Our Chiang Mai itinerary was a 7-day family trip with 2 adults and 2 kids. Many places we wanted to visit were outside of the city. We chose to rent a car and self-drive in Chiang Mai, which gave us more flexibility for day trips. Our family trip to Chiang Mai was at the end of January. We had great weather and mostly clear days although we did get a little smog on the last couple of days.
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How many days is ideal in Chiang Mai?
This largely depends on how many days you have in Thailand and what you want to do with your time in Chiang Mai. Our family spent 3 weeks in Thailand and 7 days in Chiang Mai. We had a list of day trips we wanted to do and we also lined up our time with the cheapest flight from Chiang Mai to Phuket. We mostly went out in the morning, relaxed in the afternoon and then went out for dinner. I think 5 days would be enough time in Chiang Mai to explore around the city and do some day trips.
Read our full 3 week Thailand itinerary.
Where to stay in Chiang Mai with family?
When trying to work out which area was best for our family to stay in Chiang Mai, there were a few things we had to consider. We knew we wanted to be close to the Old City so we could see lots of the temples and visit the night markets. As we would have a rental car, we needed family accommodation that also had parking. Driving in Chiang Mai also meant thinking about the ease of getting around and not getting in too much traffic.
In the end, we decided to stay just outside of the Old City at The Warehouse Chiang Mai. We had a connecting room so there was plenty of space for us all. The downsides were that there is also a hostel in a separate building but guests use the same pool which meant it was always busy during our stay. The room doors looked cool but didn’t offer any noise insulation.
The location allowed us to walk around Chiang Mai viewing lots of temples. We came to love our evening walk to and from dinner and night markets. Crossing a little bridge, seeing street art and walking by a golden chedi at a local temple.
Driving in Chiang Mai
We had a rental car that we drove from Bangkok to Sukhothai and then to Chiang Mai. Driving in Chiang Mai was like driving in any other small city. There was traffic when leaving and coming back to the city. The traffic meant we probably didn’t do as much in a day as we could have. We went out for day trips in the morning and then we didn’t go out driving again once we got back to the hotel.
The worst thing about driving in Chiang Mai as a tourist was being aware of all the scooter riders. A lot of them will swerve in front of you or turn corners in front of oncoming traffic. Another thing to note about driving around the city is that due to the old walls and moat, you have to drive a little further and do a U-turn to get to the other side of the road. It’s not a big problem but does mean it’s a slower process to get out of the city area.
All of the roads we drove on, in and around Chiang Mai were in great condition. We used Google Maps for directions for all our road trips from Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai in January
Our family stay in Chiang Mai was in late January. The weather was quite mild. Afternoons were hotter but it cooled overnight and some mornings we needed a light outer layer. The areas in the mountains were much colder. One concern for Chiang Mai travel in January is that it can be smoggy. We only experienced this a little towards the end of our stay. Some days we couldn’t see the sun coming through in the city but had beautiful clear skies during our day trips.
Chiang Mai with kids
We travelled to Chiang Mai with our kids aged 10 and 7. There was nothing in our itinerary that was especially for kids. Although it was tempting, we made the choice as a family not to visit any elephant parks in Chaing Mai. Our kids enjoyed seeing temples and caves, eating dumpling soup and drinking fruit smoothies. The best thing we did in Chiang Mai with kids was climb up the sticky waterfalls.
Chiang Mai family trip itinerary for 7 days
Please see below for detailed daily itineraries but here is an overview of our 7-day Chiang Mai itinerary.
Day 1: Doi Suthep
Day 2: Chiang Dao
Day 3: Sticky Waterfall, Orchid & Butterfly Farm
Day 4: Muang On Cave
Day 5: Markets & temples
Day 6: Self-guided walking temple tour
Day 7: Day in Chiang Mai
Last day: Flight to Phuket
Day 1: Day trip to Doi Suthep
Wat Phra That Doi Suthep
The drive from our hotel in Chiang Mai to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep took about 40 minutes. Parking near the temple was limited. There were cars parked along the side of the road however there was an area with a sign that said no parking. Luckily, we were able to find a spot a little further down.
