Top Things to Do on Day One in GTA 6: Ultimate Guide

Grand Theft Auto VI is officially here, and stepping into the massive, chaotic state of Leonida for the very first time can feel overwhelming. With an entire state at your fingertips, you might wonder where to begin. Should you rush straight into the main story missions, steal high-end sports cars, or launch an assault on a military base? To get ahead of the competition from minute one and level up Jason and Lucia efficiently, you need a solid plan. Below are 12 essential things to do on day one in GTA 6 to rule the streets like a true gangster.

1. Mess with Citizens & Discover Random Events

As soon as the intro ends and you drop into Free Roam mode, resist the urge to rush story missions. Hold down your left trigger and chat with NPCs on the street. Rockstar hired a dedicated team of writers just for the wild, bizarre dialogue of local citizens. Simply listening to two people argue or talking to a stranger can trigger a hilarious encounter or a surprise side mission. Just don’t stare too long, or they will get suspicious!

2. Join the Gym & Boost Your Stamina

Neither character starts the game with a gym membership. Head over to a local gym right away and sign up. Strength training increases your maximum Health, while Cardio builds up your Stamina. After working out, grab a protein shake or coffee for a temporary boost. Watch out on your walk back, though—if you eat too much fast food, Jason will visibly gain weight and change his body shape!

3. Steal a Classic Car Without Witnesses

It’s Grand Theft Auto, so ignoring new cars is a crime in itself! The police system in GTA 6 is deeply realistic, and the long arm of the law only comes after you if there are witnesses. Find a quiet alley, empty parking lot, or private driveway. Modern supercars require a Key Cloner and won’t unlock on day one, so stick to retro and classic cars. Breaking a window or using simple tools feels right at home in Vice City, and they don’t have police trackers installed.

4. Road Trip to North Mount Cologna Park

Drive straight north to the sprawling wilderness of North Mount Cologna Park. This area is packed with forests, rivers, and rugged mountains that Rockstar kept hidden in trailers. Along the way, test out the 23 brand-new radio stations and enjoy the tunes. Keep your eyes glued to the road because spontaneous robberies and random events happen everywhere, with zero online wikis or guides to hold your hand on launch day.

5. Complete the Animal Compendium

On your way back from the mountains, start exploring the wildlife system inspired by Red Dead Redemption 2. More than 170 animal species roam the air, land, and sea. From alligators and flamingos in Grass River Swamps to manatees in the Keys, every creature can be studied. Some species are legendary, rare, or even glow in the dark at night—making tracking them down a must for completionists.

6. Buy Masks & Spare Outfits for Jason and Lucia

As the sun sets, switch control over to Lucia. Switching between characters outside of missions is seamless. Each character has a separate criminal profile, phone, and stats. Head to the nearest clothing store immediately:

• Buy a mask for both characters to hide your identity during illegal activities.
• Buy a spare set of clothes and toss them in your car trunk so you can quickly change your style after high-speed chases.

7. Late-Night Date Night & Unlocking Focus Mode

Jason and Lucia’s relationship is fully dynamic. Take them out on dates, play mini-golf, or shoot pool to keep their emotional bond strong; otherwise, intimate interactions like holding hands or kissing will stay locked. Furthermore, winning minigames boosts the Focus ability for both characters. Focus slows down time, highlighting enemy locations and their critical weak points.

8. First Nighttime Store Robbery & Safe Looting

Robbing stores together doubles as a fun couples activity! Hit up a local convenience store:

• Put on your mask before walking inside.
• Trigger your Focus ability right away to highlight cash registers, threats, and high-value loot.
• Register drawers give quick cash, but the back safe yields a much higher payout.
• Keep the clerk and customers pinned down with your gun; otherwise, they might draw a weapon and shoot back. Use slow-motion Focus to shoot yellow targets, disarming them without taking a life to keep your professional profile clean.
• Destroy the store’s CCTV hard drive before walking out!

9. Disguise Your Identity & Shake the Cops

After any crime, police track details such as your face, clothing, car model and color, weapon type, and whether you’re traveling as a duo underneath your Wanted stars. Once you break line of sight:

• Change into your trunk’s spare clothes.
• Holster your weapon and stay hidden.
• Take your car to a Pay ‘n’ Spray or split up on foot to completely confuse the pursuing officers.

10. Deposit Cash at an ATM

Online phone deposits from GTA V are gone! If you get killed or busted, all the physical cash in your pockets is wiped out. Right after finishing any heist or robbery, track down a nearby ATM and deposit your cash into a secure bank account.

11. Customize Cars at Tuning Shops

Spend your hard-earned savings on vehicle upgrades. Different garages across Leonida specialize in specific styles—drift, off-road, speed, and classic looks. Upgrading your car’s appearance at a shop also ensures police won’t instantly recognize your vehicle during routine patrols.

12. Manual Save & Raiding the Military Base for a Jet!

The most thrilling part of day one in GTA 6 is launching an assault on the military air base down in the Keys. Before jumping the fence, make sure to create a Manual Save on a separate slot! Hitting 6 stars triggers an all-out statewide military response in Leonida, and getting stuck in Psych-mode can ruin your permanent save file. By making a manual save first, you can steal a military jet, break survival records against the army, and simply reload your previous save afterward to reset everything safely.

Related article:How to Get GTA 6 for Free: The Ultimate Redeem Code Guide (2026)

Conclusion

Executing these essential tasks on day one builds a rock-solid foundation for your characters. Instead of wasting your opening hours, dive deep into the gym mechanics, explore pristine wilderness regions, pull off clean heists without casualties, and utilize Focus capabilities to forge a professional and unforgettable experience in the state of Leonida.

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