River Oaks - Houston, TX

Founded in the 1920s by the Hogg Brothers and Hugh Potter, River Oaks started off as a mere 200 acres but quickly expanded. The area became the model of how to develop an upscale neighborhood. Afton Oaks, on the other hand, was not developed until the 1950s. The neighborhood has not experienced a shift in culture, as it has remained the same premier community it was when it was established. The Rienzi, an extension of the Museum of Fine Arts, sits right outside of River Oaks. This location serves as the house museum for paintings and decorative arts. The River Oaks Theater shows arthouse and classic films.

Fancy restaurants and contemporary eateries can be found in this area. Finding a fast-food restaurant requires going to the outskirts of town; however, other restaurants, such as the Black Walnut Cafe and Corner Table, have reasonably priced food and are a great alternative for those wishing to grab a meal on the go. Fine-dining chains such as Sullivan's Steakhouse and Eddie V's Prime Seafood populate the area and provide an elegant and intimate dining experience. Several types of restaurants serving food from all over the world can be found here. Located on Shepherd, The Red Lion Pub has a menu complete with dishes that burst with flavor. Creating Asian/Indian dishes with a twist, this pub has a menu for the whole day: lunch, dinner and late night. Try the spicy curried chicken wings and the deep fried Punjabi egg rolls, or keep it simple and order a sandwich. Voted one of the best new restaurants in Houston with one of the best happy hours, Frank's Americana Revival and White Star Bar has raised the bar for dining in this area. As the winner of several awards, it keeps guests coming back for the great service and, of course, the great food. Try the crispy gulf shrimp BLT for lunch and have the pan-seared Creole snapper for dinner. Ouisie's Table has been featured in several magazines, such as Houston Press and Texas Monthly, as the spot with the best breakfast in Houston. Enjoy the seafood crepes with a peach bellini during brunch or the red snapper and oysters for dinner. Trendy and hip describes the night life of River Oaks. The R Bar has a fun and lively atmosphere with a drink menu to match. This bar opens daily and hosts fun events such as trivia night and a dart league team. Other swanky bars include Cru Wine Bar, which has over 300 wines, and Marfreless Lounge. These, however, are more tranquil. River Oaks Chamber Orchestra hosts concerts throughout the year. During the holidays, the venue holds a Yuletide concert. This venue has been featured in several magazines and newspapers, such as the Houston Chronicle, and has won several awards.

Metro routes 81 and 82 travel through the area, and the stops are on Westheimer. These routes travel to downtown and the Sharpstown area. Metro fares are very low, and all-day bus passes can be purchased for a couple of dollars. Uber and Lyft service the area, and taxi service must be arranged in advance. The most common method of transportation is driving. Though finding parking may not be difficult, fees may apply. Some streets have parking meters, and some lots charge as well. Many establishments offer valet service. Interstate 610, I-10 and highway 59 are easily accessible, depending on where you are in the neighborhood. Very few blocks have biking lanes, but sidewalks can be found everywhere. This area is more pedestrian than biker friendly.

Parks in the area include River Oaks Park, Sleepy Hollow Park, Elliot Park and Cherryhurst Park, with River Oaks Park being the most popular.

River Oaks Park has playground equipment, sporting areas and a trail for hiking and cycling. The community center holds after-school activities for local children, and residents can rent the establishment for personal use. This park does not have an area designated for pets. Patrons van visit for no fee.

Sleepy Hollow Park is just a little over half an acre in size and is designated by the city as a "mini park." Despite its size this little park boasts a basketball court, pavillion, and some picnic tables. The Cherryhurst Park has a community center, lighted tennis court and playground. Activities including dance and karate are held at the community center. Family-fun events are held every quarter, featuring a carnival with food and games.

This elite, suburban community contains large and expensive homes. A one-bedroom apartment starts at $1,000 but quickly increases to as high as $2,500. The average cost is around $1,600. Apartments here surpass the Houston average by more that $500. The typical cost of a beer remains steady at around $4. Gas prices, however, rise well above the national average by 40 percent.

Highland Village and River Oaks Shopping Center feature the area's high-end stores, such as Cole Haan and Coldwater Creek. These centers of commerce contain grocery stores as well, such as Kroger Signature Grocery, and right around the corner is Central Market. Billy Reid on Westheimer sells unique and trendy men's and women's clothing. This boutique provides tailoring services and great customer service. Find blazers and slacks for men or causal dresses and blouses for women. The Urban Harvest Farmers Market in Highland Village services the area. Enjoy live music and cooking demonstrations as you stroll through the market. Choose from vendors such as Angela's Oven that sells homemade bread and Garden Dreams that sells produce and homemade jam. There is also a lavender vendor, soap, skin product, and gulf fish vendor to name a few