A family friendly beach town without the party scene? Yes please
Whether or not you’ve been to Thailand, it’s easy to get caught up in stereotypes. Any beach town can make a parent wonder: Is Hua Hin worth visiting with kids?
Fortunately, Thailand, like many other countries, has space for backpacker culture, red light districts, a party scene—and low-key, more relaxed destinations that are easy for families to enjoy. Even better, the country’s more adult sides are easy to avoid.
Our family of four passed up more well-known beach destinations such as Phuket or Pattaya. Instead, we visited Hua Hin, a small beach town less than four hours drive south of Bangkok.
If you’ve been wondering if Hua Hin, Thailand is worth visiting as a family, here’s our perspective and experience after visiting with kids and staying for a month. We’ll break down why we liked Hua Hin as parents, what we did, and what we skipped.
If you’ve been wondering if Hua Hin, Thailand is worth visiting as a family, here’s our perspective and experience after visiting with kids and staying for a month.
Plan your trip
Our family’s background visiting Thailand
I first visited Thailand in 2003 and 2004. As much as I wanted to return, I didn’t make it back there until 2022, when Jodie and I brought the kids for our first family visit to Asia.
Even when I first visited Thailand, the party scene wasn’t my jam. (And if you’re wondering, neither was the sex tourism.)
From the moment our family first arrived in Bangkok in 2022, Thailand enthralled us. As my wife and two kids took in Thailand for the first time, I could tell they were picking up on the same wonder, vibrancy, and sense of fun that run deep in Thai culture.
With thousands of years of history, this culture knows itself. A confidence runs through the people and their smiles. Hua Hin, like the rest of Thailand, is vibrant without being intense, fun without being constantly over the top, and enjoyable without leaving you broke.
Jodie and I wanted to find a beachside part of Thailand where we could feel relaxed, in a party-free atmosphere that was welcoming and friendly for the kids.
Fortunately, Thailand has something to offer for any traveler—including those who want to be there for the calm Thailand, with chill beaches and relaxed towns.
As of this writing, we’ve visited Thailand twice, for a total of over two months. Whether river cruises in Bangkok, cooking classes in Chiang Mai, or romping in the pool in Chiang Rai, we plan to focus our next Thailand adventures more on the southern side of the country, especially more of the coastal areas.
We came to Hua Hin seeking a calm place, where we could enjoy a laid-back town and walks on the beach, and find our own answer to the question “is Hua Hin worth visiting with kids?”
And we did.
Hua Hin, like the rest of Thailand, is vibrant without being intense, fun without being constantly over the top, and enjoyable without leaving you broke.
Hua Hin: Night markets and chill beach time, yes; party scene, not so much
Sure, you can easily find incredible party scenes in Thailand. Even better? You can also easily avoid them, and Hua Hin is a good place to focus on sitting back and relaxing.
Hua Hin began as a small fishing village. In the early twentieth century, the Thai Royal Family decided they wanted a beach getaway, a place they could get away from it all, without getting too far away from the capital, Bangkok.
Fast forward to today, and Hua Hin has built up from far more than a fishing village with a royal enclave.
Hua Hin is also…
- Three incredible (and edible) night markets
- Home to a couple of nifty shopping centers
- Full of convenient and affordable condos and other lodging that’s great for families
- A place of two main beach areas, divided by a large promontory that extends into the water (and makes a useful landmark)
Visiting Hua Hin from Bangkok
By bus, train, or private vehicle, Hua Hin is about 3-4 hours south of Bangkok. You might see some chatter online about Hua Hin being a good day trip from Bangkok. If you want at least 6 of your day’s 24 hours to be spent looking out a window, maybe.
We could see visiting Hua Hin on a weekender from Bangkok, and we’d suggest spending at least three nights. That gives you some partial days on your arrival and departure day, plus two full days. You could spend one day more in relaxation mode, and select a larger activity for another day… or not. Personally, we’re always down with another chill day.
Hua Hin’s night markets
Let’s start the way all great things do in Thailand: with something to eat.
