Summer weekend in Chiang Mai
How locals do summer in Chiang Mai — patios, beaches, festivals and the long-evening rituals that only happen in July and August.
Top spots in Chiang Mai
Doi Inthanon Day Trip
OutdoorsChom Thong
Thailand's highest peak — twin royal pagodas, cloud forest, hill-tribe coffee farms.
Elephant Nature Park
OutdoorsMae Taeng
Ethical sanctuary for rescued elephants — feed, walk and observe, no riding.
Nimmanhaemin
NightlifeNimman
University quarter of co-working cafés by day, craft-cocktail bars and live music by night.
Sunday Walking Street
Food & DrinkOld City
1km of food stalls, indie crafts and street musicians every Sunday afternoon onwards.
Where to eat
Blackitch Artisan Kitchen
$$$Modern Thai · Nimman
Chef Black's hyper-seasonal tasting menu — fermented Northern Thai ingredients.
Huen Phen
$$Northern Thai · Old City
Antique-stuffed dining room — gaeng hung lay pork curry and crispy pork laab.
Khao Soi Khun Yai
$Khao soi · Old City
Lunch-only stall famous for the city's defining curry-noodle dish — get there before 1pm.
Ristr8to
$Coffee · Nimman
Award-winning espresso bar — Northern Thai single-origins, latte art world champions.
SP Chicken
$Northern Thai · Old City
Wood-roasted chicken and sticky rice with three chilli dips — locals' weekend takeaway.
Live & on stage
Chiang Mai Jazz Festival
Three Kings Monument · Nov 21–22 · Jazz / Free
Flower Festival
Suan Buak Hat · Feb 6–8 · Cultural / Free
Songkran
City-wide · Apr 13–15 · New Year Water Festival
Yi Peng Lantern Festival
Ping River · Nov 5–6 · Lantern / Cultural
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Elephant Nature Park, Sunday Walking Street, Nimmanhaemin. The shortlist is curated by people who live in Chiang Mai and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.