If you’re planning a trip to Penang, you’re in for much more than beaches and street food. The island is full of museums that tell its story in the most fascinating ways — through art, food, heritage, and even teddy bears. Each one reveals something different about Penang’s culture and the people who’ve shaped it over the years.
Whether you want a family-friendly afternoon, an artsy stop between mural walks, or a glimpse into wartime history, there’s a museum waiting for you. Here’s a friendly guide to help you pick the best museums in Penang for your visit.
What are the Best Museums in Penang for Families and Kids
🥗Wonderfood Museum Penang
The Wonderfood Museum Penang is one of the island’s most cheerful and creative spots. Known as the world’s first food-oriented museum, it celebrates Malaysia’s love for food through giant replicas of local dishes like Nasi Lemak and Char Kway Teow.
These displays are a fun way to teach your kids about the country’s food culture and traditions. If you’re planning a day out with the kids that is filled with laughter, fun, and some cultural lessons, you can book Wonderfood Museum Penang tickets here.
• Location: 49 Lebuh Pantai, George Town, 10300 Penang
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Admission Fees: MYR 16.5 (Adults) MYR 12.5 (Children) (After 18% Discount on tickets)
• Map: Click here.
🧸TeddyVille Museum Penang
TeddyVille Museum Penang is a lovely stop if you’re travelling with kids or simply wish to reconnect with your childhood. Located in George Town, it’s Malaysia’s first teddy bear museum. The exhibits depict Penang’s history and culture with over 1,000 teddy bears of various shapes and sizes. You can learn about the origin of the teddy bear, its significance, and even participate in a teddy bear-making class!
Since this is a popular museum in Penang for families with kids, tickets are often sold out. However, you can book your TeddyVille Museum Penang tickets in advance to avoid last-minute hassles.
• Location: Ground Floor, DoubleTree Resort by Hilton, Batu Ferringhi, 11100 Penang
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Admission Fees: MYR 24 (Adults), MYR 16.5 (Children) (After 38% OFF on tickets)
• Map: Click here.
😎Penang 3D Trick Art Museum
If you and your kids love taking creative photos, be sure to book Penang 3D Trick Art Museum tickets and plan a visit. The space is filled with 3D backdrops that play with perspective. You can spend the day in a skydiving illusion, balancing on bamboo poles, or standing beside a life-sized panda village — all in one visit.
Each setup feels fresh, fun, and surprisingly realistic, especially if you get the angles right. The staff are great at helping you find the best angles. It’s one of those rare places that both adults and kids enjoy equally.
• Location: 10 Lebuh Penang, George Town, 10200 Penang
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Admission Fees: MYR 16.84 (Adults), MYR 11.54 (Children) (After 6% OFF)
• Map: Click here.
🤸 Upside Down Museum Penang
The Upside Down Museum in Penang is one of the most popular attractions in George Town, and for good reason. Each room flips reality on its head, quite literally. There are six rooms on the ground floor level, complete with living rooms, dining rooms, kitchens, and bathrooms, where all the furniture is hung from the ceiling.
The most impressive part is the first floor level, where you’ll find the Armenian Street in George Town recreated upside-down! You will find photo examples on the walls to help you pose, or you can also ask the helpful staff for posing suggestions for that perfect click!
• Location: 45 Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 Penang
• Hours: 9:30 AM – 6:30 PM daily
• Map: Click here.
Museums in Penang for Art and Culture Lovers
🔍Glass Museum Penang
If you love unique glass art, don’t forget to book Glass Museum Penang tickets. This is Malaysia’s first glass-themed museum, and it’s as dazzling as you’d imagine. When you walk into the museum, you can see walls covered in shimmering glass mosaics and sculptures made from recycled glass fill the rooms with colour.
The longest batik motif glass painting recognised by the Malaysia Book of Records is also housed at this museum. Apart from enjoying the exhibits, you can even try your hand at making your own glass art. Also, don’t miss the mirrored tunnel because it’s stunning for photos.
• Location: 6 Jalan Burma, George Town, 10050 Penang
• Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (Closed on Sundays)
• Admission Fees: MYR 27.5 (After 8% OFF on tickets)
• Map: Click here.
🫶🏻Batik Museum Penang
There’s no better way to sample Malaysian culture than with batik! If you’ve always been intrigued by batik, visit the Batik Museum Penang. This Museum in Penang displays around 80 hand-painted batik artworks by local artists, including pioneer Chuah Thean Teng. Each piece tells a story of Malaysian life through bold patterns and vivid colours.
The Batik Museum Penang is located right on Armenian Street (one of the most photographed streets in Penang) and remains a must-visit for art enthusiasts looking for something authentic.
• Location: 19 Armenian Street, George Town, 10200 Penang
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed on Sunday and Monday)
• Map: Click here.
