Top Hong Kong Museums For Kids And Families To Visit Right Now! *UPDATED

The Hong Kong Museum Of Art, Tsim Sha Tsui

The impressive government-run museum underwent a full expansion adding five more galleries and expanding the overall space from 7,000 to 10,000 square feet. The renovations have given the Museum of Art a facelift and new modern appeal. The HKMoA was the first public art museum in the city and today houses over 17,000 items representing the unique cultural legacy of Hong Kong. It celebrates Hong Kong's connections across the world and makes art accessible and relevant to everyone. The curators aspire to create new experiences and an understanding of a wide world of impressive contrasts from old to new, Chinese to Western, and local to international.

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Opening hours: From Monday to Wednesday and on Fridays, the museum opens from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the hours extend from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM. On Christmas Eve and Lunar New Year's Eve, the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Thursdays, except when it falls on a public holiday and also remains closed on the first two days of the Lunar New Year.

The Hong Kong Museum Of Art, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2721 0116, hkmoa_enquiries@lcsd.gov.hk, http://hk.art.museum/

M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon

The M+ Pavilion is located in the heart of the West Kowloon Cultural District and opened in 2016 to showcase visual cultures in 20th and 21st-century art, moving images, design, and architecture. There is a range of permanent and rotating art exhibitions. The museum is governed by the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority Ordinance; it has the vision to build a cultural quarter for the city, dedicated to bringing together local and international artists and audiences to be inspired and celebrate the arts. The nearby waterfront promenade is home to the pet-friendly Art Park, a well-lit running track, cycle hire, lots of harbor-front restaurants, and expansive green lawns. Come and enjoy a full day out, explore, participate, and be stimulated by the imaginative world-class exhibitions, performances, and other cultural events. They also host regular Family Days at the weekends where kids can immerse themselves in art through play and are quite popular.

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Opening hours: The museum is open from Tuesday to Thursday and on weekends from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Fridays, the hours are extended, with the museum open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays.

M+ Pavilion, West Kowloon Cultural District, 28 Museum Drive, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2200 0217,  www.westkowloon.hk/en/mplus/m-pavilion

Tai Kwun Centre For Heritage and Arts, Central

Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts is an exciting museum. It’s been completely restored and revamped from the old Central Police Station in Central, Hong Kong. The center explores almost 200 years of Hong Kong history and culture through various tours, exhibitions, and performing arts. It's a destination for inspiration, stimulation, and enjoyment. People can cultivate knowledge and appreciation of contemporary art, performing arts, and history in the community. The police station represents one of the most important revitalization projects in Hong Kong. The Station, Central Magistracy, and Victoria Prison are restored with impressive attention to authenticity. There are various storytelling spaces that show what life used to be like through the use of models. Open every day.

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Tai Kwun Centre for Heritage and Arts, 10 Hollywood Road, Central, Hong Kong, +852 3559 2600, info@taikwun.hk, www.taikwun.hk

The Mills, Tsuen Wan

Formerly the industrial Nan Fung cotton mills, an enterprise that had its roots firmly in the manufacturing era in the 1950s. The Mills continues to carry on the legacy with applied creativity, innovation, and fascinating experiences. It's been revamped and revitalized into a business incubator, shopping center, and non-profit cultural institution. The Centre for Heritage, Arts and Textile (CHAT) teaches visitors about Hong Kong's rich textile history. It runs exhibitions and other events exploring textile arts. The Spinning Factory is a permanent exhibition that showcases photographs, documents, and interesting objects related to textile manufacturing. You and the kids can even try your hand at some spinning instruments or make your own cotton label. There are guided tours in English, Cantonese and Mandarin every weekend. Open every day.

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The Mills, 45 Pak Tin Par Street, Tsuen Wan, Hong Kong, +852 3979 2300,  info@themills.com.hk, www.themills.com.hk.

