Rock Creek - Little Rock, AR

Little Rock, the capital and most populous city in Arkansas, serves as a major economic region for the South. As Little Rock expanded, the neighborhood of Rock Creek provided residents with a suburban, outdoorsy haven. Several Indian tribes, including the Cherokee and Choctaw, originally lived in the area. Incorporated in 1831, it became the home of many corporations and health care organizations.

The arts enjoy a prominent place in the city’s culture, and the Arkansas Arts Center displays works by prominent artists, including Rembrandt and Van Gogh. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra resides in the Robinson Center Music Hall in Little Rock. Another favorite attraction, the William J. Clinton Presidential Center, housed on 28 acres, holds artifacts and photographs from his administration. Little Rock has an annual film festival that has presented the best of Arkansas filmmakers.

The area of Rock Creek contains many fine restaurants as well as chain restaurants, and many of them lie along West Markham Street. Selections range from Indian, Japanese, and Chinese to Italian, American, and Mediterranean.

For Japanese food, enjoy the buffet selections at Tokyo House on Shackleford Drive. Locals rave about the combination udon with beef, chicken, and shrimp served here. The stylishly decorated Taj Mahal Indian Restaurant on Market Street dishes up a large selection of Indian dishes and has online ordering and delivery service. For a special dish, try the goat korma in cream and yogurt sauce.

Close to Rock Creek, you'll find an assortment of local nightlife and entertainment. Discovery Nightclub, located 9.5 miles away on Jessie Road, hosts DJs and dance music in three rooms and outside on the patio in a casual atmosphere. Enjoy the lively bar scene in the area at a number of places such as West End Smokehouse & Tavern, located on North Shackleford Road. With 50 TVs, pool tables, arcade games and darts, this establishment also features an extensive beer and wine menu as well as specialty drinks made with Red Bull. For a rocking evening, check out Ernie Biggs on President Clinton Avenue about 11 miles on I-630. This Chicago-style bar presents dueling pianos and has an upstairs dance floor.

Most residents in the area of Rock Creek use personal vehicles to get around, but Central Arkansas Transit provides good public transportation for the Little Rock Area. In the downtown historic area, you can travel by streetcar. Taxi service and Uber also operate in the area. You can use nearby main roads, I-430 and Chenal Parkway, to access other parts of the city. The area scores about 50 percent for walkability and, because it's mostly residential, contains no bike lanes. However, broad streets in areas without high traffic provide space for bike riding.

River Mountain Park on River Mountain Road contains picnic areas, boat and canoe launches, a stream for fishing and paved and earthen trails to walk or jog. For playground equipment, go to Birchwood on Creek Circle. Several picnic tables, open fields, a basketball court and paved trails supply entertainment and areas to exercise.

Wildwood Park for the Arts, located on Denny Road, contains botanical gardens, an arboretum, Swan Lake and the opportunity to see wildlife. The park features many events such as art exhibits, classes, concerts and festivals. The annual food and wine festival features creations by local chefs and more than 100 wines.

Pinnacle Mountain State Park, located about 9 miles north on Pinnacle Valley Road, consists of 2,356 acres where you can enjoy hiking, biking, boat and canoe tours or a horseback ride led by a guide.

Residing in Rock Creek costs 13 percent higher than the average for Little Rock. Bus fares run $1.35 and 65 cents with discounted tickets. Children, aged 5 to 11, pay 60 cents. A one-bedroom rental in the area averages $633 a month. The average price for a beer costs between $2 and $3 and gasoline costs 5 percent less than the national average.

You'll find two large shopping centers in the area of Rock Creek. The Promenade at Chenal, located on Chenal Parkway, holds trendy stores such as J. Crew and Anthropologie to find that perfect new outfit as well as many specialty shops and a movie theater. Park Plaza Mall on West Markham Street has shops such as Talbots and Dillard’s as well as Eddie Bauer and Abercrombie & Fitch.

RK Collections Boutique on North Bowman Road sells comfortable casual clothing, shoes and accessories. For the perfect pair of colored or distressed jeans, this shop carries a large collection. When you run out of your favorite shade of Ilia lipstick, try Belle & Blush on Chenal Parkway for beauty products, gifts, fragrances and accessories. Vesta’s Boutique, about 5 miles away on Cantrell Road, caters to women looking for the unique and stylish in clothing and accessories, lotions and linens. Residents head to this local favorite for their handcrafted Old Gringo boots.

Easy access to grocery stores makes it a pleasure to shop. Choose from Kroger on North Shackleford Road or The Fresh Market on Cantrell Road at Pleasant Ridge Town Center, an upscale market that sells a variety of prepared foods and local produce as well as the usual grocery items and has an option for home delivery. The Little Rock area has several farmers markets from which to choose. Try out the Little Rock Farmers Market located about 8 miles east on President Clinton Avenue. In operation from May through the end of October since 1974, this market sells plenty of fresh-from-the-farm produce, crafts and arts. Bring your dog for fun, and take advantage of free parking and entry to the market.