I don’t have a “Brizzle” accent and wasn’t born in the West Country, but Bristol has been my home for the past 20 years. Whenever friends visit, they’re always surprised by how much there is to see and do here. Many people who come to study at one of the two universities or numerous language schools end up staying. I moved from London with my husband in search of a better place to raise a family, and we haven’t looked back since. Let me share my perfect day in Bristol to give you a glimpse of the city through my eyes.

Since I’m busy with work all week, my ideal weekend day involves relaxing with friends and family, maybe doing a bit of shopping, and enjoying some good food. Living in north Bristol, I often head to Clifton village on weekends for a late breakfast with friends at a local cafe like Rosmarino or brunch with my teenage kids at the always-busy Primrose Cafe. It’s a great way to catch up on their week and spend some quality family time.

Clifton has a friendly, village-like atmosphere with its classical Georgian squares and the iconic Clifton Suspension Bridge. I love wandering around the independent shops and boutiques, which sell unique clothes and home items. There are plenty of little cafes and restaurants where you can spend an hour or two chatting over a cappuccino. If I’m with my sister or a girlfriend, we might treat ourselves to a spa and lunch package at The Lido. We’d relax in the steam room and sauna, swim a few leisurely laps in the heated outdoor pool, and warm up in the jacuzzi. After getting dressed and drying my hair in the boudoir, we’d enjoy some tapas or lunch in the cafe, which has full-length windows overlooking the pool.

From there, it’s an easy walk back into Clifton village, where I often bump into friends while exploring the shops. My favorite clothing stores are Maze and its sister store at 18 The Mall, but there are many other boutiques to choose from. For gifts or home decor, I like to visit Pod or wander through the Clifton Arcade, a restored Victorian shopping arcade where I enjoy window shopping for collectibles, vintage items, antique jewelry, and interesting art pieces.

When I need another break, I might stop at one of my favorite cafes for hot chocolate and cake at Bar Chocolat. If I’m showing visitors around, we’d definitely walk across the Clifton Suspension Bridge for views of the Avon Gorge and visit the Visitor Centre on the other side. We might also head up to the observatory, a popular spot for watching the balloons during the Balloon Fiesta in August.

From Clifton Village, it’s a pleasant walk or a short bus ride on the No 8 bus down Park Street to the center of Bristol for an evening of music or culture. The Hippodrome is great for musicals or ballet, while St George’s Brandon Hill offers fantastic classical concerts in a beautiful old church with excellent acoustics. I always try to attend one of their Christmas concerts. For theater, I’d book a performance at the Bristol Old Vic, which has reopened after a long renovation with wonderful creative shows. For a pre-theater dinner, I’d choose Goldbrick House, where their two-course early evening menu before 7 pm is delicious and a great value at £10, though there are plenty of other excellent options on Park Street.

When my kids were younger, our perfect family day out in Bristol looked a bit different. We’d start at the Bristol City Museum on Park Street, which is free and very family-friendly. The museum has a cafe in an open atrium with a small children’s play area, popular on weekends. It’s right next to the exhibition area, where we’ve seen everything from Banksy to Leonardo da Vinci. The museum is one of those old-fashioned places where you can explore Egyptian mummies, local archaeology, and a painted gypsy caravan.

For a snack, we’d head across the road to Rocotillos, an American-style diner known for its legendary creamy milkshakes, great breakfasts, and burgers. Our favorite is always a plate of cheesy fries. Walking down Park Street, we might detour into Brandon Hill Park, where there’s a children’s playground and Cabot Tower to climb for older kids, offering 360-degree views over Bristol.

For the rest of the day, we’d hang out around the Harbour area, which has many fun activities within easy walking distance. Millennium Square is a great place to start, especially if the weather is good. Parents can relax on a bench while the kids play in the fountains and water features and find statues of Cary Grant and other notable Bristolians.

On one side of Millennium Square is the At-Bristol hands-on science center, which includes the Planetarium – the large silver globe you can see from outside. Alternatively, we might visit the Bristol Aquarium next door to walk through the undersea tunnel. Crossing Pero’s Bridge with its sculptural horn weights, we’d walk along the quayside to the Arnolfini, a free contemporary arts center with often conceptual or unusual exhibits. Across the small bridge is M-shed, a colorful free museum in old industrial buildings that tells the story of Bristol and has a family-friendly cafe.

Just outside, you’ll find the steam train that runs on weekends and holidays, staffed by enthusiasts. It takes you as far as the SS Great Britain, an award-winning attraction and beautifully restored iron-hulled, steam-powered ship built by Victorian engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel. From there, you might cross the harbor on a small ferry or take one of the yellow and blue Bristol ferries for a fun sightseeing tour from the water.

Although I’ve mentioned several attractions, some free and others with an entry fee, each one can easily keep you busy for a couple of hours or more. It’s best to check them all out on the Visit Bristol website and focus on just one or two to make your perfect day in Bristol.