Family Trip to Thailand: Best Places to Visit in Thailand with Family
- Written by Roi Alfassi
- Updated October 2025
A family trip to Thailand offers a unique kind of adventure. You’ll visit sacred temples, traditional villages, and charming small towns. At the same time, you can relax on beautiful beaches and take boat rides through breathtaking scenery.
In this guide, you’ll discover the best places to visit in Thailand with family. The two-week itinerary balances cultural discovery with relaxation and fun for every age. It’s the perfect way to experience Thailand together and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Ready, Set, Go! Six Adventurous Days in Northern Thailand
Let’s get started—welcome to Thailand! It’s day one of your trip:
You’ll land at Bangkok International Airport. It’s recommended to begin your journey in the north, so from Bangkok, take a connecting flight to Chiang Mai, the largest and most central city in northern Thailand.
On a two-week trip, it’s a good idea to spend about six days in the north. It’s best not to schedule much on the first day, as you and the kids might be tired from the flights. If you still want to make the most of the day, you can stroll around Chiang Mai itself—its markets, shops, and more.
The next day, we recommend joining an organized tour that covers a variety of attractions and sites: watch a snake show, go rafting, or “adopt” an elephant for a day at the Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, located about a 1.5-hour drive from Chiang Mai. The sanctuary provides a warm home for elephants, which in Thai belief symbolize good luck and strength.
At the sanctuary, elephants are rescued, cared for, and nurtured while preserving a natural, free environment. During your visit, you’ll feed the elephants, take them for a river bath and a mud “spa” they love, and go on a walk with them—without riding. At Elephant Jungle Sanctuary, you’ll connect with these amazing animals and get to know them, rather than viewing them as circus performers.
For your convenience, there’s transportation from Chiang Mai to the sanctuary, and you can choose from several programs: half-day, full-day, or an overnight stay.
In recent years, elephant sanctuaries have become a trend, and many rehabilitation-style camps have sprung up like mushrooms after the rain. Some are very good and clearly care for the elephants, while others are purely commercial enterprises. It’s highly advisable to research thoroughly before booking any particular sanctuary.
Other Recommended Attractions to Explore in the Area:
Doi Suthep Temple (Wat Phra That Doi Suthep)
Located about a 20-minute drive from Chiang Mai, this is the most crucial temple in northern Thailand. To reach the temple, visitors must climb around 300 steps, though there is also the option of taking a cable car. Besides its spiritual significance, the temple offers breathtaking views over Chiang Mai and the surrounding area.
Doi Inthanon National Park
About an hour from Chiang Mai lies one of Thailand’s most famous national parks. Known as the “Roof of Thailand,” it is home to the country’s highest mountain and viewpoint. Bring warm clothing, as it can get cold at the summit.
The park has impressive waterfalls, a stalactite cave, and many hiking trails. Families can enjoy gentle treks through rice fields and visit Karen hill tribe villages. The rainforest is lush and full of unique plants and wildlife. It is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Thailand with family. Plan to spend a whole day exploring all that this park has to offer.
Bai Orchid & Butterfly Farm
This farm is a must-visit for anyone exploring the Chiang Mai area. Here, the whole family can enjoy the beauty of nature while being surrounded by thousands of exotic orchids and hundreds of beautiful butterflies. Tip: for especially stunning photos, look for the small waterfall located in the butterfly section. You can also enjoy a rich buffet meal on-site and even purchase your own orchids to take home.
Chiang Mai Night Bazaar
One of the city’s most famous and affordable markets, starting at Chang Klan Road. It’s a great place to find souvenirs, gifts, clothing, watches, bags, handicrafts, and much more.
Art in Paradise (3D Museum)
This fun interactive museum in Chiang Mai features over a hundred 3D paintings that spark the imagination of both kids and adults. Plan to spend a few hours here—and don’t forget your camera, as you’ll leave with plenty of amazing and creative photos!
Pai (Town)
About a three-hour drive northwest of Chiang Mai lies Pai, a charming little town with plenty to offer: trekking routes, visits to the Pong Dueat Hot Springs, the Tham Nam Lot Cave, Thai cooking classes, waterfalls, and even bamboo rafting adventures.
Pong Dueat Hot Spring
A magical spot in the middle of the jungle where you can bathe in hot mineral pools surrounded by peace, quiet, and birdsong. The area is full of geysers that shoot boiling water high into the air, shallow pools with hot spring water, and even a cold stream that occasionally runs through the hot springs, balancing the water’s temperature naturally.
