Mueller is built on the site of the old Robert Mueller Municipal Airport, and it's one of Austin's best-planned neighborhoods. Wide streets, plenty of surface lots, walkable layout — and crucially, no parking meters anywhere in the residential or commercial parts of the development.
The full East Austin parking guide covers the broader area including East 6th and Cesar Chavez. This page focuses specifically on Mueller's parking situation.
Parking at Aldrich Street
Aldrich Street is Mueller's main commercial strip — restaurants, shops, a movie theater, and the farmers market hub. There's a free surface lot on the south side of Aldrich Street that holds 150+ cars. On normal weekdays and weekday evenings it's rarely more than half full. On Sunday farmers market mornings it fills up.
Secondary Parking in Mueller
When the Aldrich lot fills, the entire surrounding neighborhood is your overflow:
- Simond Ave: Wide street with ample free parking east and west of Aldrich
- Tom Miller St: North of Aldrich, free residential street parking
- Mueller Lake Park lots: Free lots surrounding the park, 5–8 minute walk to Aldrich
- Robert Browning St: South side of Mueller development, quieter, usually available
Mueller Sunday Farmers Market
The Mueller Farmers Market runs every Sunday, 10 AM–2 PM, year-round. It's consistently rated one of Austin's best markets with fresh produce, local food vendors, craft goods, and a kids' area.
Farmers Market Parking Strategy
- Before 10 AM: Aldrich St main lot is easy — pull right in
- 10 AM–11 AM: Main lot fills; circle once, then head to Simond Ave
- After 11 AM: Park anywhere in Mueller — it's all free and walkable. Budget 8–10 minute walk
The market's best vendors sell out early — especially the tamale lady and the good mushroom guy. Show up at 10 AM, park quickly on Simond Ave, and walk straight to produce. The craft/art vendors will still be there at noon; the popular food stalls often run out by 12:30 PM.
Dell Medical Center & UT Dell Seton
Dell Medical Center (1501 Red River St) and UT Dell Seton Medical Center are part of the broader Mueller/UT campus development but are NOT within easy walking distance of the Mueller neighborhood parking. These facilities have their own visitor garages:
| Facility | Garage | Visitor Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Dell Medical Center | On-site visitor garage | ~$3–5/hr |
| UT Dell Seton Medical | Attached hospital garage | ~$3/hr, daily max ~$15 |
Do not park in Mueller neighborhood lots and walk to the medical center — it's a 20+ minute walk across active construction areas. Use the hospital garages.
Mueller Lake Park
Mueller Lake Park is a beautifully designed 30-acre park with a pond, playgrounds, dog park, and walking trails. It has multiple free parking lots around its perimeter. This is always a relaxed parking situation — even on busy weekends you can usually find a spot within a 3-minute walk of the park.
HEB on Aldrich Street
The Mueller HEB (4006 Berkman Dr) has a large free parking lot that's accessible to shoppers and also useful as overflow on big farmers market Sundays — the HEB lot is technically for customers but if you pop in for a quick item and then walk to the market, no one is going to tow you.
Things To Do in Mueller
Best farmers market in Austin — every Sunday, 10am–2pm. Local produce, food vendors, live music. Free parking everywhere around it.
30-acre park with a pond, running trail, playgrounds, and one of Austin's best dog parks. Free parking in lots all around the park.
Austin's best movie theater chain at Mueller. Dinner-and-a-movie in reclining seats. Free parking in the Aldrich lot or adjacent Mueller streets.
East Side King, Contigo, The Peached Tortilla, and more on the most walkable dining strip in East Austin. Always free parking.
Getting to Mueller
Mueller is about 2 miles from downtown Austin, accessed via Airport Blvd, 51st Street, or Manor Road. It's not on a MetroRail line but CapMetro buses serve the neighborhood. Rideshare drop-off works well — the development has clear Uber/Lyft pickup zones near the main Aldrich entrance.