We made our way up the staircase lined on each side by a beautifully detailed multi-headed serpent. To the left of the stairs, we purchased our entry tickets. For adult foreigners it is 30thb, kids are free.
We walked around the outer terrace and took in the view however it was quite foggy. We accidentally entered the inner shrine area through the wrong entrance and removed our shoes. Here you can walk around the stunningly bright gold Chedi. We had to walk back to where we came through and carry our shoes to the stairs at the exit. Be careful walking down in socks, our youngest slipped on the steep, tiled stairs. At the bottom, we noticed an undercover area with racks for shoes.
With our shoes back on we walked down the main stairs. At the base, there are various craft stores and some food shops. We purchased waffles and were told we could eat them in the nearby coffee shop. Tim ordered an iced coffee and we sat at a bar overlooking the temple entrance.
Wat Pha Lat
A short drive down the mountain, we parked in a small area outside Wat Pha Lat. At first, we thought the building off the main road was it but realised the main temple grounds were further downhill. We walked along the road and saw there were parking spots closer to the temple but they were all full anyway.
The temple grounds are beautiful and I imagine would be very peaceful on a quiet early morning. There are many buildings and statues and even a waterfall, all surrounded by lush, green forest.
Montha Than Waterfall
A little further along, we pulled off the main road to the entrance of Montha Than Waterfall. Here we had to pay a fee of 330thb. We viewed the waterfall from the bottom and then carefully crossed the rocks to the other side. From there we began a short loop walk. It was a fun walk with wooden steps, overhanging vines and information boards along the way.
Huai Kaeo Waterfall
We parked in the car park and walked along the path lined with little stores until it ended at the waterfall. While walking our 10-year-old and I spotted a snake moving through the water. We then walked back along the rocks and crossed a small stream of water to take steps back up to the main path. This visit was in the dry season of January so, there was only a small amount of water.
Dinner
After resting at the hotel, we dropped off our clothes to be washed and dried at One Laundry. That day we ate dinner at the restaurant Arroy Dee’s.
Day 2: Day trip to Chiang Dao
Tham Chiang Dao
The drive from The Warehouse Chiang Mai to Tham Chiang Dao took us about an hour and a half. Tham Chiang Dao is a cave with stalagmites and stalactites. Entry to the Cave is 40thb per adult. After walking down into the cave, we came to an open area and had people tell us we had to pay to enter the next part. These people were guides for the paid tour section of the cave and we thought this was where our entry ended. A kind person then pointed out that there was a separate route and we could continue through.
I’m glad they let us know because the path continued for quite a distance through the cave. There were many different formations, all with lights for easy viewing.
Outside the cave, we strolled around the temple grounds and looked at the shops surrounding the carpark.
Wat Tham Pha Plong
Wat Tham Pha Plong is a hilltop temple surrounded by forest. The pathway to the temple is via a stairway of 510 steps and is lined with Buddhist proverbs. At the top is a temple inside a small cave. During our visit, the pagoda was under construction and inaccessible.
Dinner
Our dinner that night was at the restaurant Sompetch. Our 10-year-old declared the dumpling soup his favourite meal of the whole trip.
Day 3: Day trip to Sticky Waterfall
Sticky Waterfall
After leaving the hotel, our first stop was at Chouquette Bakery to purchase baguettes to take for our lunch. From there it was about a one-hour drive to Namtok Bua Tong also called Sticky Waterfall.
Entry to the sticky waterfall is free and we think it is the best thing to do in Chiang Mai with kids.
There are different numbered areas of the waterfall. A guide that was on tour with a couple, came to tell us to walk all the way down so that we could then climb the whole way up the waterfall. Getting down into the water was the trickiest part as it was muddy and walking through the river was a little slippery.
