0
0
0
0
0Chiang Mai is a city set in the mountains of Northern Thailand. The city was founded way back in the late 1200s and remnants from its historic walls and moats still surround the Old City. You’ll find tons of elaborate buddhist temples including the impressive Wat Phra Singh and Wat Chedi Luang. Chiang Mai is a fantastic and enchanting city with something for every type of traveler. If you plan to visit Chiang Mai with kids, check out our picks for the top things to do during your trip.
Doi Suthep Temple
Easily among one of the most iconic temples in all of Thailand, Doi Suthep temple sits on a regal mountain of the same name with beautiful views all around. The mountain, two other peaks and 100 square miles of the surrounding forest are a national park with several waterfalls, wildlife, caves and other attractions. The temple has nice views of Chiang Mai city, including the airport. The ability to watch the planes take off and land at the airport makes this one of our favorite things to do with our kids in Chiang Mai.
Book a tour to Doi Suthep on Klook!
Chiang Mai Zoo with Kids
The Chiang Mai Zoo is one of the best in Thailand. One of the main attractions is a family of Giant Pandas that are on loan from China. The pandas are in a very controlled, secure area so you won’t be getting very close to them or taking great photos, but they are still fun to see, especially if you haven’t before. They are certainly most active early in the day. The zoo is also home to many other exotic animals and also has a nice walk-through aviary and a small aquarium. The zoo is quite large, occupying about 200 acres in the foothills of Doi Suthep mountain, so you may want to hire a car for the day, or buy a ticket to take the open air tram around the park.
Book Tickets to the Chiang Mai Zoo and Aquarium on Klook
Chiang Mai Night Safari
Another animal-themed attraction that your kids are sure to love is the Chiang Mai Night Safari. Located about 30 minutes away from the city, the night safari is home to several species of nocturnal animals including exotic large cats. You’ll travel through the park in an open-sided tram with a guide. If your kids aren’t into staying up late, the night safari is also open in the day where you can take the day time walking trail and view a range of different animals. There’s also both an indoor and outdoor playground for the kiddos.
Book a Tour with Klook to the Chiang Mai Night Safari Park
Chiang Mai Night Market
Exploring the Chiang Mai Night Market is one of our favorite things to do in Chiang Mai whether we are traveling with kids or by ourselves. The goods are diverse and the market is one of the best in all of Thailand. Open every day of the year, you’ll find everything from brand name designer goods (both real and fake), clothing, accessories, DVDs and local Thai goods. Many of the local goods are unique to Northern Thailand and quite different from what you will see in Bangkok. While you are exploring the night market, make sure you also check out the two offshoot markets, the Kalare Night Bazaar and the Asunam Market. The market’s food court is a great place to try Khao Soi, the famous dish from Northern Thailand, and one of our favorite Thai dishes.
Book a private tour to the Night Market on Klook
‘Bua Tong’ Sticky Waterfall
There are numerous beautiful waterfalls around Chiang Mai and Northern Thailand, but the Bua Tong waterfall, also know as ‘sticky waterfalls’ is a unique attraction. The natural formation of the rocks on the falls make the waterfall very easy to climb, even as the water is running down. Even our 3.5 year old daughter easily climbed from level to level and we all had a great day – the perfect way to enjoy nature while traveling as a family to Chiang Mai.
Art in Paradise Chiang Mai
Become part of the art in this interesting and interactive 3-D art museum. The museum is fun for all ages and offers the ability to pose for pictures with marine life, animals, famous landmarks and much more in hilarious and creative ways. There are more than 130 such 3D paintings and optical illusions spread over 6 different themed zones. We’ve done this museum a couple of times in Bangkok and it remains one of our favorite picks for things to do in Chiang Mai with kids especially if you need an indoor activity on a rainy day.
Buy tickets to Art in Paradise on Klook
Visit an Elephant Sanctuary with Kids in Chiang Mai
There are quite a number of elephant parks around Chiang Mai, but you’ll want to make sure you choose a reputable, ethical elephant park if you want to visit. This means you should absolutely avoid any park that allows elephant riding and instead visit places where the focus is on rescue and rehabilitation. The Elephant Nature Park is a forerunner in ethical elephant experiences. It’s located about 60 kilometers from Chiang Mai in Mae Taeng District. The park is a sanctuary that is home to a thriving herd of rescued elephants as well as other animals such as dogs, cats and buffaloes. Single day and overnight visits are possible where you can have the unique opportunity to interact with rescued elephants and learn about the rescue and rehabilitation process. Read about another ethical elephant experience in Thailand here.
Attend the World-Famous Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Perhaps the thing that Chiang Mai is most famous for around the world is the amazing Yi Peng Lantern Festival. Celebrated on the full moon of the 12th lunar month each year, the festival usually takes place in mid November. During the 3-day festival, thousands of brightly lit lanterns are let into the night sky in mass lantern release festival. Sit back and watch or set your own lantern into the sky (or floating into the river). Even though it can be crowded and hectic, the festival is truly magical and beautiful and will give your kids memories to last a lifetime.
Doi Inthanon National Park
Doi Inthanon is a bit outside of Chiang Mai, but if you are a family who loves to explore the outdoors, you should try to make time to visit. Part of the Himalayan mountain range, the centerpiece of the park is the mountain of the same name – Doi Inthanon. The mountain is the tallest in Thailand, measuring 2,565 meters at its peak. The park is known for its waterfalls, trails, picturesque viewpoints and year-round cool weather. Getting to the park can be a bit of a challenge on public transit, so hiring a car or booking a tour from Chiang Mai is advisable.
Book a tour to Doi Inthanon National Park on Klook
Find great deals on hotels in Chiang Mai on Booking.com
