a father and daughter's guide to austin, tx

Mount Bonnell

3800 Mount Bonnell Rd

Believe it or not, Mount Bonnell is the highest point in the city of Austin at 775 ft. Once you have climbed the 102 stairs to the very top, you're met with a beautiful view of the eastern bank of the Colorado River, extravagant homes, and trees as far as the eye can see. If you're looking for a hiking trail, this destination may not satisfy your desire, but its view will no doubt make up for it.

Zilker Park Boat Rentals

2101 Andrew Zilker Rd

With kayaks, canoes, and stand up paddle boards, Zilker Park Boat Rentals invites you to sail along the banks of Barton Creek. The water is shallow and clear enough to catch a glimpse of families of aquatic turtles swimming below. Upon entering, you paddle through a narrow waterway covered by trees and outlined with walking trails. Past this lies open water with a clear view of the Lamar Street Bridge and the city skyline.

South Congress

Just south of Lady Bird Lake, this neighborhood is home to restaurants, quickly little shops, murals, and clothing stores. Needless to say, you could spend an entire day here. Grab a snack from Jo's Coffee, take a picture alongside the 'i love you so much' mural, grab some pizza from Home Slice, and take a look around!

Café No Sé

1603 S. Congress Ave

Located within the South Congress Hotel, Café No Sé provides you with the cutest atmosphere and mouthwatering food. With Executive Chef Kendal Duque and Executive Pastry Chef Lindsay Flagg, this establishment continues to produce high ratings. With an order of avocado toast for me and grilled cheese delicately placed within a tomato basil purée for my dad, our eyes immediately widened after our first bites. The food was gone in a matter of minutes, and I find myself even now looking for reasons to make the trek back.

Amy's Ice Creams

As an Austin native, Amy's Ice Creams is a local staple. Having surprisingly never been, we ended the day with sweet cream and dark chocolate flavors. I would go back and try ever flavor if I could. It is a feel good destination for sure.

("do small things with great love" -mother teresa ♡)