Looking for new activities in Johor? Discover the best things to do in Iskandar Puteri — featuring top adventures, DIY workshops and unique dining experiences.
When it comes to weekend trips to Johor, the usual places always pop up: JB Sentral, Mount Austin, and Skudai. And let’s be honest — how many times has someone suggested: “Let’s shop at City Square”, “KTV at KSL?” or “Visit dog cafes in Mount Austin?”, each time you plan a trip across the borders?
If you’re bored of visiting the same few places in JB, this guide will help you UP your Johor game by introducing fun and new things to do in Iskandar Puteri.
From therapeutic DIY workshops to exciting activities like flying fox and an indoor theme park, this underrated neighbourhood has something for everyone. And, it’s only less than 30 minutes away from JB checkpoint!
1) Legoland Malaysia
If there’s one thing Iskandar Puteri is famous for, it’s Legoland Malaysia. This popular attraction brilliantly blends the world of Lego with the excitement of an amusement park. Imagine riding a Lego carriage on the roller coaster track — how cool is that?
Photo credit: Legoland.com
Legoland Malaysia offers more than just Lego-themed rides and shows. It also features a dedicated area showcasing impressive Lego structures, including detailed replicas of iconic landmarks from around the world. Prepare to be amazed by the sights of Petronas Twin Towers, the Merlion and more.
Photo credit: Mohd Fazlin Mohd Effendy Ooi via Wikimedia Commons
And if you’re looking to escape the heat, don’t miss the Legoland Water Park. With over 20 slides and attractions, there’s plenty to keep you entertained all day long. It’s a fantastic spot to cool down and have some splash-tacular fun, adding a refreshing twist to your visit.
*Pro-tip: Get your Legoland Malaysia tickets via Klook to skip the queues! Psst, enter our code <THETRAVELINTERNKLOOK> to redeem 5% off activities. New users get 10% OFF their first booking. T&Cs apply!
Entrance fee: ~S$57/pax (Legoland Malaysia), ~S$42/pax (Legoland Water Park)
Opening hours: 10AM – 6PM, closed on Wed
How to get there: ~12min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
2) X Park
X Park is Malaysia’s first theme park dedicated to both motorised and non-motorised extreme sports. This place is packed with thrilling activities like Go-Karting, High Ropes, All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV), Paddle Boating, Flying Fox, and more — ensuring you’ll never run out of things to do.
*Note: If you’re interested in the Flying Fox at X Park, make sure to call and book at least two days in advance as walk-ins are not allowed.
We kicked off our adventure with the Level 1 High Ropes course (RM45/pax), eager to step out of our comfort zones and tackle the height challenges together. Before we started, a thorough safety briefing was conducted and an instructor was there to guide us through the course. Though intimidating at first, the Level 1 course became manageable once we got the hang of it.
For those seeking an extra challenge, the Level 2 course awaits — but be warned, it’s physically demanding! With numerous obstacles like the swinging beams and rock wall designed to challenge your arm strength, it’s sure to push your limits.
After the high ropes, we signed up for the 20-minute beginner ATV session (RM40/pax). If you’re an experienced rider, you can opt for the 75-minute advanced ATV session (RM160/pax). Our ATV trail featured mostly smooth paths and a few steep slopes. One minor downside: the trail had some mud puddles, so expect to get your shoes and legs a bit dirty!
FYI, the ATV sessions have specific timings, so you might have to allow some flexibility in your schedule.
Cost: From RM40/pax (depending on activity)
Opening hours: 2PM – 12AM (Mon – Thu), 10AM – 12AM (Fri – Sun)
How to get there: ~10min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
3) BookXcess
As the largest bookstore in Southern Malaysia, BookXcess features an impressive inventory of over 1 million books. Prepare to be overwhelmed with choices — you might even find yourself not wanting to leave this bookish wonderland!
Here, you’ll find a rich variety of books, including everything from compelling fiction and personal growth guides to children’s literature and more. There is also a dedicated reading corner where you can delve into sample books at your own pace.
