Hua Hin boasts long white-sand beaches with great swimming spots for kids, golf courses, spa resorts and excellent shopping. Here are the top attractions for families.
An easy two-hour land transfer from Bangkok is Hua Hin, a lovely stretch of sand in the northern realms of the Gulf of Thailand. Popular with the Bangkok social set as a weekend getaway, Hua Hin was Thailand’s original beach resort, popularised in the 1920s after King Rama VI built a summer palace on its tranquil waterfront. Tourists now arrive for the many water sport and beach activities, hotels, street food shacks, night markets, and beautiful temples.
Amphawa is one of the most popular and oldest floating markets in Thailand. Only an hour and 45 minutes from the centre of Hua Hin, this market is a go-to for foodie’s, culture enthusiasts and those keen on new adventures. Open from 9am-10pm Friday to Sunday, Amphawa Floating Market is a haven for traditional delicacies and local flavours, as you can expect seafood, boat noodles and delicious Thai desserts. Visitors can easily lose themselves in everything the markets have to offer. The quaint stalls sell unique trinkets, gifts, clothes, jewellery, natural products, art and more. What makes these stalls extra special is that nearly everything is homemade. You cannot visit the markets without hopping on a Thai Longtail Boat, floating out on the Mae Klong River and through the narrow canals.
Head to Vana Nava Water Jungle for an adventure-filled day of water slides, pools and adrenaline-pumping rides. Packed with action and adventure, Vana Nava Water Jungle is the number one water park in Hua Hin. Vana Nava is also known as the first ecologically aware water park, as it transformed an empty plot of land into a tropical jungle. This sustainable amusement park mixes thrilling rides, such as the longest water slide in Thailand, Boomerango and a 13.4 metre high ropes course.
Horses are also a feature of Hua Hin’s seductive beach life, ferrying tourists along the white sand. If your pony-mad child insists on a ride, perhaps consider the reputable Hua Hin Horse Club and Farm which offers trails and lessons for all levels of riders in a controlled environment. For a relaxed and scenic ride, go on a beach ride at Khao Tao or a 30 minute instructed trail advised for small children.
The weekend Cicada Market offers a tempting selection of handmade crafts as well as stalls selling delicious street food. Located in Khao Takiab Village, a block away from the beach and next door to the Hyatt Regency, the Cicada Market adds another layer of retail therapy in the city of Hua Hin. The beautiful setting lures visitors in with lanterns hanging in the trees, lush grass, open-spaced eating areas and tastefully decorated stalls. The markets are also a cultural destination, as visitors can watch a theatre performance or mini-concert at the Amphitheatre.
Full of illusions, sound effects, installation art, sculptures and more, For Art’s Sake is a interative experience for the family. The fully interactive two-story museum features interactive media, which detects audience’s actions and responds accordingly. Be amazed by a 4D art exhibit, where you can pose with an unbelievably realistic 4D artwork made renowned Thai artists. The attraction is suitable for all ages and is divided in several zones, each with its own theme. Amongst the zones are, Behind the Imagination Zone, which stimulates creativity, Child Flashback Zone, which brings back forgotten memories, Horror Zone, a scary zone that features invading zombies and monsters, Mirror Climb Zone, a space that lets you do a virtual climb on the walls and ceilings, and Buildings Camouflage Zone, which uses perspective to create the illusion of endless spaces.
Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park makes the perfect day trip, featuring a series of limestone hills along the Gulf of Thailand. Located about 60 kilometres from Hua Hin, the main attractions are Sam Phraya beach, which has accommodation facilities and a number of restaurants, Sai Cave, only a short climb up a mountain taking you to a stalactite and stalagmite riddled cavern and Pranburi Forest Park, where there is a boardwalk through the mangrove and a boat trip up the Pranburi River where you can cruise and bird-watch.
Take a step into the sacred Huay Mongkol Temple for a tranquil experience. The peaceful outdoor spaces encourage deep meditation and contemplation, including around the wooden Elephant statues where local Thai visitors perform their worship ceremony. While you are there, you can learn about the famous Thai monk, Luang Phor Thuad, who is respected for his enlightenment and miraculous abilities.
Hua Hin beach is an ideal swimming spot, renowned for its gorgeous sunrises and focus on rest and relaxation, as it is never over-crowded. This is not to say that the kids cannot have fun. There are lots of family friendly activities on offer, including banana boat rides, pony rides and water-skiing. You can also find a massage shop on the beach to help ease your way into relaxation.
Get active with your family by embarking on a bicycle tour that takes you to places that are often missed by tourists. Most of Hua Hin Bike Tours‘ are only 2-8 riders, making it a special and intimate tour for your family. However, the tour is not limited to this number and allows for larger groups, you may even make some new friends.
If your temple exploration does not end at Huay Mongkol Temple, the Temple Cave Tour is sure to be next on your list. The Temple Cave Tour is an unforgettable experience, as it allows you to gain an insight into the unique ways in which enlightened leaders were worshipped. At the tours conclusion, you will witness thousands of bats exit the cave, in order to search for food.
Just 45 minutes from Hua Hin, step out of Asia and into a Grecian paradise island at Santorini Amusement Park. Filled with rides and attractions such as, the Ferris wheel, carousel, water park, swings and haunted house, this amusement park is sure to be a winner with your kids. The themed park also offers boutique shops selling local and international brands, entertainment and cafes. Enter Village Zone, wander through the white-washed buildings and snap a great photo of the chilled-out coastal vibe with your family.
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Main image: Hua Hin Beach
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