If you start driving from any point on Lamar Boulevard, chances are within ten minutes you’ll have passed through several different neighborhoods, each with unique vibes + landscapes. We all know Austin is a rapidly growing city, but senses of community thrive in these small pockets of personality — that’s part of what makes the Capital City so great.
We want to highlight the signature character of our Austin communities, so we’re starting a new series spotlighting local neighborhoods. First up is one of the city’s newest: East Austin’s Mueller district.
Want us to write about your neighborhood next? Request your area for our next spotlight here.
Need to know
About 6,000 people live in the Mueller neighborhood, which encompasses the area between Airport Boulevard and 51st Street east of I-35.
Here are some fast facts about the demographics of the neighborhood:
The early days
Development in Mueller is so new because for six decades, the land was actually home to Austin’s first airport.
The Robert Mueller Municipal Airport opened in 1936 and remained the city’s primary air travel hub until Austin-Bergstrom International Airport replaced it in 1999. The iconic blue and white control tower visible from Berkman Drive is all that remains from the Mueller airport today.
When the airport closed down, the city needed to decide how to use the extra space. In 2000, the Mueller Master Plan kicked into gear, and the area was rezoned for residential + commercial use. Seven years later, the neighborhood’s first commercial buildings finally opened.
Since then, the district has been a flurry of activity, now the site of hundreds of homes, multiple parks, H-E-B’s most sustainable store, a museum, and the Aldrich Street entertainment district.
The master-planned community was recognized by the US Green Building Council in 2016 as the world’s largest — and Texas’s first — LEED Stage 3 Gold neighborhood for sustainability.
Can’t miss
Don’t make a visit to Mueller without stopping at Mueller Lake Park. This expansive green space — which holds one of the city’s best wheelchair-accessible trails — features outdoor seating, duck-watching, and play areas.
It even connects to Mueller’s Southwest Greenway, where the trails continue and are dotted with public artworks. Follow the greenway along Manor Road, and you’ll eventually find yourself at a brand new skate park and pump track.
Eat + drink
Mueller is home to several delicious local eateries, such as:
On her last visit, City Editor London also picked up an iced oat milk latte from Halycon, but if you’re in the mood for an adult beverage, check out B.D. Rileys. The entire pub was made in Ireland and shipped to Austin, making that game-day Guinness a bit more atmospheric. (Pro tip: Soccer fans love B.D. Rileys, so be sure to rep your team and stop by next time there’s an exciting match.)
Arts + culture
One of the biggest draws for Mueller visitors is the Texas Farmers’ Market, which takes place every Sunday. The market is one of the largest in the city, with 120+ vendors, nearly 20,000 sqft, a lawn area, and outdoor splash pad.
Other activities you can do during a day in Mueller include:
- Visiting the Thinkery, an interactive children’s museum featuring an innovator’s workshop and outdoor playground.
- Shopping at Toy Dojo, lilla & beth, or ino Scarf Boutique.
- Seeing a film at the Alamo Drafthouse Mueller. (Pro tip: Be sure to check out “Barrel O’ Fun,” a kids space with carnival games that fold into the ceiling at 8 p.m., revealing beer taps and transforming the room into its nighttime alter ego, “Bar O’ Fun.”)
Where to live
Sold on Mueller? Take a look at some housing options currently on the market:
- 4709 Camacho St. | 4 BD, 4 BA | $1.45 million | This farmhouse-style home features solar, a garage apartment, and modern fixtures.
- 4626 Herzog St. | 2 BD, 2.5 BA | $425,000 | This apartment is walking distance from the Mueller farmers market, Mueller Lake Park, and the Aldrich Street entertainment district.
- 4203 Berkman Dr. | 3 BD, 2.5 BA | $825,000 | Enjoy an open floor plan, covered porch, and a bottom floor study space.
Did we miss anything? Add your favorite Mueller spots to our interactive map here.
