Hyde Park - Austin, TX

Founded in 1891 by Monroe Martin Shipe, Hyde Park was marketed as an affluent suburb accessible by an electric streetcar line that provided reliable transportation to and from downtown. Massive Queen-Anne style homes were built to attract settlers. Some of these historic houses still stand, nestled within cul-de-sacs or on display in the Hyde Park Historic District.

After the initial real-estate boom, modest houses were constructed to round out the neighborhood. Years later, because of the proximity to the University of Texas, condos and apartments were added to accommodate students and recent graduates.

When you're ready for a show, journey to the Hyde Park Theatre. Come on a "pay what you want" Thursday to watch Austin's best writers, actors and musicians perform live for any price you deem appropriate.

Come to Hyde Park when you're looking for renowned, small-batch and artisanal cuisine. Dolce Vita, Hyde Park Bar and Grill, Antonelli's Cheese Shop, and Mother's Cafe and Garden are all conveniently located on Duval Street in the center of a residential area. A few of the eateries even share back parking lots.

At Dolce Vita Gelato and Espresso Bar, professionals hunch over laptops by day and crowd in with groups of friends drinking Stella Artois and sharing hummus plates by night. Order an espresso at the counter, grab a menu, and wait to be served at your table. You'll want a few minutes to scan the revolving selection of gelatos and snacks. Sample a cheese plate courtesy of Antonelli's Cheese Shop next door, or step out of your box and try a refreshing sorberita--Dolce's take on a margarita made with fresh fruit sorbet.

If the award-winning buttermilk-battered fries don't get you in the door, the giant fork at the entrance will. Designed by artist Richard Heinichen and erected by architect Robert Smith in 1982, the towering silver fork outside of Hyde Park Bar and Grill has become a local landmark. Every six weeks, the walls of this Hyde Park hot-spot showcase the work of different artists from around the area. The bistro menu has been described as gourmet comfort food at a reasonable price. Pop in any night of the week and cozy up to the bar, or seat yourself at one of the darling tables for two.

If you're a vegetarian, you're in luck. Mother's Cafe and Garden serves up vegan and vegetarian dishes that even the most adamant meat-lovers would salivate over. Whether you crave banana walnut pancakes, deluxe nachos or spinach lasagna, Mother's Café and Garden has you covered for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dine in or take your carry out in a recyclable paper box.

The relaxed nightlife of Hyde Park shares the vibe of the neighborhood itself. You won't find many clubs on this side of campus, but you can find plenty of atmospheric bars and breweries. Vino Vino, a wine bar on Guadalupe and 41st Street, stuns with low, ambient lighting and polished wood floors. The late-night menu pairs some truly irresistible items with a long list of curated wines. Try the olive oil popcorn and house-made sausage on a kolache bun. Reserve a table online before going out and skip the wait.

Narrow residential streets and eye-catching homes mean a large portion of Hyde Parkers opt to bike or walk short distances. Cycling for leisure and sport is so prevalent in this neighborhood that storefronts make a point to provide bike racks near parking spaces.

Multiple Capital Metro Bus lines service the area. Bus stops can be found along Duval, Red River, and other major roads. Those looking for a quick trip downtown use Interstate 35, which connects Hyde Park to the pulsing heartbeat of the city.

Named in honor of Hyde Park's founder, Shipe Park functions as a combination neighborhood park and pool on 44th Street next to the Elizabet Ney Museum. This place has everything: a playground, multiple basketball, and tennis courts, a well-maintained swimming pool, and a natural wading pool. Walk the bridge over the creek, or take in the incredible 600-square-foot colored glass mural. Pets on leashes are free to join you.

Hyde Park carries a cost of living on par with Austin's average. Expect to rent moderately sized one-bedroom apartments for around $800 per month and roomy lofts for $1400. A beer costs you $3 while an all-day pass to ride any MetroBus sets you back you $2. Current University of Texas at Austin students ride free with their school IDs.

Hyde Park's closest malls, Northcross and the Domain, are located 20 minutes north of the neighborhood, so the cluster of shops at Hancock Shopping Center on 41st Street has become the go-to place for everyday purchases. You can knock out your weekly grocery list at Texas' own H-E-B, browse home goods at Sears, and nab a few lotions and perfumes at Bath and Body Works, all without having to move your car.

Fresh Plus Grocery has been a community staple for over 80 years. The selection may seem limited compared to big national chains because this family-owned grocery store specializes in high-quality organic items and inexpensive, locally sourced produce that fly off the shelves. Visit the meat counter for cuts of grass-fed beef or sample some scrambled eggs and green sauce at the deli. If you forget to bring a reusable grocery bag, you can always buy a few when you check out.

At first glance, Hyde Park Market could easily be mistaken for your typical, run-of-the-mill gas station. Once you get inside, though, you'll realize this place is good for so much more than filling your tank. Rows of shelves stacked with incense, teas, hand-made soaps, chocolate-covered potato chips, and other cultural oddities give you the feeling you've stumbled into an international market. Cold beers and craft sodas behind frosty glass doors will remind you that you're not so far from home. An assortment of flags hang from the bottom of Hyde Park Market's sign. The locals don't refer to this joint as "The Flag Store" for nothing.