Begin the day with a coffee and a waterfront stroll at Central Ferry Piers. This is where the iconic Star Ferry shuttles commuters and tourists alike across Victoria Harbour. Climb aboard yourself, if you're inspired — it's a steal at 2.20-3.70 HKD ($0.20-$0.45 USD) each way, and the boats are continuous.
Then, take a spin on the Hong Kong Observation Wheel. You'll get sweeping views of both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon.
Visit Victoria Gardens. Once you've had your fill of the harborfront scene, hail a cab* up to Victoria Gardens at the top of The Peak (make sure they take you past the crowds — all the way up). It's a quiet spot with charming gardens.
Stroll down to The Peak Lookout for lunch al fresco. Then you can take the Peak Tram back down into Central.
Get in some shopping (or window shopping). If you're interested in checking out the high-end shopping scene, Landmark and the IFC mall are the city's main retail hubs. Expect lots of big brand names and luxury goods (the people/window-watching is fun without even having to dig into your wallet).
Dine at Ho Lee Fook. For dinner, hit up perennial favorite Ho Lee Fook for a hipster take on Chinese cuisine. There's usually a wait, but there are plenty of great bars in the area to explore (check out Quinary or La Cabane Wine Bistro), and they'll call you when a table is ready.
*While most cab drivers speak enough English to get around town, download Hong Kong Taxi Translator as a backup. Type your destination into the app in English, and the Cantonese translation instantly pops up to show your driver.
