Tainan & Kaohsiung with Kids by Car: 12 Family Attractions from the HSR Stations, Closing Days and 5 Day Plans

Tainan & Kaohsiung with Kids by Car: 12 Family Attractions from the HSR Stations, Closing Days and 5 Day Plans

Travelling around southern Taiwan with children is rarely hard because of the sights — it's hard because of the transfers with a stroller, a car seat and a nappy bag. The family-friendly spots in Tainan (台南) and Kaohsiung (高雄) are spread out: the Chimei Museum and Ten Drum Culture Village are in Rende, the National Museum of Taiwan History is in Annan and Wanpi World Safari Zoo is up in Xuejia; in Kaohsiung, the science museum and the fine arts museum are in the city, Shoushan Zoo sits on a hill, and E-DA Theme Park and the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum are out in Dashu. This guide covers 6 family attractions in Tainan and 6 in Kaohsiung, each with the drive time from Tainan HSR Station or HSR Kaohsiung (Zuoying) Station (checked on Google Maps), closing days, free-entry ages for kids, and stroller and nursing-room details, plus five ready-made day plans. For general sightseeing routes see 5 Self-Driving Routes in Tainan and 5 Self-Driving Routes in Kaohsiung; for family routes across Taiwan see Family-Friendly Self-Drive Routes.

The wide plaza and pagodas of the Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum — flat, spacious and easy with a stroller (Unsplash, location tagged Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Dashu District, Kaohsiung)

The attractions fall into four clusters: Rende in Tainan (Chimei Museum and Ten Drum Culture Village, 10–20 minutes from Tainan HSR Station), Annan to Xuejia in Tainan (National Museum of Taiwan History, Anping Tree House, Wanpi World Safari Zoo, and the Southern Branch of the National Museum of Prehistory), Kaohsiung city (science museum, fine arts museum and children's art museum, Shoushan Zoo, Chengcing Lake) and Dashu in Kaohsiung (E-DA Theme Park and the Buddha Museum). The clusters are 20–50 km apart, and public transport usually means changing at Tainan or Kaohsiung railway station — not fun with a folded stroller.

With a car, the day runs on your child's schedule: nap time happens in the back seat, wet clothes get changed right at the car, and when the midday heat hits you can retreat to the air-conditioning. From Tainan HSR Station it's about 10–16 minutes to the Chimei Museum, and from HSR Kaohsiung (Zuoying) Station about 10–26 minutes to the Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, so two or three stops a day is a comfortable pace.

Picking Up the Car: Tainan HSR and Zuoying HSR Stations

If you come down by high-speed rail, pick up at Tainan HSR Station for Tainan or at HSR Kaohsiung (Zuoying) Station for Kaohsiung and drive straight off. Staying in central Kaohsiung? Use Kaohsiung Railway Station. Flying into Kaohsiung International Airport? Use the Kaohsiung Airport store. The four locations work differently:

New to self-service pickup? Read the Self-Service Pickup and Return Guide. For the walk from the platform to the car park, see the Tainan HSR Station Pickup Guide and the Zuoying HSR Pickup Guide; to compare Kaohsiung's three pickup points, see Kaohsiung Car Rental.

At a Glance: 12 Family Attractions, Drive Times and Closing Days

Drive times are Google Maps estimates for a weekday (Wednesday) in October, leaving at 9 am — Tainan spots from Tainan HSR Station, Kaohsiung spots from Zuoying HSR Station — using the fastest route. Traffic varies, and weekends and long holidays take longer. Opening days and free-entry ages come from each attraction's official website or government tourism sites; always check the latest notices before you go.

6 Family Attractions in Tainan

The white European-style Chimei Museum, which sits inside Tainan Metropolitan Park (Unsplash, found under "chimei museum"; no location tag, architecture matches the Chimei Museum)

1. Chimei Museum (奇美博物館) — 10–16 min from Tainan HSR

• Hours: museum 09:30–17:30, outdoor park 09:00–18:30; closed Wednesdays, on Lunar New Year's Eve and on announced dates.
• With kids: under 7 free with ID; strollers can be borrowed at the 1F service desk, and there's a nursing room with a changing table and hot and cold water, plus lockers. The outdoor park of Tainan Metropolitan Park around the museum is free — good for running around after the galleries.
• Parking: four paid car parks around the park; the museum website shows live availability.

2. Ten Drum Culture Village (十鼓文創園區) — 12–22 min from Tainan HSR, 4–5 min from Chimei

• Hours: Monday–Friday 10:00–17:20, weekends 09:30–17:50; some halls and activities pause for cleaning 11:45–13:10.
• With kids: set in a former sugar refinery; the indoor exhibition on the journey of sugar is included in the ticket. On the zip-line ride, children 12 and under must ride with an adult aged 18 or over. Some walkways are see-through, so trousers and flat shoes are recommended. Under 3 free with ID and a paying parent.
• Parking: cars use car park P2.