Tamarind Night Market
On weekend evenings, the fenced Tamarind Night Market comes alive with live music, bright lights, a few shops, and above all, delicious food stalls serving up everything from pressed jellyfish to sausages. Do you want Thai food? You bet. You can also tuck into a range of American and European style dishes.
Just a few minutes walk from the condo where we stayed for a month, Tamarind became our go-to weekend market. Plus, since it was enclosed, we could easily let the kids wander around the stalls, with some baht notes for food and spending money.
Otherwise, we loved to relax at the market, sampling dishes, listening to music, and taking in the warm Thai night.
Cicada Market
Just a little farther north, the Cicada Market is larger, home to more tasty treats, and generally more expansive and expensive than Tamarind. We went a few times, and enjoyed the open spaces (not to mention the window shopping at some of the tents). Typically though, we preferred the lower prices and more intimate environment of Tamarind.
Hua Hin Night Market
For the everyday local and tourist hub though, the Hua Hin Night Market is the place to be.
Located in the main northern part of town, the market sets up every day from around 4pm in a 300-meter stretch of Dechanuchit Road. Along with the shops lining the street, market stalls take over the pavement.
You’ll find block after block of shopping, street food, bars, massage places, and more for locals and visitors. We didn’t get up to this market nearly enough, but on a future visit, this would likely be our regular market, along with visits to Cicada on the weekend.
Night market breakdown
Tamarind Night Market
Weekend evenings. Range of food stalls. Lots of tables. Live music. Chill, intimate atmosphere, and generally lower prices than Cicada.
Cicada Night Market
Also weekend evenings. Larger than Tamarind, with more overall space for wandering and hanging out. More food stalls and shopping options, but we found it more expensive than Tamarind.
Hua Hin Night Market
Nightly market. The area is closed to vehicle traffic, so it’s a slow-wander delight. Stalls line the streets, and the area restaurants, bars, and more are also open for business. You can feel the buzz in the air (and only some of it is aerosolized chiles).
Where to stay in Hua Hin, Thailand, as a family
Hua Hin is home to global hotel brands as well as an array of guesthouses, hostels, local stays, and vacation rentals.
Where we stayed in Hua Hin
In addition to hotels, Hua Hin is home to many vacation rentals. We rented a condo located a little north of the large promontory where the original village is.
The enclosed property’s pool and comfy condo made for a wonderful stay. Plus, the condo’s full kitchen, combined with a small grocery store across the street and another a couple blocks north, made it easy to cook up our own meals.
When we wanted to go out, we could arrange a rideshare via the Grab app to Hua Hin Beach, Bluport Shopping Center, the Hua Hin Night Market, or the Khao Takiab Beach area south of the promontory.
Find places to stay in Hua Hin
Whether a tucked-back condo like ours or a high-rise with stellar ocean views, you can find the right accommodation for you in Hua Hin.
Similar vacation rentals, plus hotels and more, abound in Hua Hin
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North of the rock, south of the rock
Hua Hin itself translates to “stone head.” It’s thought the name came from the large promontory south of the original fishing village. Today, you might hear folks calling the promontory “Chopsticks Hill.”
Home to the hilltop Wat Khao Takiap Buddhist temple, the promontory itself is a useful landmark when orienting yourself. From our experience, being “north of the rock” or “south of the rock” could bring very different experiences while in Hua Hin.
North of the rock
Most of Hua Hin, including the night markets, shopping centers, and main coastal tourism area at Hua Hin Beach, are all north of the rock, as are many international hotels and other resorts.
Our impression was that the main area north of the rock and around Hua Hin itself was the main area for the city’s tourism and other activities.
South of the rock
We often headed south of the rock, and on a future Hua Hin vacation we would likely stay in this area.
A Grab rideshare from our rental cost the equivalent of a few US dollars and could drop us a short walk from the beach. Down a narrow side street, soon we could sink our toes into the sands of the broad, long, scenic Nong Kae Beach.
