Thinking of heading to JB this upcoming long weekend but tired of patronising the same old places? Here’s your PSA to try something new across the Causeway to spice up your next trip!
The Good Friday long weekend is upon us! And without a doubt, many of us are turning to Johor Bahru (JB) for that much-needed short respite from work, or even school. And even if you’re not planning to make a big trip with the family, a short solo recharge or just enjoying the company of your sweetheart in JB hits the spot just right. So read on for our not-so-basic guide to JB to plot into your weekend trip!
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1. Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory
Image credits: Casa du Duchess
If you’re looking for iconic pastries and baked goods but have already eaten the famous coffee buns from Rotiboy at JB Sentral station a thousand times (don’t worry, we’re obsessed with it too), Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory has got the fix that you need.
Possessing over a century’s worth of history, Hiap Joo Bakery is one of Johor’s oldest bakeries and its hole-in-the-wall, wood-fired oven is certainly a testament to its long-standing heritage. Well-known for its aromatic malt-flavoured bread and coconut buns, the true star of the show is no other than its rich and moist banana cakes that sell like hotcakes (no pun intended)! If you’re planning to make a trip down though, do note that these ever-popular banana cakes are only available from noon onwards and sell out pretty quickly. So be ready to wait in line for these delectable treats in advance!
Opening Hours: Mondays to Saturdays, 7:30 AM – 5 PM. Sundays, 7:30 AM.
Address: 13, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, Bandar Johor Bahru, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: Find out more about Hiap Joo Bakery & Biscuit Factory here
2. Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Image credits: Kota Tinggi Firefly Park
Heading over to JB with your other half soon and looking for a memorable activity that the two of you will be able to reminisce about in the years to come? Try Kota Tinggi Firefly Park’s river cruise tour! It’s the ideal activity for couples looking to spark up some romantic chemistry by immersing themselves in nature. Lasting 45 minutes, the cruise tour provides visitors with the remarkable experience of being enthralled by a view of a sea of fireflies dancing around the trees of the surrounding woodland.
With thousands of glowing fireflies darting about, the scene is often said to resemble a starry night sky or even Christmas trees that would leave any visitor captivated by the magical experience. What’s more, cruise riders can also choose to release paper wish lanterns (not unlike those in Pinxi, Taipei) into the night sky or purchase a love locket to attach to the side of the fence by the river in commemoration of the surreal night.
Opening Hours: Daily, 1 PM – 11 PM
Address: Jalan Kota Tinggi, 81900 Kota Tinggi, Johor, Malaysia
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: For more information on Kota Tinggi Firefly Park click here
3. Blue Ice Skating Rink @ Paradigm Mall
Image credits: Encounters Pte Ltd.
Looking for a way to beat the heat in an elegant fashion? (Or maybe not-so elegant if it’s your first time skating 🫢) Located in Paradigm Mall, Blue Ice Skating rink is one of Malaysia’s largest rinks, covering 20,000 square feet! Opening its doors to the public in 2017, the skating rink is the only one left in Johor itself and uses real instead of synthetic ice. This allows for less friction and better gliding, providing skaters with a better experience regardless of skill level. If you’re an ice-skating newbie, don’t fret because the place also offers ice skating and ice hockey classes for visitors to sign up for!
Bonus: The convenient location of the rink also means that you’ll be able to head upstairs for a movie marathon, a beauty spa, or a manicure after your legs are worn out from all the skating!
Opening Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 10 PM
Address: 3F-30, Paradigm Mall Johor Bahru, Jalan Skudai, 81200 Johor Bahru, Malaysia
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: Find out more about Blue Ice Skating Rink here
4. Danga Bay & Danga World Theme Park
Image credits: SGMYTRIPS
Conveniently located just ten minutes away from the checkpoint, Danga Bay is home to a scenic waterfront view and hosts a whole variety of recreational activities that come to life when the sun sets. The area is known for having a plethora of restaurants to dine from including the Seafood Market which offers a variety of tasty classic seafood dishes like cereal prawn and salted egg crab.
Other than the sumptuous food that can be found in Danga Bay, the area also features a theme park that lights up during the night like a dazzling star. The Danga World Theme Park which only operates from the evening onwards is definitely the go-to place if you’re planning on travelling with young children. A retro funfair-styled attraction that exudes the carnivalesque charm of theme parks from yesteryear, though the rides may be of the milder variety, we’re certain that just the sight of the brightly adorned carousel and Ferris wheel would be enough to put a grin on anyone’s face.
