best things to do in luang prabang, laos with kids!

Here are the best things to do in Luang Prabang, Laos with kids! We've been three times (it's our favorite city in the world!), and there is SO much to do in this small Southeast Asia town with kids! Feed rescued elephants, give alms to monks at sunrise, learn how to work in a rice paddy, visit the night market, try Buffalo ice cream, climb to the main temple, wander in and out of small shops and delicious restaurants in the Old Quarter along the Mekong...it's everything!

This first post will cover an itinerary for a day in the Old Quarter area! It's a UNESCO World Heritage site for a reason, and it's the perfect place for a lazy stroll - passing ancient ornate temples, dozens of little restaurants + shops, and stunning views of the Mekong.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/efb94e_71c1e9666d2f425da680bbe350c7bb84/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

There are lots of cute hotels here, but we love the Avani+ hotel. It feels like a mini retreat, while also being positioned right at the edge of the action - walkable to everything! And even though it feels fancy, the staff are SUPER friendly to kids!

Without further ado, your perfect itinerary:

5:30am: Alms for Monks

Yep, you read that right. You're getting up by 5am (!) to be ready by 5:30 (at the latest!). And if you're staying close enough to town, don't even worry about setting an alarm - you'll be awoken even earlier by the sound of gongs. We like to do this every morning we're here because it's so unique. But even if you're thinking you'll do it just one day (as it requires waking up before dawn), you should 100% do it the first morning you're there. This is just in case a) jet lag gets the best of you and you sleep through it the first day (and need a second chance) and b) you change your mind and want to do it twice ;).

• 

• 

• 

Although the number of tourists participating has definitely grown in the decade since we started coming here in 2013 (pictures right above are from 2017 - look at baby Andrew + Molly!), it's still honestly magical. It feels like the entire town is lining the streets, and the monks in their bright orange robes are coming right out of the dark mist in a perfect quiet line.

If you stay at Avanti+, you don't have to walk far - you can snag a spot right in front of the hotel, as they are on the route and will set up the mat and alms for you (for a small fee). Other hotels will organize a ride (tuk tuk) for you plus mats and alms. But if you want to go at it yourself, it's very easy. Just head to the old quarter, and the local vendors are buzzing around and will notice you (as there really is not many other reasons to be up while it's still dark wandering the streets), and they're happy to lend you a mat (and sometimes even little stools for seats) and provide you with rice and other treats for sale as alms (for a small fee of course).

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/efb94e_d2b29538c88247be9d8c029404e5bbd2/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Bill and I thought this was really special when we came alone the first time, but involving kids takes this to a whole new level. Nearly every age can participate, as it just requires clean hands to grab rice from your bowl and put it in the bowl of each monk. Look at this gem of a video! As you pass out alms, you have to move somewhat quickly, but they are patient for the kids and you can always catch the monk before and after your child so they can keep the procession moving. Dare I say... it's a bit like disturbing candy on Halloween... my kids love that too. Lol. (Note: Don't touch the monks, and don't expect any smiles - it's all part of their role!)

Even though monks come in groups (and not a continuous stream), you'll know when it's officially over because locals will be packing up. After it's finished, it's time for breakfast!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/efb94e_398d56096f0b46cc98901ce65514331b/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

6:30am: Breakfast + Get Ready

The hotel has a delicious breakfast. At Avanti+ it looks quaint upon first view, but it's bursting with fresh local fruits, thick yogurt and honey, cereals with creamy milk, hearty toast and homemade jam, an omelette station with fresh eggs, and several French pastries. They also have full steaming-hot Laotian breakfasts!

And to drink, they'll make lattes and hot chocolates to order (complete with latte art), so you basically have everything you could dream.

8:30am: Hike Mount Phousi

If you're in the mood (and especially if you have kids in the baby carrier stage), hike Mount Phousi! You can start right across from the Royal Palace (on Sisavangvong Road) and you won't miss the large staircase. It's actually more of a hill and has concrete steps the whole way up... but there are 300+ stairs.

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/efb94e_195c839774b4432d8ae3b180a3a30e04/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

It's definitely worth the climb - even just for the panoramic views from the top: of the city, river, and countryside. It's, as they say, breathtaking. There is also an ornate golden pagoda at the top and other small temples to distract you from the fact that you also need to make the climb down. Like any climb, it's challenging to navigate with kids. And also like any hike, it's easier if you can wear the baby or if they are old enough (and have enough endurance) to do it independently... if you have a toddler though, I leave it up to your tolerance for stress and brute strength... but I'd of course do it (with Bill as a reinforcement). Lol. Pictured above is us on our honeymoon... so kid free and looking super relaxed!