Just south of the rock itself, Nong Kae is lined with cafes, bars, and restaurants, many of which have large decks, along with beach chairs and tables placed on the sand in the evening. We appreciated that the kids could dash around as much as they wanted, and could easily wade in shallow Gulf of Thailand waters.
South of the rock, we also noticed that it was easier to wander along quiet neighborhood streets. Instead of the larger high rises north of the rock, buildings here might be only a few stories, adding to a calmer, more neighborhood feel. Tucked away here, we’d also find anything from 7-11’s to pizzerias, noodle shops to smoothie stalls.
Hua Hin beaches (and the one we preferred)
You an check out 2 primary beach areas in Hua Hin:
Hua Hin Beach
Located far north of the rock, this is the main beach area, and typically the one closest to international hotels and the area’s high-rise hotels and condos. This is the area where you’re most likely to have to access the beach via a gauntlet of souvenir stalls.
On the beach there’ll be various eateries, with tables and chairs beachside.
We mostly enjoyed Hua Hin Beach. There are also lots of beached rocks that were fun to check out, and the water was nice.
However, we found the rocks and sea floor completely covered with mussels. While the shells had a beautiful green and black sheen, they were as sharp as straight razors. We all wound up with a few cuts and nicks. If you’re determined to head into the water here, consider keeping your shoes on, and be extra careful of your footing if you slip.
Nong Kae Beach
South of the rock, Nong Kae Beach was much more our kind of beach. Nong Kae was chill during the day, with a more festive atmosphere in the evening from the beachside restaurants and bars.
The beach itself was broad and long, stretching far down the coast. Whenever we visited, even at higher tide, the beach was incredibly wide. If you have little kids, it can be easy to make sure they’re only getting into the water with your okay. It’s also easy to toss a ball or play some games, given how much space there is.
Eateries line this area, and we liked the vibe here more than Hua Hin Beach. At night, strung lights added a magic and romance to the air. Yet we simply found the area overall more relaxed. Whether dining at one of the nearby restaurants or simply wandering the sands, it was easy to get around, and the quieter area held fun without needing a party vibe.
What we would do differently on a future visit to Hua Hin
Our stay
We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment a few kilometers north of the rock.
Across the street, a convenience store also had enough fresh produce and meat to make it easy for us to do our own cooking.
We could also romp in the large pool that spanned much of the courtyard. While not directly on the beach, the shoreline itself was only a few minutes walk.
Inside, the wifi was excellent, and we had a large living space for hanging out together or doing activities.
Other stays we would consider in Hua Hin
In our experience, Hua Hin occupies a sweet spot: not overrun with visitors and high prices, but with enough of a tourism trade to have lots of options for international visitors.
While we enjoyed being close to the night markets, on a future visit we would most likely stay south of the rock. During our forays into the beaches and neighborhoods here, we found things quieter, with more side streets and cafes, not to mention better beach access.
What we did in Hua Hin
Hua Hin and the surrounding Thai countryside offer many options for activities. However, no matter where we are, we focus our visit on what matters to us at the time.
While we did enjoy some activities in the area, there are lots of other destinations and activities around that we skipped out on. You might consider them for your own Hua Hin visit.
Chowing down at night markets
Thai night markets are one of our favorite pastimes, and we could have spent even more time at all 3 Hua Hin night markets:
Tamarind Night Market
Since we were staying less than half a mile’s walk from the weekend-only Tamarind Night Market, it became our weekend go-to evening activity. Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings, we usually went once or twice.
Tamarind impressed us with its enclosed, fairly contained space. While all the markets felt family friendly, Tamarind’s smaller footprint made it all the easier to keep track of Connor and Aster.
If we had been visiting when our kids were younger, this is the market we would have gone to.
Now that our kids are old enough to get around some on their own, Tamarind was a great opportunity to give the kids some baht and send them off to find their own dishes, treats, and drinks to try.
We always knew they’d be fine, and they always came back with something tasty!
Cicada Night Market
Cicada is the market for when you really want to roam, explore, maybe window shop a little, all the while eating delicious treats.
