Looking for fun indoor activities in Penang? We’ve rounded up a selection of enjoyable, cultural and quirky things to do inside, from admiring the architectural wonders of George Town, to discovering oddball museums where you can let your hair down. Read our guide to some of the best things to do in Penang and plan a visit!
#1 Cheong Fatt Tze – The Blue Mansion
Described as Penang’s most photographed building, The Blue Mansion is today a functioning boutique hotel. However, you can still take a 45-minute guided tour by experts who share the mansion’s backstory and features. (The short story? A 19th-century Hakka merchant named Cheong Fatt Tze had it built for his seventh wife.) You’ll explore the reception hall, a courtyard, and a museum exhibition on the second floor – and each space tells its own tale.
If you love what you see on the small taste offered by the tour, you could consider staying overnight. You can sip a classic cocktail at the bar, or enjoy a delicious meal at the appropriately named Indigo restaurant.
If you’re interested in architecture or history, this place is a must-see in George Town and one of the top-rated indoor activities in Penang.
#2 Entopia by Penang Butterfly Farm
Entopia is a massive butterfly garden with as many as 15,000 butterflies. Imagine, at any moment, being surrounded by up to 60 different butterfly species fluttering freely around you! You’ll also find 200 species of plants here, not to mention a variety of invertebrates and reptiles. Waterfalls and caves add to the interest.
Then there’s ‘The Cocoon’, spread across two floors, and packed with exhibitions and indoor activities. Kids will enjoy the interactive stations and walk-through experiences. Give your family a good two to three hours to soak it all in. It’s one the best things to do in Penang if you want to navigate nature in a fun manner and learn loads of things along the way!
#3 Wonderfood Museum Penang
Learn about the flavours of Malaysia at this food museum in George Town, Penang. It’s located within the city’s UNESCO World Heritage Site and uses life-sized, three-dimensional replicas and detailed dioramas to bring the nation’s favourite street foods and delicacies to life.
Plan to spend a good hour or so at Wonderfood Museum, taking in the crafted exhibits and learning more about Penang’s rich food history. There are also gigantic, realistic models of Malaysian dishes – great for photography enthusiasts.
The museum itself is set in an old building (note: no lifts!), and a visit offers a deep dive into the intersection of culture and cuisine. It’s one of the activities in Penang that’s ideal for learning more about Malaysia’s amazing food culture.
#4 Upside Down Museum
Snap some mind-bending photos at the Upside Down Museum in George Town. Everything from furniture to household items is flipped upside down, creating a playful world that challenges gravity! Quirky pictures from your visit will definitely make your family and friends do a double-take.
This museum is also a nice place to escape the heat or typical afternoon rain in Penang. There are upside-down houses in many Southeast Asian cities, and if you’ve visited similar attractions elsewhere, this one might feel a bit familiar. Nonetheless, it’s still twist to your usual museum experience and a different indoor activities to do in Penang.
#5 Virtual golf at MST Golf Arena
If you’re curious about golf but dread the idea of playing under the hot sun, the MST Golf Arena inside Gurney Paragon Mall might be just what you need! This air-conditioned venue suits all skill levels and ages – and there are lessons available if you want to learn. Clubs are also provided, so you can just show up and play.
The facility features 20 Tech Bays equipped with advanced technology that lets you play on exact replicas of famous golf courses worldwide or practice on a driving range. A launch monitor tracks and analyses each shot, measuring speed, spin, direction and more. It then calculates where your ball would land on an actual course and displays the outcome on a screen in real time.
Each bay also has its seating area, so your group can sit back, enjoy some refreshments, and either cheer on or playfully critique each person’s swing. It’s also a fun way to experience golf without going onto an actual course!
#6 Glow Planet
Glow Planet is another fun indoor thing to do in Penang. Set in a traditional Chinese building in George Town, it’s a 3D glow-in-the-dark experience with neon exhibits that shine in the blackness. The space features nearly a dozen rooms, each with its own theme.
You’ll find everything from optical illusions that challenge your perception to glowing installations that could easily belong in a contemporary art museum. While the visit might not take long – typically under an hour – it’s fully packed and plenty of fun for kids.
#7 Sun Yat Sen Museum
Tucked away in the heart of George Town’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Sun Yat Sen Museum Penang offers a peek into the early 20th century. It’s housed in a preserved shophouse that showcases traditional tropical architecture, complete with an open-air inner courtyard and a Peranakan interior.
The museum displays a permanent exhibition focused on Sun Yat Sen’s revolutionary activities during his time in Penang. Here, he plotted the historic uprising that was pivotal to the Chinese Revolution of 1911. This building, where Sun Yat Sen once lived, brings to life his efforts to transform China from an absolute monarchy into a republic. If you’re looking for interesting things to do in Penang with a historical angle, make sure you check it out.
#8 Adventure Zone
Located along popular Batu Ferringhi beach is the Shangri-La Golden Sands, Penang, which is home to the Adventure Zone Entertainment Centre. This is one of the really fun indoor activities in Penang for kids, as it’s equipped with everything from slides to ball pools, with areas specifically designed for safe play.
Adventure Zone is open daily, so you can pop in any day of the week. Just make sure the kids wear socks, long sleeves and pants to slide safely. While the children are having a blast, parents can relax and enjoy a drink from the snack counter.
There’s also an area just for toddlers, ensuring they have a safe space to explore and play. If you’re not staying at the resort, no worries – the entry fee for outside guests is MYR 37 for two hours or MYR 45 for three hours of play per child.
#9 Kapitan Keling Mosque
Kapitan Keling Mosque is one of the largest and most historical mosques in George Town. Constructed in the 19th century by Indian Muslim traders, it showcases stunning architectural design, and is also a present day cultural hub in the heart of the downtown area.
You can enjoy a free guided tour of the building that lasts around 15 minutes. It gives you some insights into the mosque’s role in the community and the significance of the five daily prayers in Islam. The guides are friendly and knowledgeable, making everyone feel welcome. (Appropriate attire is provided for tourists, if required.) A visit to Kapitan Keling Mosque is both educational and moving, and well worth adding to your list of indoor things to do in Penang.
#10 TeddyVille Museum
The Penang TeddyVille Museum in Batu Ferringhi is not just for kids but for kids at heart, too! Located at the DoubleTree Resort, this museum displays an array of cuddly teddy bears and provides a glimpse into the history of Penang through its creative exhibits.
The museum includes teddy bears set in miniatures of Penang’s iconic sites, like the Kek Lok Si Temple, George Town UNESCO Heritage Area, Fort Cornwallis and Penang Hill. These bears are also part of detailed dioramas that bring history to life. Each display is accompanied by information boards that narrate different epochs of Penang’s history – from its pre-colonial days and the British era to World War II and the present.
Found this useful? Now discover some things to do in Penang in the great outdoors!
