12 Fun Things To Do In Taipei With Your Teenager

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Are you planning a family trip to Taipei with your teenagers? It’s not always easy to find things they’ll be excited about, especially when their idea of fun might be totally different from yours.

But don’t worry, Taipei has plenty of cool, quirky, and photo-worthy spots that’ll keep your teens interested.

Hi, I’m Grace. I am a Taiwanese living overseas and who returns to Taipei once every year. I write about fun and practical ways to explore the city, especially from a local-meets-tourist perspective.

Since my son isn’t a teenager yet (he is now 10), I asked a few friends with teen kids and did some extra research to put together a list of 12 fun activities. It’s a mix of local favorites, fun hangout spots, and unique experiences that your teens are likely to enjoy while visiting Taipei.

Please read on.

12 Activities In Taipei Your Teenagers Will Enjoy

Try Different Boba Brands & Drinks

Taiwan is the birthplace of bubble (boba) tea, so there’s no better place to go on a boba-tasting tour. Boba tea shops are literally everywhere, and there are many famous chains for you to choose from.

You can even turn this into a fun challenge: try a new place each day and have everyone vote on their favorite.

Here are just several of the most well-known brands you’ll see on the street:

  • Chun Shui Tang (春水堂) – said to be the birthplace of boba tea in the 1980s.
  • 50 Lan (五十嵐)
  • Xing Fu Tang (幸福堂)
  • Tiger Sugar (老虎堂) － this is my personal favorite!
  • Milksha (迷客夏)
  • Ten Ren’s Tea (天仁茗茶)
  • COMEBUY (日出茶太)
  • CoCo (都可)

Go Shrimp-Fishing (釣蝦)

Shrimp fishing is a unique local pastime that many visitors don’t know about.

Catching shrimp works just like regular fishing — only it’s done in an indoor pool. After your session, you can grill your catch (DIY style) and enjoy it at the seating section.

Some places also have on-site restaurants that will cook the shrimp for you, prepared the way you like. You can order extra dishes and drinks to make it a full, satisfying meal.

While my personal shrimp-fishing experience was not in Taipei (we went to this place in Yilan 宜蘭 and it was fun! Here is my own shrimp-fishing experience ), I asked my friends to recommend several shrimp-fishing venues in Taipei. You can check out their Google reviews and pick one that you like:

Look for Gachapon Machines (扭蛋機)

If your teen enjoys collecting small things or is into anime and cute characters, they’ll love gachapon.

These capsule toy machines are very popular in Taipei. Just pop in some coins, turn the knob, and out comes a surprise toy.

You’ll often see a few machines right outside the convenience stores, but there are also places with entire walls of them. If you walk through the underground mall of Taipei Main Station, there are quite a few gachapon shops located in Zones Y and K.

My 10-year-old son is a big fan of gachapon machines. He’s been collecting Kirby figures, among other things, from these machines all over Taiwan. Last summer, he asked to go so often that I eventually decided to give him a daily gachapon allowance — a small way to let him enjoy it while also learning self-control.

The spot in the photo below is in an alley near Zhongshan MRT Station: Gocha Hunter (Google Maps)

Play at a Claw Machine Arcade (夾娃娃店)

Just like gochapon machines, claw machine shops are also very popular among local teens and students.

You will find one or two machines in a storefront, or you can visit a dedicated shop with machines filled with plush toys, snacks, figurines, and other prizes. Here are a couple of popular claw machine arcades with great Google reviews:

Visit The Night Markets （夜市）

Night markets are one of the must-do activities when visiting Taipei.

Besides all the food, there are also game stalls where you and your teens can play, such as ring toss, dart throwing, balloon shooting, or fishing for prizes. It adds a little extra excitement beyond just eating and walking.

Here are some of the most popular night markets, with links to Google Maps:

  1. Shilin Night Market (士林夜市)
  2. Raohe Street Night Market (饒河街觀光夜市)
  3. Ningxia Night Market (寧夏夜市)
  4. Tonghua Night Market (通化夜市 / 臨江街觀光夜市)
  5. Lehua Night Market (樂華夜市)

Each night market has its own vibe and popular food stalls. I personally like Ningxia Night Market because it’s close to my parents, and everything is organized into one block, which makes it easier to walk through without getting overwhelmed.

As for the must-try foods? Just follow the lines — the busiest stalls are usually the best. But I recommend going with an open mind, and you’ll discover a few favorites of your own along the way.