Tham Nam Lot Cave
This enormous stalactite cave is one of the most impressive and largest in Thailand. Entry and exploration are done via bamboo rafts that float along an underground river running through the cave. In some sections, visitors can also disembark and explore parts of the cave on foot, making it both an adventurous and unforgettable experience.
Relax and Enjoy – Five Days in the Exotic South
From Chiang Mai, take a short flight to southern Thailand and land in Phuket. Here, you’ll find beautiful beaches, great hotels, and a relaxed family atmosphere. Plan to spend at least five days exploring the islands.
One of the best places to visit in Thailand with family is Phang Nga Bay, just north of Phuket. Take a boat trip to the famous Four Islands and enjoy stunning limestone cliffs and turquoise water. This popular excursion is often called the “James Bond Tour,” as one of the movies in the series was filmed here.
If your trip is longer than two weeks, you can head north to Khao Sok National Park and even spend a night at Phu Ta Wan, staying in charming floating bungalows on a freshwater lake with breathtaking pastoral views.
In Phuket, you can visit the Butterfly Garden & Insect World, home to around 6,000 butterflies from 40 different species, as well as the local aquarium and the Snake Farm Phuket.
A fun family-friendly attraction is the Phuket FantaSea Show. This spectacular event includes a lavish buffet dinner in a massive hall that seats about 4,000 guests, with more than 1,000 diners at a time. It’s best to arrive about two hours before the show, as the entire complex itself is a worthwhile attraction.
On a two-week trip, it’s not recommended to spread yourselves across too many destinations. However, if your trip is longer than two weeks, it’s definitely worth visiting the stunning Koh Phi Phi islands (a 2.5-hour ferry ride). Alternatively, you can choose to stay in Koh Phi Phi instead of Phuket.
If you’re based in Phuket and want to experience Koh Phi Phi for just a short visit, you can join the “Seven Islands Tour”. This excursion includes a stop at the famous Maya Bay, where the movie “The Beach” starring Leonardo DiCaprio was filmed.
The tour also takes you to Loh Samah Bay for snorkeling, Phi Ley Lagoon, the Viking Cave (Phaya Naak), and Monkey Island. In addition, you can sail to Khai Island and Koh Phi Phi Don. This trip offers breathtaking scenery, visits to pristine postcard-like beaches, swimming, and snorkeling—an unforgettable highlight of any Thailand vacation.
Ending the Journey in Bangkok
From Phuket, fly back to Bangkok and spend three to four days exploring the city before heading home. Bangkok is full of attractions, temples, and shopping centers. Be sure to visit the Grand Palace, the famous Buddha temples, and fun family-friendly spots like Siam Park City, Dream World, and the Snake Farm.
Siam Park City is one of the most exciting places to visit in Thailand with family. It is a large water park with slides, wave pools, and activities for all ages. Located about an hour from the city center, it offers a perfect day of fun and relaxation before your trip ends.
Bangkok is home to many sacred and important sites. One of the highlights is the Grand Palace, which spans 218,400 square meters. Built in 1782 by King Rama I, it still serves today as the venue for royal ceremonies. The complex is fascinating, and a guided tour makes the visit even more engaging.
Another must-see is Wat Arun (Temple of Dawn), named after the Indian god of dawn, Aruna. Located on the banks of the Chao Phraya River, it is considered one of Bangkok’s most beautiful temples, standing about 86 meters tall. Climbing to the top can feel a bit daunting due to the steep, spiral-like steps, but the temple itself is incredibly unique and impressive.
When it comes to shopping, Bangkok offers an impressive variety of malls and markets. At the Paragon Shopping Center, you can enjoy world-class shopping, while the kids will love the massive Siam Ocean World Aquarium, located on the mall’s basement level. The mall also features luxury designer brands such as Louis Vuitton, Prada, Dior, Gucci, and more.
Another highlight is the famous Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, located about an hour and fifteen minutes from Bangkok. Here you can see hundreds of boats selling all kinds of goods. It’s highly recommended to arrive early in the morning to experience the market’s vibrant activity before it fills up with tourists.
In the evening, head to Asiatique The Riverfront, a beautifully designed complex along the riverbank. It combines hundreds of shops, restaurants, pubs, street performances, and even a giant Ferris wheel offering stunning city views. This unique night market is the perfect place to spend an evening in Bangkok.
Affiliate Disclosure:
This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Your support helps us keep TravelEast running and continue sharing authentic travel experiences.