Lower Greenville - Dallas, TX

Greenville Avenue has a history as a vital thoroughfare in the Dallas area. Prior to its current name, it was called Richardson Pike and ran parallel to the Houston and Texas Central Railroad, the original train route into Dallas. Richardson Pike was the main point of access into Dallas via automobile and is still a gathering point for car lovers.

All the traffic made the route a prime location for the development of shopping centers, restaurants, and entertainment venues. The area maintains that atmosphere to this day. Lower Greenville tends to keep up with the times without sacrificing its historic appeal.

While no museums serve the Lower Greenville neighborhood, residents need only drive 10 minutes to the nearby Arts District, home to the Dallas Museum of Art. The arts scene in Lower Greenville itself is rather active, with numerous galleries, performing arts venues, and more. Among the biggest events in Lower Greenville, the famous St. Patrick's Day block party draws a huge crowd each year to watch the parade, drink, eat and have fun.

When it comes to restaurants, Lower Greenville has every type of food imaginable, and most sit along main Greenville Avenue. Decadent Italian, fresh and inviting sushi, Middle Eastern fare and spicy Cajun cuisine represent just a few of the options available to diners. The same goes for nightlife options. Fun seekers enjoy a trendy wine bar, a rocking music venue and a hot Latin dance club here as well.

An ever-changing sampling of New American-style cuisine makes The Grape a foodie paradise. Visitors enjoy the bistro style mussels seasoned to perfection with thyme and crushed red pepper along with a splash of lemon and white wine. Servers help diners pair a meal with one of the options from the wine menu, which often includes seasonal and boutique samplings.

People flock to Cafe Izmir for Mediterranean tapas and refreshing drinks. Some of the best hummus in Dallas makes a nice light appetizer and leaves room for the lamb chops grilled with spicy red bell pepper and savory sweet potato. The house sangria provides a sweet, refreshing drink to go with most any dish.

The Blind Butcher remains a spot where patrons enjoy fine-dining fare in a comfortable, pub-style setting. Locally sourced meats and craft beer feature prominently on the menu, with items such as pork belly poutine complete with smoky gravy and cheese curds and brisket cheddar jalapeno sausage on a bun serving as standout options.

To see the biggest music venue in the area and one of the hottest in all of Dallas, music lovers head to the historic Granada Theater. Originally a movie theater built in the 1930s, the Granada now hosts some of the country's hottest musical acts. Other music venues in the area feature country, rock and roll and even folk music.

The locals have plenty of spots to congregate. The Libertine, a favorite for those who live in the area, provides a unique gastropub experience. Patrons of Barcadia enjoy classic arcade games or play board games with old and new friends alike. For a fun night of cocktails and manicures, locals recommend the Beauty Bar on North Henderson Avenue, a retro salon-style bar with a full drink list, a small dance floor and an abundance of nail polish colors. If you feel like dancing, head to the Candleroom to experience a sophisticated atmosphere and a DJ spinning the hottest club hits.

Cars are big in Lower Greenville, but they are not the only means of transportation. Traveling via the DART rail system takes riders to downtown Dallas or all the way up to Denton, 40 minutes to the north. Lower Greenville does not offer cab service off the street, but taxi companies do accept appointments via telephone. Uber provides ride share service to the area.

Free and paid public parking makes visiting the area a breeze. Drivers have easy access to US-75, which quickly connects to the main interstates in the area. Pedestrians and cyclists alike find it easy to navigate Lower Greenville, a plus for those who want to ditch their car for a day.

Residents of Lower Greenville and surrounding neighborhoods have access to Glencoe Park, a 14-acre spot with plenty to do and see. Athletic facilities, a playground and plenty of shade make the park a fun getaway for park patrons. Kids enjoy the playground facilities, but furry friends have to remain on a leash to enjoy the park. Walkers and joggers have plenty of room to roam on the park's trails. Small neighborhood events feature in the park throughout the year.

Tietze Park is the most-used park in Dallas. Purchased by the city in 1924, Tietze Park has a swimming pool, basketball courts, a lighted baseball field and more than 75 large oak trees to provide visitors a spot to get some shade and have a picnic. Preservation Dallas, a non-profit group that works to keep the charms of the area alive, honored the efforts to restore the park, naming it the best Rehabilitation of a Historic Landscape or Park in 2009.

The cost of living in Lower Greenville comes in moderately less than downtown Dallas, though the overall cost is higher than other neighborhoods in the area. Regional travel via the DART rail system costs $5, with monthly passes available for a discount. A one-bedroom residence in the area has an average rental price of a little less than $1,200. Beer lovers pay about $4 for a domestic draft on tap. Gas prices average about 12 percent lower than the national norm.

Shops abound throughout Lower Greenville with a focus on specialty stores and boutiques. Though some designer labels appear within the merchandise of these shops, upscale shoppers head to Northpark Center or the Galleria.

A particular area favorite, The Gypsy Wagon resides in a historic building. This shop carries handcrafted items produced with recyclable, sustainable materials. Clothing, accessories and gift items that change on a regular basis comprise the inventory of this shop.

At Milk & Honey Boutique on Henderson, shoppers browse through a large selection of trendy yet affordable women's clothing. From casual tank dresses to chunky butterfly sweaters, you can find something for every season. With its upscale bohemian vibe, the shop aims to provide an inspiring and aesthetically pleasing shopping experience. Area spots for grocery shopping include a Sprouts and a Walmart Supercenter. The famed Dallas Farmer's Market, only 15 minutes away from Lower Greenville, marks the spot locals visit for fresh produce and other grocery items.