Sprawling across a flat area a little north of the Tamarind site, Cicada offered the feeling of a bigger street market, with a touch of outdoor fair. If you’re familiar with downtown markets in, say, the USA, Cicada reminded us a lot of those, only at night instead of on a Saturday morning.
Hua Hin Night Market
One of our favorites, and the one we especially want to go back to.
This urban market closes off several streets to vehicle traffic. Along with cafes, bars, massage parlors, shops, and other businesses open in the buildings lining the streets, the center of the street becomes a line of market stalls.
From grilled corn to chicken skewers, smoothies to mango with sticky rice, we wandered and tasted up one side and down the other. All the while, this market made for some of the best people watching. While popular with visitors, the Hua Hin Night Market is also a mainstay for Hua Hin citizens.
Beaches
Like we said, wandering the beaches was a lot of fun for us, especially Nong Kae Beach. There, Jodie and I could relax with a smoothie on a beachside deck, while the children romped along the beach.
Pool at our condo
On days when we didn’t want to go to the beach, we took full advantage of our condo’s long, broad, lovely pools. Shallow pools and a kiddie pool for the littles? You bet. Chairs where we could relax poolside with a book or a beverage? Plenty.
And there were lots of splashy romps between kids and parents.
Our condo’s pool was one of our favorite parts of the entire stay. It was easy to get from our room to the pool. Since the space was enclosed in our condo’s courtyard, we also felt extra tucked away in our own little world.
Ice Cream and Cat Cafe
Near the Thai royal residence, a rideshare can take you to the chill, tucked-away little Ice Cream and Cat Cafe. During our visit, Aster petted and gazed at cats, including a bunch of kittens from a recent litter. We also tucked into ice cream from an array of rotating flavors.
Massages
A nice thing about being in a small beach town? A few massage parlors were nearby.
Jodie took the opportunity to snag a good Thai massage now and again. After all, it’s not easy being an amputee. The difference in her walking can be tricky on her body, so we make sure that she can get massages as often as possible.
Meetups with other travel families
Another nice thing about Hua Hin? It’s just popular enough with foreign visitors that it can be easy to set up a meetup with other families.
One afternoon, we went over to Cafe D. Over treats and coffees we got to know another family, and the kids bonded over the universal language of Minecraft.
Dental checkups
Surprised to see this? Don’t be.
Thailand is a global hub for medical tourism, especially for folks coming from the USA.
Jodie and I were due for some dental checkups. Nana Dental was clean and orderly, with well-trained and helpful staff who were thorough, professional, and caring. Their English was far better than I could ever hope my Thai would be.
Our dental cleanings went well, and the following week I came in for a filling.
The total cost for all three services (2 cleanings and one filling) was less than just one cleaning would have cost one of us in the USA.
Rode a horse on the beach
On many stretches of Hua Hin beach, you’ll find people leading horses. These horses are available for short rides, and one day Aster took one. If you or your kids are interested, you can approach any of the folks with the horses.
The rides do have a charge, which will vary and is negotiable. Negotiate the price up front, and pay when the ride is finished.
Wait… is that all we did in Hua Hin?
Honestly, just about. At the time we were visiting, Jodie and I were making a bunch of different arrangements for some various personal and professional matters back in the USA.
While we wanted to do some activities and sightseeing in Hua Hin, we also were very clear with ourselves that we were there mainly to get some stuff done.
At the same time, we honed in on the activities that mattered to us for the particular visit we had:
Food, beach, food, pool, and food.
That’s part of the joy of travel, after all. It’s our trip, so we made sure it matched up with our needs and priorities.
Other cool activities that we skipped them (and here’s why)
Skootz Trike and Sidecar Rental
Here’s something you might not know about me: I used to have a sidecar motorcycle.
My deep green, 2008 Ural Patrol was from Russia. Jodie would ride in the sidecar, and our dog Ella would sit with her. Ella also wore her own “doggles,” or dog goggles, and yes, that was every bit as cute as it sounds.
