In general I try to avoid the super touristy type attractions, I don’t really like being herded around in big crowds. That being said, sometimes there are certain things you just have to see or do in a place because you’re there, and how could you not? In Bangkok there are definitely some touristy but must see and do things that are totally worth it.
5 Touristy but fun things to do in Bangkok
The Grand Palace
The Grand Palace in Bangkok is a must see for its beautiful architecture, and rich history. The whole compound is huge, and was the official residence of the Royal Family until the 20’s. It’s now used for state functions and ceremonies. To avoid the crowds go early in the morning when it first opens up around 8AM, as the day goes on it gets more and more packed. Also remember to wear conservative clothing, if you are in shorts you’ll get a wrap to cover your legs.
Wat Pho
You could spend your entire trip to Thailand seeing temples, there are tons and they are beautiful. But if you are the kind of person who feels like if they’ve seen one temple, then they’ve seen them all, then make sure Wat Pho is the one you go see. It’s right by the Grand Palace so you can see both in the same trip. Wat Pho is home to the famous Reclining Buddha, which is enormous and a very cool sight to see, and the ornate detail of in the architecture of the buildings is beautiful.
Take a Tuk Tuk Tour
Tuk Tuks are sort of the quintessential touristy thing in Bangkok, only the tourist take them around as they are more expensive than taxis. But it is fun to zoom around Bangkok’s busy streets in the little motorized cart. We did a night time Tuk Tuk tour which was a lot of fun, the Tuk Tuks were all lit up with colored lights and the city at night is exciting to explore.
Take a Cooking Class
This seems to be something almost all Americans do while in Thailand, and that’s because it’s fun and you get to eat delicious food. There are tons of cooking schools in Bangkok, where you can learn to make a few traditional Thai dishes in an afternoon. Then if you are like me, you’ll eat everything and lay on the floor in a food coma for the rest of the day.
Walk around the Khaosan Road
If you’ve seen the movie The Beach, at the beginning of the movie when Leo is walking down that crazy looking street, that is supposed to be the Khaosan Road. During the day you can find food vendors selling everything from Pad Thai to fried scorpions, tattoo shops, cheap clothes and jewelry, and massage chairs where you can have a beer while you get those knots worked out. At night the street turns into party central with loud dance music, buckets of booze, and probably a lot of poor decisions. It’s known for a being the backpacker haven and there are a lot of cheap hostels in the area .
Ok, I have done 4 of 5 (have not done the cooking class). These things may be touristy but I think none of them should be missed (at least on the first visit). The only thing is that one has to be careful with the tuk-tuk tour and make sure you do not end being scammed. Sometimes you hire a tutk-tuk to take you around and they want to take you to all of their friend’s shops (and it is very difficult to convince the driver to take you back).
That is definitely true about the tuk tuks, that’s why I liked doing the tour, the tuk tuk were part of the tour company. If you get the chance definitely try a cooking class, its a lot of fun!
I’m the same as you, but sometimes it’s a bit tricky to avoid the crowds! And this is perfect timing, I’m actually planning to visit Bangkok and the rest of Thailand early next year! I’ll definitely make a note of these, thanks for sharing, Nattie 🙂
Thats awesome that you’ll be in Bangkok and Thailand next year! A good way to avoid the crowds it by going early, or we actually got to go to Wat Pho and a few other temples at night with the tuk tuk tour which was really cool and no one was around.
I avoid so many tourist places because I just can’t stand crowds! Gives me too much anxiety. That being said, I agree that sometimes you just can’t leave a place without visiting certain tourists attractions. I’ll definitely be visiting all the temples when I head to Thailand, so I guess I’ll have to get over the crowds. #FlyAwayFriday
Yeah the crowds and the heat can really make something cool be a bummer, but if you go in the morning when things first open it’s not so bad. Or night tours are cool because you’ll be able to see the temples at night when everyone has left. We got to see a couple temples that way with the tuk tuk tour.
Beautiful beautiful photos, I love the way you frame your shots! It’s been a few years since I last visited Bangkok, will definitely have to save this for my next trip!
Thanks so much! Definitely try the night time tuk tuk tour next time you are there, such a cool way to see the city in a different light!
Awesome! I’m going to Bangkok in a few days so this was perfect! I will check some of these out and thanks for sharing! #flyawayfriday
Thats awesome! Definitely check out the tuk tuk tours and try a cooking class! Have a great time!
Great ideas! All the palaces and temples in Bangkok look amazing! The cooking class is such a great idea – won´t miss it: love the Thai food.
The temples and Grand Palace are awesome and definitely staples to see, and the cooking class was awesome! Made and ate so much good food!
Your photos are absolutely gorgeous and that temple is incredibly beautiful as well! Seems like you enjoyed a great trip and these sound like such fun suggestions! Definitely adding them to my bucket list for Thailand. Thanks for sharing!
– Jasmine from MySuitcaseJourneys
Thanks so much! definitely some must sees!
Absolutely nothing wrong with touristy!!! Loved all the fun things to do in Bangkok! Thanks for joining #FlyAwayFriday – see you in a few days! xo
Haha totally, sometimes the touristy things are worth the crowds!
How amazing are the cooking classes in Thailand?? They are so much fun and the food you make is so delicious! I agree too, sometimes the touristy things are really, really fun and so worth it!!!
The cooking class was so much fun! Then of course I ate everything and spent the rest of the day laying on the floor in a food coma, but totally worth it!