Home Destinations Nakhon Sawan 🧭 Plan Your Trip 🔎 Search About

Home › Thailand › Nakhon Sawan › Nakhon Sawan with Kids 2 Days, 1 Night Without the Meltdowns

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family Trip Plan

Nakhon Sawan with Kids
2 Days, 1 Night Without the Meltdowns

Nakhon Sawan is an easier place to bring kids than you'd guess. The main stops are close together, there's a big city park for kids to run around, the largest freshwater lake in Thailand to cruise and watch birds, an aquarium with a fish tunnel, and Khao No, where kids can feed the monkeys. We've built a 2-day, 1-night plan that leaves room for naps and breaks. A private car makes getting around easiest.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Bringing the kids🚗 Self-drive trip🐒 Feeding monkeys at Khao No

Nakhon Sawan with Kids 2 Days, 1 Night Without the Meltdowns

🔄 Updated 21 Jun 2026

The thing you dread most with kids is them getting bored on the road. Nakhon Sawan helps because the main sights sit close together. The town and Bueng Boraphet are about 15 kilometers apart, while Khao No is in Banphot Phisai district, roughly 40 kilometers from town. So we keep day one in town and along the lake, then drive out to Khao No early on day two before the sun gets harsh, and head back after. The plan builds in time for midday naps and breaks, so it never feels rushed.

Day 1 — Sawan Park + Bueng Boraphet

Day one stays in town and along the lake, so travel is easy and there's no need for an early start. Begin at the city park so the kids can burn off some energy, then head out in the afternoon for the boat ride and the fish.

Day 1

In town + along Bueng Boraphet

08:30

Arrive in Nakhon Sawan and grab breakfast — noodles or coffee in the Pak Nam Pho town centerThe Pak Nam Pho area has plenty of breakfast spots: duck noodles, patongko, dim sum. Pick whatever the kids will eat.

09:30

Sawan Park (Nong Somboon), the central city park — cycle, walk around, with a kids' play area and a dragon statue in the lake for photosFree entry, free parking, open 07:00–22:00. Come early before it heats up so the kids can run freely. There are pedal boats to rent too.

11:30

Back to the hotel to drop bags and freshen up, then find lunch and let the kids nap for a bitMidday sun is strong — letting the kids rest before the afternoon round keeps the mood good.

14:00

Bueng Boraphet Aquarium — walk through and see more than 100 species of freshwater fish; the highlight is the 24-meter fish tunnelEntry is 49 THB for adults, 19 THB for kids, open roughly 09:30–16:30. It's all indoors, so it's a good way to dodge the afternoon heat. Kids love the fish tunnel.

15:30

Boat ride on Bueng Boraphet, the largest freshwater lake in Thailand, to see the water and the birdsCommunity boats run about 100 THB per person, kids free; a covered boat for 10–12 people runs around 600 THB per hour. Ask at the tourist boat pier first. Late afternoon brings a cool breeze.

17:30

Head to Pasan, the landmark structure marking the start of the Chao Phraya River — an evening riverside walk where you can see the Ping and Nan rivers meetOpen roughly 06:00–20:00. Cool, easy walking and nice family photos, close to town.

18:30

Dinner in town — pick a riverside restaurant or a moo kratha spot the kids can eat atNakhon Sawan's Pak Nam Pho Chinese food is strong — try roast duck, wonton noodles, or grilled prawns along the Chao Phraya.

Boat-ride tips with kids

Put a life vest on the kids every time, and ask at the pier beforehand whether they stock child sizes. Bring sun hats and drinking water too. From about 06:30–10:30 the water birds come out to feed and are easiest to spot, so if birdwatching is your priority, swap the boat ride to the morning of day two instead.

🎟️

Book the activities in your Nakhon Sawan 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.

🎟️ Top tours in Nakhon SawanHighlights, guided Klook 🎟️ Nakhon Sawan attractions & ticketsSkip-the-line entry tickets Klook 🚐 Day trips from Nakhon SawanOut and back in a day Klook 🌎 Nakhon Sawan activities (GetYourGuide)Global tour marketplace GetYourGuide

🎟️ See all Nakhon Sawan tours & activities (Klook)

Day 2 — Khao No monkeys, then home

Day two starts a little earlier to beat the heat. Drive about 40 kilometers to Banphot Phisai district to reach Khao No–Khao Kaeo. There are plenty of long-tailed macaques here, plus stalls selling monkey food for the kids to buy and hand out — the kind of activity they'll remember for a long time.