Danga World Theme Park Opening Hours: Daily, 7 PM – 12AM
Address: Jalan Bertingkat Skudai, Danga Bay, 80200 Johor Bahru
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: Find out more about Danga Bay Theme Park here
5. Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park
Image credits: Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park
Love the outdoors and crave for some thrill-seeking fun? Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park is the perfect place to pump up some adrenaline and have a splashing good time. Like it says on its webpage, “Throw those old memories of traditional theme parks right out the door now!”. Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park is definitely not your average run-of-the-mill theme park.
Consisting of three sections — The Water Park, The Adventure Park, and The Sports & Leisure Park, this attraction certainly makes for a great visit whether you’re visiting with friends, family, or your significant other. Main attractions of the park include the longest indoor suspension adventure rope course in Malaysia which features seven different course routes. As well as the Supersurf that can be found in the Water Park section which consists of six high-speed lanes that would allow you and your companions to go head-to-head in an exhilarating (and very wet) downhill race!
Water Park Opening Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 7 PM
Adventure Park Opening Hours: Daily, 10 AM – 6 PM
Sports & Leisure Park Opening Hours: Mondays to Fridays, 1 PM – 9 PM. Saturdays to Sundays, 10 AM – 10 PM.
Address: No. 71, Jalan Austin Heights 8/1, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: Find out more about Austin Heights Water & Adventure Park here
6. Tufting Nuts
Image credits: Tufting Nuts
Think you’re tuft enough to showcase your artistic flair? Tufting Nuts is a JB-based rug tufting studio offering guided tufting workshops and packages to would-be customers that are seeking out a relaxing and bonding tufting experience. The studio is extremely newbie friendly, with experienced crew “tufters” on standby every step along the way to provide advice and guidance. So rest assured that you’ll be able to come up with a finished product even if you don’t have any prior experience tufting!
In addition to the regular rug tufting packages, the studio also offers visitors the ability to create different end products within their selection of three items, as add-ons. Options include pillow tufting, mirror tufting, and tote bag tufting. So if you’re thinking of heading over with your plus-one, we’ve got great news because bookings for more than one individual are eligible for discounts of 52% and up!
Opening Hours: *Bookings must be made online pre-visit. Two timeslots are available for booking daily on weekdays and three timeslots daily on Saturdays & Sundays.
Address: 40-01, Jln Austin Heights 3/2, Taman Mount Austin, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: Find out more about Tufting Nuts here
7. The FOUNDERS Café
Image credits: Cafe Culture
A list of things to do in JB wouldn’t be complete if we didn’t recommend a couple of highly Instagrammable cafés that serve flavourful food. So we’re finishing off the list with two establishments that we feel would definitely satisfy your inner foodie, starting off with The FOUNDERS Café.
Colloquially known as the best industrial themed café in all of JB, The FOUNDERS Café spots a rustic yet elegant interior with potted plants aesthetically placed in empty corners, vine-like plants hanging from the ceiling, and minimalistic décor adorning the smooth concrete floor. The café features two separate menus, a night menu and a day one that serves a whole range of appetizing main dishes as well as fragrant pastries that greet you with the smell of freshly baked goods from the moment you enter the place.
Opening Hours: Daily, 9 AM – 10 PM
Address: Tiong Nam Tebrau, 45, Jln Tiong Emas, Kawasan Perindustrian Tebrau, 81100 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: Find out more about The FOUNDERS Café here
8. Senso Art Gallery Café
Image credits: Good Foodie Media
Last on our list is the Senso Art Gallery Café, and we’re sure that you’ve never been to a café like this one. Marrying the two concepts of art appreciation and enjoying sweet delights while sipping on aromatic coffee, Senso Art Gallery Café is filled with artefacts and art that reflect the rich history of Johor. The quaint shop gives off the vibe of a small family-owned American café and serves freshly brewed coffee that’s nothing to scoff at.
Unlike most hipsteresque cafés serving nicely plated western brunch dishes that are aplenty in JB, Senso Art Gallery Café opts for a more light-hearted variety of food items. Serving traditional kuehs, cakes, and brownies that would satisfy even the most intense of sweet cravings. Additionally, the works of art displayed in this café are not only for viewing, but visitors can also actually purchase these beautiful pieces of art if they take a fancy to it. There’s even a small section of the café dedicated to selling small souvenirs that feature art made by affiliated artists!
Opening Hours: Wednesdays to Mondays, 10 AM – 6 PM. Closed on Tuesdays.
Address: 25 & 25A, Jalan Tan Hiok Nee, 80000 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
YouTrip’s Not-So-Basic Guide To JB 2023: Find out more about Senso Art Gallery here
TGIF, To JB We Go!
Image credits: Time Out Digital Limited
Are you ready to turn it up this March holiday weekend and head across the Causeway? While you’re experimenting with rug tufting or eating your weight at Senso Art Gallery, we’ll always recommend keeping your YouTrip card handy.
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