Bangkok is a city that never sleeps, its vibrant, full of culture, and it welcomes over 20 million visitors every year. Whether you’re looking to shop, seek out history, or visit ancient temples, Bangkok has it all. If you want to escape the city for the day, there are also some great day trips to enjoy. To learn all about the events of WWII, take a Bangkok Kanchanaburi tour or visit Ayutthaya, a city full of ancient temples. Other options include Khao Yai National Park, which is a must for wildlife enthusiasts, and Chonburi is an excellent place if you want to spend a day out by the sea. Bangkok is the gateway city for most travelers to Thailand, so if you’re booking a holiday get inspired by this list of things to do in Bangkok with family including the best day trips.
Table of Contents
20 Things To Do In Bangkok With Family including the Best Day Trips
Top things to do in Bangkok City Centre
1. Chao Phraya River Cruise
Like many cities around the world, Bangkok, Thailand has a river which is one of the major focal points. The city is often called the Venice of the East because of the extensive network of canals. Taking a boat ride down the Chao Phraya River is an enjoyable experience and an excellent method of transport between attractions. To make a river ride get on one of the many boats from Sathorn pier which connects to the Saphan Taksin BTS station. The boats have colored flags, and the blue one is the tourist boat that stops at all the major attractions along the river. You can hop on and off when you like. It’s a fantastic way to get to Wat Arun, Wat Pho, China Town, and the Grand Palace. There’s a lot to see on a river cruise, and the scenery varies from Bangkok’s most exquisite hotels to the shanty huts and stalls of local communities. One of the newest and most contemporary buildings is the ICONSIAM. Bangkok’s latest and grandest shopping mall.
2. Wat Pho Temple
The incredible sight of Thailand’s largest buddha is a sight not to miss. The whole statue is gold and measures 15 meters high and a whopping 46 meters long. The feet are exquisitely decorated in mother of pearl and dropping a penny in each of the 108 bowls is believed to bring you good luck. The statue is housed in Bangkok’s largest and oldest temple complex, and there are over 1000 buddha images to admire as well as the gold statue. It’s next to the temple of the Emerald Buddha and close to the Grand Palace. The easiest way to get there is from the Tha Tien Pier on the river.
3. The Grand Palace
The grand palace is one of the cities most famous landmarks and its Bangkoks most visited attraction. Although there hasn’t been a king in residence here since 1925, the royal family still uses the palace for ceremonial purposes including coronations. The complex is enormous and has over 100 buildings, and although they’re not all open to the public, there’s plenty to see. The ornate architecture of the buildings is magnificent, and the grounds are equally impressive — There’s plenty of statues to admire and spectacular facades to appreciate. The outer court is where you’ll find the famous temple of the Emerald buddha. The beautiful Buddha statue inside was carved from a single slab of jade, and it’s dressed from head to toe in gold. The jewels sparkle and glisten from every angle its stunningly beautiful.
4 Wat Arun Temple
Wat Arun is known as the temple of Dawn and its the most beautiful of all temples in Bangkok. It sits on the bank of the river Chao Phraya, and it looks magnificent when it’s illuminated at night. From a distance, the temple looks completely white, and it’s not until you get close that you notice the intricate and exquisite colored design. Small pieces of stained glass are intertwined with fragments of Chinese porcelain and cover the whole facade of the 70-meter high prang (spire).
The architecture is unlike the other temples in Bangkok and its one of the few temples that you are allowed to climb. Two impressive statues guard the entrance to the ordination hall, and the corridors of the main temple are beautiful. Like all temples, there’s plenty of Buddha statues to admire, but you’ll also find sculptures of lions, mystical creatures, Chinese dragons, and warriors. The easiest way to reach the temple is on the blue tourist boat.
5. Shopping
Bangkok is a paradise for shoppers whether you prefer designer malls or bargaining at the night markets the city as it all. ICONSIAM is Bangkok’s newest mall. Its a vast complex with a whopping 500 stores, a floating market, and an art gallery. All the major fashion houses have shops inside and its home to the only Apple and Takashimaya stores in Bangkok. If you can’t afford the big names don’t worry as there’s plenty of high street brands as well. You can shop till you drop and then enjoy an excellent meal at one of the malls 100 restaurants. Although ICONSIAM is on the opposite side of the river, it’s easy to get to as there’s a free boat service from Sathorn Pier.
