We finally arrived in New Zealand! After the 13-hour New Zealand Air flight direct from Los Angeles, we were ready to get out and explore. Like most travelers, Auckland will be your first stop. But don’t make the mistake of skipping it. After all, this is New Zealand’s largest city that proudly claims some of the country’s best restaurants. It also ranks as one of the top 5 cities with the most green space. Now, you won’t see any sheep roaming these hills. But you’ll get your fill of sheep within minutes of leaving the city.

We had just 2 weeks to explore New Zealand (I know, I know… not enough time). But like our fellow overworked Americans, my husband and I were luck enough to get that much time off.

We packed a lot in, but that just means there is no time for jet lag. Without further adieu, here is a rundown on how to have the perfect day in Auckland.

Morning in Auckland: Farmer’s Market Tour

Stop #1: Otara Polynesian Market

If you arrive on a Saturday, one of the most unique things to check out is the Otara Polynesia Market, located just a 15-minute drive from the Auckland International Airport. This market is held only on Saturdays and is open from 6 AM to 12 PM.

While there is plenty of fresh produce for sale, there is so much more to this market. You’ll find rows of food stalls with local Polynesian island favorites as well as Maori hangi (meat and various sides cooked in an underground oven).

And if you’re into shopping (like a certain blogger you’re familiar with!), this is your spot. You will find gorgeous carvings and artwork that will likely be the cheapest you’ll find anywhere in the country.

I lived in New Zealand and this was one of my favorite weekend spots. Though, many Aucklanders will shutter at the notion of ever going here. In fact, my husband’s co-worker (a Kiwi) said he shouldn’t ever go there. And this was our first stop! Otara has a rough reputation, but I’ve never had any issues. In fact, it felt safer than most of LA.

Stop #2: La Cigale Farmer’s Market in Fancy Schmancy Parnell

Voted Auckland’s best food market by a local newspaper, La Cigale French Market is held every Saturday from 8 AM to 1:30 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 1:30 PM. This market is inspired by the wonderful food markets found in France. And it couldn’t be any more different than the Otara market.

This market didn’t exist when I lived in New Zealand in 2003, but I figured it would be an eye-opening experience for my husband to compare/contrast these two.

This market is just a 20-minute drive from the Otara Market, but will feel worlds away with its much pricier food options, perfectly primped dogs, live jazz performances and wine bars. If you’re into high-end experiences, this will be your jam.

Afternoon in Auckland: Walk off Those Pastries

Stop #3: Stroll Through Parnell Village

Parnell is the oldest district in Auckland and in my opinion, the most beautiful. You really shouldn’t miss spending an early afternoon here, shopping its many boutiques, browsing through the art galleries or simply just exploring. There were so many shops to explore, but the best one for souvenirs is located down a side alley. Just follow the white painted paw prints leading to the Fantail House, which is stocked with unusual gifts from all across New Zealand.

Stop #4: The Best Hot Chocolate You’ll Ever Experience

Of course, one of the first places I had us go to was the Chocolate Boutique. It might be tempting to eat your way through all those markets, but you’ll want to save some room for dessert. This shop sells what I consider the best hot chocolate you’ll ever taste called the Italian Denso. It is thick, rich and decadent hot chocolate with whipped cream on top and chocolate flakes. Think of it as a cup of a molten lava cake. And the best part, nobody will judge you for drinking your dessert. Okay, maybe SOME skinny model from LA? But she isn’t here!

Stop #5: A Free Walking Tour of Auckland? Yes, You Had Us at Free

Yes, the Auckland Free Walking Tour is actually free. No strings attached. The guide will simply remind you at the end of the tour, that you’re welcome to give some money to help continue to support this fun activity. Kevin and I got in quite the workout (but oh boy, we needed it after our morning of markets and chocolate).

We recommend checking out the website to reconfirm the schedule though you don’t need a prior reservation.  Just show up! You’ll meet at Britomart with its newly restored heritage buildings. It’s also a fabulous area for cafes, restaurants and shops. It was also famous for being a port side trading area that fell into great disrepair but recently has been revitalized. From there, you’ll cover a lot of ground — heading to Albert Park, the Auckland Art Gallery, Town Hall and  through more parks. Clearly, the city dwellers of New Zealand still don’t want to be far from the green.

Stop #6: Spa Time. Yes Please!

Following our long flight, we needed a massage. But hey, I’d probably say that even if there wasn’t a long flight. Located on the ground floor of the Skycity Hotel (where we stayed), the East Day Spa is a relaxing haven. Prior reservations are essential, but we lucked out since there was an opening for 6 PM. The spa called us during our free walking tour, and when Kevin realized he missed the call, he rang them back and snatched up the 1-hour couples massage. I put my masseuse to work as I like a deep massage, while Kevin got a lighter massage and stayed awake through most of it.

An Evening in Auckland: Dining with the Stars

Stop #7: Dinner Atop the Famed Sky Tower

Our dinner at Orbit was perhaps one of my favorite experiences of the entire trip. Though, full disclosure, it was our first sit down meal at the very BEGINNING of our New Zealand adventure. If it was at the end, I might have been secretly crying (or more than likely SIGHING) at the thought of leaving. A trip to the top of the Sky Tower is $32 New Zealand Dollars per person. So I figured, why not pay a little more and get a meal to go along with the view? The viewing platform is included with any dinner reservation. Advanced reservations are needed. I tried making them on the same day but the restaurant said it was full. But Kevin came up with the great idea to call our concierge. He scored us a table within minutes (and a nice tip from us).

We recommend showing up about an hour before your dinner reservation to walk around the Sky Tower viewing platform. The elevator ride whisks you to the top in seconds. We did several laps around the room, and played the fun game of guessing where we walked during the day.

Afterward, we explored The Sugar Club, which is the higher-end restaurant at the top of the Sky Tower. It’s a prix-fixe menu, with anywhere from 6 to 8 different courses. We weren’t very hungry, but were allowed to lounge in the bar and get a drink. We loved the Art Deco decor, and the Heath Ceramic vases on every table. It was like being back in California. The Sugar Club is also where you can watch the daring (or shall we say, crazy) people walk outside as part of an extra package at the Sky Tower.

We headed to our dinner reservation at Orbit, which is a revolving restaurant overlooking the entire city. Kevin of course ordered the steak, while I had the New Zealand lamb… Clearly, I wasn’t feeling guilty (YET!) since we didn’t leave the center of Auckland.

And of course, what better way to top it all off than with dessert? Hey, we earned it after all those steps we got on that free walking tour. And we’ll just ignore that chocolate stop from earlier today.

After this, we headed back to our room. Clearly, 24 hours isn’t a ton of time, but we certainly packed in a full day in Auckland.