We hesitantly took our first steps on the surface of the waterfall to test it. Our feet really did stick to it. Climbing up was so fun! We all felt like Spiderman. The water was quite warm and in some places, it was rushing over our legs. There were parts, especially near the top that were worn down so were slippery but there was a rope to hold on to. We went all the way to the top and then walked back down the steps to do it again.
We ate our baguettes on a picnic table and then bought some fish food to feed the fish in the pond. The kids changed their clothes because of course they got soaked.
Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm
On our way back to our Chiang Mai hotel, we stopped at Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm. It cost 120thb for all four of us to enter. The first section is a jewellery store and there is also a cafe on site. A tour bus arrived at the same time as us so, we headed straight for the butterfly house before it became busy.
There were lots of plants and flowers inside and a display of butterfly pupa. The butterflies were moving around and landing on different plants. It was fun to find some different coloured ones.
The orchid area was interesting as I’ve never seen them grow like that. Hanging with exposed roots were many different coloured orchids.
The Bai Orchid and Butterfly Farm was a fun little stop on our day trip.
Dinner
Dinner that night was at the restaurant Grazie.
Day 4: Day trip to Muang on Cave
Mae Kampong Village
This was meant to be a day trip to Mae Kampong Village but it was so busy we couldn’t get a park.
We drove through the village and there were lots of groups and nowhere to park. As there was no space to turn around we had to keep driving. We came to the Mae Kampong Waterfall and luckily there was a small spot to park. We got out to look at the waterfall before driving back through the village. There were still no parking spots and lots of busses so we decided to just move on.
Muang On Cave
We drove to Muang On Cave, parked and paid to use the toilets. At the bottom of the stairs, we paid the 40thb entry fee. A colourful serpent lines the long staircase to the top. It is then a long descent down into the cave via some very steep steps.
The inside of the cave is filled with stalactites and stalagmites. There are various pathways and little caverns with Buddha statues. As we drove away from the parking space we saw monkeys on the side of the road.
The Cave Cafe
A short drive to The Cave Cafe for lunch. This place is beautiful with lots of greenery and a water feature outside. Large windows mean this can be seen from inside the cafe. We were the only ones there at the time. There was relaxing music and we watched as the man took his time making our iced coffee and Thai milk tea to absolute perfection. He served the kids little cups of water. It was such a welcoming chilled vibe. We shared pizzas for lunch although we were also tempted by the delicious-looking cake display.
Sourdough in Chiang Mai
As my husband is a sourdough baker, finding sourdough bread is a must, a bonus if it is a small artisan baker. We came across Chaing Mai Bread online. After she’d sold out the day before, I messaged her on Facebook to check if she had stock and she put aside a couple of loaves for us. Sadly, it appears that since our visit Chaing Mai Bread has now closed.
Dinner
Our dinner that night was at the restaurant Yoys. There was a very cute resident French bulldog that had its own seat.
Day 5: Markets and temples in Chaing Mai
Jing Jai Farmers Market
In the morning we dropped off our rental car and took a taxi to Jing Jai Farmers Market. We all loved this market. It was quality artisan wares, clothing, fresh produce and lots of food. We bought passionfruit juice as we wandered around the market. The kids spent their money on badges and crocheted cactus pots. We bought pineapple jam and a large bag of passionfruit. For lunch, we had steamed buns followed by avocado ice creams and an iced coffee for Tim.
Wat Chiang Man
From the market, we walked 2km to Wat Chiang Man. This is the oldest temple in Chiang Mai town, built in 1296. The temple is known for its golden-topped chedi with elephants all around.
Wat Lam Chang
The name of this temple translates to ‘shackled elephants’ because it is where the king kept elephants that were used for transport.
Wat Sri Suphan
Also known as The Silver Temple, both the interior and exterior are covered in silver and aluminium. We didn’t see the inside as a sign in front of the temple says ‘man only’. We went to see the temple before we visited the night market as it is located close by.
