25 Activities For Your Bangkok Bucket List That Aren’t Temples

Ready to skip the temples and dive into the true essence of Bangkok? While the city is known for its many iconic wats, there’s so much more to explore—I’m talking about historic neighborhoods, night markets, trendy coffee shops, culture-filled day trips that show you a side of Thailand that’s often overlooked, and lots more.

Wander through the artsy, hip streets of the Ari neighborhood, or get lost in the old-world charm of Talat Noi. Try all the street foods on the Bangkok Backstreets food tour or opt for a bougie afternoon tea experience at Erawan Tea Room.

For a change of pace, head out to the Amphawa Floating Market (much less touristy than the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market) or explore the ancient ruins of Ayutthaya to see what life used to be like.

These are just a few of the experiences that’ll give you a fresh, off-the-beaten-path take on Bangkok. The rest of the best is just below!

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1. Take the Bangkok Backstreets walking food tour

In our opinion, the Bangkok Backstreets food tour is one of the best ways to get familiarized with all the good food available in Bangkok’s Chinatown.

With 15+ tastings (yes, you read that right!), you’ll get a true crash course on the flavors and local culture of the Chinatown area.

Hosted by A Chef’s Tour, the stops on this food tour are handpicked by an actual chef, focusing on small, local businesses—many of which are Michelin Guide recommended.

You won’t be visiting touristy spots — the first part of the tour brings you to the backstreet of Chinatown, onto Charoen Krung Road for local establishments you’d only really find with a guide. The second part of the tour takes place on Yaowarat Road, the main street of Chinatown.

I can’t recommend this tour enough. The 15+ tastings were no joke (at most stops, you’ll get a full serving unless you ask to share), and everything was so delicious!

DEAL ALERT: For a limited time, use the promo code CHEFSFRIEND5 for an additional 5% off your food tour when booking directly. This code is valid for all food tours in any of their destinations!

If you prefer, you can also book the same tour on GetYourGuide below:

👉 THEY ALSO HAVE A DAYTIME TOUR: This one’s suited for people who don’t mind the early afternoon heat. During the Old Siam Food Tour, you’ll water taxi up the klong canals to an old district of Bangkok known for its lip-smackingly good street eats. Expect 15+ tastings on this tour too!

2. Explore Michelin-recommended spots by tuk tuk

Focusing mainly on Chinatown spots, the Michelin Guide Street Food Tour By Tuk Tuk is a good alternative for people who prefer getting from restaurant to restaurant by tuk tuk (instead of walking).

I’ve done this food tour before and really enjoyed it! You’ll start with Lim Lao Ngow’s famous fishball egg noodle dish, a local favorite for its springy noodles and flavorful broth. We then tried one of Bangkok Chinatown’s iconic dishes, rice noodles served in a rich, peppery broth.

By this point, I was already quite full! From there, the tour makes stops for crab-fried rice, Chinese donuts, and traditional Thai desserts.

This tour has fewer overall tastings than the Bangkok Backstreets food tour, but surprisingly, I was more stuff on this tour!

3. Visit Chinatown during the day

Visiting Chinatown during the day offers a completely different experience from its bustling nighttime vibe.

While most of the iconic food stalls don’t set up until around 5:30 PM, the area is alive with brick-and-mortar shops selling things like traditional Chinese herbal medicine, fresh tea leaves, Chinese lanterns, gold jewelry, household goods, and dried seafood.

You’ll also find local markets and hidden temples like Wat Mangkon Kamalawat to explore without the evening crowds. Strolling aimlessly is the way to go here!

4. Explore Talat Noi

While most people focus all their time and attention on Chinatown, many travelers miss the legendary neighborhood that is Talat Noi.

Located just behind Chinatown, Talat Noi one of Bangkok’s oldest neighborhoods. You’ll find some of the city’s oldest surviving mechanic shops as well as street art, hip cafes, and shrines here.

See the So Heng Tai Mansion, get lost in the murals on Trok San Chao Rong Kueak, visit 32Bar X (a Thai craft chocolate shop), snap photos of the IG-worthy Antique Turtle Car, and try some daytime street food while you’re there.

