Start your first morning with a leisurely breakfast at Café Lumière, sampling their signature cardamom brioche and a locally roasted pour-over, then stroll to Central Market Hall to browse artisan stalls and pick up seasonal pastries. Continue with a relaxed self-guided walk through the historic Old Quarter, pausing to admire its preserved façades and to step inside the small City Museum of Local History for a quick orientation to the neighborhood's past.
After a relaxed morning, wander toward the leafy riverfront and enjoy people-watching on the terrace of Riverside Terrace Café, where you can sip a locally brewed iced tea and try a light tart while soaking up views. Continue with a gentle guided paddle on the river with City Kayak Tours (suitable for beginners) to see the city's bridges and murals from the water, then finish this stretch with a stroll through the seasonal flower displays at Botanical Promenade, pausing on a bench to plan evening dining.
As dusk falls, head to Lantern Lane for a relaxed aperitif at The Gilded Fox, where craft cocktails and small plates are served beneath string lights-perfect for swapping first impressions of the city. After drinks, take a short walk to Starlit Square to enjoy live street music and sample wood-fired pizzas at the outdoor stall Oven & Ash, then finish the night with a nightcap on the rooftop terrace of Hotel Meridian, which offers sweeping views of the illuminated skyline.
Begin with a hearty breakfast at Brasserie du Parc, where you can try the smoked salmon tartine and a strong espresso before your museum loop. Spend the mid-morning exploring the impressive collections at National Gallery Annex-don't miss the contemporary wing-and follow with a guided architectural walk past the ornate façade of Grand Opera House, learning about its history and hidden frescoes.
After a morning of galleries, head to the bustling Market Street Arcade for a long lunch at La Cantina Verdi, sampling regional tapas and a house vermouth while watching vendors. In the early afternoon, join a guided backstage tour of City Theatre to see ornate sets and costume workshops, then wander through the nearby Sculpture Garden to enjoy contemporary installations and a quiet moment on a sun-warmed bench before the evening concerts.
As the city lights come alive, wander to Lantern Bridge for golden-hour photos, then enjoy an immersive multimedia performance at Aurora Playhouse, where modern choreography meets projected cityscapes. After the show, savor a late dinner of seasonal small plates and natural wines at the intimate Cellar & Vine, followed by a relaxed digestif at Moonlight Alley Bar, a cozy speakeasy tucked behind an unmarked door.
Fuel up at Bakery & Press, where flaky morning kouign-amann and strong latte set you up for a day of wandering, then head to Greenway Farmers' Market to taste local cheeses, smoked fish, and seasonal preserves while chatting with producers. From there, join a tasting-focused walking tour through Merchant Mile, stopping at Pickle & Pint for house-made pickles and fermented snacks, sampling dumplings at Lotus Lane Kitchen, and finishing with a refreshing citrus granita at Seaside Gelati before lunch.
After the morning tasting tour, drift into the creative heart of Artisan Row, popping into independent studios to watch potters and printmakers at work before grabbing a late lunch at House of Bao, known for its slow-braised pork buns and seasonal kimchi. Continue with a guided market-to-table demo at Harvest Lab Kitchen, where a chef teaches you to transform today's market finds into a simple street-food snack, then wander the nearby Lantern Arcade to sample small-batch chocolates and sip a locally roasted cortado while people-watching.
As dusk settles, wander into the lively Patchwork Quarter for aperitifs and people-watching at Porch & Pint, where house-made bitters and seasonal small plates pair perfectly with live acoustic sets. For dinner, join a communal table at Steam & Skewer, sampling an array of regional grilled specialties family-style, then finish the night with a sweet stop at Midnight Confectionery for a tasting flight of spiced chocolates and digestifs while locals share neighborhood stories.
Wake early for a brisk coffee and pastry at Sunrise Kiosk before joining a guided birdwatching walk through Willow Marsh Preserve, where an expert points out wintering waterfowl and reed-songbirds along raised boardwalks. After the walk, rent an e-bike from Peak Pedal Rentals and cycle the scenic Ridgeline Loop, stopping at the panoramic overlook at Eagle Point for sweeping city-and-river views and a shaded picnic with locally made sandwiches from Field & Loaf.
After a morning of ridge cycling and birdwatching, take a gentle hike along the tree-lined trails of Southridge Preserve, pausing at the sculpted picnic terrace of Maple Hollow for a light packed lunch from Field & Loaf while admiring the valley. In the early afternoon, join a guided short-climb with instructors from Summit Steps to reach the lookout at Beacon Crag, where sweeping panoramas invite golden-hour photography and a relaxed tea service on the rocks before returning to the city as dusk approaches.
As twilight deepens, stroll to Crescent Promenade for a mellow aperitif at the open-air Harbor Lantern Bar, where locally brewed saisons and small smoked plates pair with views of the riverbend. After drinks, join the nightly guided light-walk along Moonrise Path, a lantern-lit trail that leads to Skydeck Overlook-arrive in time for the illuminated panorama and finish with a warm cocoa or spiced wine at the cozy kiosk Twilight Nook while city lights shimmer below.
Ease into your final morning with a slow breakfast at Harbor & Hearth, savoring their ricotta pancakes and a single-origin drip while watching the morning ferry traffic. Afterward, take a last gentle stroll through Sunflower Lane, stopping at the independent bookshop Pagelight for a souvenir read and then cross the small pedestrian bridge to Linden Courtyard to sit by the fountain and people-watch before checking out-perfect closure to the week's discoveries.
For a leisurely final afternoon, wander to Mariner's Wharf for a light seafood lunch at The Dockside Eatery, sampling small plates of smoked mussels and a crisp local white while watching harbor traffic. Afterward, pop into Gallery Lane to browse rotating exhibitions and pick up a small print, then settle into Clocktower Terrace for a final coffee and a slice of lemon tart as you journal the week's highlights and prepare for a calm departure.
As evening falls on your final day, wander to Quayside Promenade for a leisurely cocktail at The Mooring House, where terrace seating overlooks the gently illuminated boats and a small menu of smoked fish crostini keeps things light. Later, amble to Lantern Court to catch a short chamber-music set in the intimate courtyard at Candlelight Hall, then finish the night with a comforting cup of spiced tea and a final pastry at Nightwatch Patisserie before bed or a late transfer.