The 10 Best Activities & Tours in Chiang Mai, Ranked

This lot leans heavily on water and forest, with three waterfalls, two hot spring parks and a pair of national parks all sitting outside the city, so you'll want wheels for most of it. Elephant Nature Park is the one I'd name first, a real rescue sanctuary rather than a ride outfit, and it tops the ratings here. The two cooking schools are the only things you can walk to, and Samsen Villa is the sole sit-down meal, at mid-range money.