Need a little help narrowing down what we plan on doing while in Madrid for the last two days of a whirlwind Portugal/Spain trip in October.

My husband and I are not really into spending days at museums but are more looking for things that are aesthetically pleasing, photo-ops, great views, great food, great drink, outdoor activities. Things of that nature. Places we should walk by as we explore the city without spending too much time waiting on long lines.

What do people who live in Madrid do on their weekends? Where do they hang out? I live in NYC, and would recommend any tourist go for a nice walk in Central Park as there is so much to do and see without having to spend a dime and while blending in with all of the other New Yorkers who are out and about, enjoying their time off. Hope this gives a good idea of the types of things we'd like to do and see. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Retiro Park is lovely.

yes, it's pretty much the same as in NY..they go to the park El Retiro is a beautiful one ! Then you can go to Paseo Rosales where the egyptian temple of Debod is (a true one !) and from there take the cable car crossing Casa de Campo (the biggest park of Madrid) to reach the Zoo and the atractions park. Maybe you are not interested on see that, but the cable car views of Madrid are great You can go also to Campo del Moro, Royal Palace park and visit the Palace which is beautiful and sometimes ignored.Also besides the palace is Teatro Real , Madrid's opera house. There's a cafe there I love, it's a quaint location in Madrid I also like Latina district, it's the oldest part of Madrid , with narrow streets, stairs and cobblestones..not the kind of thing you expect in a rather modern city like Madrid
I also love Gran Via, but being from NY you can avoid that, Broadway is much better, sure Even if you don't go inside El Prado museum, I'm sure you would like the outside It's a good photo stop ! As you don't have very much time, maybe the hop on-hop off bus is a good option for you. Just to give you an idea of the whole thing

Thanks so much for the advice. These suggestions are great, and very much appreciated!

I would suggest that you walk around the salamanca area, beautiful old buildings and great restaurants/tapas bar and not croweded. This the very upscale residential area of madrid. If you go to the Retiro park, you can walk up Calle Serrano. All the streets around calle Velazquez, Calle Juan Bravo, are all beautiful. Make sure to stop by Mallorca restaurant (very casual) for a quick drink, sandwich or tapas, they also have a great take out section, (cold/hot tapas, sandwiches and delicious bit size pasteries) If you like shopping, you will find all kinds of stores from gucci to corteingles to local brand in this area.

Hi

I loved dining at the Plaza Santa Ana. Very atmospheric at night. Finish your evening stroll at San Ginés Chocolateria, Calle de Coloreros. It's at the end of the street and serves hot chocolate and churros (sticks of fried dough). Death by chocolate!

My favourite tapas bar was the Alhambra
Calle Victoria 9. When I returned I found this write up in the NY Times: "Alhambra has been serving excellent wine, beer, and tapas to a gregarious crowd since 1929. Around midnight the one-room tavern fills up, the windows get steamy, and the crowd begins to do pseudo-sevillana dance moves to traditional music. When it's packed, they jump right onto the wooden tabletops without missing a beat". I only visted during daylight hours so I never got to do the "pseudo-sevillana dance"!

El Retiro park and Barrio de Salamanca in the morning. At midday, the paseo del Prado-Recoletos-Cibeles axis. Then move on the afternoon to suggested Paseo Rosales and Debod egyptian temple ( placed there for the Assuan Dam flooding) and Plaza de Oriente (Palacio Real and Opera places).

It matters what days of the week you are in Madrid and your visit spans 12 October (a Holiday/Holiday).