Tour Sydney whirlwind style

With merely two and a half days in Australia’s largest city, I scoured guidebooks and locals’ minds for suggestions as to the must-see sights. Looking like a total tourist (which I hate doing but sometimes feel is necessary for a myriad of reasons) by sporting my tennis shoes, a windbreaker, and my daypack, I hit Sydney’s streets non-stop.

Now I’ve created my top five must-do list for future travelers:
1. Attend a performance at the Sydney Opera House: Views from the outside do no justice to the acoustically-ideal interior. Learn, as I did, that the Opera House consists of six separate performance halls, not one.
2. Walk the Royal Botanic Gardens: Allow at least two hours to stroll from Mrs. Macquaries Point, offering picturesque views of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge, through the lower gardens along the Farm Cove waterfront.
3. Cross the Sydney Harbour Bridge: While the high fences (installed to hinder “jumpers”) detract from the city views, this typical tourist activity shouldn’t be missed. Empty your camera’s memory card beforehand to provide plenty of space for shots of the city’s skyscrapers, waterways, and world-renowned buildings.
4. Dine waterfront in Darling Harbour: Whether you prefer seafood, Thai, or kangaroo steak, one of the restaurants overlooking Cockle Bay and the Central Business District easily fills a hungry belly. I recommend eggs Florentine at Nick’s for a leisurely brekkie (breakfast).
5. Shop at Paddy’s Market: Every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, stalls fill the ground floor of Market City selling almost anything imaginable. I opted for a pair of faux designer sunglasses, but locals crowded the fresh fruit and veggie stands making that area barely passable.