Bangkok is a city of layers—glittering palaces and neighborhood shrines, sleek malls and centuries-old markets, slow canals and fast tuk-tuks. Founded in 1782 as Rattanakosin, the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, it grew around the Chao Phraya River and a web of “khlongs” (canals) that still shape daily life. Its ceremonial name is the world’s longest: a poetic list that hints at sacred roots and royal grandeur.

Families love Bangkok for its temples, river ferries, and parks, but also for the food—everything from charcoal-fired pad thai to mango sticky rice. Museums like Museum Siam and the Jim Thompson House make history tangible, while the BTS Skytrain, MRT, and river boats keep city crossings easy. A day trip to UNESCO-listed Ayutthaya brings Thailand’s golden-age ruins within reach.

Dress modestly for temples (shoulders and knees covered), carry small bills for street eats, and time outdoor sightseeing for mornings and late afternoons to beat the heat. This 9-day plan is built so you can pause after Day 5 for your side trip and resume at Day 6 when you return to Bangkok.

Bangkok

Bangkok blends royal courts and street stalls, Michelin-awarded vendors and family curry shops. The historic island of Rattanakosin glows with the Grand Palace and Wat Pho; across the river, Wat Arun rises like a porcelain mountain. Thonburi’s canals reveal stilt houses, tiny temples, and snack boats—an easy way to “live like a local.”

Modern Bangkok buzzes around Siam, Silom, and Sukhumvit: the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC), Jim Thompson House, skywalk parks, and food courts that are destinations in their own right. By night, Chinatown (Yaowarat) hums with neon and wok-fire; weekend markets burst with crafts and flavors.

Where to stay (family-friendly picks):

• Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort (resort vibe, huge pool, free boat to the BTS): Check rates
• Mandarin Oriental, Bangkok (river legend, stellar service, kids’ amenities): Check rates
• The Siam Hotel (boutique, serene riverside villas, art deco detail): Check rates
• Lub d Bangkok Siam (budget-friendly, central to BTS/malls; family rooms): Check rates
• Niras Bankoc Cultural Hostel (Old Town, private rooms in a heritage building): Check rates
• Browse more stays on Hotels.com or family apartments on VRBO.

Getting there & around:

• Search flights to Bangkok (BKK/DMK) on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Typical regional flights run 1–4 hours ($60–$250); long-haul can be 11–22 hours with 1 stop ($700–$1,300).
• Use BTS Skytrain/MRT for traffic-proof travel (single rides 17–47 THB; BTS day pass ~150 THB). Chao Phraya river boats are scenic and kid-friendly.
• DIY side-trip to Ayutthaya? Trains from Krung Thep Aphiwat (Bang Sue Grand) take 45–80 minutes, from ~$1–$4; check schedules on Trip.com Trains.

Day 1: Arrival, River Welcome, and Easy Eats

Afternoon: Arrive and settle into your hotel. Stretch your legs with a gentle stroll along the Chao Phraya—ICONSIAM’s riverside promenade and SookSiam “indoor floating market” are fun for kids and air-conditioned.

Evening: Dinner at ICONSIAM: try Laem Charoen Seafood (crispy sea bass with fish sauce) or Savoey (tom yum goong and crab fried rice). Dessert at After You (shibuya honey toast) or coconut ice cream in SookSiam.

Day 2: Royal Bangkok—Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun

Morning: Beat the heat with a guided half-day to the big three: Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha, Wat Pho’s Reclining Buddha, and Wat Arun’s riverside spires.

Book: Bangkok Royal Road - Top 3 Major Monuments (Grand Palace, Wat Pho, Wat Arun)

Afternoon: Cross to Tha Tien for lunch at The Deck by Arun Residence (river views; crispy morning glory) or Sala Rattanakosin Eatery (soft-shell crab curry). Pop into Museum Siam—interactive exhibits keep kids engaged while exploring Thai identity.

Evening: Classic Thai dinner with live music at Methavalai Sorndaeng near Democracy Monument—order massaman curry and miang kham. Grab blue latte photos at Blue Whale Cafe earlier if you missed it.

Day 3: Canals of Thonburi and Chinatown Night Flavors

Morning: Glide through Thonburi’s khlongs by longtail boat—see stilt homes, hidden temples, and daily river life.

Book: Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

Afternoon: Disembark near Wat Arun and ferry back. Lunch at Thipsamai (pad thai with river prawn) or the newer Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu (wok-fired, smoky). Rest at your hotel pool.

Evening: Explore Chinatown (Yaowarat): start with Nai Mong Hoi Thod (oyster omelet), Khao Gaeng Jek Pui (curry rice from red stools), and T&K Seafood. Finish with Thai desserts at Sweettime or toasted-bread snacks on Yaowarat Road.

Day 4: Art, History, and a Night Market

Morning: Tour the Jim Thompson House (silk merchant’s teak home; guided), then coffee at Factory Coffee (Phaya Thai) or Luka (Sathon).

Afternoon: Pop into the Bangkok Art & Culture Centre (BACC) for rotating exhibitions and family-friendly workshops; lunch nearby at Som Tam Nua (papaya salad, fried chicken) or Inter Restaurant (Siam Square Thai staples).