Wua Lai Walking Street
Wua Lai Road is closed to traffic and becomes a walking street market every Saturday. It’s stated that it begins at 5 p.m. however, we found a lot of the stalls were still getting set up. You can find all the typical souvenirs and clothes here, our kids bought an elephant key ring to remember our trip. There are also lots of food stalls. We found a table in an area set up like a food court and ate from a few different stalls.
Day 6: Chaing Mai self-walking tour of temples
This was a day of temple-hopping. We walked around Chiang Mai for over 2 hours, viewing different temples. The kids handled it remarkably well. I think it helped that each temple had something unique to see.
First, we picked up some croissants from Da’s Home Bakery and put them in the backpack for an easy lunch on the go later. My top tip for doing a self-guided walking tour of temples in Chiang Mai is to use Google My Maps. You can add all of the temples and attractions you want to visit to the map as pins. This allows you to see what is around the same location.
Three Kings Monument, Wat Inthakin Sadue Muang, Wat Phantao
Our self-guided tour began at the Three Kings Monument, an important piece in Chiang Mai to show respect for the Kings who built the city. Just across the road is Wat Inthakin Sadue Muang, a small temple with striking details. A little further down the road is Wat Phantao, a temple made from teak wood. There are intricate carvings and a mosaic peacock above the entrance. A golden Buddha sits inside.
Wat Chedi Luang
Luang means large and this temple houses Chiang Mai’s largest Buddhist Chedi. The current Chedi is a partial reconstruction after the original, built in 1481, was destroyed in an earthquake. Jutting out from the base are stone elephants that have been restored. The temple’s entrance fee is 40thb for adults and 20thb for kids. I can’t remember the age but our 10-year-old was charged the adult fee.
Wat Jet Lin
This one was a favourite. You can cross the large lily pond on a little bamboo bridge, lined with colourful lanterns. The temple grounds are filled with various artifacts and lots of pot plants. It felt as if we were in someone’s beautiful home garden.
Wat Sai Mun Fama, Wat Loi Kroh, Wat Saen Fang
None of these temples were on my list, we just walked by and thought they looked interesting. Each one had its own unique look so, we still weren’t quite ‘templed out’ yet.
Wat Buppharam
With a lot of the buildings built in the 1800s with Burmese influence, this temple’s appearance is a little more unique. There are many different things to see here—a wooden building with mirrored mosaics, a large chedi and several statues, including a Donald Duck. The entrance fee was 40thb for all of us.
Mango sticky rice and afternoon in the pool
We were hungry after all that temple hopping so we stopped at a restaurant to have mango sticky rice. Back at the hotel, the boys finally got to play in the pool.
Tha Phae Walking Street
This is another road that closes to traffic and becomes a walking street market. Held on a Sunday, the opening time is listed as 5 p.m. however it seemed to have started earlier. We found a table to sit at and ate grilled corn and Japanese-style pancakes on a stick. There were all the usual souvenirs and clothes and the street goes on for a long time. The market was so much busier and we could barely move through the crowd on our way out so, definitely come early.
Day 7: Day in Chiang Mai
We thought about taking the kids to the Elephant Poo Poo Park for something different. I flagged down a songthaew driver but he didn’t know where it was. Then I got worried that he might take us to an elephant park. It was also difficult to organise transport as the park’s website stated that you needed to book a time to visit. So, we gave up on the idea.
As we were leaving Chiang Mai the next day, we dropped off a bag of washing to One Laundry so that we could leave with clean clothes. Across the road, we had delicious, fresh donuts at Good Monday.
Wat Pha Bong
A small Buddhist temple, set in a beautiful garden. There are a lot of colourful flowers and lush green plants. Bright gold Chedi and Buddha statues are also within the temple grounds.
Dinner
Earlier in the afternoon we finished our walk with fruit smoothies. For dinner, the kids requested we return to Sompetch for dumpling soup.
Last day: Flight from Chaing Mai to Phuket
Our last morning in Chiang Mai was spent packing. We walked to exchange some cash and ate lunch at Da’s Home Bakery. After checking out we waited at the hotel for a taxi to the airport for our flight to Phuket.