The majority of Bangkok’s other major malls are in the Siam district. The central world is worth visiting for its fantastic supermarket and atmospheric restaurants. Siam Paragon has lots of major brand stores and the best cinema complex in town. You’ll also find many of the world’s famous chain restaurants here and a sizeable open food court. If you’re looking for Thai souvenirs, head to the MBK center. This mall is enormous and packed with small stalls and shops. The 4th and 5th floors have a wealth of electronic stores, including professional camera shops such as Canon. In the Sukhumvit area of the city, the Em Quartier Mall has an impressive chandelier made from plants, and there’s a stunning garden with panoramic views of Bangkok on the 5th floor.
6. The open bookstore at Central Embassy Mall
Central Mall is an exclusive shopping complex next to the Ploenchit BTS station. It’s a big open spaced complex which houses brands such as Vivienne Westwood and Michael Kors. While you might not be able to afford to shop here, don’t write off visiting. Head straight up to the top floor where you’ll find one of the world’s most unique bookshops. The store runs the whole length of the building, and the shelves of books are intermingled with cafes and restaurants. There’s a play area for children and a fantastic range of children’s books. You can find rare collections of art books and a vast array of cookbooks, novels, and books on hobby-based interests such as photography. The emphasis of the store is to offer a meaningful offline experience, and you’ll find plenty of quiet corners with comfy chairs to browse and read.
7. Lumpini Park
Lumphini Park is a great place to head to if you’re looking for a place to escape to within the city. The park is a green oasis in the heart of the CBD, and you’ll often find people taking a lunchtime stroll there. It was opened by King Rama VI in the 1920s and is the largest and oldest open space in Bangkok. There are two ornamental lakes within the 142 acres of parkland and several paths that guide you around them. On the large lake, you can hire a pedalo, or you can join the many locals enjoying a picnic on the extensive lawns. It’s a great place to people-watch or participate in some tai chi. The park’s other great attraction is the giant monitor lizards that like to bask in the sun near the lake.
8. Jim Thompson house
Known as the Thai Silk King, Jim Thompson made a fortune in the silk fashion industry. Although he mysteriously disappeared in 1967, the Jim Thompson brand is still prevalent throughout Thailand today. As a former American expat and architect, he was fascinated by traditional Thai houses. As a successful businessman who made millions in the silk textile industry, his home in the heart of Bangkok is a masterpiece of Thai craftsmanship. Sections of the house were reclaimed from derelict villages and collected from places around Thailand. As an avid collector, Jim Thompson used to salvage interesting features of wooden houses, and eventually, he put them together to form this spectacular house in the city. Inside there’s original artwork, furniture and a collection of his personal belongings on display. The gardens are beautiful and its a pleasant walk around them. There’s also a restaurant which is an excellent place to enjoy lunch and a Jim Thompson silk shop. However, the prices are rather extravagant. If you’re looking for a more affordable, yet still authentic silk gift, there’s a Jim Thompson factory outlet store in the city. To get there, take exit five from the Bang Chak BTS station.
9. Chatuchak Market
Even if you are not a fan of shopping Chatuchak market is a must. It’s one of the most significant market s in the world. Chatuchak has approximately 15,000 stalls, so if you can’t find what you’re looking for here; it doesn’t exist. There are even maps available to assist you. Whether you’re looking for antiques, souvenirs, wooden carvings, silk, garden plants, a new pet, ceramic wares or cuddly toys you’ll be able to bargain for it here. If you want to visit the market, it’s only open at the weekend. You can get there by taking exit 1 or 3 from the Mo Chit BTS station or the MRT line to either Chatuchak Park or Kamphaeng Phet station.
10. King Power Mahanakhon Tower
For the best views of the city visit the king Power Mahanakhon Tower. The viewing deck offers 360-degree panoramic views over the surrounding area. If you’re daring enough, you can take a skywalk across the glass that’s 310 meters high. It’s one of the world’s largest glass trays and watching the traffic drive by underneath provides plenty of thrills for adrenaline seekers. If you prefer a more relaxing view of the city, the sky bar on the 76th floor has an outdoor dining area with magnificent views to enjoy.
