Visitors will find a great variety of activities for children and families in Penang. Most tourists come here for the beaches and water sports, but there’s also fun to be had inland visiting butterfly and bird parks, recreational forests and jungles. Horseback riding is also popular on the island and can make for a good outing that the whole family can enjoy.

Beach Sports and Activities
All of the beach hotels and resorts provide facilities for numerous water sports that can be enjoyed by children, including canoeing, snorkelling, waterskiing and windsurfing. Depending on the age of your children, parasailing, scuba diving and speed boat rides are also possibilities, each of which are offered at the island’s more popular resorts.

Butterfly Farm
The world’s first tropical butterfly farm boasts a population of more than 4,000 Malaysian butterflies, representing 120 species. Not only is this an attraction that’s popular with children and their parents, it’s also a living museum that offers public education and research facilities. The farm’s main attraction is without doubt the enormous enclosure in which the papillons fly free. Visitors can view the butterflies at close range as they fly around their favourite nectar-producing plants.
Website: www.butterfly-insect.com/.

Bukit Panchor Recreational Forest
Located approximately 30 miles (50kms) from Georgetown, this small and lush lowland forest features a variety of flora and fauna and a bat cave for those who dare to join a night cave tour. A walkway extending over the freshwater swamp here guides visitors through a unique mangrove environment. This is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike, as it’s suitable for camping and provides facilities for other recreational activities.

Horseback Riding
A number of stables offer horseback riding facilities, and several hotels include riding on their guest activities list. This is a sport that everyone in the family can enjoy, with seasoned stable hands present to train and guide you and your children.

Jungle Trekking
There are lots of options when it comes to jungle treks. Most of the beach hotels and resorts organise treks that leave early in the day: these are typically easy walks that go to waterfalls and follow jungle streams. For families who want to venture out on their own, there’s a useful guide published by the Malaysian Nature Society called The Nature Trails of Penang, available at tourist information offices. It’s an excellent resource for families with children who want to follow interesting trails through the unique jungle environment.

Penang Bird Park
The Penang Bird Park is a favourite destination for children. Occupying a large and beautifully-landscaped site in Seberang Jaya, here you’ll see many specially-designed aviaries that are home to more than 400 species of birds from around the world. The park also features ponds with manmade islands and waterfalls as well as lovely landscaped gardens filled with ornamental plant species.

Youth Park
This park is Penang’s largest recreational area, nestled beneath a mature tree canopy. Facilities available at the Youth Park include outdoor exercise and play equipment, outdoor swimming pools and lush tropical gardens for parents and children alike to enjoy.

The multi-cultural heritage of Penang provides diversity in activities for visitors throughout the year. There are colourful, exciting celebrations and events based in Chinese, Malay, Islamic and Buddhist traditions. Tourists can choose from galleries and museums, cultural centres based in the various ethnic communities, and theatre and music performances at various venues.

Chinatown
Chinatown on Penang Island covers a large area and is well-preserved historically, extending from Weld Quay to Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh King, Lebuh Muntri and Lebuh Stewart. So much of the 19^th century architecture is still standing that you can experience the atmosphere of life as it was for early Chinese settlers. Visitors will see temples, shop houses and clan houses lining the streets of Chinatown, still in active use today.

Little India
In the section of Georgetown known as Little India you’ll find shops carrying goods from southern India and a number of restaurants offering up tasty, spicy dishes. If you’re in the market for a saree, south Asian spices, trinkets, sculptures or traditional music, this is the part of town to visit. Even if you’d just like to soak up the atmosphere, it’s well worth your time strolling through the sector, which gets quite busy in November in the days leading up to Diwali.

Penang Islamic Museum
Only very few of Penang’s elegant Muslim residences of the 19^th century remain standing today. One notable example is the Syed Alatas Mansion on Lebuh Armenian, which now houses the Penang Islamic Museum. The architecture of the building incorporates a mixture of European, Indian and Malay influences. The museum itself takes visitors through the history of Islam in Penang and other parts of Malaysia, from its beginnings until the present. The museum’s exhibits are organised in galleries and by theme.

Penang Museum and Art Gallery
Located at Lebuh Farquhar, this museum and gallery features collections of old maps and charts, photographs and historical artefacts. The building was originally constructed to house the Penang Free School in 1821. The museum is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Malaysia. Phone: +60 4 261 3144.

Theatre performances and concerts
Performances of traditional and contemporary theatrical works and music are held at a number of venues throughout Penang, including: Amphitheatre, Dewan Sri Pinang, Geodesic Dome, Fort Cornwallis and Lebuh Light. Many hotels also offer entertainment, booking world-class singers, dancers and other performers. You’ll find listings in the local newspapers and information is also available from the concierge or reception staff at your hotel.

USM-ABN Amro Arts and Cultural Centre
Previously home to the ABN-Amro Bank, the building that now houses the arts and culture centre was built prior to WWII. The new centre mounts art exhibitions and holds cultural events on varying themes most months. The gallery also boasts an extensive collection of both local and regional art, and provides support to a number of Malaysian artists.

