Here is a quick summary of our favorite experiences while in Bangkok. If you're interested in reading more - just click on the picture and it will bring you to the dedicated post!

WHERE WE STAYED:

The Lebua State Hotel

ROOMS: Very good size, all with balconies. And because we chose an Expedia+ hotel, we were automatically upgraded.

BEST KNOWN FOR: Being the hotel in the Hangover 2.

LOCATION: Somewhat central, but the cabs are so cheap in Bangkok and the weather is so humid - its worth it to take a $2 cab ride just to sit in AC. (ugh we are so american)

FAVORITE RESTAURANTS / BARS / FOOD TO TRY:

MANGOTREE

This came as a recommendation from the hosts at our hotel. Our hotel restaurants did look amazing - but expensive. And we wanted to get out and explore the city, so we asked for 'traditional thai food, not too expensive'. He recommended mangotree which was only a few blocks from our hotel. When we arrived we were the only ones in the restaurant! It felt like we had rented the restaurant out as we had all the waiters focused on us, bringing over fans pointed at our table because it was so humid out. The food was amazing, and the service was even better. We later learned that this restaurant is a chain in Thailand... oh well! we were happy!

SKY BAR @ IEBUA TOWER

The highest bar in Bangkok. And also, I would guess the most expensive. I believe our drinks were about $20 each!! So we got a drink, took about 100 pictures (it was beautiful), and then went back down to the mainland where drinks were $5.

Green Mango Salad

Tart & sweet green mango with the spice of thai chilis and citrus from lime. So many different flavors all for about $1. Also try: Pomelo Salad. We tried ours while at the Chatuchak Weekend Market.

COCONUT ICE CREAM

One of the GREATEST inventions i have ever tasted. Coconut ice cream in a coconut shell. In this hot and humid weather I would have paid $8 for one of these (when they were about $2)

ACTIVITIES & ADVENTURES

TEMPLE TREKKING

We visited Wat Pho which is a Buddhist temple complex, and one of the oldest in Bangkok. For more details on our adventure & what to wear, see my separate blog post.

The Chatuchak Weekend Market

As the name describes, its only open on Saturday and Sunday. If you happen to be in Bangkok at this time you must visit! With over 8,000 stalls you will find a little of everything - modern stores, ancient artifacts, food, an animal section, etc.

The Damnoen Saduak Floating Market

Although it has turned into a bit of a tourist trap over the years, it was still an unbelievable site to see. Floating down the river in a longtail boat, ordering fresh fruit as the woman floats by.

Walk Khao San Road

Khao San Road is known for its crazy nightlife, and although it may be too much & touristy for some, its still a site to see. Bright neon lights and vendors selling fried insects, loud music pumping out of the clubs. We walked down the street with our mouths wide open.

SPOTS TO STAY HEALTHY IN BANGKOK

Its not easy to stay healthy while traveling. Its so easy to fall into the routine of eating a big breakfast buffet at the hotel (pancakes, bacon, eggs, french toast.. so much food!) and then continuing the eating throughout the day. So whenever possible we try to eat healthy and at least fit a workout in. We always try to make sure our hotel has a gym or pool so we can fit in a morning workout.

Crossfit Bangkok

The great thing about the Crossfit community is no matter where in the world you are - you are welcome. We joined a 7am class over at Crossfit Bangkok, and it felt so good to get a real workout in! And we met some local expats who had some interesting stories.

Brekkie

This was one place I wish we visited. The breakfast options looked amazing. Superfood bowls, baked eggs with chorizo, whole wheat pancakes... yum!

Veganerie Concept

It started as a small vegan bakery but they have expanded their menu. There are plenty of gluten free options - including a vegan smoothie bowl and vegan pancakes.

ADDITIONAL BANGKOK NOTES:

LANGUAGE: THAI

Khap & Ka: Men say "khap" and women say "ka" added to the end of sentences.

Hello / Good Day / Good Morning: (Sawatdee) Sawatdee ka if you're a woman, swatdee khap if you're a man.
Thank you: (Khop Khun) + ka or khap
Please: (garoonah)
Yes: (Chai)
No: (Mai)
Delicious (in relation to food): (Aroy)

WATCH OUT FOR SCAM ARTISTS:

This is embarrassing to admit, and we didn't even realize we got scammed until we got home! But we fell for one of the most popular scams. When we went to visit the Grand Palace, a happy Thai man (with very good english) dressed like a tour guide came up to us saying "oh, sorry, the Grand Palace is closed today". We were so bummed, knowing we didn't have much time in the city, and we fell for the "BUT, there is an amazing boat tour..." luckily, when we got to the dock on the river we could tell that something felt off - and we left. For more information on scams, check out this article.

WHAT TO WEAR:

For most temples and for the Iebua Sky Bar men must wear pants and women must cover their knees. Luckily for women, maxi dresses are in style so I was prepared, but we ended up stopping at an H&M for Andrew to buy some pants.

FORMS OF TRANSPORT:

Taxis are SO inexpensive in Bangkok, it seems silly not to use them. Our taxi ride from the airport to our hotel cost $7 and 30 minutes vs taking the subway for $4 and 1 hour.

Tuk Tuks are quite expensive (compared to ones in Siem Reap). Because the city of Bangkok is so big, its not worth getting a Tuk Tuk.

Bangkok, Thailand | Travel Guide