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM (Mon – Sun)
How to get there: ~10min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
4) EnergX Park
Just a 20-minute drive from Tuas Checkpoint, EnergX is an indoor extreme theme park nestled in the Sunway Big Box retail mall. At first glance, it might seem like just a simple play gym for kids, but oh boy, it’s way more thrilling than what we expected. This theme park has exciting activities like the Trampoline Wipeout, a Ninja obstacle course, and a Basketball Shootout etc.
With our off-peak universal pass (RM58/pax) on a Monday morning, we dove into almost everything they offered and a solid 2-hour session is more than enough to experience all the fun.
*Pro-tip: Skip the tubby slide! It sends you soaring into the air, and the landing might leave you injured 🙁
Entrance fee: From RM58/pax (varies according to day and time)
Opening hours: 10AM – 10PM (Mon – Sun)
How to get there: ~10min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
5) Meet Me Workshop
Meet Me Workshop offers a range of unique DIY experiences that you don’t usually hear of. Intrigued by some of their workshops such as Glass Painting (RM65) and Acrylic Fluid Art (RM45), we decided to check out this place.
We began our hands-on experience with the glass painting workshop. I initially thought we’d be jumping straight into freestyle painting but, it was much more approachable for non-artists like me. You start by choosing a design from their collection, which is then transferred onto your glass cup. All you need to do is trace the outline, wait for it to dry and then you can start painting!
Not gonna lie, our completed paintings on the glass cups actually exceeded my expectations! They make ideal souvenirs to bring home or to gift to your loved ones 😍😍
Overall, the atmosphere was so calming that it made it easy for me to leave my stress at the door and just fully unwind. It wasn’t too crowded, which made it conducive enough to chat with your friends while painting.
Cost: From RM20/pax (depending on the workshop)
Opening hours: 10AM – 6:30PM (Mon – Sun)
How to get there: ~12min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
6) The RUD Cafe
Situated a ~10-minute drive away from CIQ 2nd Link Johor, the RUD Cafe has a unique dining concept featuring an expansive go-karting circuit.
The cafe has a classy interior, providing both indoor seating and outdoor seating with an up-close view of the go-karting action. Not only that, they also have a second-level outdoor seating area that transforms into a vibrant spot at night.
As for food, there’s a selection of Western dishes ranging from burgers to pastas. While we were there, we ordered the House Chicken Burger (RM26.90), the Classic Cheese Burger (RM32.90), Truffle Alfredo (RM24.90), Passion Soda (RM13.90) and Ribena Lychee Soda (RM10.90).
I recommend giving the Classic Cheese Burger a try! The beef patty was really juicy, adding a savoury richness to every bite. For drinks, their signature Ribena Lychee soda left a strong impression with its well-balanced fusion of sweet and refreshing flavours that complemented the meal.
Opening hours: 11AM – 1AM (Mon – Sun)
How to get there: ~10min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
7) Siddham Living
As a frequent perfume user, I was excited to discover that I can customise my own fragrance at Siddham Living. This place specialises in DIY workshops for personal care products, including hand lotion, body lotion, hand sanitiser and more!
We opted for the hand lotion workshop, as we didn’t have time for the more complex ones. The workshop gives you the freedom to create your product at your own pace, with clear instructions and a video tutorial to guide you. The tranquil, quiet environment was a cherry on top, making it a relaxing experience.
A couple of tips: you have to be precise with your measurements, as any mistake can mess up the whole formula. Also, when transferring the lotion from the plastic to the bottle, do cut a small hole in the plastic to avoid a mess!
We were quite satisfied with our completed hand lotion — it had a soothing lavender fragrance which was pleasantly aromatic.
Cost: From RM29/pax (depending on workshop)
Opening hours: 10AM – 6:30PM (Mon – Sun), closed on Thu
How to get there: ~12min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
8) LOST in JB Escape Room (Eco Galleria)
For an activity in Iskandar Puteri that gets your brain working, check out LOST in JB’s newest outlet (opened on 14 May 2024). Alongside their other locations in Eco Palladium and Skudai, this escape room in Eco Galleria features different themed rooms like Ninja, Money Heist, No Entry, and The Nun.
The best part (at least for thrill-seekers) is that some rooms even have live actors! But don’t worry if you’re a scaredy-cat like me, you can opt for the non-horror themes or choose rooms without live actors.
