Poets Square Tucson, AZ

Poets Square began to blossom during the 1940s when numerous World War II veterans established residences in the area, with each street named after a different famous American poet, including Poe, Holmes and Whitman. Throughout the years, this neighborhood's close proximity to the University of Arizona made Poet's Square an attractive spot for professors and other U of A staff to call their permanent home.

Although Poet's Square doesn't host any museums, the area enjoys a thriving arts scene centered in its yearly annual arts and crafts sale that highlights the neighborhood's hobbyist and professional artisans. The residents of this neighborhood also pull together each year to put on the Harvest Carnival at Tucson First Brethren Church, the Rooftop Santa show on East Bryn Mahr Road and seasonal neighborhood potlucks.

East Broadway Boulevard, the central restaurant hub in Poet's Square, hosts a sprinkling of intriguing, independently owned eateries that provide down-home comfort food served with a unique inner-Tucson flavor twist.

Head out to the Hungry Fox when you need to satisfy your early-morning hunger pangs or want a filling, homey midday meal that puts you back on track for the rest of the day. Order the enormous, melt-in-your-mouth cinnamon roll to take you right back to your childhood Saturday mornings. This classic American diner also serves double-yolk eggs alongside everything from chicken fried steak to huevos rancheros.

Forget everything you know about Mexican cuisine when you walk through the door of Zivaz Mexican Bistro. This Poet's Square neighborhood restaurant pushes the boundaries of traditional fare to serve eggplant Milanesa, a lightly breaded dish served with tomatillo salsa and queso fresco, and the Asada burger, an open-faced carnivorous delight that you can take to the next level by topping it with melted cheese, a chili relleno and fresh, housemade guacamole.

When you want to unwind from a long work day or take someone special out for a bite, KonTiki Restaurant is the ideal choice. As soon as you walk through the door, you're enveloped by the dark, funky decor and the light, carefree vibe. Have the steak with a side of shrimp Hawaiian for an unforgettable date night meal, or order the "Monkeys on a stick" skewered sirloin chunks and the KonTiki crab puffs if you're just stopping in for appetizers and one of the restaurant's enormous specialty cocktails. This Poet's Square hot spot also hosts a number of live music entertainment events and festive Hawaiian-themed parties throughout the year.

Gaze at the stars at the Sky Bar, an astronomy bar in neighboring West University that is outfitted with a rooftop telescope and nightly deep-space image shows. This solar-powered cafe by day transforms into a dark, high-energy club at night that hosts weekly Open Mic nights, stupid-cheap drink specials, pool tournaments and the crème de la crème of local DJs and bands.

Poet's Square has become a bicyclist's heaven, with all of 3rd Street designated as a bike boulevard. Most of the other streets' bike lanes allow you to meander through the neighborhood easily.

While the city offers limited access to cabs, its close proximity to U of A makes Uber an option. Look for free public parallel parking along the residential streets that also make getting around the area by car a viable alternative. If you want to travel like the locals, hop on the streetcar, which makes over two dozen stops throughout the neighborhood.

Poet's Square residents live on the edge of Gene C. Reid Park, a 131-acre park that features a two-mile, off-leash dog park, 12 horseshoe courts and two swimming pools. Get your daily exercise from the park's 3-mile walk or biking path, then rest a while near one of the park's two manmade ponds and watch the ducks. The free admission to the park doesn't include admission to the on-site zoo or the rose garden that hosts more than 100 species of the flower. The zoo holds a number of family-friendly events throughout the year, including a young explorer's program and a yearly visit from Santa.

Expect to experience a slightly lower-than-average cost of living in Poet's Square, with a median monthly one-bedroom residence rental rate of approximately $550. A streetcar ride to the center of the city costs $1.50, while the average price for a pint at the area pubs hovers around $5. Save at the gas pump, since gas prices tend to run about 6 percent lower than the national average.

You can find all manner of contemporary clothing, accessory, shoes and home decor pieces at Park Place Mall just past the Poet's Square neighborhood boundaries on East Broadway Boulevard. Featuring high-value stores such as Macy's and high-end stores such as Coach, this lively shopping center guarantees you can find gifts for your family members of any age.

If you're more into boutique shopping, head down the street to the Avenue Boutique for high-end home goods and vintage and designer-quality women's clothing and accessories. This airy, upscale store features creative clothing displays and a giant white hammock to give you a much-need midday shopping break.

Also located along East Broadway Boulevard, make Picante Designs your source for globally inspired folk art, vintage and new sterling silver jewelry, and fresh, funky clothing. The vibrantly colored store also sells by-the-yard fabric and a vast assortment of textiles, pillows and tableware.

While many Poet's Square residents purchase their groceries at Whole Foods on East Speedway Boulevard in the nearby Miramonte neighborhood, you might enjoy D'Vine Gourmet in the bordering Swan Way Park neighborhood. This hip, upscale shop offers an award-winning collection of candies, snacks, mustards, jams and spices. Order a gift basket for a friend or family member during the holidays to share the local flavor of the area with your loved one.

Venture out of the neighborhood on early Saturday mornings to reap the freshest bounty of locally sourced fruits and vegetables at nearby Sprouts Farmer's Market on East Speedway Boulevard in Midtown Tucson.