My family (w/2 girls 9 & 11) will be traveling to Chiang Mai next month. Right now we are booked for 5 nights at the Baan Orapin...am contemplating whether to book an additional night there, cut the BO short by one night and book somewhere "spa-ish" outside of CM for two nights, or return for a final night in BKK before flying home. In short, I have 6 nights to apportion. We'll have spent 2 weeks prior in BKK and on Ko Chang. Are there sufficient activities and day trips within striking distance of CM to fill 6 days without feeling rushed, but not antsy? Suggestions?

Also, my older daughter will be turning 12 while we're there (very cool!). Any ideas for a special birthday celebration?

With our 8 year old, we easily spent a week in the area...5 nights in Chiang Mai and 2 nights at elephant camp. Elephant camp was the highlight of my daughter's life...no kidding...and she's been to many very cool places and done many cool things. You might consider it, as it is quite special. And I'm absolutely sure they would do a birthday thing for your daughter if you asked. We went to the Elephant Conservation Center in Lampung. There is also the Elephant Nature Park north of Chiang Mai. It's far from being spa-ish, but would certainly be an experience. If you go, do try to do the 2 night/3 day mahout training program, as a day visitor just doesn't get the same experience with the elephants or the people. www.changthai.com www.elephantnaturepark.org

If elephants just aren't your thing, maybe a self cooked birthday meal. Yui from www.alotofthai.com did an outstanding job with a custom cooking class for us. Her school is at her house, and she's brilliant. You could ask her for a class of child friendly Thai food and sweets maybe. We went to the market with her too, which was fun.

Another really nice experience might be to do something with Thai children with School for Life through Joy's House. http://www.joyshouse.net/new_site/

I agree with KimJapan if yout focus is on the children and noy you.
Based om 2visits to Chiangi mai 4 full days is more than enough. If you want to do something for yourself that the kids may enjoy also I would cut 1 day off Chiange Mai and spend 2 days in Chiangi Rai staying at the Anatara Resort (speeling off). We stayed there 4 years ago and ir was family friendly amd loaded with history for all of you.

i also think 4 full days is enough unless you spend a day or two at the elephant camp

We just returned from Chiang Mai and the most unusual thing happened which turned out to be the highlight of our visit. We were having lunch at the Sheraton Hotel and we met two expats living in Chiang Mai one US and the other from the UK. Both have been there about 15 years. They started to talk about life in Chiang Mai and both do volunteering work at an orphanage for boys(160). They have doing this work for about 12 years. They said that they were the only people helping out this orphanage. They asked us if we care to visit, so we decided to go there.We asked if we could bring anything and they said the boys love oranges and other fruits. So we hired a driver and he took us to the wholesale market where we got 2 large bags of oranges and a box of apples. When we got there we saw both of these men with the children and what a sight this was, the kids just wanted affection and hugs. When they saw us arriving they came running and just wanted to hold our hands and pick them up. These children have nothing and I mean nothing. These two men have been giving their time and money to help these unfortunate boys. After spending a half day we left, which was very difficult as these children really got to you. With all their situations, they all had smiles on their faces. When we get back to the states we plan to send a package of medical supplies to one of the men as if you send to the orphanage it may never get to the children. If your ever in Chiang Mai try to visit the BON DEK CHAI Boys Orphanage. This was a most heart warming experience

Thank you for all the replies. We definitely plan to visit an elephant camp, but don't know that we'll do the overnight...I think one day would be enough for dd#1...she's not a big animal person. On a recommendation from earlier post of KimJapan's we do plan to do a day cooking class with tasteofthai. My dh loves to cook, I love to eat thai food (that tells you all you need to know about my interest in cooking normally) and the girls enjoy both, so it should be fun!

Thanks for the tip on Joy's House...I hadn't come across it before.

The orphanage certainly would be eye-opening...I probably will have a chance to visit an HIV clinic as I have one interview that I'll be doing while there.

winker06,

My curiousity has the best of me! We will be in Chang Mai from June 19 - June 23, with our daughters ages 11 & 8. Our 8 year old will also be celebrating a birthday on June 23. What are the dates you will be there? (We will be in Bangkok June 13-16, & June 23-25. Also in Phuket June 16-19.)
I was just amazed at the similarities of our daughters' ages & our destinations...