IADR Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 I am heading to CM with wife and baby next week and am looking for things to do that aren't necessarily in the guide books. Of course we will visit the night market, walk around town etc, etc. but if anyone local can recommend anything else to do, it would be greatly appreciated. Am also looking for good places to eat (Thai or Western) so if you can help with this too, that'd be great. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craigt3365 Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 CM is a great place to visit. You'll have a great time for sure!!! But...I think you'll be better off with this topic in the CM forum. Lots of people watch that forum and I'm sure will provide you with lots of good info...hope it's OK with you to move this topic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IADR Posted April 30, 2011 Author Share Posted April 30, 2011 @Craigt3365 Thanks for the suggestion and moving this! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Ummmm depending on the weather, there's a nice park at the SW corner of the moat. I don't have kids here so .... there's the zoo, there's a great Sunday walking street market (from Wat Phra Singh to Tha Pae gate) The Chiang Mai sub-forum is a foody's dream. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Eeew.. That park really is nothing special. Anyway, when you say baby, how old? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimoMax Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 (edited) Edit: Just noted the mention of traveling with wife and baby. Get a local Nanny (cheap by western standards), and get out a bit and explore the wonders of Northern Thailand. You can't do any of the physical type activities if you are taking care of the baby. You could hire a car and drive to see things, or possibly the Night Safari, Doi Suthep temple, and trip to Mae Hong Son Mountain at over 3,000 meters. For restaurants, best to ask for specific western or thai food from a local expat when you get to Chiang Mai. Edited April 30, 2011 by KimoMax Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Eeew.. That park really is nothing special. Anyway, when you say baby, how old? It is a great place to sit, relax, feed the fish ... have a snack etc ..... Tai Chi in the mornings too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Eeew.. That park really is nothing special. Anyway, when you say baby, how old? It is a great place to sit, relax, feed the fish ... have a snack etc ..... Tai Chi in the mornings too! I agree if you want an easy access place in a pretty garden scene. Children love it and I've taken many kids there with their mothers. There is a nice playground for children and a paved running track. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdinasia Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 Thanks Ian! I take clients (Thai) there about once a month and they love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
el jefe Posted April 30, 2011 Share Posted April 30, 2011 (edited) Edit: Just noted the mention of traveling with wife and baby. Get a local Nanny (cheap by western standards), and get out a bit and explore the wonders of Northern Thailand. You can't do any of the physical type activities if you are taking care of the baby. You could hire a car and drive to see things, or possibly the Night Safari, Doi Suthep temple, and trip to Mae Hong Son Mountain at over 3,000 meters. For restaurants, best to ask for specific western or thai food from a local expat when you get to Chiang Mai. Where exactly is "Mae Hong Son Mountain"? The highest mountain in Thailand is Doi Inthanon and it's "only" 2565 meters. But yes, I agree you should ask "local expat(s) when you get to Chaing Mai" because there are already 100's of threads and thousands of posts on the best restaurants in Chiang Mai. Edited April 30, 2011 by el jefe Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miltonbentley Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Chiang Dao Nest is a one and a half hour drive out of town but is an excellent place to check out for a couple of nights and very baby/child friendly. It is situated in a beautiful spot in the mountains. They have comfortable but simple accommodation, superb western food, a pool and lots of toys and an area for kids. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KimoMax Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 I was referring to the OP to consider a trip to Mae Hong Son. Which is a city and area at a high elevation for Thailand, and used the descriptive of "mountain" to help explain to the OP what the Mae Hong Son area is. I generalized about the height of the highest elvation, and did confuse if Doi Inthanon was in the general area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fishenough Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Nice spot close to Chiang Mai to enjoy a cooling splash in a calm river (might be mucky then the seasonal norm with all the recent rain) and nice park settings is Obkhan, or Opkhan, national park. Great place to relax and cool down. On the same road (the canal road), but on the north side of town is Huay Tung Toa Lake. Another nice spot to wade, swim, and enjoy a meal sitting over