It goes without saying that Bangkok is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Asia. The Thai capital simply offers a plethora of things to see and do for any budget and for any type of traveler. This includes families – folks who are traveling with teenagers or kids. There is so much more to Bangkok than just shopping and food. From a safari that seems to jump straight out of Africa to thrilling amusement parks; this list has you covered with a variety of suggestions for your next Bangkok trip with the fam-bam.
King Power Mahanakhon
The King Power Mahanakhon – located in Sathorn – is one of Thailand’s tallest buildings. Measuring 314 meters in height, its rooftop is open to the public and houses a 360 degree observation deck as well as a glass tray that visitors can stand on. The latter’s transparent flooring gives visitors a thrill as it provides the feeling of being suspended in mid-air. Families can delight on the magnificent view of Bangkok. The kids can also enjoy the immersive Mahanakhon Skyrides, a virtual reality experience that simulates paragliding over the city or the mountains.
You can get discounted tickets here from Klook
Ancient City Bangkok
Think of Ancient City as a gigantic outdoor museum. Instead of paintings or sculptures, visitors get to see replicas of some of Thailand’s most popular monuments and attractions. The sprawling 200 acre park houses copies of ancient ruins like those in Sukhothai, Ayutthaya and Chiang Mai. These replicas are linked together by bike paths, making for a pleasant area to do a bit of cycling with family members, even those without more than a passing interest in architecture.
Experience “Mini Thailand” here
Safari World
The age of Instagram has turned Safari World into somewhat of a social media darling, especially with images of cute and friendly giraffes extending their necks all the way to the viewing deck for visitors to pet them. There’s plenty to keep the kids busy, including dolphin, bird and seal shows. Visitors can even simulate an African-style safari with a 7km stretch of open space teeming with wildlife that can be explored by private car or van.
Get discounted tickets for Safari World here
Sea Life
Learn about sharks, penguins, whales and other marine creatures at Sea Life Bangkok with numerous zones to explore. Start with the Shark Walk – a glass window with views of the majestic creatures swimming just inches away. The more daring visitors can opt for a VIP experience where they can snorkel with sharks. The Coral Reef zone on the other hand, presents a myriad of colors with various types of corals and exotic fish. Another highlight of Sea Life is the Penguin Ice Playground where visitors can catch these fluffy creatures taking a swim or just waddling in a snowy backdrop.
Find out more about the mysteries of the sea here
Dream World
With a tagline that reads “the world of happiness,” visitors can forget about all their worries for a day with Dream World’s dizzying array of rides, haunted houses and colorful parades. The park also has a Snow Town – essentially a large enclosure filled with snow which even come with occasional snowfalls and even an ice slide for kids (and adults) to play.
Explore the wonders of Dream World here
Siam Amazing Park
Another theme park you can check out in Bangkok is Siam Amazing Park. It is one of the longest standing amusement parks in Southeast Asia. While there are no snow enclosures here, visitors can revel in a dedicated water zone with a wading pool, swirling slides and mini slides for the kids. Despite being around for a while now, new attractions are habitually added to the theme park. One of the more recent additions include the Africa Adventure – a boat trip that takes one around a fictional island filled with robotic animals as well as a variety of flora.
Make your way to Siam Amazing Park’s thrilling rides here
Asiatique
This large outdoor mall in Bangkok has something to keep both adults and kids busy. Parents and elders can sift thru the many stalls. Think of it as like a night market but without the cramped spaces that often plague such venues. Kids on the other hand, can take a ride on the ferris wheel or have a spin at the merry-go-round. At night, Asiatique is quite a spectacle with illuminations throughout the complex. Coupled with a riverside setting, this makes for one of the more pleasant shopping and entertainment complexes in Bangkok.
Chao Phraya Cruise
Cruising down the Chao Phraya is an effective way to escape from Bangkok’s notorious traffic jams and also keep the entire family entertained. Take it slow while admiring views of some riverside landmarks such as Wat Arun, Iconsiam and Asiatique. There are also a number of options to choose from for the boat trip – from a simple water taxi hire to bring you from point to point to a large boat that can seat dozens of people and comes with live entertainment and buffet. A popular one is the Chao Phraya Princess Cruise. The onboard buffet includes assorted sashimi, steak and even desserts.
Secure your seat for the next Chao Phraya cruise here
Dog Café
Families who love pets will enjoy the wide variety of “dog cafes” in Bangkok. Depending on your interest – you could go for a breed-specific dog cafe or a generic one. I personally went for Dog in Town Cafe which has outlets in Ari and Ekkamai. I specifically chose them because they have a number of breeds roaming around the cafe including Samoyed, Corgi, Shiba Inu and more. If you’d like a breed-specific dog cafe, you can also check out TrueLove at Neverland which is known for their Huskies as well as Corgi in the Garden for, you’ve guessed it, their irresistibly cute Corgis.
Family-friendly hotels
Pamper the entire family with wholesome digs and keep them entertained even without stepping out of your lodgings. Some of Bangkok’s most kids-friendly hotels include Anantara Riverside Bangkok which has a spacious Family Suite that can easily accommodate 3 persons even without a rollaway bed as well as a Kid’s Club and Siam Kempinski with its thematic Family Suite and customized itinerary by its “kiddy concierge.”
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