Fort Smith Northside - Fort Smith, AR

Prominent in Civil War History, Fort Smith Northside carries a long legacy of nationally recognized war heroes. Modern residential neighborhoods began springing up during an outward expansion from Garrison Avenue, where many popular restaurants and bars currently reside.

The Fort Smith Regional Art Museum houses nationally and internationally recognized traveling exhibits. Additionally, this foundation provides fantastic educational programs and special events for adults and children.

The Fort Smith Museum of History features many exhibits, displays and artifacts explaining the city's rich history. A day at the museum will lead you on a journey from the first fort in 1817 through the westward expansion, the Civil War, the Gay Nineties, the 1941 construction of U.S. Army base Fort Chaffee and the emergence of a modern society.

Fort Smith Northside contains many different of types restaurants to choose from, including Italian, Mexican, American, German and Asian options. Garrison Avenue remains the central location for dining and a fun night out on the town. The nightlife in Fort Smith generally consists of fantastic eats, along with great music and a variety of bars.

If you're looking for a American eatery, try out Al's Bar-B-Q, which features a fantastic lunch deal with a jumbo sandwich, fries and two ranch dressings for only $6. All of the sides are excellent choices, but be sure to try the hickory fries with your next meal.

For a somewhat different experience, stop by Emmy's German Restaurant, which serves the country's classics from sauerbraten to schnitzel. Enjoy your favorites in a casual, comfortable environment where locals also particularly enjoy the red snapper fromage, chicken cordon bleu, vegetarian pasta and potato dumplings.

R. Landry's New Orleans Cafe is a lively bar and restaurant cooking up Cajun and Creole dishes with a great selection of craft beers. With live music on weekends, this one's an excellent location to hit up during the night time. Prices are reasonable; most lunch entrées cost about $10. The spot is particularly known for its take on seafood; be sure to order the crawfish etoufée, steamed snow crab legs, and blackened tilapia or shrimp.

For a more upscale experience, try 21 West End, an intimate, elegant spot with creative New American cuisine and fruity, handcrafted cocktails.

The most common way to get around town is by car. Those who depend on the bus, the main form of public transportation, generally reside near the major streets to avoid long walks. It's not that easy to hail a cab on the street, but a quick phone call can bring a taxi driver to you; you can also use your smartphone to set up a ride through Uber.

You can find an abundance of free public parking in the area, and residents enjoy easy access to Interstate 40, Highway 71 and Highway 59. The area is walkable during the day, though bicyclists generally stick to the neighborhoods as there are few bike lanes lining the major streets.

The neighborhood has many free, picturesque green spaces all over the neighborhood. Head south to Martin Luther King Park, the most exercise-centric park in the area; it's a large open space that can hold virtually any field game, large or small. Kay Rodgers Park hosts the local state fair, rodeos and many other popular seasonal events.

When seeking a fun playground and swings for the kids, head south of Grand Avenue to Tilles Park where you can find large trees, pathways for a walk with your pup, and many picnic tables for a nice afternoon picnic. Another great place to have a picnic with the family or to take your dog for a walk, Fort Smith Park, trails along the beautiful Arkansas River.

The cost of living is slightly higher on the Northside but still quite affordable; it costs an average of $378 per month to rent a one-bedroom residence. The price of gas in Fort Smith rests about 13 percent lower than the national average. You can expect to pay about $1.25 to get to the city center via public transportation. In terms of nightlife, the typical price of a beer at a pub or bar should run about $5.

Central Mall at Fort Smith remains the only major shopping area in the city. The sizable plaza hosts department stores such as JC Penny and Dillard's, in addition to chains like Abercrombie & Fitch.

Boutiques are sprinkled all over the neighborhood, but most reside along Garrison Avenue. Just across the Arkansas River along Main Street, however, you can also find a couple specialty shops such as women's clothing store Solemates Boutique.

Step back in time at Through the Years Antique Mall, where visitors can find vintage gifts, house wares, and other unique finds at fair prices. Buy and sell gently-used designer handbags, shoes, and jewelry at Jill's Consignment. Check out Hazel's Haven Inc. for unique women's apparel.

O N Street and its surrounding areas house many speciality markets. Additionally, Walmart Super Center generally services the neighborhood for common groceries. If you're looking for fresh local produce, check out the farmers market on Garrison Avenue, open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings from 7 a.m. to noon.