Evening: Hit Jodd Fairs night market (Rama 9 or DanNeramit) for grilled pork skewers (moo ping), “volcano” ribs, and mango sticky rice. Great for souvenirs and relaxed browsing with kids.

Day 5: Train Market & Floating Market Adventure

Morning: See the umbrellas fold as a train rolls through the Maeklong Railway Market, then boat through Damnoen Saduak Floating Market—touristy but unforgettable for families.

Book: Half-Day Railway Market and Floating Market Tour in Thailand

Afternoon: Return to Bangkok for downtime. Let the kids recharge at the pool or nap.

Evening: Riverfront dinner and fountain show at ICONSIAM if you skipped Day 1, or seafood feast at Somboon Seafood (Surawong)—order the famous fried curry crab and morning glory.

Pause point: If you’re taking a mid-trip excursion, break here and resume with Day 6 when you return to Bangkok.

Day 6: Bangkok’s Green Lung and Skywalk Parks

Morning: Head to Khlong Toei Pier and ferry to Bang Krachao (Bangkok’s “green lung”). Rent bikes and ride elevated paths through mangrove and gardens; snack on fresh coconuts. Brunch at Bangkok Tree House (river views; Thai omelets, smoothies).

Afternoon: Return to the city for Benjakitti Forest Park—a stunning wetland park with long skywalks and shade. Great for strollers, scooters, and skyline photos.

Evening: Casual Isan dinner at Baan Somtum (grilled chicken, som tam, sticky rice) or Prachak Roasted Duck (Bang Rak; Cantonese-Thai roast duck over rice). Ice cream at Guss Damn Good or tea at ChaTraMue.

Day 7: Day Trip to UNESCO Ayutthaya

Full-day small-group tour to Ayutthaya’s temple ruins—Wat Mahathat’s Buddha-in-tree-roots, Wat Phra Si Sanphet’s chedis, river-island scenery—with lunch included. It’s a powerful, bite-size dive into Siam’s former capital, and guides keep the history accessible for kids.

Book: Small Group Tour to Ayutthaya Temples from Bangkok with Lunch

Back in Bangkok, grab an easy dinner near your hotel—try Pad Thai Fai Ta Lu or a comforting Thai-Chinese rice soup (khao tom) shop.

Day 8: Markets, Museums, and Old-Town Eats

Morning (Weekend): Chatuchak Weekend Market (open Sat/Sun). Start early, bargain kindly, and cool off at Or Tor Kor Market across the road for pristine fruit and snacks. Coffee at Roots (if you swing by The Commons Saladaeng later) or Kaizen Coffee (Ekkamai).

Morning (Weekday): Swap in the Bangkok National Museum (artifacts from Ayutthaya to Rattanakosin) and the Rattanakosin Exhibition Hall (hands-on exhibits).

Afternoon: If you have younger kids, the Children’s Discovery Museum near Chatuchak is excellent for interactive play. Otherwise, visit the Giant Swing and Wat Suthat and try Thai milk toast at Mont Nom Sod.

Evening: For vintage vibes and street eats, head to Talad Rot Fai Srinakarin (Train Night Market; Thu–Sun). Try grilled squid, Thai crepes, and fruit smoothies; poke around the retro stalls.

Day 9: River Souvenirs and Departure

Morning: Last-minute gifts at SookSiam (ICONSIAM) or the 24/7 Pak Khlong Talat flower market for photos of marigold garlands. Coffee at Wallflowers (Chinatown) or a quick Thai iced tea.

Afternoon: Lunch in Bang Rak at Prachak Roasted Duck or Boonsap Thai Desserts for takeaway khanom. Depart for the airport; aim to leave central Bangkok 3–3.5 hours before an international flight to buffer traffic and check-in queues.

Optional swaps to match your family’s style: On any free evening, consider a Chao Phraya dinner cruise for lit-up riverscapes, or a tuk-tuk food tour after dark if your kids are night owls. For animal lovers, an ethical elephant sanctuary day trip near Chonburi is possible, but it’s a long day with early start—best for older kids.

Extra tips: Bring lightweight scarves for temple cover-ups; carry electrolytes and sunscreen; use Grab for taxis with car seats if needed; and keep small change for boats and street snacks. Many attractions open early—start at 8–9 a.m. to stay ahead of heat and crowds.

Handy Bookings at a Glance

• Bangkok monuments half-day: Grand Palace, Wat Pho & Wat Arun

  

• Canal life: Bangkok Canal Tour: 2-Hour Longtail Boat Ride

  

• Railway + Floating markets: Half-Day Tour

  

• UNESCO day trip: Ayutthaya Temples with Lunch

  

For flights: Trip.com Flights | Kiwi.com Flights

For trains (e.g., Ayutthaya DIY): Trip.com Trains

Across nine days, you’ll see royal Bangkok, glide through canals, taste your way across Chinatown, and wander Ayutthaya’s storied ruins—at a kid-friendly pace. This plan balances must-see temples with parks, pools, and markets so the whole family heads home with full hearts and happy taste buds.