Oak Hills - Colorado Springs, CO

The history of Colorado Springs goes back to its Native American inhabitants and its subsequent occupation by the Spanish and French. Following the Louisiana Purchase, settlers began moving west. In 1806, Pike’s Peak received its name from Zebulon Pike, an early explorer.

Colorado City holds the distinction of being the first settlement in the area and, for a short time, was the territorial capitol. The discovery of gold in the last part of the 19th century led to vast wealth in the area and contributed to its growth both in population and infrastructure.

A short distance away, the Colorado Springs Pioneer Museum on South Tejan Street exhibits permanent displays and conducts events related to the history of the area. Among many annual events, the Colorado Springs Philharmonic presents music year round at the Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts, with some events held outdoors.

Restaurants in the Oak Hills area range from high-end and local cuisine to chain restaurants. Mostly situated along Interstate 25, cuisines range from Asian to American comfort food.

NaRai Thai Restaurant serves expertly prepared Thai dishes, including curries, soups and noodles. For a special treat, dive into the flavorful green curry with mixed seafood in coconut milk. To experience the ambiance of a French bistro and the assortment of fresh bakery items, stop by Marigold Cafe & Bakery. Briarhurst Manor Estate , named as one of the country’s most romantic restaurants for its ambiance and amazing views, serves upscale dishes, reserves rooms for private parties and handles special events. For a special meal, try the bison short ribs.

Check out Latin Quarters Nightclub on North Academy Boulevard for a night of dancing. It draws crowds for its superb music, Latin dance lessons, and full bar.

To enjoy a brew, relax and watch a game on TV, try Thunder & Buttons on West Colorado Avenue. Pool tables, karaoke nights, video games and sports on big screen TVs plus discount drinks nightly make this a popular spot. At Good Company Restaurant & Bar on North Union Blvd, you find poker nights, karaoke, beer pong and TV sports as well as an outdoor fire pit in the patio section. The selection of bar food and friendly atmosphere make it a winner. At nearby Cleat’s Bar & Grill, poker nights, karaoke, pool tables, TV sports and live music on the weekends make it a fun spot to spend some time.

Public transportation throughout Colorado Springs using the Mountain Metropolitan Transport makes getting from one part of the city to another simple. Bus Route 39 services the Oak Hills neighborhood.

Available taxi service to the Oak Hills neighborhood includes wheelchair accessible cabs. Uber also services the area. The Colorado Springs Airport, a major transit center, has frequent flights to many places in the state and nation.

Several free parks around the neighborhood are available for use by residents. Pinon Valley Park is equipped with softball, baseball and soccer fields, a basketball court, sheltered picnic spots, a playground, and walking and jogging paths. Pinecliff Park has the same amenities for visitors. Ute Valley Regional Park, a wetlands area, covers 338.4 acres and provides trails for walking, hiking and mountain biking. Memorial Park, off Interstate 25 on Pikes Peak Avenue, features an aquatics center, jogging trails, and an arena for cycling and ice skating.

All city parks in Colorado Springs are child and dog friendly, but dogs must stay on a leash except in specially designated parks around town. For a fun, parks-based event, take the family to the Pikes Peak Arts and Music Festival, held yearly at the America the Beautiful Park.

The cost of living in the Oak Hills is about 15 percent higher than the rest of Colorado Springs. A one-bedroom residence in the area averages $827 a month. Basic bus fare runs $1.75, while a beer in a local bar costs around $3. Filling up the tank at a local gas station typically costs about 12 percent less than the national average.

Try the elegant Citadel Mall on Citadel Drive East for convenient family-friendly shopping. Besides the four large anchor stores that include Dillard’s and JCPenney, you can find trendy clothing stores such as Aeropostale, restaurants, salon services and entertainment. The mall provides an indoor play area, stroller rentals and changing stations for the convenience of families with children, and the mall website has a page devoted to current sales and discounts.

Local boutiques in the area feature trendy fashions in the latest styles, such as Manitou Cotton Club on Ruxton Avenue. In business for over 30 years, this boutique carries apparel lines such as Lost River and Parsley and Sage. If you’re into the latest hipster fashion, drop by Barracuda Bazaar on West Colorado Avenue. Unique clothing and gifts make this a great place to look for that perfect handbag. Halo Boutique on North Tejon sells much more than a wide range of women's clothing. It also carries unusual accessories, books and body care items.

The Oak Hills neighborhood supports a number of grocery stores, including Safeway and Albertsons. Locals looking for organic produce enjoy shopping at the nearby Whole Foods Market and Natural Grocers. Old Colorado City Farmers Market sells locally produced vegetables, fruits, honey and prepared foods and has an extensive craft section. It operates on Saturdays at Bancroft Park.