Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur: Exploring Malaysia’s Capital with Kids

The summer of 2019 was quite an exciting time for our family as we spent a month exploring Southeast Asia. It had been my long-time dream to visit that part of the world, experience the culture, and taste the authentic food. So when we finally purchased those plane tickets, I was more than just “a little” excited! After an unexpected setback involving the expiration dates of our passports, we arrived a day later than planned to our first destination, Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia.

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Where to Stay: Click HERE to see the highest-rated accommodations in Kuala Lumpur on Booking.com. We have filtered out the lower-rated ones for you! Booking.com is our favorite website for finding great places to stay all over the world.

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Get the KL Pass for More Savings and Fun

Having done a lot of research, I had a pretty good idea that the three full days we had in Kuala Lumpur (KL) wouldn’t be enough to cover all the highlights. KL is a vibrant metropolis and a melting pot for a variety of cultures and traditions. There is so much to see that you really need at least a week to hit the best spots.

If you’re like me, someone who loves packing your vacation days full of activities and sightseeing, definitely consider purchasing the KL Pass. It is currently the best city pass for Kuala Lumpur. It allows you to pay one price and see a ton of attractions without having to pay again. The KL pass also gives you discounts at even more attractions, as well as restaurants and shops around the city. Last but certainly not least, with the KL pass, you can ride the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Bus to get from one attraction to the next. This means you don’t have to worry about taking taxis, figuring out the public transportation system, or using Grab cars. (Grab is the Asian version of Uber.) Conveniently, the booklet they give you with the KL Pass has a map of the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Bus route. It also includes all the stops and attractions along the way. On a beautiful day, climb up to the open deck, then enjoy the ride and the views, while listening to a local guide introduce you to the city!

Fun Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur in Three Days

Since we only had three full days in Kuala Lumpur (sniff!), we opted for the 3-Day KL Pass. There are also options for 1 day, 2 days, and 6 days, as well as adult and child versions. We picked up our KL Passes (2 kids and 2 adult) at the KL City Gallery, where we began our adventure.

KL City Gallery

Since we were already at the KL City Gallery to pick up our KL Passes, it only made sense to go in and check it out. This was a great way to get a quick introduction to the city, its history, and people. I have to confess, I spent most of my time browsing the gift shop as it offered some truly unique locally-made gifts and souvenirs. As a result, I missed seeing The Spectacular City Model Show up on the second floor. This is the largest Kuala Lumpur city model, illuminated by intricate projections that showcase the city’s past, present, and future. Normally, you need to purchase a ticket to see this show, but with the KL Pass, you are covered. So, definitely go up the stairs and see it…and don’t get lost in the gift shop like me!

Museum of Illusions

One really interesting attraction we visited was the Museum of Illusions. We had read some rather enthusiastic reviews about it, so we decided a stopover there was in order. Thanks to our KL Passes, we received a 20% discount on our admission tickets. Let me just start by saying, if you are traveling with school-age kids, definitely check it out! It is an intriguing place that isn’t too big and tiring for the little ones. Our two daughters, ages 10 and 11, definitely enjoyed it, even though they were still jet lagged from the 13-hour time change.

The Museum of Illusions is basically a series of exhibits that create optical illusions. There are clear markings on the floor to direct you exactly where to stand in order to see the illusion and take that perfect photo for your Instagram or Facebook feed. The staff was also very helpful in staging us at the perfect spots. Some of our favorite exhibits were Chair Illusion, Anti-Gravity Room, Vortex Tunnel, Rotated Room, Infinity Room, and Holograms. So, if you are feeling a bit tired and overheated by KL’s toasty temperatures, check out the Museum of Illusions. It is a fun place for the whole family, and YES…There is air conditioning, too!

Aquaria KLCC

Another attraction we visited during our short time in Kuala Lumpur was Aquaria KLCC. This is the Kuala Lumpur Aquarium, located right in the city center near the iconic Petronas Twin Towers. A quick word of caution: If you can avoid visiting on the weekend, by all means DO! We went on a Saturday and it was so busy that it was sometimes difficult to get near the water tanks to see all the amazing creatures.

