Southeast Tallahassee - Tallahassee, FL Area Guide

The Creek Indians who migrated to the area in the 18th century gave Tallahassee its name. The land during this time had been previously occupied by the Mississippian Indians, who had built several burial mounds. The city eventually was named the capital of Florida and became known as the center of the Cotton Belt.

Rich in history, this area also makes a mark with its lively cultural arena. The Goodwood Museum and Gardens remains one of the oldest homes in the state. Built in the 1830s, this stately manor features beautiful landscaping and various artifacts from around the region.

Each spring, downtown Tallahassee hosts the Springtime Tallahassee Festival. This jubilee enriches and entertains with art and entertainment, several craft activities and street food.

Whether you want to stop in at a fast-food restaurant for a quick burger or enjoy a sit-down dinner with the family, the Southeast Tallahassee community contains everything from McDonald's and Pizza Hut to locally-owned establishments that serve Southern fare.

One of the most popular spots to go for Mexican food, the Casa Grande Bar and Grill reminds locals that looks can be deceiving. From the exterior, this tiny spot doesn't look like much, but on the inside, you find a full-service bar with a variety of specialty margaritas. Favorite menu items include the master parrillada fajita or the Tarasco soup. The restaurant menu also includes dedicated vegetarian and kids options.

You don't have to look very far to get an excellent meal of authentic Italian food. Mom and Dad's Italian Restaurant lies just west on the Apalachee Parkway. Open daily for dinner, this intimate restaurant makes you feel as if you've been transported to Italy. The tables feature candles and flowers atop linen tablecloths to create cafe-style seating. Local wine lovers appreciate the extensive selection, and popular menu items include made-from-scratch lasagna and gnocchi. The restaurant also serves a delicious selection of desserts, including chocolate-covered strawberries.

If you head out after work for drinks or need a place to relax on the weekends, you can find a selection of bars and clubs close by for an active nightlife. The Bradfordville Blues Club, with its rustic appearance and casual atmosphere, provides the perfect setting for live music and drinks.

Southeast Tallahassee lies along the Apalachee Parkway, which provides a gateway to many spots around the state. For this reason, most residents rely heavily on automobile transportation. Residents also take advantage of free, easily accessible parking.

Uber provides the most convenient way to request safe and reliable transportation, but you can also contact a local cab company to schedule a pickup. When you feel like an eco-friendly trek to work, downtown Tallahassee makes it easy with more than 70 miles of bike and pedestrian paths that make commuting safe and affordable. The StarMetro also provides a bus system that runs throughout the city.

For those who enjoy spending time outdoors, the Southeast Tallahassee area features a variety of parks for recreational enjoyment. The Tom Brown Park sits on 255 acres of beautiful green space with sports fields, tennis courts and a playground for children. The park also keeps your canines active with a dog park area for your pup to run, play and socialize. The majority of the park is free to use, but some events may require admission.

The J.R. Alford Greenway provides another open terrain area that's perfect for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Parking spaces abound, and the park costs nothing to enjoy.

Each year Tallahassee hosts the Springtime 10K that takes place downtown. The race benefits the Leon County Humane Society and the Boys and Girls Club of Big Bend.

The cost of living in the Southeast Tallahassee neighborhood remains about the same as the downtown area and only slightly less than the state average. The rent for a one-bedroom apartment costs around $799 per month, and the cost of a glass of beer at a local club hovers around $5. Travel into downtown by bus for a flat fee of $1.50. Gas prices sit about 1 percent higher than the national average.

From high-end boutiques to discount chains, this neighborhood provides a one-stop spot for everything you need. If you prefer mall shopping, the Governor's Square Mall hosts a variety of shops, including Dillard's, Macy's and JCPenney.

The Grey Fox boutique provides a delightful place to browse for home furnishings and hand-stitched fashions. This shop permeates a home-like atmosphere with cozy couches and friendly staff who like to chat and help you locate what you need. The shop will monogram nearly anything you purchase, and you can even buy gift cards for that hard-to-buy for person.

For those who love to browse, Quarter Moon Imports keeps a rotating new selection of inventory that includes clothing, jewelry and home accessories. The shop sells many eco-friendly products, including festive candles and cotton apparel. Sign up for the company's newsletter to get information about specials and events before the general public.

Locals do their grocery shopping at one of the large local chains nearby, including Publix, Save-A-Lot and the Walmart Supercenter. For hard-to-find spices and locally-grown fruits and vegetables, head to the Tallahassee Farmers' Market that's been in place for over 20 years. It carries organic, farm-fresh food, flowers and a variety of crafts from local artists. The market also comes to life with live music while you shop.