5. Enjoy coffee and art at Warehouse 30

Tucked away in the heart of Bangkok’s Creative District near Chinatown, Warehouse 30 is a repurposed industrial space turned lifestyle hub.

Spend a bit of your morning browsing through art studios like ATTA Gallery or 333 Gallery, perusing trendy shops, or grabbing a bite at one of the many cafes and restaurants.

The area isn’t too large, but it’s pretty unique and unexpected for a busy city like Bangkok. Tiktok-ers and “aspiring influencers” seem to love this area too.

a Coffee Roaster by li-bra-ry is a great place to grab your morning coffee!

6. Have a spa day

Spas and massages are practically a must in Thailand! Whenever we’re in Thailand, we always make time for at least 2-3 treatments throughout our stay.

Near the Siam Square area, you’ll find lots of cute, upscale spas like Pela Massage and ThaiThai Massage. Both skew more on the modern side with cute Wabi Sabi-style decor.

As my birthday treat this past year, Papu treated me to a spa day at Pela Massage. We found some really affordable spa package deals on Klook — the total price was half what they were charging in-store!

We opted for one of their 3-hour spa packages and would 100% go back the next time we’re in Thailand.

7. Have afternoon tea at Erawan Tea Room

The Erawan Tea Room at Grand Hyatt Erawan offers an elegant afternoon tea experience with beautifully crafted teas and an array of light bites.

The set includes a perfect balance of both savory and sweet snacks, making it a good blend for people who can’t handle too many sweets at once. Plus, it was so affordable compared to what we’d get in California for the same price!

Papu and I learned the hard way that ordering one tower per person was far too much for us—one tower is more than enough to share between two.

8. Explore CentralwOrld

If you’re going to visit just one mall in BKK, make it CentralwOrld. It’s one of the largest malls in all of Bangkok (currently the 9th largest in the entire world) and contains literally everything you can think of.

This mega mall houses more than 500 stores ranging from all kinds of international brands and local brands to famous restaurants, wine shops, and even street food stalls that you’d typically find at night markets across Thailand.

The fact that it’s air-conditioned means you can enjoy a slice of night market culture without the struggle of being exposed to Bangkok’s humid weather.

Whenever we go to CentralwOrld, we tend to skip the shops and make a beeline for the food area, Food wOrld, on the 7th floor. There are so many local Thai treats up there to enjoy both with the eyes and mouth. And the food is so cheap, too!

9. Explore the food courts at Siam Paragon

If you have more energy after exploring CentralwOrld, you can walk over to Siam Paragon — they’ve got a truly impressive 2-part food court that you need to see for yourself.

Words do not do it justice! Start by browsing through the Paragon Gourmet Market, then make your way over to the food courts, home to tons of local Thai options.

Our go-to stall at the food court is Go-Ang Pratunam Chicken Rice (โกอ่างข้าวมันไก่ประตูน้ำ). This Michelin-recommended Hainanese chicken spot serves up nothing but chicken rice. Choose between fried chicken rice, regular chicken rice, or a mix of the two. We always go with the mix. Don’t forget to drizzle some of that spicy sauce before taking a bite; so spicy but fragrantly delicious.

You’ll also find Thipsamai a couple stalls away. This spot is known for having the “best pad Thai”, but we’re not so sure about that title. Personally, we’ve had better!

While the stores are nothing to go wild over (mostly luxury brands), it’s still fun to take a loop around on all its different floors.

10. Shop for quirky and trendy goods at Siam Square

This area consists of both indoor and outdoor areas filled with mostly local brands, eateries, tea shops, and coffee shops. Young people love this area.

Some of our favorite stores to browse through are Daddy and the Muscle Academy, Frank Garcon, and Stickerland. They are all located on the same block, but don’t stop there! This area is teeming with hip and trendy stores.

Peep into the alleyways while you’re here. You’ll find additional stalls that set up shop for the day selling everything from women’s clothing, elephant pants, handmade goods, and more.

