Many families choose to live in Ampang because of its strategic location – home to the International School of Kuala Lumpur (ISKL), a short distance from the city centre with easy access to wider Klang Valley. Ampang is ideal for family day trips to local attractions nearby or even a weekend getaway to the nearby Genting Highlands.
In this blog post, we have highlighted some of the gems we have found worth sharing!
Family Friendly Activities Nearby Ampang
For an educational afternoon for the kids to learn about animals, Malaysia’s National Zoo (Zoo Negara) on Jalan Ulu Kelang is just a short half hour drive from Ampang. Within the same distance is the Royal Selangor Visitor Centre where you can learn about Malaysia’s mining history, attend workshops and even create your own pewter masterpiece. For easy accessibility, check out their free shuttle service from selected hotels near Ampang.
Another family-friend activity, particularly for older kids, is to introduce them to Malaysia’s main performing theatre for a night or two of musical performances at the Istana Budaya, or also known as the Palace of Culture located next to the National Art Gallery.
For a fun and culturally engaging weekend, you can challenge your kids to a race up the 272 steps of Batu Caves for a morning hike to admire the beauty of Malaysia’s limestone mountains and caves at one of the most important Hindu religious sites in the country. After your trek, you can reward yourselves with delicious Indian vegetarian breakfast at the bottom of the cave.
Nearby Coffee & Culinary Adventures
Coffee drinking parents will be spoilt for choice in Ampang as there are many cool cafés to explore. Rather Good Beans, or also known as RGB @ The Bean Hive serves artisanal coffee and boasts an extensive menu for scrumptious gluten-free, organic, vegan and vegetarian food. They also roast their own coffee beans in-house and offer latte art workshops for those who are keen to broaden their barista skills.
Another great location that serves freshly roasted coffee is Ra-Ft @ Binjai 8, an Italian style cafe’ serving all day breakfast, great classic dishes, fine wines and craft beers. For hand poured speciality coffees, you can find a fine cuppa at Bean Brothers @ The Linc KL with a beautiful green setting, and floor to ceiling glass windows for natural light, it’s the perfect place to relax and unwind.
With a lush cool forest setting is the Veg Fish Farm Thai Restaurant, perfect for families who love a gastronomic, authentic Thai cuisine. The highlight of this restaurant is that they cultivate their own organic vegetables and spring chickens as part of their initiative to promote a healthier lifestyle with the same tasteful dishes. The restaurant is pork-free, too.
Further Afield: Adventures Beyond Ampang
If adventure runs deep in your blood and you yearn for a hike, then you can enjoy a sunny afternoon picnic by the Kedondong Waterfalls located alongside the road from Batang Kali to Gohtong Jaya in the Genting Highlands.
For a shorter drive but a tougher trail, you can hike across the Klang Gates, the world’s longest quartz ridge, at Bukit Tabur.
With more demand for staycations where it is a couple of degrees colder than usual, Janda Baik is the new hotspot for a fun-filled weekend retreat.
You can choose to be surrounded by green hills and small farms at The Acres at Kampung Bukit Tinggi, or try glamping for the first time at Tiarasa Escapes. There are also a number of waterfalls within the area to explore.
For More On Life In Ampang
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