East Terrell Hills - San Antonio, TX Area Guide

Terrell Hills bears the name of Dr. Frederick Terrell, the President of City National Bank who bore the title of San Antonio mayor in 1901. In 1919, William Church purchased 22.5 acres from Terrell that would eventually become the neighborhood of Terrell Hills.

Several museums and historical attractions lie just a short drive away from Terrell Hills. If you head north of the neighborhood, you'll arrive at the McNay Art Museum. Founded in 1954, it became the first modern art museum in the state of Texas. The museum focuses primarily on 19th- and 20th-century European and American artists. Started by Marion Koogler McNay, the museum is housed in a 24-room Spanish Colonial Revival style mansion, her former home. Each year, the museum invites community art lovers to attend its annual fundraiser event, Art to the Power of Ten. Guests enjoy food, drinks, entertainment and, of course, art.

One of the best Texas barbecue joints in San Antonio sits just north of the neighborhood. The Big Bib spoils its customers with pulled pork, brisket, baby back ribs, smoked sausage and chicken wings. With southern-style sides, including sweet potato casserole and chili beans, this restaurant pleases the locals. If you want a little taste of everything, try the sample platter and enjoy a serving of each of the smoked meats. The Fishland Fish Market serves up healthy fish options side by side with flavorful fried shrimp, fish and calamari. Sampler plates let you try a little of everything, and you can add Asian choices, such as Vietnamese spring rolls or dumplings. When you crave some Gulf-style seafood, head here to pick out some fresh fish in the fish market and have the cooks prepare it for you to order.

If you're in need of a great coffee shop to fuel for the day ahead or you want to spread out and do some work on your laptop, head west towards Alamo Heights. There, you find Local Coffee, an area favorite. With ample seating, a vintage rustic appearance, great music and a full espresso bar, Local Coffee meets your caffeine needs. East Terrell Hill doesn't have much to offer in the nightlife category. However, if you make your way closer to Alamo Heights, you come across The Lion & Rose. Residents love visiting to indulge in authentic British fare and popular imported European beers, such as Stella Artois, Boddingtons, Guinness and Old Speckled Hen.

Driving is the overwhelming leader when it comes to transportation preferences in East Terrell Hills. Surrounded by many of the city's major highways, it is easy to get to your destination whether it's a nearby business, downtown San Antonio or the airport.

The VIA Metropolitan Transit provides public transportation through several neighborhood bus routes. For those desiring to take advantage, some routes will take you to surrounding neighborhoods or downtown.

The Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail provides 46 miles of paved bike paths that wind along the various San Antonio creeks. The neighborhood has easy access to paths, making it easy to bike to some of the city's best attractions. There are also designated bike lanes along several of the major roads that service the neighborhood.

While you won't find much within walking distance, plenty of neighborhood transportation options will get you where you need to go. If you're in need of a reliable direct transportation option, consider prearranging a cab service or utilizing Uber.

Several attractive parks surround East Terrell Hills, providing great places to enjoy the outdoors. James Park sits not far from the neighborhood, offering almost 90 acres of natural space to enjoy. With amenities like softball fields, soccer fields and a playground, it's a great place to spend a sunny Saturday.

A 2.8-mile segment of San Antonio's extensive Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System runs right beside the neighborhood. This combination of paved path and nature trail off-shoots provides a great place to ride your bike on the weekend.

If you're willing to go just a little bit further away, head over to the San Antonio Botanical Garden for a breathtaking experience. With so much to see, you can easily spend an entire day at this park. It features an indoor conservatory, outdoor display gardens and an 11-acre Texas Native Trail highlighting over 250 plant species from the three different eco-systems present in the state.

Fun and exciting events occur at the Botanical Garden throughout the year. Visitors can take advantage of events like Dog Days, Family Flashlight Night, Brews and Blooms and Art in the Garden.

McAllister Park houses the closest dog park, providing 1.5 acres of fenced-in space for your pet to run free.

The cost of living in East Terrell Hills falls slightly lower than that of the San Antonio city average, sitting at 85 versus 89 on the index scale. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the neighborhood costs $545.

Several bus stops, operated by the VIA Metropolitan Transit, run throughout the neighborhood, offering routes to various surrounding areas. A typical one-way fare is $1.20. Gas prices in the neighborhood are consistent with that of San Antonio, falling 8 percent below the national average.

When meeting friends out for a drink at a local bar, East Terrell Hills residents expect to pay around $8.60 for a beer.

Unfortunately, you'll not find many shopping options in the immediate neighborhood vicinity. National chains like Target and Walmart are not far away. For funky and eclectic items, head north of the neighborhood to the Eisenhauer Road Flea Market. It has everything from sports team memorabilia to jewelry.

For more high-end brands and boutiques, you can head to neighboring Alamo Heights and visit Quarry Village. Here you'll find Nancy's Boutique, a local favorite offering brands such as Joseph Ribkoff and Seasonal Whispers.

The closest grocery stores to East Terrell Hills are the Walmart Supercenter and HEB. Each of those stores meets your basic grocery shopping needs. If you desire a little bit more from your grocery store, head towards central Terrell Hills and stop by Central Market. It provides fresh produce, prepared meals and a large selection on gluten-free, vegan and organic ingredients.

Unfortunately, the closest farmers market resides on Pearl Parkway closer to San Antonio. Here you'll find an assortment of vendors offering fresh produce and products depending on the season. Open all year long, the market lets visitors shop, eat and stretch out on the shores of the San Antonio River.