the lake. Cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 I was referring to the OP to consider a trip to Mae Hong Son. Which is a city and area at a high elevation for Thailand, and used the descriptive of "mountain" to help explain to the OP what the Mae Hong Son area is. I generalized about the height of the highest elvation, and did confuse if Doi Inthanon was in the general area. Mae Hong Son is about an 8 hour drive from Chiang Mai by either route. I think that might be a bit much for a couple with a baby. I did a motorbike tour up there in March. I have a photo heavy thread going on the main, general forum that shows a lot of what to do around Chiang Mai. http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/464412-my-thailand-and-why-i-love-it/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IanForbes Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Nice spot close to Chiang Mai to enjoy a cooling splash in a calm river (might be mucky then the seasonal norm with all the recent rain) and nice park settings is Obkhan, or Opkhan, national park. Great place to relax and cool down. On the same road (the canal road), but on the north side of town is Huay Tung Toa Lake. Another nice spot to wade, swim, and enjoy a meal sitting over the lake. Cheers Thanks for that tip, Kev. I'll be sure to check it out when I get back to LOS. :jap: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IADR Posted May 1, 2011 Author Share Posted May 1, 2011 Thanks for all the replies. Will def head to the park and may well check out the out of town things as well Cheers Iain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cosmicwoman Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 This is a really interesting post What do oldies do in Chiang Mai we dont need to have space for our zimmers - yet?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccw Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 Huay dung toa lake for sunset is very nice. Only 15 mins from town. The zoo is good for kids and a nice view from the top. Plus there is a trolley car thing which you can hop on and off all the way round so not such a mission when tailing kids around. Maybe hire a driver for the day, could go zoo in the morning then on up to doi sutep waterfall (next from car park entrance walk down left and there is a nice thai restaurant perched on the mountain side with views of the river and mini falls; good spot to stop for lunch. Then take a look main falls and the temple higher up the road. Then down to huaydung toa lake for sunset dinner and a couple of drinks. Next back to the hotel and crash out tired but happy. If with driver with English skills can really help. Sure another members can advice you who from Thierry own experience. Have a great trip Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mccw Posted May 1, 2011 Share Posted May 1, 2011 The dukes by the ping river is nice place to eat westernfood and sit outside to see the view of river. A couple of roof top restaurants are nice for dinner and views also but can't remember the names. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cheshiregent Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 chiang mai is a very nice place to live but as a tourist finding things to do for more than 3 or 4 days is a struggle the zoo is by far the worst zoo iv ever been to after an hour or so you've seen everything worth seeing Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Chiang Mai is not really fantastic for the tourist to be honest, it's over-hyped and overrated. As a place to live though it'snot a bad choice, it's a good base for getting to other places in Asia and Thailand. Food is great and cheap,you can buy a good meal for 15 bhat and accommodation is cheap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
weary Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 (edited) Chiang Mai is not really fantastic for the tourist to be honest Depends on what you are looking for. For tourists interested in temples, Chiang Mai has heaps. The Old City is more or less unique among Thai cities and nice for excursions by foot. If you're interested in scenic mountainous terrain, Chiang Mai is up there among the Thai top 5, at least (along with Kanchanaburi/Sangkhlaburi, Loei, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son). There's a decent art museum, Chiang Mai Zoo and the Night Safari, low and high end spa type places, good shopping: Airport Plaza, Saturday and Sunday walking street, Nimmanheimin Rd, Warorot Market, the Night Market, general touristy stuff like the elephant camps, bungy jump, ATV trails, tiger patting, monkey/snake shows in Mae Rim, Flight of the Gibbon in Mae On, botanical gardens - personal favourite being Queen Sirikit Botanical garden in Mae Rim; Huay Tung Tao lake, Hot Springs and Waterfalls, a water reservoir w. restaurant rafts, rooftop bars/restaurants at Porn Ping hotel and Furama hotel, river boat dinner cruise arranged by the Riverside Restaurant and a number of festivals throughout the year like Songkran, Loi Krathong and the Flower Festival. Anyone into cooking schools, meditation courses, tai chi, yoga classes, vegetarian food will also feel at home in CM. Accommodation is good value for the money compared to Bangkok and the