11. Maeklong Railway & Amphawa Floating Market Day Trip

Looking for a day trip to experience the lesser-visited side of Bangkok? Head outside of the city for the Maeklong Railway & Amphawa Floating Market Day Trip.

Situated away from the usual tourist trails, this full-day adventure blends local markets, historic sites, and magical riverside moments into one epic day.

The day starts with a visit to the Maeklong Railway Market where you’ll witness a train pass through a 100-year-old railway market. You’ll visit a temple encased in Banyan tree roots, then make your way to Amphawa Floating Market to enjoy tasting seafood and street foods and browsing handcrafted goods.

As the day winds down, enjoy a nighttime boat ride on the Maeklong River. Watch as fireflies illuminate the trees!

I’ll be honest, when I booked this tour, I didn’t fully read through all the stops included in this day trip. I just wanted to visit the Amphawa Floating Market.

To my total surprise, our tour included a nighttime boat ride at Amphawa Floating Market — to see fireflies! This ended up being an unbelievable experience and the highlight of the day trip. We live in California where there are no fireflies, so getting to witness them in the wild was absolutely magical.

👉 Pro Tip: Do not accidentally book the “Damnoen Saduak Floating Market”. This is a different floating market that’s way more touristy than the Amphawa Floating Market! Amphawa Floating Market is where the locals go.

12. JODD FAIRS Rama 9 Night Market

Jodd Fairs Rama 9 is one of Bangkok’s night market hotspots, known for all its good shopping and street eats.

The Jodd Fairs Night Market is open from 5pm until midnight every day of the week.

This market is divided into three main zones–the activity zone serves as the heart of the market, often decked out in festive decorations that change with the season (great for photo ops).

The fashion zone features stalls selling a variety of items, including clothing, bags, shoes, and vintage treasures—all at budget-friendly prices. Lastly, the food zone is a paradise for street food lovers, offering both Thai and international dishes to satisfy every craving. The food zone is much bigger than the fashion zone, FYI.

13. Eat dinner along Banthat Thong Road

In our book, Banthat Thong Road is a must for your Bangkok itinerary.

Nicknamed ‘Chinatown 2’ for its sensational flavors, Banthat Thong Road has recently become a hotspot for young foodies, offering a mix of both brick-and-mortar eateries and a lively night market scene. From 8pm to late, this area gets really busy!

You’ll find popular restaurants like Jeh O Chula (known for tom yum), ZAPPONFAI (has great seafood and pork neck), and my personal favorite: Chicken Rice by J’Bo.

I wasn’t able to get the names of all the restaurants that stood out to me, but you’ll find tons of Thai-Chinese restaurants, seafood restaurants, fried chicken stalls, pork leg over rice, Thai boat noodle shops, and more.

For dessert, I have two recommendations for you: Tuay Tung Ice Cream for ice cream or June Pang for tasty brick toasts!

We love this street and try to visit every time we’re in Thailand.

👉 Pro Tip: Calling a Grab to get out of this area can be a challenge. I recommend walking out of the area as much as possible before attempting to call a car.

14. Take a dinner cruise along the river

Bangkok’s skyline is absolutely gorgeous at night. The easiest (and least sweat-inducing) way to see it? A river cruise complete with dinner and drinks!

While there are a lot of different boat cruises that operate dinner cruises, hop aboard The Opulence for one of the best dinner cruise experiences.

Departing from ICONSIAM, the Opulence Buffet Dinner Cruise comes with a big selection of great quality food and a live band that older folks will especially enjoy.

Explore the ship’s 3 decks — one for relaxing with a cocktail in hand, one for enjoying all the buffet bites, and one for enjoying the unrivaled Bangkok’s skyline. Feel the gentle night breeze as you admire the city’s architectural marvels: Wat Arun, the Grand Palace, Asiatique The Riverfront, Rama VIII Bridge, and all the modern skyscrapers that dot the skyline.

Looking for a cruise that departs from the eastern side of the river? The Wonderful Pearl Dinner Cruise is a good option and departs from River City Bangkok (near Chinatown).

