Sharifah Nur Afiqah
Marcy MinianoYou might already be familiar with all the best spots in Penang for offbeat street art and mouth-watering grub, but did you know that this cool city also has a ton of interactive museums (yes, the fun kind!)? Not only are these museums surefire ways to entertain your kids, time spent at interactive museums can be very immersive, adding cultural and educational value to your family’s day out.
We’ve gathered a comprehensive list of interactive museums in Penang for your perusal, so round up your little ones and head to these enthralling museums during the next school holidays!
Coolest interactive museums in Penang
1. Wonderfood Museum
Image credit: Wonderfood Museum Penang Official Facebook Page
Can’t get enough of Assam laksa and cendol? Get more of these tasty treats at Wonderfood Museum Penang! This museum features replicas of over 100 types of local street food. It’s fascinating to see how realistic these replica dishes are, especially as all works have been handcrafted locally!
There are heaps of opportunities to pose with your favourite dishes in their larger-than-life forms around this museum in George Town. Photos aren’t the only things you and your kids will be leaving with, as you’ll also learn a thing or two about traditional Malay, Chinese, Indian and Peranakan cuisine.
Address: 49, Lebuh Pantai, 10200 Georgetown, Penang
Also read: 25 Best Things to Eat in Penang, Malaysia
2. Upside Down Museum
Image credit: C & A – Travel Couple
Your life literally gets turned upside down at the Upside Down Museum where you’ll have to put on your best balancing act to get the best photos!
Try your best to capture realistic snaps of your family members hanging off of bedposts, staircases and other household items. Apart from bedrooms and areas inside the house, this interactive museum also features settings such as markets and cafes in Penang. This museum is definitely where you can sneak in some of the coolest upside-down tourist shots!
Address: 45, Lebuh Kimberly, 10100 Georgetown, Penang
3. Ghost Museum Penang
Image credit: Ghost Museum Penang Official Facebook Page
Gather your wits before you enter Ghost Museum Penang, a museum showcasing the different ghastly creatures derived from various lores.
Since it’s a museum and not exactly a haunted house, it’s not meant to scare. Instead, you’ll get to find out the origins of ghosts that often feature in traditional myths and legends such as pontianak, jiang shi (Chinese zombie), and even ju-on! Make use of the props provided to blend in with the undead and take a family photo that’ll truly haunt you forever.
Address: 57, Lebuh Melayu, 10300 Georgetown, Penang
4. Penang 3D Trick Art Museum
Image credit: Penang 3D Trick Art Museum Official Website
You wouldn’t need much convincing to visit the Penang 3D Trick Art Museum, which is hands-down one of the coolest interactive museums around.
With a large variety of creatively designed rooms, you’ll be able to capture not just the most comical shots, but also plenty of mind-blowing optical illusions. Every room is an adventure; in one room you’ll be shielding yourself from teh tarik, and in the next you’ll be trying to escape from the mouth of a giant python.
First-timers need not worry as the helpful staff will be happy to advise you on the best ways to take your photos!
Address: 10, Lebuh Penang, 10200 Georgetown, Penang
5. Penang Camera Museum
Image credit: Penang Camera Museum Official Facebook Page
In contrast to the slew of museums mentioned previously, the camera takes the forefront of this next interactive museum experience. The Penang Camera Museum is a museum with a focus on cameras, showcasing its long history and the diverse types of cameras there are.
Camera buffs will appreciate the display of vintage cameras, but even for those without much knowledge on the matter, a guided and interactive tour will immerse you in the world of cameras and photography. Be sure to experience being in a dark room and test out various camera models before you leave!
This museum which was previously located on Jalan Muntri, was relocated and reopened in 2018, so make sure you’ve entered the right address on the GPS!
Address: Level B3, Astaka Bukit Bendera, Penang Hill, Penang
6. Penang Tunnel Museum
Image credit: Penang Tunnel Museum Official Facebook Page
The Penang Tunnel Museum, also known as Penang Time Tunnel, is a museum that transports you back in history in an incredibly immersive manner. Every corner is filled with visual nuggets of information about old Penang that makes the events of the past more easily digestible for young visitors.
Besides the informative nostalgic time tunnel section, they also have an anti-gravity world and a trippy fluorescent tunnel section. These lively and vivid photo spots make the trip even more enjoyable!
Address: 39, Jalan Green Hall, 10200 George Town, Penang
7. Dark Mansion
At the Dark Mansion, a unique museum experience awaits as artwork is fused with glow-in-the-dark technology. This is the first and only glow-in-the-dark museum in Malaysia, and differs from other interactive museums in Penang by having installations that showcase fantasy lands instead of the usual Penang motifs.
This place will bring you out of this world and take you to places like New Atlantis: The Underwater World, and Tropical Pandora: The Forbidden Land. Pose in front of these wondrous backdrops and make believe you’re in someplace far, far away!
Address: 145 – 153, Lebuh Kimberley, 10100 Georgetown, Penang
8. House of Music
Image credit: Penang House of Music Official Facebook Page
Spread the joy of music at Penang House of Music, the first museum in Penang showcasing and documenting the diversity of the local community’s cultural and musical traditions.
There’s no better way to discover the musical history of Penang and Malaysia as a whole than through the interactive exhibits found in the Penang House of Music. Besides the main gallery packed with fascinating knowledge, the museum also consists of a radio and cinema room. Get your hands on some musical instruments, and have a rocking time with the entire family!
Address: KOMTAR, L4-02, Level 4, Jalan Penang, 10000 Georgetown, Penang
Other interactive places in Penang worth checking out
9. Art Lane George Town
Image credit: ABib
You’ll find Art Lane inside two repurposed pre-war shophouses on a historic George Town street. This public art gallery features different works from homegrown and international artists. It also hosts regular events like yoga classes, workshops, and pop-up markets to further utilise the creative space. What’s more, you can try your hand at painting murals on vacant spots in the vast space. What better way to leave your creative mark, right?
Address: 127 Beach Street, 10300 George Town, Penang
10. Hin Bus Depot
Image credit (L-R): Rachel; Te’Ja Studio Official Instagram Page
Hin Bus Depot is a laid-back semi-industrial space nestled amid lush greenery. This creative hub is popular among hip young locals and tourists alike — with murals, sculptures, and pop-up installations serving as the main highlight. As you might have guessed based on the name, it used to be a terminal until 2014. During that year, Ernest Zacharevic (Lithuanian-born artist now based in Penang-based) picked this spot as an exhibition venue. Fast forward to now, it’s one of the best places in Penang for those who want to check out the local contemporary art scene.
Address: 31A, Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang
Also read: 22 Fun Things to Do in Penang on Your First Trip
It’s evident that there are numerous ways to have good-natured fun at these quirky and entertaining museums. So when the next opportunity rolls around, take the family out to some of these interactive museums in Penang to have a fun, photo-filled, and all-around wholesome time!
