Brookside - Tulsa, OK

Originally part of the Creek Nation's tribal lands, Brookside became absorbed into the expanding city of Tulsa in the 1950s. Then rural, the area was inhabited by young families. While many areas eventually lose the friendly, neighborhood feel as they grow and improve, Brookside has remained close knit, adding to its continued appeal.

While no museums call Brookside home, Philbrook Museum of Art, The Tulsa Garden Center and The Tulsa Historical Society lie only a few miles away to the east. Head to Brookside for festivals and events like ARTZZ on Brookside, an annual jazz and arts festival held in September. Area restaurants host themed events throughout the year.

Along Peoria Avenue from 31st Street to 41st Street lies the restaurant center of Brookside. Walk along the street and find casual epicurean delights at R Bar & Grill next to down-home favorites at The Brook or fine dining at The Hen Bistro & Wine.

The gastropub R Bar & Grill pushes the limits with creative dishes. Try the Royal Burger for perfectly seasoned ground beef and a sample of the red onion jam, which comes as a tasty surprise. The truffle sage fries provide the perfect foil for house-made herb ketchup and honey mustard. Whether you aim for lunch, dinner or brunch, there's no bad time to visit. While there, don't forget to sample the craft beer menu. Local breweries served alongside well-known IPAs mean you may need a designated driver after all the choices.

The Brook breathed new life into an old, long-abandoned movie house. Famous locally for their homemade mac 'n' cheese, The Brook brings friends and family together for fun, casual fare. Going home hungry never happens here, and the most common description for the portions?Huge. Head to The Brook for the next big game and enjoy food, fun and football.

Bin 35 Bistro serves rustic French cuisine for casual fine dining. Start your dining adventure with the deviled eggs topped with fried oysters. Favorite main course selections include the grilled pork chop with peach mustard glaze, lamb Bolognese, and filet mignon with aged gouda scalloped potato.

Most Brookside restaurants also cater to the late-night bar crowd. If you're looking for a club vibe, visit Slo Ride Brookside or the Brook Alley. Walk down Peoria on Saturday night and find the music that moves you.

Automobiles provide the primary mode of transportation in Brookside. Tulsa Transit buses include several stops in the business areas of the neighborhood. Public parking is plentiful and free in most shopping centers. Along the main drag of Peoria Avenue between 36th and 41st, available parking can be utilized by paying a coin operated parking meter.

Many taxi companies service Tulsa and can be found easily in Brookside, especially late at night or on the weekends; Uber also services the area. Close access to I-44 makes travel east and west across Tulsa easy. From I-44 in Brookside, you can also reach intersections to other major highways, efficiently opening the way to all locations in Tulsa and beyond.

In central Brookside, near the business district, sidewalks line the street, making pedestrian travel safe. While there are no biking lanes, vehicle traffic through the area shares the road fairly well.

Arguably one of the best features of Brookside, River Parks follows the length of the Arkansas River as it flows through Tulsa. River Parks travels 25 miles north and south along Riverside Drive. You name it, this park has it. Frisbee golf, a splash pad, playground equipment, sand volleyball pits and well-paved trails welcome walkers, joggers, cyclists and leashed pets. Picnic tables dot the landscape and bronze wildlife sculptures — part of the city's largest outdoor collection — seem to come alive in picturesque vignettes. Visitors can also use their mobile devices to find one of the geocache treasures hidden within the park.

The 29th Street Pedestrian Bridge provides an alternative view of the river from above. Walk or bike across the river to find the open air amphitheater where the free summer outdoor movies are shown.

Living costs in Brookside fall slightly higher than the average in Tulsa. A one-bedroom residence rents for $600, less than 10 percent above the city median. Because Brookside has an excellent reputation for comfortable living, great restaurants and nightlife, the small premium paid for the neighborhood is offset by the quality of life.

Residents can purchase a one-day, unlimited EZ Ride pass on Tulsa Transit for less than $5. Via bus, Downtown Tulsa can be reached in approximately 30 minutes.

You will find all price ranges for beer at local restaurants and bars, many below $5. Craft beers and other speciality offerings will cost closer to $10 for bottle, can or on tap. Gas prices in Tulsa consistently fall 20 to 25 percent below the national average.

The majority of area shopping falls on the central street of Peoria Avenue. Brookside provides an eclectic blend of stores. From high-end chain stores, like Edible Arrangements and Whole Foods to small, independent specialty stores like Mecca Coffee, Utopia Boutique and Poseidon Adventures, Brookside offers spectacular shopping destinations.

Close by, Utica Square Shopping Center has upscale shopping on a larger scale. Saks Fifth Avenue and Banana Republic coexist with local favorites like Ted's Pipe Shoppe.

The popular Brookside farmers market opens spring, summer and fall with locally grown or sourced produce. For everyday shopping, Whole Foods gives residents access to natural and organic groceries as well as wonderful ready-to-eat meals.