Discover Chiang Mai: The Soul of Northern Thailand

Elephant Nature Center: For an ethically spent day with elephants, go to the Elephant Nature Center (or take one of their tours). The elephants on site have all been rescued from unethical or dangerous environments, and are very accustomed to humans.

Hill tribe tour: We spent a full day with members of the White Karen tribe, and were able to visit their community and see how they live before sharing a meal. More than any other experience from our honeymoon, this is the one we talked about the most—and also provided the best meal we ate.

Walk around the night market: While the night market is known for having a ton of delicious street food, you will also find a plentiful array of handicrafts and activities to participate in. While it tends to be crowded and busy, it is absolutely worth going at least once for the experience—though I went as often as I could!

Explore the Old City: Enclosed by a moat and protected by ancient walls, walk around the old city of Chiang Mai to take in the historical and cultural heartbeat of the city. Peruse markets, take in the museums and monuments, and enjoy the modern life this ancient city has to offer by way of restaurants, shops, and bars.

Get a Thai massage: I cannot stress this enough: get a Thai massage while you’re here! While the allure of a 60-minute massage for roughly $12 should be enough, after all of the exploring and adventuring you’ll do in the city, it is a great way to relax and rejuvenate your body.

Wat Chedi Luang: Dating back to the 14th century, Wat Chedi Luang, while damaged, is an ancient marvel. Poised in the center of the city, the area also hosts a Buddhist University, and many of the monks are working to practice their English—so you can sit and have a conversation with them, learning about their way of life and gaining additional knowledge and perspective about this sacred site.

Wat Phra That Doi Suthep: An absolute must for a visitor to Chiang Mai, take a songthaew about 30 minutes to the base of the mountain. Climb 306 steps (or opt to take the funicular) to the top for sweeping views of Chiang Mai, and tour one of northern Thailand’s most sacred temples.

Doi Inthanon National Park: For some incredible waterfalls and to spend some time in the gorgeous nature surrounding the city, head to Doi Inthanon National Park. While famous for its waterfalls, it is also home to some remote villages and is a birdwatchers paradise.

Coconut Shell: Our first meal in Chiang Mai was at Coconut Shell, and we absolutely went back. We got the khao soi (of course) and drinks, and our combined total was roughly $3.00. They place multiple parties at larger tables, so we were able to connect with other travelers over dinner as well. One of the best dining experiences we had our entire trip.

Cat Brothers Cafe: We love cats, so we thought we’d pop in for a coffee just because of the name. What we should have expected (but were totally surprised by) is that this is a cat cafe! We were able to get our coffees and play with the adoptable cats for a while—many of them with grumpy faces—and it was terribly hard to leave without one.

Night market: For a wide array of activities, handicrafts, and street food, visit the Chiang Mai night market. It can be a little overstimulating to the senses, but we were able to sample so many dishes here that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to otherwise. Without fail, I ended every evening with mango sticky rice.

Laab Bunker: If you’re looking for a tasting menu featuring the best of Northern Thai dishes, Laab Bunker has you covered. Note that while they are open late, they don’t open until 4 pm, so this would have to be a dinner option.

SP Chicken: Loved by locals and tourists alike, SP Chicken is a Thai Isaan restaurant that specializes in charcoal rotisserie chickens. While the dish they’re most known for is the gai yang, you won’t go wrong with anything on the menu.