touristy parts of the South. Edited May 2, 2011 by weary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheFishman1 Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Chiang Mai is not really fantastic for the tourist to be honest, it's over-hyped and overrated. As a place to live though it'snot a bad choice, it's a good base for getting to other places in Asia and Thailand. Food is great and cheap,you can buy a good meal for 15 bhat and accommodation is cheap. Where in CM you can buy a good meal for 15 bht ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Chiang Mai is not really fantastic for the tourist to be honest, it's over-hyped and overrated. As a place to live though it'snot a bad choice, it's a good base for getting to other places in Asia and Thailand. Food is great and cheap,you can buy a good meal for 15 bhat and accommodation is cheap. Where in CM you can buy a good meal for 15 bht ? street stalls, not fancy I know, but good enough for me. Rice only 5bht , vegetable/chicken curry 10 bht, sold in little small plastic bags. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Chiang Mai is not really fantastic for the tourist to be honest Depends on what you are looking for. For tourists interested in temples, Chiang Mai has heaps. The Old City is more or less unique among Thai cities and nice for excursions by foot. If you're interested in scenic mountainous terrain, Chiang Mai is up there among the Thai top 5, at least (along with Kanchanaburi/Sangkhlaburi, Loei, Chiang Rai and Mae Hong Son). It's a shame the smog obscures the scenery most of the time. There's a decent art museum, Chiang Mai Zoo and the Night Safari, low and high end spa type places, good shopping: Airport Plaza, Saturday and Sunday walking street, Nimmanheimin Rd, Warorot Market, the Night Market, general touristy stuff like the elephant camps, bungy jump, ATV trails, tiger patting, monkey/snake shows in Mae Rim, Flight of the Gibbon in Mae On, botanical gardens - personal favourite being Queens Sirikit Botanical garden in Mae Rim; Huay Tung Tao lake, Hot Springs and Waterfalls, a water reservoir w. restaurant rafts, rooftop bars/restaurants at Porn Ping hotel and Furama hotel, river boat dinner cruise arranged by the Riverside Restaurant and a number of festivals throughout the year like Songkran, Loi Krathong and the Flower Festival. Anyone into cooking schools, meditation courses, tai chi, yoga classes, vegetarian food will also feel at home in CM. Accommodation is good value for the money compared to Bangkok and the touristy parts of the South. In my opinion the markets are good but the general touristy stuff is tacky to me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elektrified Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 (edited) Eeew.. That park really is nothing special. Anyway, when you say baby, how old? It is a great place to sit, relax, feed the fish ... have a snack etc ..... Tai Chi in the mornings too! I too, am very fond of Suan Bak Hat. Lots of good memories of time spent there. Really there is a shortage of parks here. I love Suan Tweechol but it's a good drive out there and costs money to get in. Suan Luang (Mae Rim) is pretty ugly and run down. The park across from the railway station is really ugly; all the plants have died and the swimming pool with only 10% water-filled is a mosquito breeding ground. The park in Nong Hoi is nice put there isn't anywhere to sit and relax. It's good for jogging. Anyone know of any other nice parks around? Edited May 2, 2011 by elektrified Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WinnieTheKhwai Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Yes, 15 baht is getting a little tough. I think you need to shell out at least 20 or even 25 if it's anywhere near town. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 I am staying in town and there are a number of street stalls selling the meal I described. There are always people queueing up to buy, never seen any foreigners buying from there though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elektrified Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 Chiang Mai is not really fantastic for the tourist to be honest, it's over-hyped and overrated. As a place to live though it'snot a bad choice, it's a good base for getting to other places in Asia and Thailand. Food is great and cheap,you can buy a good meal for 15 bhat and accommodation is cheap. Where in CM you can buy a good meal for 15 bht ? Maybe he/she hasn't visited C.M. in the last 10 years??? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackers Posted May 2, 2011 Share Posted May 2, 2011 (edited) Chiang Mai is not really fantastic for the tourist to be honest, it's over-hyped and overrated. As a place to live though it'snot a bad choice, it's a good base for getting to other places in Asia and Thailand. Food is great and cheap,you can buy a good meal for 15 bhat and accommodation is cheap. Where in CM you can buy a good meal for 15 bht ? Maybe he/she hasn't visited C.M. in the last 10 years??? huh? I am in CM right now, I've only been here for less than two months and I know about these street carts. Edited May 2, 2011 by jackers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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