The puzzles here strike a perfect balance between challenging and logical, making them manageable yet stimulating. We tackled “The Nun” room, and while the fear factor definitely slowed us down a bit, it added to the overall fun! We eventually managed to escape the room, leaving us feeling a mix of exhilaration and relief.
Cost: From RM58/pax (depending on theme room and age)
Opening hours: 12PM – 8:30PM (Mon – Thu), 12PM – 10:30PM (Fri – Sun)
How to get there: ~15min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
9) Le Petit Prince Book Cafe
Le Petit Prince Book cafe is more than just a cafe, it’s a mini library too! Named after the book “The Little Prince“, this cafe is adorned with shelves packed with a diverse range of books. This makes the wait for your food a more enjoyable experience, especially if you’re prone to getting hangry. There’s even a cosy reading corner where you can unwind with a good book!
With a menu full of Western cuisines, we sampled their Salted Egg Chicken Nuggets (RM14.90), Chicken Bolognese (RM19.90), and Chicken Carbonara (RM23.90). While the dishes were fairly standard, we were impressed by the beautifully done latte art!
Opening hours: 11AM – 8PM (Mon, Wed – Sun), closed on Tue
How to get there: ~12min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
Accommodation in Iskandar Puteri — Somerset Medini Iskandar Puteri
While we were exploring Iskandar Puteri on our recent trip, we booked our stay at Somerset Medini via Klook. We chose it due to its prime location — it is conveniently located right opposite Legoland Malaysia and Medini Mall. This hotel provides guests with stunning views of the theme park from both the lobby and the hotel rooms.
Additionally, Somerset Medini is packed with amenities designed for comfort and entertainment: a swimming pool, a kids’ club with a slide and a TV to keep the young ones entertained, an oasis garden, and a well-equipped gym.
The studio executive (two single beds) we stayed in was reasonably spacious, giving us plenty of space to unpack and move around comfortably. We were quite amazed to discover a walk-in closet behind the TV too. The toilet was also clean and the room featured a small kitchen equipped with a microwave and an induction cooker.
Cost: From ~S$97/night (2 pax)
How to get there: ~15min drive from CIQ 2nd Link (Google Maps)
How to get to Iskandar Puteri
From Singapore
To reach Johor CIQ 2nd Link, hop on bus CW3 or CW4 at Jurong East Bus Interchange Berth B5.
Just a heads-up: this bus doesn’t accept ez-link cards, so make sure to have S$5 in cash ready. After passing through Tuas Checkpoint, you can take the same bus to continue to Johor CIQ 2nd Link.
When you arrive at CIQ, don’t be overwhelmed by the many buses. Calmly locate bus CW7 or CW7L, which will take you directly to the Mall of Medini or Legoland.
*Pro-tip: Inform the bus driver of the stop you want to alight at, as the bus route can vary based on where passengers need to go.
From JB Sentral
Photo credit: Joshua via Wikimedia Commons
Grab: Grab is highly accessible in Malaysia. Simply download the Grab app and you’ll be able to book a ride to Iskandar Puteri from JB Sentral within a few minutes.
Private car: Another option is to rent a car through Klook. This allows you to explore Iskandar Puteri at your own pace, giving you the freedom to travel around the area without having to worry much about transportation. Plus, it’s just a 25-minute drive from JB Sentral, making it a quick and easy journey. With a private car, you can also conveniently visit multiple attractions and stop for impromptu photo opportunities along the way 🤪
Bus: You can also board the Causeway Link Bus LM1 for RM5.40/pax. It operates daily from 8AM – 6:30PM, with a frequency of every 1.5 hours.
Want to explore more of Malaysia? Be sure to read these guides and itineraries too:
– JB Day Trip Itinerary — What to Do, Eat, and Shop Under S$65
– 15 Trendy Things to Do in KL for First-timers — incl. Must-visits and Hidden Gems
– New Flight to Sibu, Malaysia — A Lesser-Known Weekend Getaway Near Singapore
Did we miss out on any other things to do in Iskandar Puteri? Let us know in the comments below!
