Let’s spend the day in Hyde Park, the highly sought-after neighborhood just north of the University of Texas campus, shall we?
☕ First Up: Coffee
Grab a New Orleans iced coffee from Flightpath Coffeehouse, a shop popular with students at 5011 Duval St., if you’re craving something sweet. I swear the New Orleans iced tastes like a chocolate milkshake. You can also try Quack's 43rd Street Bakery, 411 East 43rd St., for savory ham and swiss croissants or danishes that I lovingly refer to as “pizzas” because they’re so big.
🖼️ Get Your Art Fix
Now that you’re fully caffinated up, stop by the Elisabet Ney Museum. The museum, at 304 East 44th St., is the home and studio of German sculptor Elisabet Ney. She moved to Austin in 1882 and the museum is full of stunning busts. Admission is free.
📚 Shop for Books
First Light Book Shop, 4300 Speedway, is one of the latest additions to Hyde Park and it is lovely. The book shop sits in a former post office building and also serves coffee drinks, wine, and snacks. It’s open every day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
🏊 Take a Dip
OK, it’s time to relax. Visit Shipe Pool at 4400 Avenue G. The pool is operated by the city and is the perfect spot to nap, lounge, and splash. It’s open on Saturdays and Sundays from noon to 7 p.m. A bonus: Admission is free!
🍝 Finish the Day With Pasta and a Spritz
Twirling spaghetti noodles and sipping on an Uncle Nicky’s Spritz (made with Aviation Gin, Italicus, grapefruit cordial, and prosecco), at Uncle Nicky’s is one of the best parts of summer. The restaurant, 4222 Duval St., is located within the same shopping center as Quack’s.
