5 Great Things to do in Hong Kong (with Kids!)

Hong Kong is such a vibrant city! It’s an easy gateway city into Asia for many Westerners; English is spoken extensively and many of the ads/restaurants/companies you see may feel familiar.

The double decker buses & drivers on the left side of the road will make you think you’re in London (HK was a British Colony up until 1997)…but the palm trees & gigantic skyscrapers will remind you that you are somewhere totally different.

This list is really more of a “Top 5 Things to Do in Hong Kong, Period” round-up. As in: these attractions won’t really be geared towards children (with one major exception).

A Hong Kong local or expat would have better info on children’s museums, playgrounds & zoos within the city. This is a list for people with limited time: the most worthwhile things to do in Hong Kong with (or potentially without) children.

My final disclaimer is that these activities (particularly #1 and #5) would have been even more kid-friendly without the never-ending lines to wait in (Chinese New Year crowds)…but I doubt that’s as big of a problem other times of the year.

The weather in February & March (the months of the year I’ve visited) was perfectly moderate and pleasant. The palm trees & lush greenery made it feel tropical without the accompanying heat.

I’d avoid touring during the summer months if at all possible. Very high humidity, suuuper high temperatures & lots of rainfall = not my personal preference for an urban destination.

Without any further ado, here are our five favorite things we did as a family in Hong Kong!

1.Victoria Peak & tram

Victoria Peak (AKA “The Peak”) is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Hong Kong, and for good reason. It’s the tallest point on Hong Kong Island and provides sweeping views of the skyscrapers & surrounding lush green hills. On a clearer day we could’ve seen Victoria Harbour and the water even better.

As previously mentioned, the line was pretty terrible (about 2.5 hours total). The weather was foggy and misty, too, so we were really hoping it would clear up a bit by time we reached the top.

The tram ride is just 7 minutes to reach the peak! When we were first in line and heard that it was only 7 minutes we wondered if we could just hike it instead. When we were on the tram ride we laughed because it’s SO SO SO steep. Very grateful we took the practically-vertical tram ride.

The views exceeded expectations and the fog cleared enough to make the hassle worth it. Highly recommended! (But, maybe be smarter than us and bring a tablet w/ 3 hours of Daniel Tiger episodes downloaded or something.)

You can see the slight fog transformation from when we first arrived up top (Parker on right) to when we decided to head back down (left, all of us).

Get more information on their official website HERE.

2. Skyline & Victoria Harbour at Night

Some folks on the internet argue that the Hong Kong skyline is the best in the world. I’m not sure how one would even begin to measure that…but I do know the Harbour at night was incredible, and something I will never forget.

For the best views, walk along the pier on the Tsim Sha Tsui side (north) so you’re facing the HK Island skyline.

From there, you should definitely hop on the Star Ferry for a lightning fast & dirt cheap way to get back to HK Island (their official website HERE).. More importantly, it’s a fantastic way to be on the water & sail past the iconic junk boats (with the red sails). Hold on tight to your adventurous kiddos because the windows are wide open and pretty low.

There were a lot of live musicians & pop-up attractions along the waterfront, so there’s plenty to do! You could also ride the Observation Wheel or explore the massive indoor mall nearby.

3. Dim Sum

Dim Sum topped our list of “Hong Kong foods” we wanted to try during our trip. We settled on a recommended establishment near the waterfront- Maxim’s Palace. (Tim Ho Wan is pretty popular too.)

There was an automated system in place where you grab a number (we were eighty something) and wait for a table to open up.

It’s really more of an experience. You enter a huge room and can immediately sense the constant movement: the busyness of the carts being pushed around carrying the many food options, the staff clearing stacks of tiny plates, the revolving door of guests coming in and out (pretty quickly…this is efficient stuff, people).

I was grateful for the well-lit, crowded, loud (yet lovely) atmosphere. We felt totally comfortable taking our toddler even though it was a nicer restaurant. There were lots of inter-generational families there dining together.

The steamed buns & dumplings come in so many flavors, shapes & sizes. All were visually unique, and made with such care.

Only complaint: I felt unprepared! It would’ve been fabulous to dine with friends more knowledgable about the process than we were. It was tricky to make so many decisions on-the-spot. We weren’t sure exactly what we were ordering, or if we’d chosen the best options (is another, better bun cart coming around the corner??)

4. Hong Kong Disneyland

If you are 1) Disney fans, or 2) have kids in early elementary school that love the characters or movies, then you shouldn’t miss this magical destination! The smaller size of the park itself & easy-access walkable subway stop make it very doable for families in various situations. Read all about the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort on their official website.

Edited to add: The castle has since received a major upgrade and they are opening a brand new Frozen area of the park Nov. 2023, so there are more reasons to visit than ever before! Please go so I can live vicariously!

Check out our full guide to Hong Kong Disneyland pregnant here!

If Disney isn’t really your thing, you could also check out the highly recommended Ocean Park amusement park. It’s more centrally located and currently adding a water park as well.

Hong Kong Disneyland is out on Lantau Island, but once you subway in from downtown, then you’ll be all set to also enjoy the…

5. Big Buddha & Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car

We are no strangers to Buddha, having spent a decent amount of time in Asia. He seems to pop up all the time in storefronts and on day hikes. This journey to visit Buddha was my favorite yet, though. The incredible views from the cable car ride alone are well worth the trip out to Lantau.

Our Airbnb was somewhat nearby on Lantau Island, so it was simple to get to the ticket booth/welcome area. Even with an early start though, the line snaked around for hours.

Don't forget water bottles, sippy cups & snacks for the lines! Even in February, it got pretty sunny & warm. 
There are food options, but not until the end of the line and the 25 minute cable car ride.  

The cable car brings you to this modern-yet-traditionally-designed shopping village of sorts. It’s a great place to grab food or souvenirs. Plan your time accordingly, because it was a bit of a walk (20 minutes?) from here to the Buddha itself (on top of the 2+ hour waits at the bottom, the 25 minute cable car, time to explore, then all of it in reverse).

Our crew lost steam before climbing the steps to the top (nap time is everything), but there was a lot more we could’ve explored & learned about. I was particularly bummed we didn’t have time to enter the Po Lin Monastery at the base of the statue.

Learn more about the Ngong Ping 360 Cable Car tickets on their official website!

That’s a wrap!

And… there you have it! Five great things to do with your family in Hong Kong.

Have you been to Hong Kong? What would you add??

Did anyone have better luck than we did with lines? 🙂

Don’t forget to check out the Guide to Hong Kong Disneyland!