11. China Town
No other china town in the world is comparable to the one in Bangkok. The sights, sounds, and smells are guaranteed to enlighten your senses, and for photographers, there are copious amounts of street scenes to capture. If you love seafood, you should head to Yaowarat Road after dark. To get to the best eateries, follow the crowds. One of the most famous stalls is Fai-Kaew Yao Wa-Rat. You won’t miss it as the shooting flames from the wok draw massive crowds. China Town is also home to numerous temples, and if you’ve not had enough of buddha statues, the temple Wat Traimit is worth visiting. It’s home to the largest Buddha statue in the world. The Yaowarat Chinatown Heritage Center is also worth a visit if you want to learn more about how and why the Chinese immigrants came to Bangkok. To get there, take the MRT subway to the Hua Lamphong stop. From here its a short walk to Wat Traimit.
12. Have a drink in a sky bar
The skyline of Bangkok is an amazing sight at night when all the lights illuminate the sky. There’s plenty of rooftop bars to head to and watch the glorious sunsets while enjoying a cocktail or a glass of champagne.
Vertigo and Moon Bar on the 61st floor of the Banyan Tree Hotel is one of the most popular as it looks out over the river. Vertigo is an open rooftop restaurant, and across an open-air bridge is the Moon Bar.
The park society bar on the 29th floor of the Sofitel So Hotel may not be that high, but the view over Lumpini Park is stunning. It’s the best bar to watch the sunset and its popular with romantic couples.
Other sky bars worth mentioning are Lebuna, which was made famous by the Hangover movies and the Octave bar at the Marriott, which has three floors each with a different vibe.
13. Watch a Kickboxing Tournament
Thai boxing known as Muay Thai is the countries most popular sport and for sporting enthusiasts watching a tournament is a thrilling experience. The atmosphere is electric, and there’s lots of fun in the paraphernalia that goes alongside the fight. There are two main venues to watch Muay Thai in the city, although neither are easy to reach. If you don’t fancy organizing, you’re own ticket and transport; there’s plenty of tour options available. Rajadamnern Boxing Stadium is closest to the city center, and fights take place on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Bangkok’s newest stadium Lumpinee is on the outskirts of town, and the easiest way to get there is by taxi. Fights take place here on Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Lumpinee stadium only hosts contests for male competitors, so if you want to see the women in action, you need to go to Rajadamnern. Don’t buy the cheapest tickets as they’re the furthest away from the arena, spend a little more and get closer to the action.
14. Erawan Shrine
The Erawan shrine was initially built to grace the front of the Erawan Hotel, and although not strictly Buddhist its one of the most visited places of worship in the city. The shrine honors the four-faced Brahma God, Tao Mahaprom and countless numbers of visitors make ceremonial offerings each day. The local street vendors sell garlands and wooden elephants to present as offerings, and you can smell the incense from a distance. The shrine often features performances by Thai dancers who are usually paid by worshippers who want to give thanks for having their prayers answered.
15. Fruit Carving Class
Fruit carving has been an art form in Bangkok for centuries. Known as kae sa luk, the origins of fruit carving can be traced back to the Sukhothai dynasty in the 14th Century. Today it is still studied in Thai schools and can be taken as an optional subject. Competitions are held throughout the country, and the displays are spectacular. It’s a craft that requires precision, skill and a lot of patience. If you’re looking for something more unusual to do in Bangkok, taking a day’s fruit carving course is great fun. Learning how to turn tomatoes into roses and cucumbers into leaves is not as easy as it looks, but under the guidance of a great master, you can surprise yourself. The Siam Carving Academy is one of the best, but there are several schools around the city.
Day trips from Bangkok
16. Visit a Floating market
The floating markets are an iconic image of Thailand, and many tourists put them on top of their list of places to see. A visit to any of them requires an early start if you want to see the best of the action, although they are open all day. Damnoen Saduak is the most popular but its also the most touristy. It’s just over an hour’s drive from the city, so its best visited as part of a tour. It’s a large colorful market with lots of boats and stalls selling products almost exclusively to tourists.
Amphawa floating market is 90 km south-west of the city and has a more charming atmosphere than Damnoen Saduak. The traditional wooden teak houses that line the canal provide a beautiful backdrop and although there’s still plenty of tourists the locals do come here for the fantastic seafood.
Bang Nam Pheung floating market is a much smaller market but its close to the city. It’s a good place to visit if you’re interested in trying local food such as sticky rice and sweet mango. The market is on the other side of the Chao Phraya River, and you can take a long tail boat from Wat Klong Toey Nok and a short taxi ride to get there.
