Malaysia

If you’ve ever dreamed of exploring Southeast Asia with your kids but felt intimidated by the logistics, the language barrier, transportation, safety, Penang Island might surprise you the way it did us.

We discovered Penang while searching for a spot to slow down during our long-term travels through Southeast Asia. We wanted somewhere easy, clean, and family-friendly,  a place with actual sidewalks, easy access to food, and plenty of kids activities in Penang that didn’t require a tour guide or hours of planning.

If you’ve ever wished museums felt more alive for your kids, let me tell you, exploring street art in Penang is about as far from a stuffy gallery as you can get. Instead of whispered voices and “don’t touch” signs, you’ve got murals your kids can climb on, colorful 3D installations they can pose with, and an entire city that’s turned its walls into an open-air playground.

When we were in Penang, Malaysia, our days in George Town were full with hawker food, street art, busy markets. But after a few mornings of that same rhythm, I wanted something different for the kids. Somewhere green, somewhere calmer. That’s when we decided to take them to the habitat penang hill.

When we were in Penang, Malaysia, one place that kept coming up was Kek Lok Si Temple. It’s the largest Buddhist temple in the country, built up the hillside in Air Itam, just about 15 to 20 minutes from George Town by Grab.

If you’re planning family travel in Malaysia, chances are you’ve already searched for where to eat in Penang. And honestly? The hype is real. But if you’re like me, the thought of navigating hawker stalls, spice levels, and crowds with little ones in tow can feel a little intimidating.

Over our time in Malaysia, we discovered that exploring coffee shops in Penang became one of our favorite ways to slow down and experience the city. Many of them are surprisingly kid-friendly, often tucked near major attractions, and each one offers something unique, whether that’s a quirky design, incredible desserts, or even animals to meet.

When we first heard about Batu Ferringhi, it was recommended as the spot in Malaysia for a beach vacation. After not seeing the beach much during our travels, we carved out one week here, curious if it really lived up to the hype.