Founded in the early 20th century on part of a sprawling ranch in what is now southwest Houston, Bellaire is bordered on the south by Beechnut, to the north by Glenmont, to the east by Mulberry and to the west by Bissonnet Street. It has its own mayor, city council and police department, as well as a town square where Opie 2.0 would be right at home.

The area is mostly residential with a population of over 17,000. Bellaire’s more than 6,000 homes run the gamut from old style ranch to modern rebuild. Plenty of young families are moving here too, giving it a young, vibrant vibe according to MedProRelo Co-Founder Becky Davis. That also makes it a really fun place to visit.

SEE

Bellaire had its Centennial in 2008. For an ambulatory retrospective, print out the brochure for the Centennial History Walk at Bellaire Historical Museum and hit the streets.

One stop on the tour is the “Toonerville Trolley,” nicknamed after a popular 1900s cartoon, which commemorates the streetcar that ran between Bellaire and Main Street between 1910 and 1927. The Bellaire Sesquicentennial Committee spearheaded the purchase of a similar trolley in 1985 and installed it where the waiting pavilion and a turnaround loop used to be.

With 14 parks, it’s easy to see green in Bellaire. Lafayette Park (4337 Lafayette St.) is home to the Officer Lucy Dog Park, so called for Bellaire’s late K-9 bloodhound. Another addition to the lineup is the 5-acre Evelyn’s Park (4400 Bellaire Blvd.), former home of Teas Nursery, now boasting a full weekly calendar of events.

About a 10-minute drive from Bellaire proper is the Jade Buddha Temple, whose cheerful namesake resides in Hero’s Hall. Also in Chinatown is the Houston Vietnam War Memorial (11360 Bellaire Blvd.), honoring the partnership between South Vietnam and America with a representation of both soldiers.

DO

At McHugh Tea (5305 Bissonnet St.), master tea blender Kim McHugh teaches a variety of classes in addition to serving up her custom blends. And the handmade mother/daughter aprons are fabulous.

The Family Aquatic Center (7001 Fifth St.) makes summer fun easy with its splash pad and waterslide. Get your family fitness on at the adjacent Bellaire Recreation Center (7008 Fifth St.).

Bowling and a full bar are on tap at recently revamped Palace Social (formerly Palace Lanes at 4191 Bellaire Blvd.), where you’re sure to strike a night full of fun.

Explore inside and out at the Hana & Arthur Ginzbarg Nature Discovery Center (7112 Newcastle St.), which sits on almost four acres. And while not technically in Bellaire, you’re close enough, so head to Chinatown and poke around.

A dine and a do also in nearby Asiatown, Ocean Palace (11215 Bellaire Blvd.) is famous for their dim sum, while the lily pond outside is a kid magnet, too. A more elevated state awaits down the road at the Chung Tai Zen Center (12129 Bellaire Blvd.), which offers free 12-week meditation classes.

Did we mention that Bellaire’s Town Square is where it’s at? Mark your calendar now for Holiday in the Park on the first Thursday in December, complete with Santa and snow!

DINE

Breakfast lovers, take a seat at the Bellaire Coffee Shop (5422 Bissonnet St.), where the price is right and the bacon is perfectly cooked. You don’t have to go far for lunch because Firehouse Pizza (5424 Bissonnet St.) is next door and a favorite of Rogers’ family.

One shopping plaza has a trifecta of great restaurants: try the Massaman Chicken Curry at the Asian fusion Lemongrass Café (5109 Bellaire Blvd.); come for some Italian fare at the family-friendly Auntie Pastos (5101 Bellaire Blvd.), and step outside the box for Spanish and French cuisine at Costa Brava Bistro (5115 Bellaire Blvd.), where chef and owner Kitty Bailey serves up “delicious, healthy” food inspired by her favorite places.

It’s a Cuban beat at Café Piquet (5757 Bissonnet St.), where roasted pork and maduros (sweet plantains) are a must.

SHOP

When it comes to shopping, Rogers says that Magpies Gifts (5000 Bellaire Blvd.) is a household name. Great gifts, clothing, cards, and you can get just about anything monogrammed.

Top online hot sauce reviewer James Wreck wasn’t content just to write about the spicy stuff, he wanted to sell it too. iBurn (4227 Bellaire Blvd.) stocks more than 2,000 products and the adults-only section with pepper extracts in the back is so hot, you have to sign a waiver.

Tucked away in the back of a shopping plaza is the mecca of model trains. Papa Ben’s Train Place (4007 Bellaire Blvd.), now run by Ben Pearlman’s brother Allyn, hosts the N’Crowd model railroad club for true devotees on Saturdays.