15. Chatuchak Weekend Market

Welcome to one of the largest markets in the world! At Chatuchak, you’ll find over 15,000 stalls selling everything from new and vintage clothes and handcrafted jewelry to quirky souvenirs and home decor.

Many of the stalls do sell the same stuff (elephant pants, scarves, Buddha figurines, bags, home goods, kitchenware, trinkets, aromatherapy, clothing, etc.) but there are tons of stalls that sell one-of-a-kind items. The more unique ones sell aloha shirts, beautifully carved wooden furniture, handmade artwork, vintage collectibles, and more.

On Saturdays and Sundays, the market is open to the public from 9am – 6pm. If you’re serious about souvenir shopping (or shopping for yourself), allow at least half a day to have a good look around Chatuchak.

16. Or Tor Kor Market

Located just across the street from Chatuchak Market, this local food market is a feast for the senses, with colorful displays of fresh produce, sausages, seafood, sweets, and other Thai delicacies.

Don’t be surprised if you don’t find any English menus here. Like I said, it’s super local. From the many entrees displayed, choose what catches your eye, and the vendors will whip up a rice plate with your selections.

Note: There is no air-conditioning in this market.

17. Red Building Vintage Chatuchak

For vintage and thrift lovers who made their way to Chatuchak, head across the street to Red Building Vintage. This multi-story building is filled with curated retro finds—think antique furniture, vintage cameras, classic vinyl, whatchama-bobs, tchotchkes, and clothing.

It’s perfect for grabbing a one-of-a-kind souvenir (or even just browsing as you cool down from the intense heat outside).

18. Explore the Ari Neighborhood

Located not too far from Chatuchak Weekend Market is the Ari neighborhood, one of the coolest neighborhoods in Bangkok.

Stroll through its tree-lined streets, pop into one of the many cafes found here, or browse the art galleries. If you’re still not sick of shopping, there are boutique shops galore.

Because there are lots of business offices in this area, you’ll also find so much street food here — get some papaya salad, drink a coconut smoothie, or try one of the southern curry shops or boat noodle shops.

This is an especially great area for coffee lovers to visit — some of our favorites include Aribica Specialty Coffee and NANA Coffee Roasters, both of which offer great specialty brews.

For dessert, don’t miss another one of our favorites in the area: Ting Ting Dessert.

19. Go shopping at EmSphere

EmSphere is one of Bangkok’s newest shopping destinations, located in the EmQuartier district. It also happens to be one of our new faves!

The EmQuartier area is made up of a few different shopping malls: The Emporium building houses all the luxury brands, but we like EmSphere, the one that’s for younger people (it’s way more approachable).

You’ll find local and international fashion brands, lifestyle goods, beauty shops, and more.

The food court at EmSphere is insanely large! There’s a Western-inspired section that’s upscale and pricier than average (boulangeries, pasta, burgers, etc.), but just across the way, you’ll find local Thai restaurants that are much more affordable.

We love starting with Thai tea at Cha Ma True and eating fish ball noodle soup at Fa Pla Tahn.

20. ICONSIAM

ICONSIAM is not just a mall along the banks of the Chao Phraya River—it’s an entire destination in its own right.

Your first stop needs to be SookSiam, a ground-floor zone recreating Thailand’s regional food markets with tons of vendors offering everything from spicy Isaan sausages to northern-style curries.

Within SookSiam, there are over 3,000 distinctive local businesses from all over Thailand. You can immerse yourself in a total of seven zones: Sook Sanae, Sook Sab, Sook Sanook, Sook Sangsan, Sook Sampan, Sook Suebsan, and Sook Somwang.

Head upstairs to explore luxury brands, but don’t miss ICONCRAFT on the 4th and 5th floors, where you can shop for contemporary Thai handicrafts like ceramics, silk scarves, and modern takes on traditional designs.

When you’re feeling hungry, head to the Alangkarn Zone, home to the finest international restaurants on the 6th Floor of ICONSIAM.

