Hickory Valley-Hamilton Place - Chattanooga, TN

Before the construction of Hamilton Place Mall in 1987, the Hickory Valley and East Brainerd area was home to rolling hills, farmland and a few residential developments. But once the fledgling shopping scene took hold as an exciting East Tennessee destination, more and more subdivisions sprung up around to encircle the new retail Mecca. It's not very sophisticated — don't expect art museums — and the many local churches host most of the festivals. However, wildlife sanctuary Audubon Acres provides a small glimpse into the region's pioneer and Cherokee past.

Diners won't go hungry around what locals simply refer to as "the mall." From fine steakhouse J. Alexander's and upscale chain Bonefish Grill to local favorites The Acropolis Grill, funky Lupi's Pizza and the Middle Eastern Kabob-ster, a variety of restaurants in this centrally located district will please nearly everyone's palate.

Chattanooga is famous for its lack of nightlife. This family-friendly neighborhood is no exception, playing home to great food, shopping, schools and churches, but not your Friday night twerk-a-thon. Dancing, music venues and stand-alone bars are few and far between. However, there is a handful of places to get your drink on. You can grab a cocktail at chain lounge Bar Louie, located at the western Hamilton Place entrance. Big River Grille and Brewing Works serves up cold brews late into the evening on the weekends, along with good food. The Palms at Hamilton also functions as a piano bar lounge, and billiard lovers should check out the Chattanooga Billiard Club, a pool hall with a cigar room and occasional live music.

Cinephiles can easily catch the latest Hollywood release at Carmike Wynnsong Theatres, or visit the city's only discount movie theater for older flicks. Those craving more urban nightlife options can take the 15-minute drive to downtown Chattanooga.

Walking around the neighborhood to get places can be daunting. Busy traffic and poorly or unmarked crosswalks make a dangerous combination around Hamilton Place. Driving a car remains your best bet for getting around. You'll plenty of free parking lots, but don't expect to easily walk from lot to lot, a downside in a district surrounded by separate shopping centers.

The city's CARTA buses provide service to Hamilton Place, but be sure to check route times online. Cabs are few and far between, and Uber Chattanooga doesn't reach the Hamilton Place Mall area as of yet. People who prefer to bike to work or shop should know bike lanes are practically non-existent, although public opinion regarding sharing the road is shifting, and motorists are more bike-friendly than in the past.

Heritage Park lies in the middle of East Brainerd and is a great place to unwind after work, walk the dog and have a picnic. The small free park is home to historic Heritage House, the former estate of the Henshell Family. It's now an arts and civic center that hosts small festivals, seminars and public events, including Bark in the Park and Nights of Heritage.

A paved walking and running circuit encircles leafy trees, a bocce ball court and a small playground. Operated by the Chattanooga Audubon Society, bird and wildlife sanctuary Audubon Acres has more of a educational vibe, making it a field trip favorite of nearby elementary schools. The park, which charges a small fee, sits nestled startlingly close to the hubbub of mall traffic but feels miles away, with cabin exhibits on pioneer and Cherokee settlers in the region. Families can explore the 4 miles of trails and paths, which are lined by some pretty spectacular wildflowers in the spring.

Living by Hamilton Place Mall remains a popular goal for Chattanoogans. Easy access to highways and shopping makes the cost of living a little higher than the average for the city. Median prices for a one-bedroom residence run about $738. Luckily, gas prices run low here: The neighborhood gas average sits at 12 percent less than the national average. A trip to a nearby bar to order a beer will set you back about $3.25. If driving your car is out of the question, one-way bus fares via the city's CARTA system cost $1.50 to downtown Chattanooga from Hamilton Place Mall. Fares run 75 cents for seniors, students and disabled individuals.

Hamilton Place Mall provides the most popular shopping destination in the Chattanooga area with six anchor department stores. More than 200 retailers targeting middle class shoppers fill out the space, including Hollister, White House Black Market and Barnes and Noble. While boutique and mom-and-pop stores aren't plentiful around Hamilton Place, a few shops stand out. Genevieve Bond Gifts is a unique gift shop, known for quirky Southern items and great wedding presents; Bates Florist combines floral services with an art gallery and long-time bakery The Bread Basket specializes in cakes and homemade bread. For groceries, Bi-Lo provides a good variety of food and staples, and a liquor store sits directly adjacent for those craving wine and spirits. A couple of health food stores - Earthfare and the more upscale Fresh Market - sell vegetarian and vegan choices. There's always Target and Wal-Mart to round out a shopping trip. Wildlife sanctuary Audubon Acres hosts a farmers market once a week, making a nice break from the mostly chain food options in the neighborhood.