
Family Fun
A: Ding-ding trolley from Central over to North Point to the Healthy Street East stop
B: Hong Kong Children’s Discovery Museum, www.childrensdiscoverymuseum.hk
Hong Kong Children’s Discovery Museum (CDM) has over 40 customised exhibits designed for children 10 years old and under, each developed with an educational goal and designed for children at different developmental stages. Families and school groups find educational content in the areas of language and literacy, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), culture and environmental awareness. CDM provides trained staff fluent in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
C: Ryze Hong Kong, www.ryzehongkong.com
At Ryze Hong Kong, you find 40 connected trampolines in one 7,000 square-foot space. There’s also a ninja obstacle course, slackline, trapeze, foam pits and bounce boards.
D: Verm City, www.vermcity.com
Hong Kong’s largest indoor rockclimbing gym, Verm City’s attractions include a 4.5-metre boulder gym, a leading wall and top roping, as well as Asia’s first augmented wall, perfect for beginners. Verm City is also home to Clip N Climb, a family friendly climbing theme park.
Hanging Out
E: Lucky Dawgs Brewing Co., www.luckydawgsbrewing.com
Lucky Dawgs Brewing Co. is an American-style craft brewer providing creative brews like Espresso Assassin Porter and Ruby Red Amber Ale. Although the tap room is currently closed for renovation, you can still take a brewery tour to get a peek behind the scenes, and order a growler or two of beer to take away.
F: MOM Livehouse, 6360 7676
This intimate live music venue is known for booking local musicians, indie bands, DJs and electronic artists. With excellent stage and audio equipment – as well as a fully stocked bar – it’s a must-visit for music junkies.
G: Oi!, www.lcsd.gov.hk/apo
Affiliated with the Hong Kong Visual Arts Centre, Oi! is a family-friendly – and free – art space that encourages creative experimentation and collaboration. Its mission is to nurture young artists and connect art with people and the community. Housed in a grade-two historic building, Oi! was the home of the former Oil Street Art Village, Hong Kong’s first art community.
H: State Theatre Building, 279-291 King’s Road
A favourite with architecture and history buffs, the State Theatre Building is a grade-one historic structure now used as a snooker parlour, shopping arcade and residential block. It is one of the last post-war standalone theatre structures in the city and is easily recognisable since its ceiling is suspended from a series of concrete arches. Known as the Empire Theatre when it opened in 1952, the 1,400-seat facility is a must-see for heritage lovers… and a great place to strike a cue ball.
I: Sunbeam Theatre, sunbeamtheatre.com/hk
Opened in the 1970s by a group of Shanghainese immigrants, Sunbeam Theatre is now considered an institution. With big-name artists performing on a regular basis, the venue is inextricably bound to the history of Cantonese Opera in Hong Kong.
Snacking
J: Brew Note Coffee Roaster, 2562 9990
A local micro-roaster with a boutique café, Brew Note Coffee Roaster specialises in freshly roasted seasonal coffee beans. Hunker down in the café and you may well be surprised by an impromptu live music performance.
K: Duck Shing Ho, 2570 5529
Such is the demand for Duck Shing Ho’s egg rolls, people start lining up at 7am (before the store opens at 9.30am) for a chance to buy a couple before they sell out. The rolls come in three flavours and two sizes – original, butter and coconut in 800- or 400-gram tins – and shoppers are rationed to precisely 1.6 kilogrammes.
L: Tim Ho Wan, 2979 5608
If you fancy a little dim sum, head to Michelin Guide-recommended Tim Ho Wan. There are over 20 different dim sum choices, along with a few desserts, and the menu changes every month.
Dining
M – Clay Pot, 2566 7012
Located in the Electric Road Market cooked food centre, Clay Pot is an under-the-radar spot for great Indian food. Owned by two Nepali brothers, Clay Pot is known for its butter chicken curry and tandoori specialties.
N – Le Bec Fin, 2217 8889
The solo venture of Nakao Kazuhisa, formerly the head chef of the Japanese Embassy in Hong Kong, Le Bec Fin is a highend, fine dining restaurant where Japanese and French haute cuisine meet. Signature dishes see the finest meats and seafood grilled over binchotan (charcoal imported from Japan).
O – Little Chilli, 2571 9822
Little Chilli is a go-to for anyone who loves hot-as-you-like Sichuanese food. The casual, no-frills restaurant is known for authentic dishes like Dry-Fried Bullfrog with Chillies and Spicy Tripe.
P – The Big Bite, 6979 9690
At The Big Bite you can enjoy fast and family-friendly casual dining
with eight different burger options, and nine types of hot dog. Sides include specialty poutine fries and Movenpick milkshakes, and there’s also a good selection of craft bottled beers.
Q – Tung Po Kitchen, 2880 5224
Famous for its rowdy party atmosphere – the waiters dance while delivering food to your table – the food at Tung Po is also a showstopper. There are classic Cantonese dishes like Wind Sand Chicken, and also creative fusion delicacies like bechamel-filled fried wontons and deep-fried durian. Be prepared to order your beer by the ‘battle beer bowl’ – a blue-andwhite bowl with the Chinese word for ‘victory’ printed on the bottom.
Shopping
R – Provident Centre, 21-53 Wharf Road
Bargain-hunters will appreciate the deals on offer at the outlet stores in Provident Centre. Don’t miss the heavily discounted Adidas and Nike merchandise.
S – Sam Kee Book Co., 193 King’s Road
Caroline Chan, owner of Sam Kee Book Co., brought a cat into the store in 1985 to keep the mice from nibbling the books and, 30 years on, she has rescued more than 700. Browse the 40,000 books on offer in this quirky underground shop and keep an eye out for… cats.
T – Wet Market, Chun Yeung Street
You can cruise through Chun Yeung Street Wet Market by tram before hopping off to explore it on foot. The narrow street is lined with stalls selling fresh fruit, vegetables, meat and seafood. Check out the open-air bazaar in nearby Marble Road for a wide selection of superaffordable merchandise.
Tags: Hong Kong, North Point