Hong Kong Museum Of History: Tsim Sha Tsui

The Hong Kong Museum of History has an impressive collection of all things Hong Kong. The exhibition showcases 460 carefully selected exhibits and 210 photographs covering prehistoric, folk culture, cession,  Japanese occupation, and the return to the motherland. You can enjoy the Hong Kong Story, which takes you on a journey through 400 million years of historical space-time for an in-depth understanding of the island. Kids love the realistic 1900s shops, the double-decker tram, and the fishing junk.

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Opening hours: From Monday, and Wednesday to Friday, the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the museum extends its hours to 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. On Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve, the opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please be aware that the museum is closed on Tuesdays, unless it is a public holiday, and also remains closed on the first two days of the Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Museum of History, 100 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2724 9042, hkmh@lcsd.gov.hk,   https://hk.history.museum/

Hong Kong Heritage Museum, Shatin

Situated alongside the river in Shatin, the Hong Kong Heritage Museum boasts 7,500 sq. meters of interactive exhibits dedicated to understanding the city from the inside out. The museum presents a unique mix of history, art, and culture in a great variety of programs that cater for the wide-ranging interests of the public. The museum houses five permanent exhibitions, the Jin Yong Gallery, the Cantonese Opera Heritage Hall, the T.T. Tsui Gallery of Chinese Art, the Chao Shao-an Gallery, and the Children's Discovery Gallery - as well as six thematic galleries that regularly host exhibitions showcasing the diverse treasures of Hong Kong’s heritage. In the Children's Discovery Gallery, kids can explore lively and informative exhibitions and participate in activities such as a traditional farmhouse, designing a ceramic plate, and playing traditional games from the past.

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Opening hours: The museum is open on Monday, Wednesday to Friday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. On Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve, the hours are 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays, except when they fall on a public holiday, and also remains closed on the first two days of the Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Heritage Museum, 1 Man Lam Road, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong, +852 2180 8188, www.heritagemuseum.gov.hk

Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central

The impressive 47,000-square-foot museum is next to the bustling Victoria Harbour and the Star Ferry terminal. It's a vibrant cultural institution dedicated to collecting artifacts and regale stories about trade and maritime in Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta. There are 13 galleries over three levels that house over 1,200 objects. The museum encourages visitors to engage in various educational programs and explore fascinating exhibitions such as China's maritime heritage, maritime cultures and Hong Kong’s stories, maritime technology and science, Chinese junks in Hong Kong, and humans and the ocean. There are regular family days where the kids can learn about pirates.

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Opening hours: The museum is open from Monday to Friday from 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the opening hours are from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on the first two days of the Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Maritime Museum, Central Pier Ferry No. 8, Hong Kong, +852 3317 2500, www.hkmaritimemuseum.org.

Flagstaff House Museum Of Tea Ware, Central

Flagstaff House originally served as the office and residence of the Commander of the British Forces in Hong Kong. In 1984, it was aptly converted into the Museum of Tea Ware. The museum holds regular demonstrations, tea gatherings, and lecture programs to promote ceramic art and the Chinese tea-drinking culture. The KS. Lo Gallery holds many fine examples of the famous Yixing teapots. There is a kids' playroom with plenty of games. There are complimentary tea demonstrations, calligraphy workshops, and other colonial activities throughout the year.

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Opening hours: The museum is open from Monday, and Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Christmas Eve and Lunar New Year's Eve, the hours are reduced, with the museum open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays unless it falls on a public holiday, and also remains closed on the first two days of the Lunar New Year.

Flagstaff House Museum of Tea Ware, 10 Cotton Tree Drive (Inside Hong Kong Park), Central, Hong Kong, +852 2869 0690,   www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/Arts/en_US/web/ma/tea-ware

Asia Society Center, Admiralty

Located near Hong Kong Park on the former explosives magazine compound built by the British Army, this cultural and intellectual hub is the perfect place for the whole family to learn, explore and relax. Wander through the perfectly landscaped grounds, including the rooftop garden with impressive sculptures and water fountains. Throughout the year, there are all sorts of exhibitions, including recovery, resilience, resurgence, and photography exhibition featuring Hedda Morrison, Lee Fook Chee, and Brian Brake. They trace Hong Kong's history from post-war recovery between 1946 and 1947, the resilience of the 1950s, and the resurgence of the 1960s and 1970s. Make a day of it and grab a bite at onsite AMMO with its floor-to-ceiling windows facing the verdant hillside.

