Kids in Penang: Two Days in Downtown Georgetown

So, we really spent 4 days in Penang, but the two days were spent just lounging at the beach, so the itinerary I am suggesting could be adjusted for more or less time pool side as you see fit! And sometimes you just got to have some pool time!

Our first two days were spent in downtown Georgetown. While it is only a 20 minute ride from the beach to the town, without traffic, if you want to explore the UNESCO listed streets staying downtown is your better bet. We stayed at the Northam as it was next door to my office. While not really kid friendly it was not bad. The advantage was the rooms were huge and we were able to get two adjoining suites.

The first day, while I worked, was really all about the food. We ate lunch at one of the hundreds, if not thousands, of local food stalls. Lead by our stomachs and the local guides we found ourselves eating noodles, all handmade and finishing our lunch with a bit of famous "Penang Road Famous Cendol".



Kiera was not too fond of the Chendol shaved ice topped with Gula Malaca(palm sugar) with pandan leaf jelly bits in coconut milk so she ended up with an "ice ball" instead.




After lunch the kids went back to the hotel and walked up and down Gurney Drive and Northam Drive to view the huge condos being built and see some of the remaining mansions that used to line the streets.


Dinner, was back into the UNESCO district to the Red Garden Food Centre, next door to the famous Blue Mansion (The Cheong Fatt Tze Home)which has been turned into a hotel. The Red Garden food centre is great, with cheap food and it is off the street and enclosed for the kids to run around while eating Satay, Chicken Rice and Sausages. The Cheong Fatt Tze home is open only to guests of the hotel or for private tours at 11am or 3pm, so book those tours in advance and then you can wander through the streets for a while before an early dinner at the Red Garden.





The second day we took off early for the Esplanade. The key, from the kids point of view is Fort Cornwallis with its original cannons and plenty of places to explore. As you walk out the kids were able to play on a playground and then after a short walk (about 5 minutes) we found ourselves at the Penang Peranakan Mansion Museum. Another home that underwent extensive renovations (about US$1 Million, plus another Million plus or minus to fill with period antiques.)



The house is open to the public for a small fee and also holds free guided tours with the price of admission. The home is a fascinating look into the life of a wealth Peranakan family. Peranakans are the cultural mix of Chinese and Malay and you can learn more here.

Round of the day with lunch, again at another local food stall and it was time to head back to the pool.

Downtown Georgetown is a fascinating spot for kids and adults alike. While it does tend to lend itself better to kids a bit older there are enough things to see to keep younger kids entertained as well. Frankly, two days in Georgetown doesn't begin to scratch the surface, but again traveling with kids means that adjustments need to be made and beaches and pools are great diversions. While the Vagabond Parents could have spent another day or two exploring Georgetown, it was time to move to the beach. More on the beach coming tomorrow!


For More info:

Northam Hotel- 55, Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah George Town, Penang, Malaysia

Penang Road Famous Chendol (Cendol) Lebuh Keng Kwee off Penang Road

Red Garden 20 Leith Street

Cheong Fatt Mansion 14 Leith Street Guided tours at 11am and 3pm daily.

Penang Peranakan Mansion: 29, Church Street, 10200 Penang, Malaysia. Hours Monday to Sunday including Public Holidays from 9:30 am to 5 pm