🏺Pinang Peranakan Mansion
Housed in a 19th-century mint-green mansion on Church Street, the Pinang Peranakan Mansion beautifully captures the life of a wealthy Baba Nyonya family. Within this museum in Penang, you’ll find ornate furniture, fine porcelain, and over 1,000 antiques that showcase Peranakan culture and heritage.
The museum is divided into two floors. If you wish to access the second floor, you’ll have to remove your shoes in keeping with traditional customs. If you want a piece of culture to take back home, you can buy one from the shops selling vintage items and souvenirs.
• Location: 29 Church Street, George Town, 10200 Penang
• Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM daily
• Map: Click here.
Museums in Penang for History Buffs
⚔️Penang War Museum
If you’re in Penang and have time to visit just one museum, we recommend the Penang War Museum. Located at the top of Batu Maung Hill, this is the largest war museum in Southeast Asia. It is built on the site of an old British fort and offers a glimpse into Malaysia’s World War II history.
At the museum, you’ll walk through tunnels, command posts, and old ammunition rooms, many still intact. It’s haunting but fascinating. Remember to plan for an hour or two, and wear comfortable shoes.
• Location: Lot 1350 Mukim 12, Batu Maung, 11960 Bayan Lepas, Penang
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Map: Click here.
📝Penang Sun Yat Sen Museum
The Penang Sun Yat Sen Museum is a beautifully preserved heritage townhouse that played an essential role in Chinese revolutionary history. The exhibits include documents, photographs, and furniture from the early 1900s. It’s small, quiet, and ideal for those who enjoy learning about Penang’s links to regional history.
• Location: 120 Lebuh Armenian, George Town, 10200 Penang
• Hours: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM daily
• Map: Click here.
🧭Penang Straits and Oriental Museum
If you’re interested in maritime and colonial history, you should book Penang Straits and Oriental Museum tickets. Housed in a heritage building along the Esplanade, this museum in Penang showcases artefacts from the Straits Settlements era. You can see items such as coins, maps, and antique trade goods that trace Penang’s role as a port city. It’s small but deeply engaging for history lovers.
• Location: 3 Light Street, George Town, 10200 Penang
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Admission Fees: MYR 30
• Map: Click here.
Unique and Offbeat Museums in Penang
👻Ghost Museum Penang
For something completely different, visit the Ghost Museum in Penang. This unique museum offers a spooky, yet fun-filled experience for adults. The museum brings to life spooky tales and supernatural legends from various Asian cultures.
Apart from ghosts like Toyol and Orang Minyak, you will also find exhibits of various horror movie characters. There are interactive exhibits as well, where you can play games and more through VR. If you love such offbeat museum experiences, you can book your Cool Ghost Museum ticket in advance!
• Location: 57 Lebuh Melayu, George Town, 10100 Penang
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM
• Admission Fees: MYR 20 (Adults), MYR 14 (Children) (After 29% OFF on tickets)
• Map: Click here.
✨Dark Mansion Penang
The Dark Mansion Penang takes art to another level — quite literally, in the dark. It’s a glow-in-the-dark 3D museum that transforms under UV light. Walk through glowing forests, floating jellyfish, and illusion rooms that change colour with lighting. It’s immersive, creative, and unlike any other museum in Malaysia. Great for anyone who loves something unique and visually appealing.
• Location: 145 Lebuh Kimberley, George Town, 10100 Penang
• Hours: 10:00 AM – 6:30 PM
• Map: Click here.
Tips for Visiting Museums in Penang
If you’re planning on visiting museums in Penang, you won’t have to face a dearth of options. But what you might struggle with is not planning. That’s why we’ve listed some handy tips that can help make it easier to plan your museum-hopping day:
• Start your day early if you want to explore more than one museum in Penang, especially around George Town.
• Carry some cash; smaller museums may not take cards.
• Most museums permit photography, but please check for signs before taking pictures.
• Wear light clothing and comfortable shoes — you’ll likely walk between nearby spots.
• Many museums are conveniently located near cafés and street murals, so plan a route that combines both.
• You can pre-book tickets for museums in Penang online through redBus for easy entry and small discounts.
Conclusion
Visiting Penang’s museums feels like peeling back layers of the island’s story. Each stop has its own rhythm — some full of laughter and colour, others quiet and steeped in memory. You might start your day marvelling at larger-than-life dishes at the Wonderfood Museum and end it walking through the dim tunnels of the Penang War Museum, feeling the weight of history.
Between the art, the nostalgia, and the quirky exhibits, you’ll realise these museums aren’t just attractions; they’re pieces of Penang’s soul. Take your time with them. Wander, listen, and look closer. You’ll leave with more than photos — you’ll take home stories and a deeper connection to the island that most visitors miss.