17. Khao Yai National Park
Khao Yai is a Unesco world heritage site and Thailand’s oldest National park. It’s approximately a 3-hour drive from Bangkok, but it’s worth it for the wildlife. If you like birdwatching, this is one of the best places to see members of the hornbill family, including the great hornbill. There’s also plenty of mammals to spot to including Gibbon, Elephant, Bear, Gaur, Sambar Deer, Barking Deer Macaque, Civet, Porcupine, Indian Muntjac and Asian Wild Dogs. Near the water, you can spot snakes, geckos, monitor lizards, and crocodiles. If your priority is to see the wildlife hiring a guide is recommended. The park also has many treks, trails and waterfalls. The most famous is Haew Suwat which is where Leonardo DiCaprio jumped over the edge in the film ‘The Beach”.
18. Ayutthaya
Ayutthaya is another of Thailand’s Unesco sites that’s makes for a great day trip from Bangkok. The ancient city dates back to 1350 when it was the second Siamese capital after Sukhothai. Throughout the 14th to the 18th centuries, it was the world’s most cosmopolitan city. The Burmese army destroyed it in 1767, and today it’s an extensive archaeological site. There’s a wealth of temples to see, and the best way to get around is on a tuk-tuk tour. If you are traveling from Bangkok, you can catch a train from Hua Lamphong station. The journey to Ayutthaya takes just under two hours, and there’s always plenty of tuk-tuk drivers ready to take people on tours at Ayutthaya train station. The best temples to visit are Wat Chaiwatthanaram, Wat Lokaya Sutha, and the Ayutthaya historical park. The famous stone buddha head that’s set in a tree is at Wat Phra Mah that and is one of the most photographed sites.
19. Kanchanaburi
The bridge over the river kwai is the reason most tourists visit Kanchanaburi. Made famous by the 1957 film this province is steeped in WWII history. You can pay your respects by visiting the war graves and learn about the painful austerities of the POW at the Thai-Burma Railway Centre museum. The Death railway train now takes visitors on a scenic journey and over the last remaining wooden bridge built by the POW. If you can spare the time, it’s worth spending a few days in the region as Hellfire Pass and Erawan falls are also worth exploring.
20. Chonburi
Chonburi is Bangkoks closest seaside town approximately 80km from the capital. The area has delightful beaches and excellent seafood. The most popular resort in the province is Pattaya, but unless you’re looking for all-night parties and copious amounts of alcohol I would avoid it. Instead, head for one of the quieter towns such as Bang Saen. The most prominent landmark in the area is Buddha Mountain. The side of the hill was engraved in 1996 to mark King Bhumibol Adulyadej’s 50 years on the throne.
The long neck Karen village is another popular attraction. The villagers here are famed for their long necks which are elongated from birth using a series of gold rings. You can buy some unique souvenirs and jewelry here.
The promenade along Chonburi’s seafront is also a pleasant place for a stroll, and as the sunsets, the local street vendors create a popup restaurant along the beach. The food is delicious, and you’ll still have time to catch the bus back to Bangkok as buses run until around 9 pm.
Bangkok Tourism
How to Reach Bangkok in Thailand
- Bangkok is the main city and capital of Thailand
- Bangkok is served by two airports namely Suvarnabhumi also known as Bangkok International Airport and the Don Mueang International Airport
- Major airlines fly to and from Bangkok from major cities in the world
Are you thinking of heading to Bangkok? If yes, you can book flights right here. to Bangkok through TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline.
Where To Stay In Bangkok, Thailand
For the best hotels in Bangkok or the best place to stay in Bangkok, we suggest checking out our favourite sites to book here. We always use these sites to book our stay. Bangkok hotel booking can be done through TripAdvisor or Cleartrip or Agoda or Makemytrip or Priceline and get awesome deals and savings. to save huge and get the best deals on booking your stay in Bangkok.
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Tours/Activities available in Bangkok – Things To Do In Bangkok
Bangkok points of interest are many and if you are wondering what to see in Bangkok or what to do in Bangkok, then look no further. Bangkok attractions pass are available for the best Bangkok tours. You can now book tours in Bangkok as well as activities in Bangkok. Plan the best places to visit in Bangkok, Thailand.
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I hope you’ve found this list of things to do in Bangkok with family, useful and inspiring. The city can seem overwhelming when you first arrive. Its vast and attractions are spread out. So make sure you plan your itinerary in advance so that you’ll be well equipped to make the most of your time here.
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