Meneer Guggenheimer

I grew up in Hong Kong but left as a kid decades ago. Now I am going on Father and Son, you are going to high school, so let do a trip together... and he wanted to go to Hong Kong. We are flying to Hong Kong mid August.

Just wondering what to do. It has been decades and want to do things I used to do with my parents... (no picknicks near... Kai Tak.... sadly)

I am 7 full days in Hong Kong so this is sort of what I want to do. We will skip Disney as we just been to Euro Disney.

- Visit Stanley (grew up there)
- Ocean Park / Water World (is the escalator still there?)
- Aberdeen
- Central / Kowloon
- Star Ferry
- Peak
- HKG Park
- Go to one or more of the outer islands
- We used to take the flying boat to Macau often but I do not know if I liked that.

Not sure where I will stay either. He likes cities and we will be gone most of all the days.

It would be great if anyone could add some tips or experiences for an active and fun kid.

Dolphin / Nature trips good?

Appreciated!

moondog

Lamma Island?

tentseller

Just be aware of the many changes to all of HK which will make your childhood family past-time different now for you and your son.

chococat

Big Buddha is a fun day trip. Also, ride the mid-levels escalators!

JordanWalker

You can definitely still have a picnic at Kai Tak rooftop.....just that you won't be seeing any planes. If you're lucky, maybe a cruise or two in the summer.

The "water park" @ Ocean World won't be open until 2017. The old one is long gone. Escalator is still there.

You forgot to add to your list, a beer or two @ LKF with your son

Madone59

+1 Great place to walk around.

tentseller

How about beer at Lockhart Rd?

HKtraveller

Climb Ma On Shan if he is fit.

christep

With an 11 year old?

(Son at least, 11 YO hookers are a different matter )

MSPeconomist

There's a great museum of Hong Kong history in/near the park in Kowloon. IIRC it moved from being in the park to a building on the edge.

Climb the giant Buddha?

Some of the markets and night markets.

Maybe go to the outdoor deck at the bar on the top of the IC for the view.

I'd say walk of stars along the water on the Kowloon side, but I think it's closed for renovations. There are a couple museums (art and science?) there too, along the water.

Watch a horse race?

Dinner on one of the traditional boats?

Hydrofoil to Macao?

You could do a day trip into mainland China, but doing that would take time for the transportation and border crossings, plus require visa complications in advance that you probably don't want to do.

tentseller

IMHO Lockhart beer experience is more historical HK.

Meneer Guggenheimer

Thanks for all the replies! Beer with my son... his mother would kill me!

Swiss Tony

Someone mentioned horse racing - I think you have to be 18 to get in to the track.

The tram is a lot of fun. You can then take a bus from the end of the line round to Stanley.

August is hot and wet, and also Hong Kong school holidays so places like ocean park will be packed even on weekdays.

Get a hotel with a pool! Great for cooling off after a day exploring.

889

Yes, the tram from end-to-end is great: sit up on the top level, at the front. (We're talking about the HK Island tram, not the Peak Tram.)

Ferry trips to the Outlying Islands are a lot of fun; much better than going to Macau, where you're essentially locked in the cabin and can't see much. Then take a short walk and have a meal. Lamma is one obvious option.

Kids of all ages will love the walk-through bird cage at Hong Kong Park.

Dimsum at a traditional place with the carts.

For a beautiful and easy-to-reach beach, Shek O. You did say you were visiting in August.

(And there's no horse racing in August!)

rkkwan

I haven't seen a dim sum cart in Hk for 20+ years. It's all dim sum cards.