Johor offers a reasonable selection of activities for children. While perhaps not comparable with modern western facilities of a similar nature, the zoo is nevertheless a family favourite. The Tropical Village theme park also gets a big thumbs-up for being the best all-round family attraction. For fun on a budget, the Taman Rekreasi Hutan Bandar public park offer plenty of opportunities for lively or relaxing outdoor activity for all the family.

Desaru Beach
Beaches are always a winner with kids, who can amuse themselves for hours with the simple combination of sun, sand and sea. Desaru Beach in Johor lies 100kms from Johor Bahru and is the state’s most popular coastal leisure and pleasure spot. Adults can enjoy lazy days here while their offspring build sandcastles, paddle in the calm waters or enjoy a game of Frisbee.

Johor Zoo
Plugged as a family destination, Johor Zoo in Johor Bahru houses a considerable selection of wild beasts. Gorillas, wild cats, camels and tropical birds are among the creatures on display at this popular attraction that can be found situated behind the Grand Palace. There are also picnic areas and plenty of open spaces in which to enjoy a pleasant stroll or outdoor activity. Phone: +60 7 223 4935.

Swimming Pools
There are countless hotels across the state with swimming pools, where little ones can enjoy splashing around while their parents relax on sun-loungers. Visitors opting to stay in the city of Johor Bahru should check out the swimming pools at the up-market hotels.

Taman Rekreasi Hutan Bandar
This 32 hectare public park provides the perfect setting at which to escape the urban jungle, with recreational activity opportunities for all the family. Kids will enjoy the well equipped playground as well as the open-air swimming pool. There are also plenty of open spaces where a picnic, a game of football or a spot of kite flying can be enjoyed. Phone: +60 7 223 4935.

Tropical Village
Malaysia’s answer to a theme park, the Tropical Village in Johor Bahru is split into four categorised sections: Leisure Corner, Agricultural Enclosure, Landmarks and the Playground. The Leisure Corner is especially appealing to younger visitors with its Haunted House, House of Mirrors and Dinosaur Train among other attractions. The Playground with its Oriental Island, Pet Corner and Garden of the Shy Monkey is also a favourite with little ones. The park has dorms for visitors who want to stay overnight and continue the fun the next day. Phone: +60 7 758 2170.

Abundant cultural activities are on hand in the state of Johor, providing plenty of sightseeing possibilities and no shortage of chances to become familiarised with local traditions and practices. Visitors will find everything from art galleries to palaces and religious buildings with which to fill their days.

Bangunan Sultan Ibrahim
Constructed in 1940, this magnificent building dominates the city skyline from its position on Bukit Timbalan hill, in spite of the abundance of high-rise buildings around it. The building, which captures a mix of Islamic and colonial influences, is best known for housing the state secretariat and other state government departments. Public entry to the building is not permitted; however, the views of its exterior are notable and well worth taking a few pictures of.

Johor Art Gallery
Downtown Johor Bahru is the setting for this excellent cultural venue that has been bringing art to the city’s residents since it opened in 1910. Locally produced artworks and historical items such as clothing, weapons, ceramics and old manuscripts give visitors a visual insight into the city’s development. The gallery is perhaps as much a museum as an art gallery.

Johor Old Chinese Temple
Located in Johor Bahru and juxtaposed by the modern skyscrapers surrounding it, this striking religious structure is one of the oldest buildings in the city. Dating back to the late 19^th century, when it was constructed by Tan Hiok Nee and other Chinese community leaders, notable features include a bronze bell, wooden tablet and an original joss stick holder, all of which are almost as old as the building itself. A major renovation programme from 1995 to 1996 brought much of the original splendour back to the temple. The temple is dedicated to the gods of the Hainanese, Cantonese, Hakka, Hokkien and Teochew dynasties.

Kota Tinggi
Essentially a small town, Kota Tinggi is a destination with a rich history and royal connections. Here visitors will find a variety of sites of historical interest, among which the best known are perhaps the tombs of past rulers of the state. The tombs of Sultan Mahmud Shah (Makam Sultan Mahmud Mangkat Dijulang), Johor’s last Sultan ruler, and his cat (Makam Kuching Bertanduk) are the most famous. The tomb of Bendahara Tun Abdul Majid bin Raja Abdullah and those located at Makam Tauhid, are also worthy of mention.

Muzium Bugis
The history and culture of the Bugis people are represented through the impressive selection of artefacts on display at the Muzium Bugis. On entering, visitors can view objects such as musical instruments, cooking pots, grinding stones and other common day to day items. A house constructed in the traditional kampung style gives further insight into the lives of the Bugis, as do collections of impressive swords and old coins, the latter considered to be extremely valuable.

Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque, Johor Bahru
In a prime position overlooking the Straits of Johor, the Sultan Abu Bakar State Mosque is a grand structure that was completed in 1900. Officially opened by Sultan Ibrahim, the Johor ruler of the time, the building captures an unusual combination of Victorian and Moorish architectural influences. This building is likely to be of interest to anyone with a fine eye for aesthetics as well as to regular tourists wanting to get some good holiday snaps. Phone: +60 7 223 4935.

Sultan Abu Bakar Royal Palace Museum, Jalan Skudai
Popularly considered as the state’s greatest tourist attraction, this majestic building was once the home of the Sultan of Johor. An opulent structure complete with lavish interior décor and furnishings, the palace now serves as a museum and occasionally as a host to state functions. Though building was completed in 1866, the palace has been added to and refurbished a number of times in order to maintain its royal ambience. Inside the palace, visitors can view everything from Japanese ceramics to oil paintings of various sultans.

Sri Mariamman Temple
This wonderful Hindu relic can be found in downtown Johor Bahru, located between the Kota Raya Plaza shopping complex and the busy main street of Jalan Wong Ah Fook. The temple features typical icons from the Hindu pantheon, with the gatekeepers at the building’s entrance among the most striking. The temple is busy with flower sellers year-round, particularly so during Hindu festivals.

Across the state of Johor, restaurants and eateries are abundant, reflecting the local passion for food and the social experience that dining is considered to be here. Johor has a distinct cuisine of its own and visitors can enjoy sampling local delicacies at everywhere from roadside vendors to upmarket restaurants.

The state’s varied ethnic mix ensures that a variety of cuisines are available besides typically Malaysian dishes. Chinese and Indian cuisines are both commonly available and invariably authentic. International food is also easy to come across, with plenty of places aimed at western tourists as well as some high quality restaurants in reputable hotels. Fast food can also be found at popular franchises such as KFC, McDonalds and Domino's Pizza, among others.

The local cuisine is quite different from the food of other major destinations in Malaysia such as Penang. Traditional dishes to look out for include mee bandung muar, a noodle dish with beef, tofu, egg, and bean sprouts in rich gravy made from shrimp and chilli paste and beef stock. Mee rebus is another popular noodle dish, typically served with boiled egg and a sour and spicy sauce.

Roti jala and roti kirai are ubiquitously available and often served with curry. Other popular dishes include telur pindang (boiled eggs with spices and herbs), nasi beriani gam (Indian biryani rice dish) and ikan masak asam pedas (a sour fish stew with chilli, tomatoes, tamarind, okra and coriander).

For shopping, Johor has no shortage of options with the city of Johor Bahru offering the best selection of retail outlets. Here you’ll find a mixture of both modern shopping centres and traditional markets, allowing visitors to buy everything from branded goods to locally made handicrafts and food products.

For a big mall shopping experience, head for AEON Tebrau City where big names such as Esprit, Giordano and Dorothy Perkins can be found. Additionally, the mall has a large supermarket and an impressive food court plus a karaoke centre. At City Square, mall-style shopping is also available with a variety of shops on hand, a food court and a cinema multiplex. Close to City Square is Komtar, an older indoor shopping centre with more traditional Malay shops and vendors selling pirated goods such as CDs and DVDs.

There are good opportunities to get out in the sunshine and enjoy a little outdoor activity while holidaying in the state of Johor. Even pursuits that are not represented by hotels or local travel companies can often be pursued by visitors with their own equipment. Golfers are especially well catered for with numerous courses found across the state. The beach is also an ideal place to enjoy some outdoor fun with both the sand and sea offering sporting potential.

Golf
Golfers heading for Johor for a holiday will think they’ve won the lottery when they discover the excellent selection of golf courses that are available. Courses are invariably of international standard and often part of a reputable resort. Popular courses include: Bukit Banang Golf and Country Club, Desaru Golf and Country Resort, Kukup Golf Resort, Legends Golf and Country Resort, Palm Villa Golf and Country Club, Sebana Golf and Marine Resort, Starhill Golf and Country Club. It’s not essential to be a guest or resident at one of these resorts to play, although visitors will need to pay the appropriate green fees.

Taman Rekreasi Hutan Bandar
This large municipal park at Johor Bahru is the ideal place to enjoy any number of outdoor sports and activities. Grab a football for an informal kick around with friends or get a lively game of Frisbee going. Alternatively, just relax in the sun on the grass or enjoy a romantic picnic with a loved one. Fishing can also be enjoyed at any of the park’s large lakes. With 32 hectares of land available, the park’s leisure possibilities are countless. Phone: +60 7 223 4935.

Water Sports
Water sports can be enjoyed at a variety of destinations, with Desaru Beach being one of the most popular locations. Typically, visitors can expect to find pursuits such as snorkelling, scuba diving, sailing, and water skiing on offer. Other areas where water sports are available include Danga Bay, where visitors can rent paddle boats. Stulang Laut has windsurfing facilities while the Sea Gypsy Village on Pulau Sibu is also well worth checking out for its excellent scuba diving, snorkelling, sailing, kayaking and boogie boarding.