Opening hours: The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On the last Thursday of the month, if there is an exhibition, the museum extends its hours to 8:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays.

Asia Society Center, The Hong Kong Jockey Club Former Explosives Magazine, 9 Justice Drive, Admiralty, Hong Kong, +852 2103 9511,   enquiryhk@asiasociety.org, www.asiasociety.org/hong-kong

Fireboat Alexander Grantham, Quarry Bay

This is a haven for budding firefighters. Alexander Grantham's fireboat went into service in 1953. It served as the flagship of the Hong Kong Fire Services Department's fireboat team before being decommissioned in 2002. The boat responded to fire alarms and conducted rescue operations in Hong Kong's waters and along the shoreline. The Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd built the Alexander Grantham are a testament to the shipbuilding in the 1950s. Climb aboard the Fireboat Alexander Grantham for a fun and educational outing. See the firefighter tools and uniforms throughout history and pictures of fireboats in action. There is a gigantic playground for the kids as you walk from the MTR station to the fireboat.

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Opening hours: The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, hours extend from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM. Special hours apply on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve, when the museum opens from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Please be aware that the museum is closed on Tuesdays, except if they fall on a public holiday, and also remains shut on the first two days of the Chinese New Year.

Fireboat Alexander Grantham Exhibition Gallery, Quarry Bay Park, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong, +852 2367 7821,  www.lcsd.gov.hk/CE/Museum/History/

HONG KONG SCIENCE MUSEUM: Tsim Sha Tsui East

The Hong Kong Science Museum offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits and a great souvenir shop. The permanent exhibition has more than 500 exhibits, the most striking of which is an energy shuttle with a height of 22 meters, the largest of its kind in the world. Many of the exhibits can be operated by the audience, allowing them to participate in learning, so they can have fun pressing, punching, and pulling various robots! The extraordinary collection of exhibits is extensive and includes light, sound, mechanics, magnetism, electricity, mathematics, earth science, biodiversity, and environmental protection. Little scientists will love the children's gallery with bubble hoops, tossing wheels, ball mazes, a mist creator, and other interactive exhibits. Pro tip: head to the Children's Gallery first and grab a number to get in the queue! It can get quite busy at the weekend.

Opening hours: The museum is open Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with the Box Office closing at 6:00 PM. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, the hours are extended to 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, with the Box Office closing at 8:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Thursdays, except when they fall on a public holiday, and also remains closed on the first two days of the Chinese New Year. Additionally, the museum closes at 5:00 PM on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year's Eve.

Hong Kong Science Museum, 2 Science Museum Road, Tsim Sha Tsui East, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2732 3232,  enquiries@hk.science.museum, www.hk.science.museum

University Museum and Art Gallery, Pok Fu Lam

Established in 1953, the oldest museum in Hong Kong, the University Museum and Art Gallery, is home to an impressive array of Chinese antiquities, traditional oil paintings, ceramics, wood and jade carvings dating from the Neolithic period to the Qing dynasty. The extensive collections include archaic bronze food vessels with animal mask designs, an early blue-and-white water pot, and the world's largest collection of Nestorian plaques. There is also an increasing number of historical photographs of Hong Kong alongside items of popular culture. The team seeks to encourage a greater appreciation of the arts and nurture a stronger sense of cultural values within the Hong Kong community.

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Opening hours: The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 9:30 AM to 6:00 PM, and on Sundays from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Mondays, as well as on public and university holidays.

