Palmer Park - Colorado Springs, CO

Palmer Park takes it name from the 730-acre park in the middle of the neighborhood and was settled as miners rushed toward the Rocky Mountains during the Colorado Gold Rush of the 1850s and 1860s. The area's first owner was Matt France, who sold the land to Henry Austin in 1873.

The namesake of Austin Bluffs Parkway, Austin raised sheep in what later became Palmer Park. Eventually, William Jackson Palmer, the founder of Colorado Springs, bought the land. He donated it to the city in 1907, and as the city grew, the neighborhoods around the park filled with homes and businesses.

To learn more about the history and culture of this area, visit the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum or the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center. For performing arts, check out Theatreworks, a professional theater that features a variety of shows, from classics by Samuel Beckett to the contemporary and independently produced.

In Palmer Park, the restaurants are concentrated along Austin Bluffs Parkway, Union Boulevard and Academy Boulevard. Affordable options include Indian, Chinese, and Japanese fare as well as burger and sandwich shops.

House of Yakitori serves traditional Japanese dishes. Try the lunch special -- two skewers of chicken, rice, coleslaw and an onion ring -- for something quick and tasty. The walls of this restaurant sport Thai murals, and the simple cafeteria tables provide the backdrop for a simple but satisfying dining experience.

When you crave authentic Chinese, try the combo fried rice and egg roll at Overseas 101. This restaurant does not over-spice or over-salt dishes. Instead, it artfully prepares them with a well-balanced selection of flavorings, and the portions are generous.

In the evening, bars and pubs draw locals into their embrace. Dive bar lovers head to Pints Tavern. This hole-in-the-wall bar has a pool table, several TVs and a dart board.

Large dance clubs do not exist in Colorado Springs, but The Copperhead Road Honkey Tonk Saloon plays live music and has dancing late into the evening. Perfect for bachelorette parties, this venue hosts ladies' nights, dancers, and all-you-can-drink-out-of-a-plastic-red-cup nights. You can also order food here, including inexpensive strip steak and nachos.

Palmer Park locals have access to plenty of free parking throughout the residential and commercial parts of their neighborhood. Easily access the central part of the city via the major thoroughfares, including Chelton Road and Pikes Peak Avenue, or hop onto Interstate 25, which is only 3 miles away.

Public buses service this area and stop hourly, running only on weekdays. Supporting an active lifestyle, a number of bicycle trails link to the rest of the Colorado Springs metro area. Walking throughout Palmer Park is safe but not convenient.

Cabs also service the city of Colorado Springs, but you probably won't be able to hail one. Instead, call your local taxi company in advance of any appointments you need to keep, or use the Uber app on your smartphone to order a car.

Situated in the middle of the neighborhood, Palmer Park draws all kinds of residents. The park offers miles of hiking, biking and horseback riding trails. It also features large rocks, shifts in elevation and a rugged feel. Bring your dog and let him join in the fun thanks to an off-leash play area.

For an entertaining outdoor festival, check out Territory Days in Old Colorado City. Going strong for over 40 years, this festival celebrates pioneer times with live music, vendors and special events.

Living in Palmer Park costs less on average than living in other parts of the Colorado Springs metro area. In the Springs, the average rent for a one bedroom apartment costs just $739, but in Palmer Park, the same-size dwelling rents for only $679.

Colorado Springs does not have a true urban center. Instead, commerce and business opportunities exist all over the city, and you can access them via bus with a $4 ticket that lets you ride all day long.

Gas stations in the area charge 25 percent less for a gallon of gas than the national average. Bars charge between $3 and $5 for a pint of beer, and one local bar even has a special that lets you buy a plastic cup for $10 and drink as much as you can in 3 hours.

Most of the shops in Palmer Park are found on Academy Boulevard or the surrounding streets, and they appeal to hobbyists who enjoy everything from bicycling and running to card collecting. A few boutiques appeal to fashion lovers as well.

At Rescued Hearts Unique Boutique, fashion meets a great cause. This non-profit thrift shop sells gifts, art, knickknacks, housewares and clothing, and all proceeds go to helping abandoned or mistreated animals within the community. For upscale boutiques, such as Terra Verde and Eve's Revolution, shoppers need to head to other parts of town. Terra Verde sports an inventory equal to a dozen small boutiques, and although small, Eve's Revolution makes the experience stellar by handing you a glass of pink bubbly when you walk in the door.

Locals who want to run through the stunning scenery of Palmer Park and the rest of Colorado Springs shop at the Boulder Running Company. This Palmer Park shop sells high-end trail, street and minimalist running shoes.

For groceries, Palmer Park locals shop at Safeway, or they drive to another neighborhood to shop at King Soopers, Whole Foods or another large chain. Small shops in the neighborhood include the British Home Shoppe, a gift store that also stocks British pantry items such as Hob Nobs and Crunchie bars. During the summer, drive to the Old Colorado City Farmer's Market, where you can find fresh veggies, buffalo meat, honey and other local treats.