Wells Branch Guide

About

For anyone seeking a quieter existence far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city yet close enough to access all that Austin has to offer—Wells Branch in Northeast Austin checks a lot of boxes. Renters looking for apartments in Wells Branch can expect to find more affordable prices here than in other parts of Austin, closer to the city center. But that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice luxury. Clubhouses, resort-style pools, fitness centers, BBQs, and dog parks are some of the common amenities found in Wells Branch apartment complexes.

Wells Branch is bordered by Bratton Lane and North Mopac Expressway in the west, Interstate 35 in the north and east, and West Howard Lane in the south. Its location makes it popular among young professionals—especially those working in the tech industries—because it’s close enough to major business districts and entertainment hubs without the added expense of living in the heart of Austin. Many students and university employees live in the area for the same reasons.

Getting Around

Cars are practically a requirement for most Austin residents in nearly every part of town, but especially the farther you get from the central business areas in neighborhoods farther to the northeast, such as Wells Branch. Using navigation apps is also a great idea for all Austin residents. Even if you know your way around, heavy traffic throughout the city can cause unexpected delays, and rerouting via GPS-based apps can save you hours of commuting per week. Fortunately for those without their own vehicles, Austin has public transportation offerings to make getting around the immediate Wells Branch and Northeast Austin area convenient enough for many.

Capital Metro offers several bus routes, and you can board buses easily throughout much of Wells Branch, thanks to multiple bus stops. Cycling is popular for both recreation and shorter-distance transportation. In Wells Branch and throughout parts of Northeast Austin, you’ll find that some neighborhoods have the occasional dedicated bike lane, but not nearly as many as in other parts of Austin. Rideshares are a frequent mode of transportation, even for people who own their own cars. Of course, there are usual suspects, but Austin also has other rideshare companies, including an electric vehicle rideshare service utilizing Teslas. Public electric charging stations aren’t as accessible in Wells Branch but can be found in relative abundance in nearby areas.

About 20 minutes south, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport offers residents more than 350 nonstop flights to more than 70 destinations, both domestic and international, each day, which makes it convenient to get to popular destinations without a connection in another city. Meanwhile, Vonlane is a luxury bus service that offers many of the amenities of a plane flight (such as food and beverage service and onboard restrooms). You can book a ticket on these buses and board in Downtown Austin for frequent trips to Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio.

Food & Drink

Despite its small size, Wells Branch offers residents a wide array of cuisine options. For your dining enjoyment, we’ve rounded up some favorite locally owned and operated restaurants in Wells Branch. Head to Little Ola’s Biscuits for breakfast and lunch comfort food, Crawfish Shack & Oyster Bar, Pa’l Fógon for Puerto Rican, Las Tocallitas for tacos, El Huarache for homestyle Mexican, Branch BBQ & Catering, New Sitara Indian Cuisine, Spinners for seafood, Bill Miller Bar-B-Q, Inka Chicken for Peruvian-style rotisserie.

Food trucks with permanent locations in the area include Queeney’z Kitchen for catfish and shrimp and Halal Baghdadi for kebabs and other Iraqi staples. Nearby, Ramos Tex-Mex Restaurant #3, So Good Brazilian Treats, and southern-style eatery The Rolling Rooster offer Wells Branch citizens additional options. For sweet treats, head to Tropical Island 2015 for ice cream, ATX Donut, or CupCake Connection.

Bars aren’t on every corner as in some parts of Austin, but beloved watering holes Raggedy Anne’s and Homer’s Neighborhood Bar serve cheap drinks in friendly spaces. Malone Specialty Coffee is a top choice for those who prefer a buzz from caffeine.

Shopping

Shopping within Wells Branch is rather limited, however major shopping hubs such as The Domain and The Arboretum offer residents everything they could ever need within a 10-minute drive most times of the day. There are no full-service grocery stores in Wells Branch proper, either, but you’ll find a handful of convenience stores for quick access to everyday necessities. The nearest full-service grocery store is H-E-B in Pflugerville, as well as a Walmart Supercenter, both about 10 minutes from Wells Branch, too.

Things to Do

The major appeal of Wells Branch for many is its relative remoteness, and along with that comes the bonus of tranquil outdoor spaces, including several miles of hike and bike trails. Mills Pond is a beautiful park and a nice spot for non-motorized boating on its small pond, as well as fishing from a dedicated fishing pier. The 22-acre Katherine Fleischer Park has a sand volleyball court, two tennis courts, and a full basketball court. Wells Branch also has its own disc golf course. There are two off-leash dog parks that are popular hangouts for both people and pets.

Colleges & Universities

Wells Branch isn’t home to any colleges or universities, but its nearest campus is Austin Community College: Northridge Campus, only about a 10-minute drive (which seems to be the norm for just about everything in Wells Branch). However, the city’s biggest campus, the University of Texas at Austin is only about a 20-minute drive south, making the savings on rentals in Wells Branch worth a slightly longer commute for many students, staff, and faculty members.