University Museum and Art Gallery, 90 Bonham Road, Pok Fu Lam, Hong Kong, +852 22415500, www.hku.hk/hkumag

Hong Kong Space Museum, Tsim Sha Tsui

The Hong Kong Space Museum embraces and educates visitors about astronomy and space science on the waterfront in Tsim Sha Tsui. The egg-shaped dome is one of Hong Kong's iconic landmarks. It is the core of the space museum, which houses a planetarium, a cosmic exhibition hall, an all-sky movie screening room, and multiple production workshops. The space museum will host several promotional activities throughout the year, including the starry sky amusement park, interesting astronomy classes, and lectures. The kids will love to learn about the history of space travel through interactive exhibits, including a relativity bicycle and anti-gravity harness! Find out more about Rockets from different countries and experience a movie in the Omnimax theatre.

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Opening hours: The museum is open from 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM on Monday, Wednesday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, it opens earlier at 10:00 AM and closes at the same time, 9:00 PM. Please note that on Christmas Eve and Chinese New Year’s Eve, the museum closes early at 5:00 PM. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, except when they fall on a public holiday, and remains closed on the first two days of the Chinese New Year.

Hong Kong Space Museum, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong, +852 2721 0226, www.hk.space.museum

Dr Sun Yat-Sen Museum, Mid-Levels

Dr Sun Yat-Sen devoted his life to establishing the Republic of China. After receiving his education, he devised plans for a revolution. The museum carefully details his life and how Hong Kong was part of the founding of modern China. The museum is currently closed for renovations and is expected to reopen in early 2025.

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Dr Sun Yat-Sen Museum, 7 Castle Road, Mid-Levels, Central, Hong Kong, +852 23676373, https://www.lcsd.gov.hk/

The Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence, Shau Kei Wan

Nestled on a scenic headland overlooking the Lyemun Pass, the Hong Kong Museum of Coastal Defence is a captivating destination for families. This unique museum, transformed from the historic Lyemun Fort, recently reopened its doors after a significant revamp, offering a fresh, interactive experience. The museum’s main attraction, "The Story of Hong Kong Coastal Defence," is housed in the Lyemun Redoubt at the hilltop. Here, families can explore 11 thematic galleries, each converted from old casemates. These galleries chronicle the evolution of Hong Kong's coastal defense and military affairs from the Tang Dynasty to the resistance against Japanese aggression during World War II. The exhibits, enriched with textual, graphic, and multimedia presentations, promise a deeper understanding of this pivotal aspect of Hong Kong's history.

Moreover, the museum features a historical trail that winds from the Brennan Torpedo Station on the shore, just two meters above sea level, to the hilltop where the Lyemun Redoubt stands at 64 meters. Along this trail, 24 checkpoints narrate the fort's historical significance, making it a perfect educational outing. Best of all, admission to the museum and its historical trail is free, making it an accessible and enriching experience for the whole family to enjoy the legacy of Hong Kong's coastal defenses.

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Opening hours: From March to September, the museum is open from Monday to Wednesday and Friday to Sunday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. During the months of October to February, the hours change slightly; the museum is open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Monday to Wednesday, and Friday to Sunday. Please note that the museum is closed on Thursdays, except when they fall on a public holiday, and also remains closed on the first two days of the Lunar New Year.

Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon

The Hong Kong Palace Museum is a treasure trove of history and art, showcasing over 900 invaluable artifacts from the Palace Museum in Beijing, many sourced directly from the renowned Forbidden City. This remarkable collection includes pieces that are being displayed in Hong Kong for the first time and some that have never previously been accessible to the public. The museum not only highlights Chinese art and culture through its regular special exhibitions but also features art and treasures from various corners of the world, enhancing its appeal as a cultural hub for visitors interested in a broad spectrum of global heritage.

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Opening times: The museum is open on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. On Fridays, Saturdays, and public holidays, the hours are extended to 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Please note that the museum is closed on Tuesdays, except when it falls on a public holiday and also remains closed on the first two days of the Lunar New Year.

Hong Kong Palace Museum, West Kowloon Cultural District, 8 Museum Drive, Hong Kong, +852 2200 0217, https://www.hkpm.org.hk/