Things to Do in Georgetown That Won't Make You Feel Like a Tourist

Georgetown, George Town, they’re both correct. If you’re thinking of taking a trip to Georgetown soon, but you don’t want to get sucked into doing the same touristy things that everybody and their grandmothers do, we’ve compiled a list of activities, places, and local food joints you can hit for the best taste of Penang. Even if you live in Penang, maybe you’ll find something in here that you haven’t heard of, so take a chance and explore Georgetown with us.

Non-Touristy Things to Do in Georgetown, Penang

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Non-Touristy Things to Do in Georgetown, Penang

1. Visit Wonderfood Museum Penang

It’s a known fact that Malaysian cuisine is superior, and Penang is home to some of the best food in the world. Apart from actually eating regular sized food at Georgetown’s famous cafes and street vendors, why not check out giant fake food and learn the history of Malaysian food at the Wonderfood Museum? It’s one of the most fun and underrated activities in Georgetown, and it makes for a great photo op for families, couples, friends, or even come solo and discover the rich history behind Malaysia’s most popular street food, or the rare indigenous dishes that’s unique to Malaysia’s native tribes. They’ve got a whole wall of ikat tepi drinks, a whole host of giant food (including giant durian!), even a wall that’s dedicated to the curries and vegetable dishes of nasi kandar!

For more information, click here.

Address:	49, Lebuh Pantai Georgetown, 10300 Penang
Operating hours:	9am – 6pm daily
Contact details:	04 251 9095

2. See Four Religions, Four Places of Worship, One Street

The fact that both Thaipusam and Chap Goh Mei occurred on the same day this year made headlines recently, and Malaysians were also surprised to know just how many Chinese Hindus there are in Malaysia. Also known as ‘The Street of Harmony’, Kapitan Keling Road is a street that’s home to St George’s Church, Sri Mahamariamman Temple, The Goddess of Mercy Temple and Masjid Kapitan Keling. Malaysia is a melting pot of cultures and religions, and although we may pass places of worships everyday, it’s not very common to see four of Malaysia’s major religions come together in one place. This street just proves how well Malaysians can coexist together, while still practising different religions. So if you’re looking for chill activities to do in Georgetown, have a go at exploring Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling.

Address:	Jalan Masjid Kapitan Keling, George Town, 10200, Penang,
Operating hours:	–
Contact details:	–

3. Experience Art at the Hip Bus Depot

There’s always something happening at the Hin Bus Depot. Much like RexKL or the Gasket Alley in KL, the Hin Bus Depot is a lively fusion of art and culture. Originally a space for famed Lithuanian artist Ernest Zacharevic‘s (he did the famous murals in the streets of Penang!) very first solo exhibition, it’s now become one of Penang’s hottest spots to listen to live music, bask in some culture, and just enjoy the good vibes. There are a few cafes so you can grab a coffee while you enjoy the artwork, and Hin Bus Depot is always hosting some kind of fun event. There’s also a market every weekend, and some permanent retail stores to check out, so there’s definitely something for everybody.

For more information, click here.

Address:	31A Jalan Gurdwara, 10300 George Town, Penang
Operating hours:	10am – 10pm daily
Contact details:	–

4. Visit the Clan Jetties

There are eight different jetties that you can visit in Georgetown, all of which are historic Chinese neighbourhoods where you can still see traditional houses on stilts. They’re the homes of the descendants of the original Chinese immigrants, and still lived in til this day. The jetty neighbourhoods are also called Clan Piers, Clan Jetties, or the Floating Villages, and each village houses different clans. Each clan has their own traditions and beliefs. Most inhabitants work in town, but visitors are still welcome, and you may even witness the locals practising their morning rituals and prayers. Exploring the jetties can definitely makes our list on chill things to do in Georgetown, and be sure to catch the sunrise or sunset while you’re there.

Address:	Pengkalan Weld, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours:	–
Contact details:	–

5. Visit the Weekend Market at Straits Quay

Every weekend from 10.30am to 10.30am, Straits Quay hosts a weekend market where there’s a wide array of jewellery, food, household items, even super cute homemade soap. Bring home a few pieces of local jewellery, munch on local snacks, and maybe head on over to the permanent retail stores in Straits Quay afterwards. Straits Quay is also Penang’s first and only seafront retail marina, so you can enjoy the scenic view of the island and feel the warm ocean breeze. There’s tons of restaurants too!

For more information, click here.

Address:	Jalan Seri Tanjung Pinang 10470 Tanjong Tokong, Penang Malaysia
Operating hours:	Weekends: 10.30am – 10.30pm
Contact details:	–

6. Feast Like a King at Hawker Centres

As if we’d write about Penang and not mention the food. Again, nobody loves food more than Malaysians do, and nobody does food better than Penangites. Penang is famous for their nasi kandar, char kuey teow (Kuey? Kway? Doesn’t matter.), cendol, even simple roti bakar – it’s all just better in Penang somehow. You can’t visit Penang and not try literally everything there is to eat, and believe us, you really don’t want to. You’ll recognise some places to find the best food in Penang by their insane queues, but there are also some secret hole-in-the-wall places that haven’t yet been overrun by tourists. So if you’re still asking where to eat for the full experience of eating like a local, try a hawker centre which is like an outdoor food court (with more flames and sounds of ladles hitting woks), like New Lane Hawker Centre, where you can try a whole bunch of different foods from different stalls at a single location. Plus, it’s cheap.

Address:	Lorong Baru, George Town, 10450 George Town, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
Operating hours:	Thur – Tue: 4pm – 11pm Closed on Wednesdays
Contact details:	–

7. Attend George Town Literature Festival

Look at this picture. Does it look like a literary event to you? George Town Literature Festival (fondly known as GTLF), is an international festival that happens every year in the historic George Town, and is also Malaysia’s biggest (and lit-est!) literary event. The festival celebrates world literature, translations, and literary arts, and carries a different theme each year. For about four days at around November, literary lovers, writers, and literary icons from all around will visit George Town to experience poetry readings, watch indie movie screenings, discover new books, attend panel discussions, and just bask in the vibe of being surrounded by other readers. It’s almost like being at a really cool library, just with noise. Believe us, it’s not just some geek convention, it’s actually really lit (pun totally intended). So if you’re lucky enough to be in George Town in time to catch the festival, you definitely don’t want to miss it.

For more information, click here.

Address:	Gat Lebuh China, George Town, 10300 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Operating hours:	–
Contact details:	–

8. Visit a Jewish Cemetary

Did you know Malaysia was home to Jewish settlers? Neither did we. The Penang Jewish Cemetery was established in 1805, and is the oldest Jewish cemetery in Southeast Asia. The oldest tombstone dates to 1835, dedicated to Rachamah Levi. It’s believed to mark the grave of an English woman, who was the benefactor who donated the land of the current cemetery. The most recent tombstone dates to 2011, and belongs to the last ethnic Jew on the island. It’s also the only Jewish cemetery that’s established for the once small yet thriving community of Jews in Peninsular Malaysia. You may knock on the gates, where you will be let in by the caretaker.

For more information, click here.