Skootz rental place was close to where we were staying. We talked about renting something, but ultimately it wasn’t a priority for this particular trip. Next time, though, it’d be fun to scoot around with the kids.
Chocolate Factory
Chocolate Factory is supposed to be pretty nifty, but it never rose to being a priority for us. We preferred saving our treat time for the night markets.
Bueng Bua Wood Boardwalk
I’m a sucker for a boardwalk stroll through a natural space. However, figuring out ride logistics was a big concern of ours.
That said, Bueng Bua Wood Boardwalk in Khao Sam Roi Yot National Park is supposed to be a wonderful day trip, and a lovely way to get in some natural space in Thailand.
We didn’t find it feasible to arrange a Grab. While motorbikes are a more common option, motorbikes don’t play well with Jodie’s prosthetic leg.
On another trip, we might look into arranging a car and driving out here for a day on our own.
1000 Sook Food and Farm
The European-themed mini farm and restaurant 1000 Sook might be really cute, but it isn’t what we came to Thailand for.
We’d be going to parts of Europe a few months after our Thailand visit. And if there were a Thai-themed mini farm in, say, Portugal, we’d probably skip that too, and just plan to come back to Thailand.
That said, 1000 Sook did look pretty cute, and the whimsical decor alone might be worth a visit.
Inu Café
This we likely would do on a future trip. After leaving Hua Hin to spend a few days in Bangkok, we took the kids to a husky cafe, and it was a highlight of our trip. Inu Café strikes us as another cool way to have some time around animals.
Kaeng Krachan National Park & Suspension Bridge, plus Pranburi Forest Park (mangrove forest)
Again, we just weren’t planning to go afield on day trips while in Hua Hin.
Next time we visit though, I could see us either figuring out transportation, or joining an organized day trip. We love the idea of experiencing more national parks in other countries, and Thailand’s natural spaces are lovely.
Mangrove forests can also be such unique habitats. Now that the kids are older and getting more out of these spaces too, I could see us wanting to set up a day trip to Pranburi Forest Park.
From its beginnings as a project of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, Pranburi combines river, pine forest, and beach, along with protected mangrove forest habitats. We reckon it’d be an amazing day trip.
Chopsticks Hill and Wat Khao Takiab
What, you say? This is one of Hua Hin’s main sights, and we didn’t go?
That’s right. We didn’t.
While you can go up the promontory, nicknamed Chopsticks Hill, when we looked into it online, experiences sounded pretty hit or miss, especially when the local monkeys were feeling particularly aggressive. We decided it didn’t sound all that fun.
As for Wat Khao Takiab, we are pretty deliberate about which temples we check out. Reaching the temple requires climbing a hundred steps. That’s a lot of work for Jodie especially. If we want to check out a temple, we can choose others throughout the region that are easier to access.
Getting to Hua Hin
Hua Hin is most easily reached when starting from Bangkok. Buses have regular service there, and there’s at least one train a day. Since there are four of us, we found it about the same price to hire a private vehicle and drive down.
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Search Hua Hin tours, experiences & more
If you’d like a guided experience while in Hua Hin, here are some options to consider:
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When is a good time of year to visit Hua Hin?
Given Hua Hin’s overall tropical climate, typically the relatively cooler and drier months of November through February are considered the optimal time of year to visit Hua Hin. Heat and humidity pick up starting March. September and October can be pretty rainy.
Hua Hin is worth visiting with kids
While Hua Hin likely has its own party scene, I couldn’t even tell you where it is. We greatly enjoyed our month in Hua Hin, and would say that families can easily find places to visit with kids.
Our family of four found Hua Hin to be a relaxed beach town, full of vibrant markets and delicious food, not to mention lovely long, broad beaches where we could take a break from being in our condo. Since Hua Hin is just a few hours drive from Bangkok, it was even easier to make Hua Hin a destination when flying in and out of Bangkok.
Is Hua Hin, Thailand, worth visiting as a family? Very much so. And this family will gladly go back. Don’t be surprised if you show up to Tamarind Night Market and find us drinking mango smoothies.
