Ride the bus from Exchange Square on the winding road south across Hong Kong Island. Depending on the season, you might want to make a stop along the way at Middle Bay Beach, the LGBTQ beach next to the Repulse Bay Beach.
Hit the Stanley Market, a bustling, touristy street market, crowded with clothing and food stalls. Visit the six-story Stanley Plaza, a dog-friendly shopping mall with playground, shops and fast-food outlets. Around the market, you'll find lots of food choices from street food to terrace dining.
Visit the Blake Pier and Murray House, two historic structures originally in Central District. The pier, built in 1900 and used as a landing point for royalty and dignitaries, was reassembled in Stanley in 2007 and now is the departure point Po Toi Island ferries. Murray House was a 19th century British army barracks, dismantled and stored away in 1982 until it was came to Stanley in 2005. It houses several restaurants with sea views, but the maritime museum that once was there is now in Central.
Not far from the pier past Stanley Plaza is Tin Hau Temple, one of over 100 in Hong Kong dedicated to the Goddess of the Sea. Built in 1767 when Stanley was a simple fishing village, it is has been called the oldest temple on Hong Kong Island.
Stroll the Stanley Waterfront Promenade and stop for lunch or drinks along the way. In addition to bars and eateries, it also has an upscale market, open 7 am - 10 pm.
Walk down Wong Ma Kok Road, just beyond the city center, to the hillside Stanley Military Cemetery. Look for the granite headstones carved by prisoners to mark the graves of military and civilians interned by the Japanese in WWII. End your day with a visit to St. Stephen's Beach.