Mueller Guide

About

One of the most popular neighborhoods in Austin for students and young professionals, Mueller encompasses the master-planned 700-acre redevelopment of its namesake, the former Robert Mueller Municipal Airport (RMMA), and the surrounding areas radiating from this home base. The result is a vibrant and lively district with great walkability and a small-town feel among clusters of apartment communities and single-family homes, despite being only minutes from the hustle and bustle of Downtown Austin. Airplane hangars, the former air traffic control tower, and other remaining infrastructure of the former airport make for a unique addition to the landscape. These urban structures are accented with natural attractions, too, including hiking and biking trails, multiple greenspaces, and Mueller Lake, the centerpiece of Mueller Lake Park, which has become a popular destination for local residents and visitors alike. The Mueller Lake Amphitheater is home to multiple free events throughout the year with events ranging from outdoor movie nights and live music concerts to a variety of festivals.

The greater Mueller community is roughly bordered by East 51st Street to the north, with Manor Road in the east curving to form the southern border where it intersects with Anchor Lane. Interstate 35 forms a small section of the western border, though Airport Boulevard designates the bulk of the western edge.

Apartments in Mueller, especially of the new construction variety, focus on sustainability, something that’s always on the forefront in Austin. The core Mueller neighborhood was designated the world’s largest LEED Gold neighborhood, and some apartment communities in Mueller have even earned the designation of LEED Platinum. In older parts of this East Austin area, you’ll find smaller complexes and rental properties with monthly rent prices for all budgets. Mixed-use developments are popular here, with retail, restaurants, and entertainment venues on lower levels and living spaces above in mostly low-rise buildings.

Getting Around

Personal vehicles—whether cars, trucks, motorcycles, or electric bikes—represent the top modes of transportation in Austin and come in quite handy due to the sprawling footprint of the city. However, Austin does serve locals with a handful of public transportation offerings to help you get from Mueller to points beyond, with the bulk of bus stops clustered in the western sector of the neighborhood. Capital Metro connects the Mueller bus routes to destinations all over town, as well as connecting to the limited-but-expanding MetroRail routes, with additional ones that have broken ground to connect East Austin residents with Downtown Austin and other parts of the city. Cycling is hugely popular throughout the city, and many parts of Mueller and East Austin are easy to navigate by bicycle, whether your own or one selected from the many bikeshare stations at key points in the area. In addition to the two major national rideshare companies, Austin locals and visitors can choose from several alternatives, including a company that utilizes only electric-powered vehicles. The increased popularity of electric vehicles in Austin makes it easy to find charging stations.

The Austin region is served by Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, with an average of 350 daily flights offering nonstop service to more than 70 destinations, both domestic and international. Vonlane—a luxury bus service with only first-class seating and amenities including WiFi, on-demand entertainment, a large restroom, and food/beverage service from a dedicated attendant on staff—has a pickup/dropoff point nearby in Downtown Austin that transports passengers from Austin to Houston, San Antonio, and Dallas without the hassle of driving or dealing with airport issues.

Food & Drink

Food enthusiasts enjoy an abundance of restaurants in Mueller, with popular national chains taking a back seat to a plentiful selection of local purveyors, including a large number of food trucks in both permanent and temporary locations. The neighborhood’s flagship H-E-B grocery store even has its own food hall, Main Streat by H-E-B, a five-vendor setup with choices including Roots Chicken Shak from celebrity chef Tiffany Derry, as well as a taqueria and BBQ counter among the tasty choices. Nearby, Colleen’s Kitchen serves southern favorites, B.D. Riley’s serves up Irish pub essentials, Rebel Cheese turns out awesome vegan, and L’Oca d’Oro is a popular spot for Italian, while Paco’s Tacos and Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos fulfill a variety of Tex-Mex cravings. Food trucks stationed at Mueller Lake Park include Veracruz All Natural, Conscious Cravings (Vegan), Mueller Trailer Eats, The Stonehouse Wood Fire Grill, Hey Cupcake!, and Ladybird’s Food Truck.

When you’re looking to satisfy your sweet tooth, Lick Honest Ice Creams scoops some of the finest in the city, and Lady Quackenbush’s Cakery offers views of their decorators at work on elaborate pastry creations while you enjoy individual treats and coffee drinks. Other top java joints include Halcyon for both espresso creations and boozy drinks, Streamway Coffee, and Kerbey Lane Café Mueller for all-day breakfast and caffeine jolts.

As for bars in Mueller, make sure to check out WhichCraft Tap Room & Bottle Shop, Barrel O’ Fun inside Alamo Drafthouse, and Gino’s Vino Osteria for fine wine. Plus there’s Bar at Mueller, an unusually popular watering hole located inside H-E-B, an excellent spot for patio drinking and deep discounts during happy hour, as well as certain days of the week with all-day specials that certainly make grocery shopping more fun. Other food-shopping options nearby are the Texas Farmers Market at Mueller Lake Park, and El Rancho Supermercado, a full-service grocery store with a focus on Mexican and Latin American ingredients.

Shopping

Big-name national chains represent the majority of shopping in Mueller, the bulk of which populate the 35-outlet Mueller Regional Retail Center. One popular local business, Toy Dojo, draws in legions of gamers, comic book fans, and pop-culture collectors to its small but well-stocked storefront.

Things to Do

Mueller is packed with things to do for its residents and visitors alike, whether they’re in the neighborhood from other parts of Austin or out-of-towners who’ve heard about the popular area. Outdoor options are among the most visited, with Mueller Lake Park the hub of fresh-air activities, followed closely by hanging out at Mary Elizabeth Branch Park, John Gaines Park & Pool, Ella Wooten Park, the Mueller Dog Run, and both the Northwest Greenway and Southeast Greenway, which has a pond and butterfly garden.

Austin gets hot in the summer (and sometimes cold for a few days in winter), so indoor options are essential for escaping the elements. Alamo Drafthouse Mueller is an incredible place to watch a movie, thanks to the Austin-based chain’s strict policy against texting and talking during movies. (Plus, the food’s good, too.) The Austin Independent School District has its AISD Performing Arts Center in the neighborhood. Thinkery is the premiere children’s museum in the city, making it a favorite destination for young families. And on the indoor-and-active front, Yoga East Austin, Orangetheory, StretchLab, TrainLifeFit, Barre3, and BBBrown Fitness are among the exercise and wellness options.

Colleges & Universities

There aren’t any colleges or universities located directly in the Mueller neighborhood, but the greater East Austin area is home to the oldest university in the city, Huston-Tillotson University, which was founded in 1875. Mueller is a popular neighborhood for students at The University of Texas at Austin, which is only 2.5 miles from the neighborhood’s western edge, accessible in less than 15 minutes by car or bike. Art institutes, trade schools, and the Austin Community College District also have locations close enough to make Mueller a viable place to call home for students enrolled there.