Chiang Mai is certainly more family-friendly compared to Bangkok. It may be a bit off the beaten path but if you want to glimpse the real Thailand, you must go to Chiang Mai. It is easy to travel in Chiang Mai. The city has a very relaxed pace of life so it is quite idyllic. The locals are friendly and there are many places where you can have many adventures. In Chiang Mai, you can ride an elephant, visit a night Safari and go swimming or picnicking at waterfalls.
The picturesque Mae Sa Valley is just 30 minutes away from the city. There is a multi-tiered waterfall here that is visited by many tourists. The Chiang Mai-Lampang Road Elephant Conservation Center is 70 km away from the city and is a nice visit for a day’s outing. There are daily elephant shows at the camp between 10.00 am and 11.00. You can help the trainers bathe the elephants and even feed them with your hand.