Mae Rim is the green valley just north of Chiang Mai, and most people only know it for the elephant camps along the main road. Turn off that road and you find waterfalls, glasshouses, flower terraces and quiet cafés that suit a family day far better.
What are the best things to do in Mae Rim with kids?
The best Mae Rim stops for families are the waterfall pools in Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden with its canopy walkway and glasshouses, and the flower terraces at Mon Cham. Pair one of these with a long lunch in the Mae Sa valley and you have a full day that children remember for the water and the views.
The trick with Mae Rim is choosing. Everything sits along or near the Mae Sa valley road, which makes it tempting to string five stops together. Children do better with two. Choose one place where they can move and splash, then one place where the adults get to sit in the shade with a coffee.
If you are still working out how to get everyone there, our guide to getting around Chiang Mai with kids covers hiring a driver, car seats and songthaew options.
Where can families cool off in Mae Rim?
The Mae Sa waterfall is the classic place to cool off. It runs down the hillside in a series of tiers, and the lower pools are shallow enough for paddling. Wear shoes with grip, since the rocks are slippery, and arrive in the morning, before the weekend crowds settle onto the best shaded spots by the water.
The waterfall sits inside Doi Suthep-Pui National Park, so treat it as a forest walk as much as a swim. A path follows the stream uphill, and you can stop at whichever pool your group likes best. Younger children tend to be happiest near the bottom, where the water is calm and there is space to sit.
After heavy rain the flow is stronger and the water turns brown, so check the conditions on the day and keep little ones on the banks if it looks fast.
Is the Queen Sirikit Botanic Garden worth a half day?
Yes, especially for families with children who like to walk. The garden spreads across a forested hillside, with themed glasshouses near the top and a canopy walkway that runs out through the treetops. Plan on a slow half day, drive between the main areas rather than walking the whole road, and save the walkway for when energy is still high.
The glasshouses are the reliable highlight on a hot or damp day, since you move from one climate to another in a few steps. The canopy walkway gives older children the thrill of height, and it makes for the best photos of the trip.
There is little shade on some of the connecting roads, so bring water and hats. If the heat is the real problem, our list of indoor and shaded ideas for when it is too hot for temples has gentler alternatives.
When is the best time to visit Mon Cham?
Late afternoon is the best time for Mon Cham. The hilltop terraces catch the golden hour light, the air feels cooler than in the valley, and the flower beds look their best as the sun drops. Allow time for the winding drive up, and aim to leave before dark so the road back down stays easy for whoever is driving.
Mon Cham is a Royal Project hillside with terraced flower beds, small bamboo huts to sit in and wide views over the hills. Children like the huts and the space to wander. Adults like the quiet.
The drive is steep and curvy, so anyone prone to car sickness should sit in the front. Food stalls near the top sell simple local dishes, which makes it an easy place to end the day with an early dinner.
How do you plan a Mae Rim day without wearing everyone out?
Start early, choose one active stop and one slow stop, and leave the afternoon open. A good rhythm is the waterfall or botanic garden in the morning, a long lunch in a valley café, then either Mon Cham at golden hour or a relaxed drive home. Families who try to cover everything usually spend the day in the car.
Here is a simple shape that works for most ages:
- Morning: waterfall pools or the botanic garden, while it is cooler.
- Midday: lunch somewhere with shade and space for children to move.
- Late afternoon: Mon Cham for the views, or head home early for a rest.
If grandparents are joining, our ideas for three-generation outings in Chiang Mai help balance walking with sitting.
What can you do the day after a big Mae Rim trip?
After a day of hill roads and long drives, most families want something easy in the shade. A round of garden mini golf fits well, with shaded seating for anyone who needs a break between holes. At Mini Golf CNX you walk in without booking, a round takes about 1 to 2 hours, and cold drinks and ice cream are on site.
A slower second day lets children recharge while still getting out of the house. Mini golf works for toddlers who just want to hit a ball and for teenagers who want to keep score, and the lawn games give anyone who finishes early something to do. For timing tips, see how long mini golf takes.
| Detail | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Course | 18-hole garden mini golf course in Chiang Mai |
| Booking | None needed, walk in |
| Opening hours | Every day, 09:00 to 18:00 |
| Round length | About 1 to 2 hours |
| Food and drink | Cold drinks, snacks and ice cream on site |
| Seating | Shaded garden seating |
| Extras | Lawn games: cornhole, board games, frisbee |
| Groups | Groups, birthdays and events welcome, message ahead so space is set aside |