3. National Museum of Taiwan History (國立臺灣歷史博物館) — 20–40 min from Tainan HSR

• Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30; closed Mondays (open on public holidays) and the day after a long weekend. The surrounding Taiwan History Park is open daily 05:00–22:00.
• With kids: the Children's Gallery needs no booking — you queue on the day for timed sessions of up to 100 people, so arrive early at weekends. Stroller rental, a nursing room and lockers are available; under 6 free.
• Parking: on-site car park.

4. Anping Tree House (安平樹屋) — 28–65 min from Tainan HSR (Anping traffic can be slow)

• Hours: officially "Anping Tree House and Former Tait & Co. Merchant House", open daily 08:30–17:30.
• With kids: an old warehouse swallowed by banyan roots — kids love exploring the walkways — plus an indoor exhibition in the merchant house. 6 and under free; free guided tours run at set times on weekends and public holidays.
• Parking: Anping Old Street gets busy at weekends; park where signs allow and don't let the kids out at the kerb.

5. Wanpi World Safari Zoo (頑皮世界野生動物園) — 40–60 min from Tainan HSR

• Hours: open every day 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:00.
• With kids: a semi-open zoo with rides such as a carousel and bumper cars; the seasonal Oasis water park is at most 50 cm deep, so pack spare clothes. Under 3 free with ID. The petting animal hall is currently closed according to the zoo's notice.
• Parking: on-site car park. Xuejia is in rural northern Tainan — a car is by far the easiest way there.

6. Southern Branch, National Museum of Prehistory (南科考古館) — 26–45 min from Tainan HSR

• Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00, tickets until 16:30; closed Mondays (open on public holidays), with extra closures such as the day after a long weekend announced on the website.
• With kids: prehistoric finds from the Tainan Science Park, with a Children's Gallery; strollers and lockers at the service desk and a nursing room. Under 6 free.
• Parking: three car parks nearby.

For pickup details see the Tainan HSR Station Pickup Guide; for general routes see 5 Self-Driving Routes in Tainan.

6 Family Attractions in Kaohsiung

Kaohsiung Harbor and the 85 Sky Tower from the Gushan side, where the fine arts museum and Shoushan Zoo are (Unsplash, location tagged Kaohsiung City, Taiwan)

7. National Science and Technology Museum (國立科學工藝博物館) — 12–35 min from Zuoying HSR

• Hours: 09:00–17:00, tickets until 16:00; closed Mondays (open on public holidays and make-up days).
• With kids: the B1 Children's Science Park is a permanent exhibition included in the standard ticket, no booking needed; the kids' electric car experience is for ages 3–8 and costs extra. Under 6 free; strollers at the lobby service desk. The museum has posted construction notices, so check what's open before you go.
• Parking: underground car park at the North Building, outdoor car park at the South Building.

8. Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts + Children's Art Museum (高雄市立美術館) — 10–26 min from Zuoying HSR

• Hours: the main museum Tuesday–Sunday 09:30–17:30; the Children's Art Museum Tuesday–Friday 09:00–12:00 and 13:30–16:30 (closed for cleaning at lunchtime), weekends 09:30–17:30; both closed Mondays.
• With kids: under 16 free with proof of age, and under-12s must be with an adult. Nursing room, stroller loan and free lockers in the basement. The museum sits in a lakeside art and ecology park — good for a walk afterwards.
• Parking: surface car park for the main museum (enter from Meishu East 2nd Road) and a multi-storey car park for the Children's Art Museum (enter from Makadao Road). Landscaping works have changed some entrance routes, so follow the signs on site.

9. Shoushan Zoo (壽山動物園) — 14–40 min from Zuoying HSR, 10–16 min from the fine arts museum

• Hours: Tuesday–Sunday 09:00–17:00, last entry 16:30, no booking; closed Mondays (open on public holidays).
• With kids: under 6 free; three nursing rooms next to the service centre, where you can also rent strollers and monkey-proof backpacks. There's a splash plaza, and the children's farm feeding sessions run 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–15:00 (cancelled in rain).
• Parking: the car park is about 300 m from the entrance and has limited spaces (245 for cars, per the zoo's notice) — arrive before opening at weekends.

10. E-DA Theme Park (義大遊樂世界) — 18–40 min from Zuoying HSR

• Hours: 09:00–17:30, with afternoon tickets from 13:30; hours follow the notices on site, and ride maintenance is posted on the website.
• With kids: under 3 or up to 90 cm tall enter free (with a parent and ID), but most rides need a height of at least 90 cm, and under-12s must be with a parent. Stroller rental is for 0–36 months, up to 15 kg; nursing rooms are in the Trojan Castle, floors 1–4.
• Parking: the indoor car park at E-DA Outlet Mall (with the same-day park entry stamp — see the website for current rules) or the outdoor car park opposite the park.

11. Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum (佛陀紀念館) — 24–55 min from Zuoying HSR, 12–18 min from E-DA

• Hours: Monday–Friday 09:00–18:00; weekends the Front Hall 09:00–19:00 and the Main Hall 09:00–18:00; closed Tuesdays (special opening days are announced).
• With kids: free admission, barrier-free throughout with covered walkways; strollers can be borrowed at the Front Hall or Main Hall desk (no ID deposit, for children up to 10 kg), and there are baby-care rooms in the Front Hall and the Main Hall.
• Parking: free car parks.

12. Chengcing Lake Scenic Area (澄清湖風景區) — 18–45 min from Zuoying HSR, 8–28 min from the science museum

• Hours: October to March 06:00–17:30 (no entry after 17:00), April to September 06:00–18:00; closed Mondays.
• With kids: free entry for visitors; lakeside paths are good for strollers, two indoor aquarium halls (freshwater and marine) help on rainy days, and Niaosong Wetland Park is set up for family nature learning.
• Parking: you can drive into the park and pay for parking when you leave.

For more Kaohsiung sights see Exploring Kaohsiung from Zuoying HSR; to add Kenting or Xiaoliuqiu, see the Kaohsiung–Kenting–Xiaoliuqiu 3-Day Itinerary.

5 Day Plans with Kids (Plus a Tainan-to-Kaohsiung Two-Day Trip)

Plan A — Tainan indoor day: Chimei Museum + Ten Drum (not on Wednesdays)

• 09:30 Pick up at Tainan HSR Station → Chimei Museum (10–16 min); galleries, then the lawns of the park before lunch.
• Afternoon Chimei → Ten Drum Culture Village (4–5 min); activities restart after 13:10.
• Back Ten Drum → Tainan HSR Station, 12–22 min — an easy evening train.

Plan B — Tainan zoo and old-town day: Wanpi World + history museum or Anping

• 09:00 Tainan HSR Station → Wanpi World Safari Zoo (40–60 min) while it's still cool.
• Afternoon Wanpi World → National Museum of Taiwan History (26–45 min) for a Children's Gallery session; on Mondays go to Anping Tree House instead.
• Late afternoon History museum → Anping Tree House (22–45 min); Anping back to Tainan HSR Station is 30–70 min on a weekend evening.
• Alternative: for archaeology, Tainan HSR → Prehistory Museum Southern Branch (26–45 min), then on to Wanpi World (30–50 min).

Plan C — Kaohsiung city day: fine arts museum + Children's Art Museum + Shoushan Zoo (not on Mondays)

• 09:30 Pick up at Zuoying HSR Station → Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts (10–26 min); start with the Children's Art Museum, which closes 12:00–13:30 on weekdays.
• Afternoon Museum → Shoushan Zoo (10–16 min) in time for the 14:00–15:00 feeding session.
• Back Shoushan Zoo → Zuoying HSR Station, 14–35 min on a weekend evening.

Plan D — Dashu theme-park day: E-DA + Buddha Museum (not on Tuesdays)

• 09:00 Pick up at Zuoying HSR Station → E-DA Theme Park (18–35 min on a weekend morning); do the 90 cm+ rides first.
• Afternoon E-DA → Buddha Museum (12–18 min); the plaza and covered walkways are stroller-friendly, and the Front Hall stays open until 19:00 at weekends.
• Back Buddha Museum → Zuoying HSR Station, 24–55 min on a weekend evening.

The giant Buddha at the Buddha Museum, the afternoon stop on Plan D (Unsplash, location tagged Fo Guang Shan Buddha Museum, Dashu District, Kaohsiung)

Plan E — Kaohsiung rainy day: science museum + Chengcing Lake aquariums (not on Mondays)

• 09:30 Pick up at Zuoying HSR Station → science museum (12–35 min) for a morning in the Children's Science Park.
• Afternoon Science museum → Chengcing Lake (8–28 min); walk the lake if the rain stops, or head into the aquarium halls. From October there's no entry after 17:00.

Two days — Tainan one day, Kaohsiung the next

• Day 1: pick up at Tainan HSR Station and follow Plan A or B; stay in Tainan or Kaohsiung.
• Day 2: drive south (Tainan HSR → Zuoying HSR about 30–50 min; Ten Drum → Buddha Museum about 35–65 min), follow Plan C or D, and return the car at Zuoying HSR Station before your train.

How one-way rentals work: 10 One-Way Rental Routes. Heading to central Taiwan too? See Taichung with Kids by Car. Want hot springs in winter? See the Taiwan Hot Spring Road Trip Map.

