We’ve all been there before. For once you have a free afternoon and want to do something with it, what is there to do?
Well, no need to fret because we got you covered! There are plenty of things to do in Kuala Lumpur and around Selangor. And there is something for every budget, age, and interest.
Here are some of the most exciting among them!
Say hello to the feathered buddies at the KL Bird Park
Hey, did you know KL is home to the world’s largest free-flight walk-in aviary? If you haven’t been, it’s worth a visit whether you’re a bird lover or not! The 20-acre park is filled with all sorts of tropical birds of all sizes and colors, and characteristics, many of them milling about minding their own business!
There’s also a bird show every day in which some awe-inspiring tricks are performed and feedings for the lories, ostriches, free-flying birds, hornbills, eagles, and milky storks! I recommend the lory feedings. They’re adorable, colorful, and full of personality.
Address: KL Bird Park, 920, Jalan Cenderawasih, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 9AM-6PM daily
Get your game face on and play some quidditch
Ever wondered what the brainchild of dodgeball, handball, and rugby would be? The answer is quidditch. This exciting, fast-paced sport is currently played in just under 40 countries globally, and lucky for you, Malaysia is one of them!
If you’re wondering why it sounds familiar, it’s because it originated from the Harry Potter books. But in the IRL version, the snitch is only worth 30 points, the quaffle is a deflated volleyball, and you can’t fly. It’s great fun and a bonus: it’s entirely free.
Address: Jalan BU 4/1, Bandar Utama, 47800 Petaling Jaya
Session Hours: Sunday 8:30AM-10:30AM
Reignite your love for marine wildlife at Aquaria
You can probably remember the first time you went to Aquaria as a kid. Be it for a birthday or a school trip. There was this feeling of awe and wonder that’s just hard to forget. Well, I’ll let you in on a secret: that feeling is still there when you go as an adult.
Spend several hours mesmerized by the beauty of the diverse creatures showcased at this 60,000 square foot oceanarium. Immerse yourself in the learning experience all over again. Or, if you’re feeling up for something exciting, you can even go diving with the sharks!
Address: Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre Complex, Jalan Pinang, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 10AM-8PM daily, last admission at 7PM
Have a park day out at Taman Layang-Layang Kepong
There’s nothing quite like a good old-fashioned day at the park so pack yourself a picnic and head on over to Kepong Metropolitan Lake Garden! This park offers some beautiful views, has designated cycling and jogging paths, and is known for its kites.
Due to the great wind there, it is one of the few parks in Malaysia which has a section dedicated to kite-flying, so if you look up in the late afternoon, you’ll see kites of every size, shape, and color dotting the skies. There are plenty of vendors who sell kites at the park, so don’t worry if you don’t have one (in this day and age, I’d honestly be more surprised if you did!). If you want to play with the wind a little closer to the ground, bubbles may be more to your speed. Lucky for you, people are selling just that there, too, so you’re guaranteed a good time either way!
Address: Jalan Lingkaran Tengah 2, Kepong Metropolitan Lake Garden, 52100 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 6AM-8PM daily
Enjoy some interactive science at Petrosains
Ah, Petrosains. I remember going here as a kid and being asked afterward what I learned. I stumbled and stuttered because though I had a lot of fun, I didn’t remember much of the science behind the things I was playing with. But when you go as an adult, it’s both fun and educational!
There are so many excellent interactive exhibits on biology, space science, and physics that you’re bound to leave vowing to dedicate your life to science and feeling inspired to become an engineer or astronaut. It’s all part of the Petrosains magic.
Address: Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur City Centre, 50088 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
Operating Hours: 9:30AM-5:30PM Tuesday-Friday, 9:30AM-6:30PM Saturday-Sunday, closed Mondays
Make some furry friends at Farm in the City
If you want to get up close and personal with some animals without having to leave the city, then this is the place for you! This farm offers a wide range of friendly animals from bunnies to snakes to mouse deer—many of whom you are allowed to pet and feed!
The list of animals boasted here is quite impressive, the cutest and most unique among them being alpacas, Dusky Wallabies, Crested Porcupines, Dik Dik, fennec foxes, marmosets, and Himalayan Striped Squirrels. Suffice it to say that there are plenty of photo ops and little critters to keep you entertained for hours!
Address: Jalan Prima Tropika Barat 1, Pusat Bandar Putra Permai, 43300 Seri Kembangan, Selangor
Operating Hours: 10AM-6PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and 9:30AM-6PM Saturday and Sunday. Closed on Tuesday
Swing (or zipline) from tree to tree at Skytrex
Did you use to grab onto a vine and use it as transport every chance you got to try and master the Tarzan swing when you were a kid? Here at Skytrex, you get to do that and more at their canopy ropes course!
There are three different levels, so you get to choose the height and difficulty of your course. And if you’re concerned about safety, rest assured because they give you a comprehensive lesson on how to use the equipment and have you do a test run on a mini-course beforehand to ensure that you’ve nailed it.
Address: Jalan Liku 8/1, Seksyen 8, 40000 Shah Alam, Selangor
Operating Hours: 8:30AM-6PM Tuesday-Sunday, closed Monday
Absorb some culture and visit one of the various museums and galleries
There are several museums and galleries worth a visit in the Klang Valley, the top among them being the Islamic Arts Museum and the National Museum. Tickets are cheap, and they house incredible exhibits that make you genuinely appreciate history, art, and culture.
And if those are not your style, then not to worry because there are plenty more! There’s the national textile museum, the KL City Gallery (which hosts a stunning 360 diagram light show of the Klang Valley), and the national gallery.
Muzium Kesenian Islam
- Address: Perdana, Jalan Lembah, Perdana Botanical Gardens, 50480 Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur
- Operating Hours: 10 AM-6 PM
Muzium Negara
- Address: Jabatan Muzium Malaysia, Jalan Damansara, Tasik Perdana, 50566 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur
- Operating Hours: 9AM-6PM daily
Relive your childhood at Sunway Lagoon
Some places lose their appeal as you get older but not the timeless Sunway Lagoon. Where else can you find a vuvuzela waterslide, human-made surfing beach, and bungee jump all in the same park? Whether you’re a thrill-seeker or more the river cruise type, Sunway Lagoon rarely disappoints.
They’re constantly adding new things and changing up the haunted house theme at the dry park, so no two visits are ever the same! Plus, in this weather, doesn’t a trip to a water park sound perfect?
Address: Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor
Operating Hours: 10AM-6PM daily
Enjoy the rainforest at the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM)
One of the many fantastic things about living in a tropical country is that an escape from city life is never far from the city itself. Take KL, for example. You can easily trade in traffic, buildings, and haze for streams, trees, and chirping birds with just a half-hour drive to the beautiful FRIM!
FRIM is a one-stop-shop for every recreational activity you can do in a rainforest. This research and development facility is perfect for hiking, jogging, mountain biking, bird watching, going on a picnic, and photography too! They also offer packages for weddings, family days, treasure hunts, and unique races. You can also hire a nature guide, something we’d recommend if you’re looking for the breathtaking crown shyness phenomenon pictured below.
Address: Jalan Frim, Kepong, 52109 Kuala Lumpur, Selangor
Operating Hours: 5:30AM-7PM (last entrance at 6PM)
You see friends, a mall isn’t the only thing you can do on a Saturday afternoon!