10am: Coffee at Saffron

Since we always need some caffeine (or a smoothie or tea) from the early wakeup, we always find our way to Saffron Coffee. We met the owners several years ago (pictured above in 2017), and they are from the States but ingrained in the local community. They're passionate about the country and started the venture about a decade ago by supporting farmers growing coffee in Northern Laos (who were previously relying on the opium crop, which is a lot riskier than coffee). They've put their heart and soul into it and grown to be able to support hundreds of locals, and they give a lot of the profits right back to the community. Oh also, the coffee and tea are really good and the location along the Mekong and views from the balcony are also wonderful. ;)

10:30am: Strolling + Shopping

You're already right on the Mekong, so now it's time to try to get "lost" in the historic district! In reality, you have rivers on two sides so it will be nearly impossible to get lost... but have fun meandering down all the little side streets. Stop in whatever little temples peak your interest or just float in and out of the local shops.

• 

• 

• 

Shopping

You know by now how much we love a cute little shop... and there are plenty! A few of our favorites in the Old Quarter are:

• La La Laos: This woman has the coolest t-shirt designs. They're basic t-shirts in monochrome colors with aesthetic and clean graphic images representing different aspects of the country... the perfect "I was here!" shirt that you'll actually wear. And they have a small collection of jewelry too. Plus the shopping bags are handmade with local newspaper print - making it really easy to gift anything you buy there!

• The Boutique by Ock Pop Tok: This is a wonderful place to grab a locally-made gift. You know that there are plenty of places to buy trinkets, but sometimes you want to make sure you're supporting the local community... and this is your place! The staff is really knowledgable about each of the items, and most of the pieces come with a tag that shows you exactly where it was made on a map of Laos - plus the name of the artist or group that made it.

• Big Brother Mouse: We never, ever come to Laos without a stop here! It's a little bookstore, but it's also an amazing non-profit. When we honeymooned here, we had gifted donations to this organization instead of distributing trinkets to our wedding guests - so it has a special place in our heart for sure! If you're with kids, the best thing to do is stop here to grab some kids books in Lao/English. They're well-illustrated books written by locals and make great gifts - but they're also the same books that they distributed in the community to help the kids in rural areas learn English. You can even buy a few from the shop and drop them directly into the donation box at the front of the store. How cool is that? They give back money and books to the rural communities, so it's a great place to support. And if you're in Luang Prabang without kids, you can check their website for volunteer opportunities.

1pm: Lunch

There are lots of cute little restaurants in the historic area, but you can also venture out a little bit near the hotel. There are some other fancy hotels in this area, and they've attracted a lot of great local restaurants. Some good ones if you need a recommendation are: Bamboo Garden Restaurant and Two Little Birds Cafe.

2:30pm: Hotel Pool or Exploring along Nam Khan River

Alright - if you're ready to relax, now is the time to hop in the beautiful hotel pool at Avani+ (or wherever you're staying)! At Avani+, the pool is right in the center of the hotel, and it's shaded by a giant tree. Take a swim to refresh, and then re-apply your bug spray and get ready to get back out there!

• 

• 

Or if you're SUPER lucky, the hotel might engage you in some fun activity - like picking the vegetables from their on-site garden for dinner... it's a magical place!

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/efb94e_c30dd40a8f14447e815caf5daecf7177/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

If you want to do a little more exploring, head over the Nam Khan River on one of the little bridges into another little neighborhood full of shops and restaurants. You can continue your temple + shop hopping, or you can take a break and stop for a quick massage. The views along the Nam Khan are quaint and beautiful, so it's also a great place for an afternoon stroll. Enjoy!

5:30pm: Dinner at Gaspard

There are a lot of options for dinner, but if you're looking for something special, Gaspard is your spot! It's located in a renovated a UNESCO historic house - that kept a lot of the old detail, creating an upscale while cozy vibe. Every corner of this place is photogenic. And there is seating inside, but there is also a 'secret garden' (pictured below) with lush plants and bistro tables. It's technically a French restaurant, but they thread in other flavors from Laos and use local and seasonal ingredients. The dishes are delicious and beautifully plated, all while being reasonably priced. Their cocktails are also superb!!

• 

• 

• 

Also, if this sounds like an adult restaurant, it is! But we went early and didn't feel out of place at all. And even if we did... it would be worth it for the vibes and flavors! :)

7:30pm Night Market

Every night at the main entrance to the old city, little stalls line the Main Street with souvenirs and clothes. So if you forgot your Southeast Asia essentials at home (baggy + colorful lightweight pants with elephant or other patterns), just bring your cash to pick them up here! For only a few dollars (literally...), you can get the pants, dress, and shirt ... in both adult and kid sizes!

You can also pick up lots of little (very cheap) souvenirs that may or may not be handmade... but they're cute enough that we don't really care. And with all these options, it's the perfect place to let the kids pick a few items to remember the trip without breaking the bank!

At this point, you're probably ready to call it a night. But if you have it in you (and the kids do too), there is an outdoor square at the entrance of the market with live music and beer - for a little night cap before you cross the street to your hotel (and go to sleep early for our daily almsgiving)!

A summary of the full itinerary:

Next up - leave the main city for a day to take care of elephants, visit a farm that makes Buffalo ice cream, and learn to work in the rice paddies! Stay tuned for the next post, and let us know if you enjoyed this one!