Start at M+ Museum in the West Kowloon Cultural District around late morning, when the galleries are open and the light over the harbor is especially good. From Regal Riverside Hotel in Shatin, the smoothest way in is usually MTR + walk: head to Sha Tin Wai or City One depending on where you’re starting from, transfer through Tai Wai to Austin / Kowloon Station area, then walk or take the free shuttle-style connections within West Kowloon if they’re running; a taxi is the least fuss if you want to save energy. Plan on about HK$40–100 total by transit or more by taxi depending on traffic. M+ is big, modern, and best approached without rushing—give yourself about 2 hours to enjoy the architecture, the rooftop views, and a few strong galleries without trying to see absolutely everything.
Stay in the same district for Hong Kong Palace Museum, which keeps the day efficient and avoids needless backtracking. The walk between M+ and Hong Kong Palace Museum is pleasant and easy, and the whole point is to keep the culture-and-waterfront rhythm going. This is the right time to slow down and focus on the marquee exhibits; budget 1.5 to 2 hours here. Afterward, take a breather at The Lawn at West Kowloon—it’s one of the nicest open-air pauses in the city, with wide harbor views and room to sit, stretch, and reset. If the day is clear, this is where you’ll really feel why locals love this promenade. From there, head to Lung King Heen in Central / Four Seasons Hotel for lunch; it’s an easy MTR or taxi ride from West Kowloon toward Hong Kong Station. Expect about HK$300–600 per person, and if you’re going for dim sum, go a bit earlier rather than later so you’re not waiting on the lunch rush.
After lunch, continue the cultural arc at Hong Kong Museum of Art on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront. It’s compact enough to fit comfortably after a big meal, and the location is excellent for a harbor-side stroll before or after you go in. Give it 1 to 1.5 hours—enough to appreciate the collections without museum fatigue. Then finish the day at Aqua Spirit in Tsim Sha Tsui, where the skyline views are the whole reason to come. Go for one drink, let the city lights come on, and enjoy the fact that you’ve had a very full day without crisscrossing Hong Kong too much. A cocktail or wine typically runs about HK$120–200 per person, and it’s worth arriving a little before sunset if you can.