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TIP: If possible, try to visit Aquaria KLCC during the week since the weekends can get very crowded. Better yet, go as soon as it opens, before it gets busy.

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Without question, Aquaria KLCC is a worthwhile attraction and we highly recommend it especially if traveling with kids. It has a great layout and some truly fantastic exhibits. Your KL Pass gives you free access. One of the most memorable experiences for us was riding the moving walkway through the 90-meter long underwater tunnel. Above our heads, we could see all kinds of fascinating creatures including turtles, giant stingrays, and sand tiger sharks. Because it was very crowded, the tunnel did get a little stuffy. All the same, the incredible wildlife above was well worth it.

Another one of our favorite exhibits was the developmental stages of baby sharks. We all loved seeing these tiny delicate creatures, fluttering gently with their tails, and it was hard to imagine that someday they will turn into full-grown sharks.

KL Tower

A really amazing attraction we visited was the KL Tower, also known as the Menara KL Tower. Here, our KL Passes gave us access to the Observation Deck, which is the lower enclosed level.

We had the option to upgrade and pay a little extra in order to get to the upper Sky Deck, an open area, where your views are unobstructed by thick windows. There, they also have the spine-chilling transparent Sky Box, which allows you to step over the ledge of the Sky Deck and “float” above the city.

We really wanted to go up to the Sky Deck but when we got to the KL Tower, we noticed some dark clouds approaching. I had done enough research to know that the Sky Deck and Sky Box are weather-dependent. When there is a storm in the area, they close them down. So we opted to not buy additional tickets and went up to the Observation Deck. Sure enough, before long they did shut down the Sky Deck until the storm passed.

The Observation Deck

The views from the Observation Deck were truly spectacular, and we spent a good amount of time enjoying the impressive KL city skyline from there. Really, the main difference between the Observation Deck and the Sky Deck are the thick windows and the Sky Box. Otherwise the panorama is exactly the same.

While up there, I even got some durian ice cream to compliment the whole experience! In case you don’t know, durian is perhaps the world’s stinkiest fruit, and is also known as “The King of Fruits” around Southeast Asia. You either love it or gag in its presence; there seems to be nothing in between. I happen to be a huge fan, but the other family members prefer to keep their distance from me when I eat durian.

As you can see, there is plenty to do even if you only get up to the Observation Deck. If you get seriously hungry, you can always stop by Atmosphere 360, the revolving restaurant located up in the KL Tower. However, be advised that you may need prior reservations and proper attire to dine there.

KL Upside Down House

After we finished at the KL Tower, we stopped by another attraction nearby that was completely covered by our KL Passes. It was the KL Upside Down House, and our daughters, Angie and Dani, were really eager to see what this was all about. Just like the name implies, it is a house where everything is upside down. Beds and furniture hang from the ceiling and chandeliers stick up from the floor. We had a lot of fun taking pictures here, and after we were done, we flipped our photos to make it look like we were walking on the ceiling. Everyone in the family got a kick out of this experience! KL Upside Down House is a small attraction, but totally stopping by, especially if you are traveling with kids. Since it is right next to the Menara KL Tower, you can easily combine the two when sightseeing in the area.

KL Forest Eco Park

Before I wrap up this story, I would like to mention one more point of interest that you shouldn’t miss if you’re visiting the KL Tower and the Upside Down House. I am talking about the KL Forest Eco Park, a peaceful tropical rainforest in the heart of the city. Going there doesn’t require a ticket or a KL Pass, but I had to include it since it’s a wonderful place to see. It is also located right near the KL Tower, the Upside Down House, and the stop for the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Bus.

