping for groceries, you can find small markets within Goulding. Larger chains, such as Publix and Winn Dixie, provide groceries within a reasonable drive.

South of Goulding, the Palafox Market has abundant fresh produce, handicrafts, antiques and more from different local vendors. You can park for free at the courthouse and walk to the market for a sample of the rum cakes and other treats. North of Goulding, Bailey’s Produce & Nursery has affordable, local fresh fruits and veggies inside and a variety of plants outside.