🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026
Lopburi is easy with kids because the main sights are close together. The old town is walkable, and the sunflower fields and dam both sit out toward Phatthana Nikhom district along one road — far less driving than many other provinces. This plan keeps day one focused on the monkey town and the in-town zoo, then sends you out of the city on day two for the sunflowers and the dam, so you never have to backtrack.
Read this before you go
Lopburi's sunflowers only bloom from November to February. Come outside that window and you'll just see empty fields. Check the Khao Jeen Lae sunflower field's Facebook page before you go to see which plots are blooming, since they don't all flower at the same time.
Day 1 — The monkey town, the old city, and the zoo
Day one stays mostly in the city of Lopburi. The highlight is the troop of long-tailed macaques living around Phra Prang Sam Yot and the San Phra Kan shrine. Kids love them, but adults need to guard their belongings — these monkeys are quick to grab whatever they can reach.
Lopburi old town + zoo
Watch out with the monkeys
The monkeys in Lopburi are used to people and quick to snatch food. Don't feed them yourself, don't hold eye contact too long (they read it as a challenge), and if you have small kids, carry them or hold their hand the whole time. Avoid carrying a visible bag or water bottle in plain sight.
Book the activities in your Lopburi trip ahead
Booking online ahead on Klook or GetYourGuide is usually cheaper than the gate and skips the queue. Pick only the experiences you actually want — prices and availability are shown live on each site.
Day 2 — Sunflower fields, Pa Sak Dam, and an animal farm
Day two heads out of the city toward Phatthana Nikhom district — the zone with the sunflower fields and Pa Sak Jolasid Dam. It's roughly 40–50 km from the city center, all along one connected road.
Sunflower fields + Pa Sak Jolasid Dam
If you're not driving yourself
In the cool season, the State Railway often runs a floating train service from Bangkok to Pa Sak Jolasid Dam — a same-day round trip leaving Bangkok (Hua Lamphong) station in the morning. Recent fares start around 350 THB (fan car) up to 620 THB (air-conditioned). Kids love the stretch where the train runs across the dam crest, as if floating on water. Book ahead, though — tickets sell out fast and the service only runs on certain weekends. Check the schedule with the SRT before you plan.
Making Lopburi fun with kids — how to prepare
- Best season — Nov–Feb is cool and the sunflowers are in bloom, the best window for families. In the rainy season the fields have no flowers and the paths get slippery.
- The monkeys — keep glasses, hats, snacks, and phones tucked away, don't let kids carry a bag, and don't feed the monkeys yourself. If you're nervous with very young kids, you can watch the whole troop from a safe distance.
- Sun and heat — the sunflower fields and dam crest get strong sun, so bring hats, sunscreen, drinking water, and an umbrella.
- Opening hours — the zoo closes at 17:30 and the historical sites at 18:00, and the animal farm only opens Sat–Sun, so line up your schedule to finish before closing.
- Strollers — the ground at King Narai's Palace and the zoo is fairly flat and stroller-friendly, but the sunflower fields are farm dirt, so carrying a child or a baby carrier is easier.
Family stays in Lopburi
Lopburi has hotels and resorts across a range of price points. Families who want easy access to the old town should stay in the city near the train station, while anyone focused on the sunflower fields and dam can stay in the Phatthana Nikhom zone or at a dam-side resort and wake up to the view.
Hotels in Lopburi city center
Near the train station and old town, walkable to Phra Prang Sam Yot, King Narai's Palace, and the zoo. Ideal if you come by train.
Resorts near Pa Sak Dam / Phatthana Nikhom
Wake up to a reservoir or field view. Good for families who drive themselves and focus on nature.
See ranked family stays in Lopburi
See the Top 10 Lopburi hotels →