Is The Arboretum safe?
Austin, Texas · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates The Arboretum as “Go”.
What makes up this score?Recent news
Gogo's take on The Arboretum
“Go. The Arboretum is an upscale, quiet, and exceptionally safe retail and commercial district in Northwest Austin. Violent crime is rare, and the primary safety consideration is routine vehicle property theft in large surface parking lots.”
About the area
The Arboretum is an established Northwest Austin commercial hub centered around an open-air retail village, manicured office complexes, and scenic limestone hills. It offers a relaxed, family-friendly shopping and dining destination surrounded by major transit arteries.
- Suburban Retail
- Family-Friendly
- Quiet / Upscale
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in The Arboretum
Walk score: 52/100 · Bike score: 42/100
There is no dock-based bike share in this area, and cycling is difficult due to wide frontage roads, heavy vehicle traffic, and major highway overpasses.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Very low violent crime rate well below Austin and national averages
- High median household incomes (exceeding $100,000) and well-maintained commercial infrastructure
- Abundant free parking and clean, well-lit pedestrian courtyards
- Scenic outdoor spaces including the iconic Harold F. Clayton marble cow park
Cons
- Car break-ins and retail theft occur occasionally in high-turnover shopping plazas
- Surrounded by high-speed expressways (US-183, Loop 360, and MoPac) that limit pedestrian connectivity
- Very car-dependent layout requiring driving between adjacent shopping strip centers
Homelessness: Homelessness is minimal within the retail centers and office parks, though occasional panhandling is visible at major highway intersections along US-183 and Loop 360.
What The Arboretum is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Calm and peaceful, with early-morning dog walkers, joggers, and workers grabbing coffee around the retail plazas.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Active and bustling with shoppers and office lunch crowds, feeling completely secure throughout the area.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Pleasant and relaxed as restaurant patios fill up; shopping areas remain well-lit and comfortable to walk.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Quiet and largely deserted after retail hours, though hotel areas and main restaurant parking lots remain safe.
Transit, parking and getting around
CapMetro serves the area via local bus routes 383 and 392; the nearest CapMetro Rail station is Kramer Station, approximately 3 miles east and best reached by car or rideshare.
Parking is abundant and free throughout the neighborhood across wide surface lots and designated multi-story retail garages.
Things to do in The Arboretum
- Relax or picnic on the shaded lawn among the marble cow sculptures at Arboretum Park
- Shop and dine at the open-air Arboretum at Great Hills shopping center
- Explore nearby scenic hiking trails along the Bull Creek greenbelts just minutes west
Local favorites
- Amy's Ice Creams · Ice Cream Shop · 4.7★ (1850)Beloved local scoop shop known for creative handcrafted flavors, mix-ins, and entertaining staff.
- Manuel's · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (1200)Long-running restaurant serving elevated regional Mexican dishes, fresh seafood, and signature margaritas.
- Truluck's Ocean's Finest Seafood and Crab · Seafood Restaurant · 4.7★ (1600)Upscale fine-dining destination offering sustainable seafood, prime steaks, and live piano music.
Neighborhoods near The Arboretum
Common questions about The Arboretum
Is The Arboretum safe to walk at night?
Generally yes — use the same awareness you would anywhere after dark.
Is The Arboretum a good place to live?
On safety, The Arboretum scores 86/100 — safer than most of the areas we score, which is a good start for anyone looking to live here.
How walkable is The Arboretum?
Walk score 52/100 and bike score 42/100. Some errands can be done on foot.
Which areas near The Arboretum are safer?
The Bluffs of Great Hills (91), Prominent Point (88) score higher nearby.
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