Heights - Little Rock, AR

In the late 1800s, H.F. Auten purchased the land that would become Pulaski Heights, a suburban community west of Little Rock. With the addition of a streetcar service that made transportation more accessible, the Pulaski Heights began to flourish as a district. By the 1910s, the suburb branched into two distinct neighborhoods, with the Heights becoming the more prestigious area and Hillcrest focusing on a more laid-back spirit.

Residents of the Heights appreciate the fine arts. Though you won't find museums within the neighborhood bounds, you can visit the Local Colour Gallery to learn more about Arkansas' artistic side.

The restaurant scene in the Heights encompasses an eclectic range of restaurants, from contemporary American to creative European. Unpretentious yet upscale, these eateries typically lie along Kavanaugh Boulevard.

The cozy atmosphere at Cheers in the Heights puts you in a cheerful mood immediately, and the hearty entrees only improve the experience. A starter of fried artichoke hearts sets the stage nicely for kobe hamburger steak, a Reuben sandwich or a chopped salmon salad. Vegetarians have their own menu to choose from.

Walking inside Café Prego gives you a lot to talk about. This quirky eatery doubles as a collection of cool pop cultural artifacts. Discuss the kitschy décor before dinner, but when the meal arrives, expect the food to steal your undivided attention. Home-cooked veal piccata or pork tenderloin with mustard sauce have all the richness you want from Italian cuisine.

It takes a lot to come up with unique interpretations of salad and pizza, but at ZaZa Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co., that's exactly what you get. Locals flock to this smart, hip restaurant to customize their own salads or choose an innovative salad from the menu. End your meal of a spinach mimosa salad or feta, potato and rosemary pizza with refreshing blood orange gelato.

On the weekends, By the Glass appeals to discerning wine aficionados. Spend a sophisticated evening sampling from the comprehensive wine list. Knowledgeable servers help you select just the right wine for your mood or palate. Travel to nearby Hillcrest for a more youthful vibe on weekends and drop by the trendy Ciao Baci, a converted house that serves creative cocktails on an outdoor patio.

You can access many parts of the Heights neighborhood on foot. The area's highly walkable quality attracts residents who enjoy running quick errands or visiting friends without getting behind the wheel. Biking to work or for recreation can also enhance your life in the Heights. Since some roads don't feature sufficient bike lanes, be cautious and observe the rules of the road.

The Central Arkansas Transit Authority provides service and accessibility via various bus routes. Hop aboard the 1, 8 or 21 bus routes, all of which pass through the Heights region.

Expect to see mostly street or metered parking in the Heights, without paid lots or garages. Some businesses offer only street parking.

Taxi companies, including Little Rock Yellow Cab and Black & White Cabs, serve the greater Little Rock area. You can't typically hail a passing cab in the Heights, so it's best to call ahead or reserve a taxi online. Alternatively, share a ride by using Uber or Lyft.

Arkansas Highway 10 runs through the neighborhood as Cantrell Road.

Living in the Heights means that you have easy access to Allsopp Park, a 150-acre park that includes both a tame, manicured recreational area and a sprawling network of trails through the hills and forests. Hiking or mountain biking along these wild trails gives you a taste of visiting the mountains without leaving the city. For more leisurely pursuits, bird-watching trails let you spot local wildlife.

Your four-legged friends can get quite a workout on the trails as well, provided you bring along a leash. On hot days, your dog may want to splash around in the creek that runs through Allsopp.

The playground has equipment for climbing and swinging, with a springy surface to keep kids safe. Sports teams of all experience levels enjoy taking advantage of the baseball fields, the tennis courts and more.

Expect to encounter a higher cost of living when residing in the Heights. Leasing a one-bedroom apartments in this beautiful area typically runs about $730 per month

Commuting to downtown Little Rock via public transportation should cost between $1 and $2 for a one-way trip, taking CAT route 1 or 21.

When visiting an area pub with friends, you'll often pay around $8 for a pint of beer, which comes close to the national average. Gas prices in the Heights neighborhood hover at about 2 percent cheaper than the national average.

If you love shopping, Thursday may just become your favorite day of the week. During the Third Thursday event each month, local businesses stay open until 8 p.m. As you stroll along the inviting streets to find a new favorite store, watch for exclusive sale prices and complimentary hors d'oeuvres. Small and trendy storefronts populate the Heights neighborhood, which has a reputation for boutique shopping. Kavanaugh gets plenty of foot traffic as shoppers look for that perfect item.

Milk & Honey makes sure you show up at showers and parties with the best gift in the room. After you select an artisan baby romper or fragrant hand-crafted soap, employees wrap your purchase and tie everything up with a bow. True jewelry aficionados need to visit Bella Boutique, where upscale, carefully curated pendants, rings, bracelets and earrings add sparkle to anyone's look. Beauty products complete your shopping spree.

WordsWorth Books & Co., an independently owned bookstore, invites you to take your time browsing the range of books that the staff and owners have selected. From bestselling fiction to study aids, from photography books to kids' literature, the books here have every taste and interest covered. Check out the extra gift items for sale if you need a present for the bibliophile in your life.

When it comes to grocery shopping, Terry's Finer Foods keeps a focus on gourmet foods, plus fine cheese and fresh meat and seafood. Kroger, on Polk Street, sells all the kitchen staples and essentials that you need.

The Westover Hills Farmers Market, hosted by the Westover Hills Presbyterian Church, opens on Tuesday evenings. By bucking the trend of weekend farmers markets, this gathering of produce vendors makes it easy to grab ingredients for dinner in the middle of the week.