Canopy Walk and Monkeys

KL Forest Eco Park has a number of paved and unpaved trails, but one of the most interesting features is the Canopy Walk, an elevated path that takes you high above the treetops, offering beautiful panoramas of the city. These panoramas are often enhanced by sightings of mischievous monkeys jumping all over the place. This reminds me, the first thing we witnessed when we visited the park was a group of monkeys knock over a trash can, then eat some food scraps and drink from a Starbucks cup. They followed us a short way along the Canopy Walk, but quickly returned to look for more food and drinks at the trash can.

Meanwhile, we enjoyed strolling up there so much that we completely lost track of time. As a result, when we got back to the same gate where we had entered earlier, we found ourselves locked inside the park! Luckily, we were not the only ones. There were other trapped visitors, who spotted a guard standing outside the gate. They called him, and he opened the gate for all of us.

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TIP: Be sure to check when the park closes especially if you are coming later in the day. You don’t want to find yourself locked in, unable to exit.

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Other Fun Things to Do in Kuala Lumpur

The list of attractions you can visit with your KL Pass goes on and on. Sadly, we had only three full days to enjoy these and a couple more places that are not currently part of the KL Pass attraction list. Among the interesting things we couldn’t get to, but would have very much liked to include, was the Foundry Workshop at Royal Selangor Visitor Centre. There, you can learn all about Malaysia’s proud tradition in crafting exquisite pewter masterpieces. You can create your own pewter dish or work of art and take it home. Other attractions we were sad to miss are the Berjaya Times Square Theme Park, Sunway Lagoon Theme Park, KL Butterfly Park, KL Bird Park, and Perdana Botanical Garden, as well as Thean Hou Temple.

Plan to Stay Longer

With so much to see and do, you would definitely be better off planning a slightly longer trip than us, and by all means, consider getting the KL Pass. Keep in mind, Kuala Lumpur has so much more to offer beyond attractions, too. The city is home to a diverse population and features a variety of cultures, ethnic cuisines, and markets that should be on every visitor’s to-do list. After experiencing all this, even for a short time, we know one thing for sure: This was our first trip to the Malaysian capital, but it’s not going to be our last one!

IMPORTANT!!!

When traveling abroad, be sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months AFTER your planned stay. There are many countries that follow this rule very strictly. If you show up to the airport with a passport that expires in less than 6 months, you will NOT be allowed to board your plane! Click HERE to learn more and to see the list of countries that require 6 months of remaining passport validity.

Special Thanks

We would like to thank the KL Pass Team for providing our family with 3-Day KL Passes. We had an absolutely amazing time and want to be sure to mention that while the activities in this post were sponsored, all opinions expressed here are our own. Please, refer to our Disclosure Policy for more information.

Disclaimer

This post may contain affiliate links, which means that we will receive a small commission if you purchase something through these links. There is absolutely NO additional cost to you! We are affiliates of Booking.com and sincerely believe this is one of the best websites for booking accommodations. Thank you so much for choosing to use our affiliate links! These small commissions help us continue to update and run this website. 🙂

Resources to Help Plan Your Trip to Kuala Lumpur

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• KL Pass – The Official Website for the KL Pass, where you can find information on all the attractions and benefits they offer and order your pass.
• Visit KL – The official website for the city of Kuala Lumpur. Stop by get information about attractions, current events, and accommodations.
• Malaysia Travel – The official website of Tourism Malaysia, where you can discover information about Kuala Lumpur and beyond.
• KL Attraction Websites – Aquaria KLCC || Berjaya Times Square Theme Park || KL Bird Park || KL Butterfly Park || KL City Gallery || KL Hop-On Hop-Off Tour Bus || KL Tower || KL Upside Down House || Museum of Illusions KL || Perdana Botanical Garden || Petronas Twin Towers || Petrosains, The Discovery Centre || Royal Selangor Visitor Centre || Sunway Lagoon Theme Park

Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the photos in this post were taken by Vessy with a Nikon D5600 camera and iPhone X. Please send us an e-mail at vessy@feelgoodandtravel.com if you would like to use any of them. All images are subject to copyright laws.

These activities took place between July  19 and July 21, 2019.

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