one day in Johor!

We have one day in Johor Bahru.

Staying near causeway as the next day we want to go to airport, so we are staying by Kotaraya II Bus Terminal, as I understand AirAsia has cheap airport buses. Hope that's correct.

The central market sounds good, and we can have some seafood dinner somewhere, but any tips for areas to walk around or close things to do with our one overnight?
Fun bar to drink at?
Seafood place?
Where do people head when they go to Johor?

I was in a similar situation and this is what I did.

Walk along to the Esplanade, traffic on the right water and Singapore on the left.
There was a Fort or Palace, I walked there and had a look.
Then went to some Mall area and sat down and did what the locals did, drink tea with condensed milk in a glass.
Local Malay Moslem food was hot and spicy.
Then tried some Chinese food.
Locals drink bottles of Carlsberg in a glass with ice, so I tried that too.

Walked to the train station and had a look as I would be doing several train rides in the future.
Then walked to the Shopping Centre, cool aircond and watched a movie, latest release and it was cheap.

I am sure there is more to do that the above but I just cannot find it.

Good luck.

Maybe we'll go late in the day :)

JB is nothing much to see or do. Crime rate is high. Be extra careful.
Cross over to Singapore if you have time.

#3 - OP will be crossing over from Sin to JB.

Check into your hotel and just walk around the town (although JB is officially a city), and as what #1 had done, check out the train station, the palace (who knows you may meet the Sultan and chat with him about his pets (Ferraris, Harley-Davidsons, and so on).

Remember to check out Kotaraya II Bus Terminal so you know exactly where and how to go on the next morning.

In the evening, you can try out hawker foods near the canal (next to an Indian temple) along the main street, or you can go to Dunga Bay (a couple of km up along the beach (with Sin on the left) for a collection of more proper eateries - this is the place the locals, especially young people, like to gather.

Hope this helps.

Is it nice enough to walk that 2km to Dunga Bay?

We could just skip Johor and go stay at the JHB airport the night before, but it seems like it's worth a look, no?

IMHO, the stroll along the espanade to Dunga Bay is worth it, and there are enough watering holes waiting for you at DB to recharge your batteries there. (Unless of course, when it rains).

Well, I don't know how many men had been raped in JB, and even criminals may not be as stupid as you think.

They target vulnerable persons, in high-risks areas like backlanes and dark alleys, or they stage accidents along secluded roads to attempt car-jacking.

I'm sure no one had been robbed or raped while strolling along the esplanade.

Hmm.
I'm from NY and live in Los Angeles.
Am I really going to feel unsafe in Johor?