Day 2

Khao No + the drive home

07:30

Breakfast, check out, and set off for Khao No in Banphot Phisai districtAbout a 40–50 minute drive from town. Go early while it's still cool and the monkeys are lively.

08:45

Arrive at Wat Khao No, buy monkey food from the stalls in front of the temple, and let the kids feed the monkeys at the foot of the hillThere are lots of monkeys here and they're cheeky — keep food well hidden, take off glasses and dangling items, and hold the kids' hands the whole time.

09:30

Look around the temple and the cave at the base, and if you're up for it, climb the stairs to the viewpoint (over 700 fairly steep steps)The stairs are very steep. With small kids, it's better to stay at the bottom feeding the monkeys and watching the bats — no need to push the climb.

10:30

Watch the bats, snap a photo with the giant monkey statue, and stop at the souvenir stalls in front of the templeThere are souvenirs and drinks out front — top up before the next leg.

11:30

Drive back into town, find lunch, and pick up Pak Nam Pho mochi to take homeNakhon Sawan mochi is a well-known souvenir and kids love it — easy to buy and bring home.

13:00

Head home, or continue on to a nearby provinceNakhon Sawan sits right in the middle — it's an easy onward trip to Kamphaeng Phet, Uthai Thani, or back to Bangkok.

Where to stay with kids

Pick a place in the Pak Nam Pho town center first, since it's close to restaurants and the in-town sights, and an easy launch point for the drive to Bueng Boraphet or Khao No. With small kids, look for a room with a pool or some space for them to run around — it really helps. A swim in the evening cools everyone down before bed.

Hotels in Pak Nam Pho town

Close to restaurants and the market, easy driving to the sights — pick one with a pool for the kids.

Stays along the Chao Phraya River

River views, evening strolls, and an easygoing atmosphere for families.

Food the kids will eat

Duck noodles & wonton noodles — an easy breakfast or lunch for kids, found all over the Pak Nam Pho area
Pak Nam Pho mochi — soft and sweet, a kid favorite and a great souvenir to take home
Moo kratha (Thai grill-and-hotpot) — a fun dinner where kids pick their own food; spots are all over town
Grilled prawns & riverside food — for a nice-atmosphere dinner where the kids can watch the boats on the river

Packing for the kids

Carry sun hats, sunscreen, water, and snacks at all times, since many of the sights are outdoors. Pack a change of clothes in case they get wet from the boat ride or a swim, and if you have a foldable stroller it'll help on the walk through Sawan Park.

See all the things to do and eat in Nakhon Sawan before you plan

See the Nakhon Sawan travel guide →

FAQ

Is it hard to travel around Nakhon Sawan with small kids?

Not really. The main sights are close together and many are flat and easy to walk, like Sawan Park and the aquarium. The only steep spot is the climb at Khao No — with small kids, just stay at the bottom feeding the monkeys, no need to push the climb.

Is feeding the monkeys at Khao No safe?

It's safe if you're careful. There are lots of monkeys at Khao No and they're cheeky, so keep food well hidden, take off glasses and dangling items, and hold the kids' hands the whole time. Buy monkey food from the stalls in front of the temple and hand it out a little at a time.

How much is the Bueng Boraphet boat ride, and is there a boat for families?

Community boats run about 100 THB per person, kids free; a covered boat that seats 10–12 people runs around 600 THB per hour, which suits a bigger family. Put a life vest on the kids and ask about child sizes at the pier first.

What time of day are the most water birds at Bueng Boraphet?

From about 06:30–10:30 the water birds come out to feed and are easiest to spot. If birdwatching is your priority, swap the boat ride to the morning of day two. The red lotus fields are at their best from late in the year into the new year.

How many days is right for a family trip to Nakhon Sawan?

Two days and one night is about right for the main sights — Sawan Park, Bueng Boraphet, the aquarium, and Khao No. If you have more time, add a day continuing to Kamphaeng Phet or Uthai Thani, both nearby.

Copyright & Image Takedown Policy

Thailandaddict is created to review and share travel experiences. Where an image is sourced from elsewhere, we credit the source. If you are the copyright owner and prefer that your image not appear on this site, please contact us and we will gladly remove the image or correct the information.