Driving with Kids: Seats, Car Size and the Southern Sun

• Child seats: add them when you book; prices are shown on the booking page or at the store. For which seat suits which age and weight, see Taiwan Child Car Seat Rules Explained. Seats are limited, so book early for school holidays.
• When to go for a 7-seater: two adults, one or two kids and light luggage fit a 5-seater (the website lists New Vios, New Yaris, Yaris Cross and New Colt Plus); two families, a stroller and two or more car seats need a 7–9 seater (Wish, M7 Turbo ECO Hyper, Staria, Starex, Touran). Actual availability depends on the station — see 7- and 9-Seater Rentals.
• The southern sun: park in shade or indoors where you can, run the air-conditioning with the windows open for a minute before the kids get in, and check that seat-belt buckles aren't too hot to touch.
• What to pack: sunscreen, hats, spare clothes (for the Wanpi World water park and the Shoushan Zoo splash plaza), wet wipes and bin bags; most cars already have a phone holder.
• Getting out safely: Taiwan drives on the right, so let children out on the right-hand (pavement) side and watch for scooters before opening doors. Parking rules: Parking in Taiwan; road rules: Taiwan Driving Rules for Foreign Drivers.

What It Costs: Rental + Mileage Fee + Fuel Card

• Rental: depends on the model, dates and pickup station; economy cars from NT$1,199 on weekdays and NT$1,399 on weekends, confirmed in the online quote. The longer you rent, the lower the daily average.
• Mileage fee: charged on the kilometres you actually drive, with no distance limit.
• Fuel card: every car comes with a dedicated fuel card and fuel is included in the mileage fee, so you don't pay for fuel and don't need to top up before returning. Ask the attendant to fill up and pay with the fuel card (self-service pumps may not accept it); if you forget and pay yourself, keep the receipt and it can be credited against the mileage fee.
• ETC tolls: every car has an ETC tag; freeway tolls are settled when you return the car, and staff can give you a breakdown.
• GO Worry-Free Protection Plan: for extra peace of mind on unfamiliar roads with kids, add it when you book to lower the amount you'd pay if the car is damaged; coverage and exclusions are as described on the website.

How the mileage fee works: Mileage Fee and the Mileage Charges Guide.

FAQ

Q1. Can I drive in Taiwan on my own licence?

If your country has a reciprocal agreement with Taiwan, bring a valid International Driving Permit (IDP) together with your original home licence and passport; you can drive for up to 30 days after entry, and beyond 30 days you need a visa endorsement for your IDP from a motor vehicle office. Japanese visitors instead need a Japanese licence plus an official Chinese translation (a Japan-issued IDP isn't accepted in Taiwan). Holders of a valid Hong Kong or Macau licence can rent with Goodcars; for Hong Kong visitors an IDP is recommended. Details: Taiwan IDP Guide.

Q2. Which days are the attractions closed?

Mondays: National Museum of Taiwan History, the Prehistory Museum's Southern Branch, the science museum, the fine arts and children's art museums, Shoushan Zoo and Chengcing Lake (the history museum, Prehistory Museum, science museum and zoo open on public holidays). Tuesdays: Buddha Museum. Wednesdays: Chimei Museum. On a Monday, do Plan A or Plan D.

Q3. Where can we go with kids on a rainy day?

In Tainan: the Chimei Museum, the history museum's Children's Gallery and the Prehistory Museum. In Kaohsiung: the science museum's Children's Science Park, the fine arts and children's art museums, the Buddha Museum (covered walkways) and the Chengcing Lake aquarium halls. Shoushan Zoo's feeding sessions are cancelled in rain.

Q4. Can I pick up at Tainan HSR and return at Zuoying HSR?

Yes. Both are self-service car park locations bookable 00:00–23:55; the one-way fee is shown in the online quote and differs by location. See 10 One-Way Rental Routes.

Q5. How far ahead should I book, and how do I pay?

Online bookings need to be completed 12–24 hours before pickup depending on the location; for last-minute rentals, call the store (07-801-1122) or message us on WhatsApp. International visitors need a credit card in the name of the person booking. Book child seats and 7-seaters early for school holidays.

Q6. Do I have to pay for fuel or top up the tank?

No. Goodcars cars come with a dedicated fuel card and fuel is included in the mileage fee, so there's nothing to top up when you bring the car back.

Q7. Up to what age do kids get in free?

It varies: Chimei Museum under 7; the history museum, Prehistory Museum, science museum and Shoushan Zoo under 6; Anping Tree House 6 and under; Ten Drum under 3; Wanpi World under 3; E-DA under 3 or up to 90 cm; the fine arts museum under 16. The Buddha Museum and Chengcing Lake are free for everyone. Bring ID for the kids and check each official website.