Penang’s multi-cultural history provides today’s visitors with a wealth of cuisines to choose from. Variety is indeed the spice of life when it comes to food here, and eateries around the island serve up a range of dishes that includes Malay, Chinese and Indian favourites as well as fast foods and international cuisines such as French and Italian, among others.

Malay cuisine has been credited as playing a key role in establishing Penang as a ‘food paradise’ of Southeast Asia. This traditional culinary style was influenced over the centuries by trade with other nations, including China, India, Indonesia and countries of the Middle East. Malay dishes are typically flavourful and spicy, blending a variety of herbs and spices in a unique combination reflecting the foods of these various nations.

Chinese cuisine is a staple in Penang, and has been since the 19^th century. Popular Cantonese dishes, spicy treats of Szechuan cuisine and local specialties that reflect Hainanese, Hokkien and Teochew heritage are all available. You’ll find street vendors, small family restaurants and more elegant venues to choose from.

Indian choices range from Moghul dishes that are typical of northern Indian cuisine to the spicy fare of southern India. Northern Indian food tends to be milder, with curries featuring aromatic spices such as aniseed, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves and saffron. Budget Indian food, particularly dishes offered by street vendors, tends to be of the southern Indian variety. Rice and vegetables feature prominently and flour-based pancakes with dhal or potato curry are particular favourites for breakfast or snacks later in the day.

In addition to the exciting array of dining options, Penang has long been known as a paradise for shoppers. Hundreds of retail establishments are scattered throughout the city and also other parts of the island. In Georgetown, the main shopping areas are found on and around Jalan Penang, Lebuh Campbell, Lebuh Chulia, Lebuh Kapitan Keling and Lebuh Pantai. There aren’t many other places in Asia that offer up the range of goods you can find here, and at such reasonable prices.

Antique shopping draws a good number of visitors to Penang. There are bargains to be found here, but you should be aware that not everything offered as an antique is genuine. Junk shops, such as those you’ll find along Rope Walk, offer an assortment of old and antique items including porcelain and glass, coins, ceiling lamps and clocks.

Shopping malls have been cropping up everywhere on the island in recent year, moving from the edge of the city to many of the larger suburban areas. The mall experience and window shopping are now firmly-entrenched aspects of life for residents of Penang. At the malls you’ll find an array of shops that range from lower-priced, bargain clothing outlets to upscale shops selling fine jewellery and luxury items. Most malls feature food courts, fast-food outlets and occasionally a family-style restaurant.

Pasar malam, or night markets, are popular in Penang and can be found throughout the island. The markets are usually set up in the suburbs and in areas frequented by tourists, such as the beach resort of Batu Ferringhi. From early evening until midnight, vendors offer up a variety of merchandise from roadside stands. CDs and DVDs, clothing, souvenirs, local handicrafts, handbags, batik, and many other items are typically for sale and bargaining over prices is expected.

Penang offers visitors many options for outdoor activities and sports. Water sports are particularly popular, including snorkelling, diving and sailing. The island’s national park is the perfect destination for nature lovers and bird watchers, in particular. Golf brings many tourists to Malaysia, and Penang has its fair share of excellent courses.

Bird Watching
The Penang National Park is a delight for nature lovers, and particular so for bird enthusiasts. Birds are plentiful here including large birds such as the white-bellied sea eagle, brahminy kite and the kingfisher. Annual events are held at the time of the return of migratory water birds, typically at the coastal wetlands and mangroves.

Diving
Diving in the tropical waters off Penang and other parts of Malaysia attracts many tourists to the region. There are coral reefs and shipwrecks, and visibility reaching 100 feet at times. The country’s awareness of the ecological and economic importance of the underwater environment has led to protective measures aimed at maintaining the integrity of this important resource.

Golf
Golf is a popular outdoor activity in Malaysia, which draws many visitors. Penang boasts several internationally-acclaimed courses which feature facilities of a high standard. Some of the clubs open to visitors include the Air Force Golf Club on Butterworth road, Bukit Jambul Golf and Country Club, Bukit Jawi Golf Resort, Penang Turf Club and Kristal Golf Resort.

Horseback Riding
Riding on horseback along a beach or through the rolling hills of the island can be an enjoyable way to appreciate the beauty of the natural environment here. There are a number of stables catering to horseback riding, and some hotels work with the stables to include riding on the list of activities available to their guests. Typically hotel concierge staff can provide details o horseback riding and make arrangements for you.

Sailing
Sailing is a popular activity that can be enjoyed by the entire family. There are catamarans and small dinghies available for hire at most of the seaside hotels and resorts. If you’re inexperienced, lessons are often available, as is necessary safety gear. The waters here are warm and pleasant, and on a day when the seas are calm, sailing can be an agreeable and relaxing activity.

Water Sports
In addition to sailing and diving, many beachfront resorts feature facilities for other water sports such as canoeing, kayaking, parasailing, waterskiing and windsurfing. Speedboats are available for hire to take you to the uninhabited islands of Pulau Bidan, Pulau Song and Song Pulau Telur off Batu Ferringhi, where you can enjoy fishing and snorkelling.