Since it’s already after 5:42 PM, head straight to the waterfront promenade and use the first stop to shake off the travel day. In a flexible city like this, the exact stretch doesn’t matter as much as finding a lively edge of the water where people are out walking, kids are biking, and the skyline starts to turn gold. Give yourself about 45 minutes here, and if you’re coming by taxi or rideshare, ask to be dropped on the busiest pedestrian side so you can just drift without backtracking. If you’re driving, look for the closest public lot rather than street parking; evening spaces near the promenade usually fill quickly, especially near sunset.
From there, keep dinner simple and central with a local dinner spot near the center — ideally somewhere busy but not overly polished, the kind of place that does one or two things really well and turns tables at a relaxed pace. A good first-night dinner here should run around $20–40 per person, and about 1.5 hours is plenty unless you want to linger. If you’re unsure where to land, aim for a restaurant on a main street rather than inside a mall or hotel; those are usually better for atmosphere and easier to find after dark. Expect a mix of local families, office workers, and travelers, which is usually the sweet spot on night one.
After dinner, stop for evening coffee or dessert café somewhere within a short walk or quick ride from the center. This is the moment for something low-effort: an espresso, tea, a pastry, or a local sweet, and 45 minutes is enough. Look for a café that stays open late and has outdoor seating if the weather is good; that’s usually where the city feels most relaxed. Finish with a night stroll through the main square, which is the easiest way to get your bearings and see how the city looks after dark. Keep it to 30–45 minutes, don’t worry about mapping every corner, and just follow the flow of people. If you’re tired afterward, this is a good point to head back rather than squeezing in anything else.