21. Asiatique The Riverfront

Asiatique is yet another shopping and entertainment complex located along the Chao Phraya River. It feels like a bougie, more upscale night market with lots of entertainment options.

Once a bustling port warehouse for the East Asiatic Company, it’s now a colonial-style venue reminiscent of the golden days of King Rama V.

The site is divided into four zones:

• Charoen Krung District: over 1,000 shops selling souvenirs and decor
• Town Square District: where you can eat and catch performances like the Calypso Cabaret
• Factory District: a revamped 100-year-old sawmill now filled with trendy fashion stores
• Waterfront District: home to riverside restaurants and a panoramic promenade

For something extra date night-y, you can opt for a ride on the Asiatique Sky Ferris Wheel.

22. Go dancing at Sing Sing Theater

Sing Sing Theater in Bangkok’s Thong Lor area is a quirky nightclub option where you’ll be greeted with a goth-meets-retro-China atmosphere. You might even feel like you’ve stepped into a movie set altogether.

The place is a bit of a maze in the best way possible, with dozens of Chinese lanterns lighting the way. The nightly DJ keeps the crowd going strong and the fun theatrical elements (like a samurai and a woman swinging from the ceiling) make it a truly unique night out.

23. Pattaya Ethical Elephant Sanctuary Day Trip

You don’t need to trek all the way to Chiang Mai to see elephants—Pattaya has got you covered with an ethical elephant sanctuary just under 2 hours from Bangkok.

On this 8-hour day trip, you’ll feed, bathe, and walk with these gentle giants while learning about their stories from a local guide.

After some time in the mud spa and a refreshing bath in the river, you’ll get plenty of opportunities to interact with the elephants, all while enjoying lunch and the scenic ride back to Bangkok.

24. Day trip to Ayutthaya (and beyond!)

Ayutthaya, once the capital of the Kingdom of Siam, is a popular day trip destination located just north of Bangkok, known for its impressive ruins and ancient temples.

There are lots of combo day trip options to choose from, but these are two of the more interesting ones:

The Ayutthaya & Ayothaya Floating Market Day Trip – This 8-hour tour includes a visit to the elegant Bang Pa-In Royal Palace, a guided tour of the Ayutthaya’s Wat Phra Sri Sanphet and Wat Maha That, and time to explore the Ayothaya Floating Market with lunch included.

The Floating Market and Ayutthaya Guided Day Tour – This 12-hour tour packs in even more variety, with stops at the Maeklong Railway Market and the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market before heading to Ayutthaya. Here, you’ll explore the impressive temples of Ayutthaya Historical Park, combining market life with the grandeur of Thailand’s ancient capital—all in one action-packed day.

25. Spend a weekend in Hua Hin

Located 3 hours away from Bangkok by bus, Hua Hin is more than just a quick stopover—it’s the perfect place to unwind and slow down when the beaches of Southern Thailand are just too far out of reach.

Spend your days enjoying the relaxed beach, indulging in some of the freshest seafood, and getting pampered with endless massages. When the sun sets, you can switch things up with the lively energy of the Hua Hin Night Market.

All in all, we think Hua Hin is worth a 2-night stay. Here’s everything we did on our own Hua Hin adventure (it lasted 4 whole days)!

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What Is The Best Area To Stay In Bangkok?

There are tons of neighborhoods you can choose from, but we’ve personally found the Siam area to be the most convenient.

The closer you can get to Siam BTS Station or Chit Lom BTS Station, the better! These train stations are super central in Bangkok and are connected to all the big malls like CentralwOrld, Siam Paragon, MBK, etc.

Here are some of the hotels I’ve personally booked and recommend:

Grand Hyatt Erawan – love this hotel so much! They have an amazing breakfast buffet spread as well as an indulgent dinner buffet. The afternoon tea at Erawan Tea Room is also amazing.

Pathumwan Princess Hotel – a cheaper alternative that’s still considered a 5-star hotel and pretty conveniently located in the Siam area; located just next to MBK Shopping Center and opposite Siam Square.

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