Explore Zhongshan District （中山商圈）

The neighborhood near Zhongshan MRT station (R11 of Red Line or G14 of Green Line) has a mix of retail stores, small boutiques, and lifestyle shops that are popular with local teens and young adults.

It’s a great place to wander without a fixed plan. You’ll come across stores selling jewelry, hair clips, tote bags, stationery, and other small finds that teens tend to love.

There are also lots of snack and dessert spots in the area. Think fluffy Japanese-style pancakes, frozen yogurt, mochi, bubble tea, and many cute cafés that sell traditional Taiwanese desserts.

Many of the shops and cafes are tucked into side streets, so it’s fun to explore and see what catches your eye.

If you’re interested in learning more about this area, I have a stand-alone post about the vicinity near Zhongshan MRT station.

Visit Cultural And Creative Parks （華山文創 & 松山文創）

Both Huashan 1914 (Google Maps) and Songshan Cultural and Creative Park (Google Maps) are former industrial sites turned into creative spaces that often host exhibitions, pop-up events, and markets.

Before you go, check their websites or Instagram pages to see what’s on during your trip — there’s almost always something interesting happening.

Even if you’re not planning to see any exhibitions, there are still plenty of unique shops to explore, along with cafés and restaurants where you can take a break and enjoy the atmosphere.

I also have an in-depth article for each of them, if you are interested in learning more: Huashan 1914 and Songshan.

Learn Some History at Bopiliao (剝皮寮）

This is a small area near Longshan Temple (龍山寺, Google Maps）that has some of the best-preserved streets from the Qing Dynasty and Japanese colonial period. You can take photos, explore the old buildings, and check out small exhibits along the way.

While you’re in the area, make a stop at a wet market: Xinfu Market (新富市場), just across the street. It’s one of Taipei’s oldest public markets and has been recently renovated.

Dress Up in a Qipao for Photos （旗袍體驗）

While walking around the Dihua Street area (迪化街, I have a stand-alone post here), if your teen enjoys fashion or taking fun photos, renting a qipao (旗袍) — a traditional Chinese dress — can be a unique and memorable experience.

The area around Dadaocheng is especially popular for this. Many shops offer rentals for a few hours, and some even include hair accessories or styling help.

Once dressed, you can walk around the nearby streets and take photos in front of old buildings, tea houses, or vintage storefronts. Boys can join too — some shops also have traditional male outfits (changshan 長衫).

Catch the Sunset at Dadaocheng Wharf （大稻埕碼頭）

After the qipao experience, you can head over to Dadaocheng Wharf (see Google Maps) to enjoy the evening.

One of the highlights here is the Container Market (大稻埕碼頭貨櫃市集), where food stalls are set up inside colorful shipping containers. You’ll find snacks, drinks, and easy eats — good for a casual dinner or something to munch on while watching the sunset.

If you’re visiting during summer, there are also fireworks nights as part of the Taipei Summer Festival. On select evenings, you can catch fireworks shows over the river, along with music and other events.

Relax at Rongjin Gorgeous Time Park (蓉錦時光生活園區)

Photo credit: Rongjin Gorgeous Time official website

This small cultural park, located near Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall（中正紀念堂）and YongKang Stree (永康街）, features several restored Japanese-era wooden houses. （see it on Google Maps)

Originally used as dormitories for government officials during the Japanese rule, the buildings now house cafés, shops, and small exhibitions. The whole area has a calm atmosphere and a thoughtfully designed layout.

The houses are beautifully preserved and surrounded by gardens, so it’s a quiet place to take a break from the busy city. Your teen might enjoy grabbing a drink at one of the cafés or taking a few photos around the wooden architecture and outdoor spaces.

Attend a Baseball Game

Baseball is one of the most popular sports in Taiwan, and the games here are more than just about what’s happening on the field — the cheering, music, and lively atmosphere make it feel more like a mini festival.

In Taipei, the best place to watch a game is the brand-new Taipei Dome (大巨蛋, Google Maps). It’s a massive indoor stadium located in the Xinyi District, and it finally opened to the public in late 2023.

To check the schedule and see if there’s a game during your trip, visit the official CPBL website:
🌐 https://www.cpbl.com.tw

Final Thoughts

Planning a trip with teens isn’t always easy, but I hope this list gives you a few ideas to make your time in Taipei more relaxed and fun for everyone. From food to fashion to local quirks, Taipei has a lot to offer — even for teens who might not usually get excited about sightseeing.

I hope you find this article helpful!

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