Lewis Crest - Tulsa, OK

Lewis Crest dates back to the early 20th century, built during Tulsa’s heyday as the “Oil Capital of the World.” The oil boom allowed the area to thrive and to support a rich art scene and collection of local boutiques. Today, the neighborhood provides affordable housing within easy reach of these amenities.

Nearby Philbrook Museum serves as the center of the Tulsa art world. Built in 1927 as the home of oil barons Waite and Genevieve Phillips, the architecture of building integrates Italian Renaissance and art deco styles. Philbrook’s collections feature contemporary and Native American art, and the museum also hosts touring exhibits, including a collection of French Old Masters.

Lewis Crest houses a few chain restaurants, though residents typically head to Brookside, about two miles away, to find unique local cuisine.

Weber's Superior Root Beer operates as an old-fashioned burger joint. Opened in 1933, Weber's remains the oldest business in the neighborhood. The restaurant serves a standard menu of burgers, coneys, chicken and fries, but the homemade root beer sets this establishment apart from all others. Founder Oscar Weber Bilby first crafted the secret recipe in 1884, and the restaurant continues to make the root beer from the same 14 natural ingredients. Open Tuesday through Saturday, the restaurant serves customers in the dining room, while drive-through remains an on-the-go option.

When craving BBQ head to Elmer's BBQ where "REAL BBQ" has been made for decades. Indulge in the famous Badwhich, constructed of ribs, chopped beef, smoked bologna, and hot links or smoked sausage served on a bun or Texas Toast. Other tasty dinner options include the hickory smoked salmon, ham, or chicken. All of Elmer's sandwiches come with the choice of corn, chips, baked potato, green beans, coleslaw, potato salad or baked beans on the side. Sushi Train makes sushi fun and accessible to all diners. Honoring sushi's origins as an unpretentious fast food, Sushi Train serves sushi rolls off a toy train that circles the restaurant. Serving raw, cooked and vegetarian rolls, as well as a wide selection of other Asian dishes, Sushi Train can recommend a high-quality fresh meal to please any palate.

Sharky's creates a high-energy bar and pool hall, complete with 10 billiard tables, darts, shuffleboard and flat screen TVs. Entertainment changes nightly, ranging from live bands and karaoke to pool tournaments and trivia night. Two full bars allow patrons to refresh their drinks without venturing too far from their table.

Cosmo Cafe welcomes an eclectic crowd into its combination coffee house and bar. Offering gourmet coffees, sandwiches and desserts, everyone from university students to retirees gather for low-key afternoons at Cosmos. Night time brings cocktail specials and live entertainment.

A residential neighborhood more than a mile from most centers of commerce, Lewis Crest proves difficult for pedestrians. Though extensive bike trails exist at nearby Riverside Park, cyclists rarely ride on the city streets, which include no bike lanes. Residents find cars necessary to get around the neighborhood, and they usually find free parking in most residential and commercial areas.

Lewis Crest lies near I-44. Westbound lanes lead to I-244, which then goes into downtown. Eastbound lanes provide an easy route toward the Port of Catoosa. Commuting to downtown via the interstate takes about 11 minutes, or drivers can avoid the highway by taking Riverside Drive, which adds about 3 minutes to the route.

Tulsa Transit operates two bus routes near Lewis Crest, providing service to downtown, midtown, and Jenks. Passengers may be able to hail a cab on weekends on Brookside. Otherwise, residents call for a cab in advance or use their smartphones to request an Uber or Lyft.

Manion Park lies within a few blocks of most Lewis Crest Homes. The 26.5-acre park features a tennis court, basketball court, walking trail, playground, and picnic shelters. During the summer, the park opens its water playground. Similar to a splash pad but integrating more playground equipment, the water playground offers kids of all ages a place to cool off and escape the summer heat. Open every day from noon to 8 p.m., the water playground can also be turned on early for special events for a $25 hourly fee.

Heller Park features playgrounds, tennis courts and basketball courts. The park also houses the Henthorne PAC, which hosts the Heller Theatre and Clark Youth Theatre in a six-play season, as well as offering performing arts classes throughout the year for kids and adults.

Cost of living in Lewis Crest runs lower than the Tulsa average, with housing costs the primary contributing factor. A one-bedroom apartment in Lewis Crest rents for an average of $614 per month.

Riding the bus one-way costs $1.50. Riders can also purchase daily passes for $3.75, weekly for $14 or monthly for $45. Seniors and people with disabilities can purchase any single-fare ticket or pass for half price. Commuters traveling by car find gas prices run 18 percent lower than the national average.

Neighborhood pubs offer draft beers for between $3 and $4.

Brookside provides a distinctive shopping center along Peoria Avenue between 31st and 41st Streets. A district encouraging of local businesses, Brookside houses historic boutiques as well as innovative new ventures.

Nielsens Gifts showcases luxury dinnerware, gifts, and home decor. Dorothy and Arthur Nielsen began the business out of their home in 1946, and the boutique has grown into a Tulsa landmark. Selling only pieces from high-end designers, including Nambé and Waterford, Nielsens provides timeless gifts in museum-quality designs.

Ida Red proves newer to Brookside than most establishments but quickly became a local favorite. The boutique sells the work of local designers Louis & Cluck, whose line of t-shirts, dresses, baby and dog clothes, postcards, buttons, and mugs feature designs and slogans celebrating Oklahoma. The boutique also brings socially responsible international goods to Tulsa, stocking Lily and Laura bracelets, handcrafted in Nepal, and accessories from Krochet Kids International.

Whole Foods and local chains Reasor’s and Warehouse Market serve as the neighborhood’s primary grocers. The Brookside Farmers Market, located in the Whole Foods parking lot, opens every Wednesday morning from May to October and biweekly in the winter.