Today was one of those days that reminds you exactly why you travel to laugh, to feel like a kid again, and to see your little ones wide eyed with wonder.
We started off at the Paradise Gallery inside the Tha Sala Interactive Museum, and honestly, it was unbelievable. From the second we stepped inside, it felt like being dropped into a giant storybook.
Georgia and Dotty were off like rockets, running from one room to the next, giggling and shouting for us to hurry up. Each space was a different world one minute we were balancing on the edge of a volcano, the next we were standing inside a dinosaur’s mouth, pretending we were about to be eaten alive.
Me and Ali couldn’t resist getting in on the action. We posed under the Eiffel Tower, hung off cliffs, and staged the most ridiculous scenes you could imagine. It’s the kind of place that makes you forget about being a grown up for a few hours, and I loved every second of it.
Just when we thought we’d seen everything, we discovered the AR zones, and that took it all to another level.
You download the museum’s app, hold your phone up to certain exhibits, and suddenly the art comes alive dinosaurs roar and move, fish swim around your feet, and scenes transform into animations right in front of you. Georgia was absolutely amazed by it. It felt like stepping into a living video game, and even Ali and I couldn’t stop grinning and jumping in to all the art!
It’s hard to pick a favourite part. The giant 3D ocean scenes were incredible Dotty was convinced the shark was real I think. And the fantasy rooms made it feel like you were really there in the moment. And those AR sections were the perfect surprise right when you thought you’d already seen every trick.
Every single corner was made for playing, exploring, and taking the kind of photos you’ll look back on for years.
We ended up spending nearly three hours there, completely losing track of time. By the end, our phones were full of photos and videos, and the kids were tired but happy, still buzzing about the dinosaurs.
After lunch, we wandered across to the Museum of Lanna Folk Life, which was the perfect change of pace. Calm, beautifully presented, and full of little details about Northern Thailand’s traditions. While Dotty had a nap in the pushchair, we took our time exploring the displays and soaking up some culture.
Later on, we wondered through local shops and stumbled on a couple of temples tucked down side streets exactly the kind of little surprises that make Chiang Mai so special.
By the time we finally called it a day, we were all knackered in that really good way, when you know you’ve squeezed every last bit out of an afternoon.
If you’re ever in Chiang Mai, do yourself a favour visit Paradise Gallery is worth every minute, and it’s one of the few places where the adults end up having just as much fun as the kids.
However, if you don’t join in, then like some other people we saw you will be out in 30 mins… live a little and immerse yourself!
Honestly, can’t recommend this day out enough.
