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Visit Artist Color
Artist Color is a quaint shop found just adjacent the noteworthy gates that Chiang Mai is known for. It certainly is not the most massive space on our list, but the shop somehow finds a way to fill its interior with plenty of cool things to see (and purchase). A hand-painted postcard is perfect for sending to friends and family back home or instead invest in a t-shirt or two that is embellished with fresh colors and designs. They specialize in printed bags, clothing, pillows, and more.
Location: Moon Muang Road, Chiang Mai, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Grab a Coffee at Fact Cafe Coffee and Gallery
Get your caffeine and art fix all in one place at Fact Cafe Coffee and Gallery. Just as its name suggests, this cafe and gallery art duo is serving up delicious cups of coffee to diners as they take in all the artistic fixings. From cool chandeliers to colorful paintings, there is enough art paraphernalia to keep you fixated for hours. Check out more cool cafes with the help of our coffee lover’s guide to Chiang Mai!
Location: — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 97 051 4032 | Facebook
Hours: Daily from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Take a Watercolor Workshop at goodday
Since 1999, goodday has been showcasing artwork that has ignited creativity in all those who visit this shop. Found in Old Town, this gallery of sorts also doubles as an artistic workshop. Travelers, expats, and locals gather for watercolor classes which aim to help visitors unleash their inner artist. If you don’t want to try your hand at watercolor, goodday is also brimming with artistic goods and unique decor pieces that are available for purchase.
Location: 23 Prapokklao, Phra Singh, Muang, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 81 420 5222 | Facebook
Hours: Daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Stay at Heuan Pak Dee Hostel and Gallery
There are plenty of unique accommodation options in Chiang Mai, but one of the most colorful ones of them all is Heuan Pak Dee Hostel and Gallery. As its name suggests, this hostel doubles as an art gallery. The entire entryway is dedicated to colorful paintings that are for sale as well as unique furnishings that are sure to brighten up your day with their bright colors. The outdoor garden proves to be a great spot to sit and take in all of the artwork found sporadically around the hostel, and rooms start out at as little as $8 a night. Heuan Pak Dee Hostel and Gallery is the place to stay for art-lovers in this northern city! Be sure to also check out our entire list of the best hostels in Chiang Mai, here.
Location: Si Phum, Mueang Chiang Mai District, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 52 011 928 | Facebook
Explore Things Called Art
This independent shop sells everything from jewelry, second-hand clothing, accessories, ceramics, and much more. Many of the pieces featured here were created by local artists, giving you a rare glimpse into the Chiang Mai art scene. This gift shop and gallery duo is found in Old City and is worth a visit for those of you around town.
Contact: +66 61 462 3956 | Facebook
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. | Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Eat at Woo Cafe Art Gallery
Woo Cafe is so much more than just a cafe and an art gallery. This restaurant serves delectable, aesthetically-pleasing food on unique dishware that they sell in the attached lifestyle shop. It’s here where you can buy gorgeous pieces for your home and kitchen. While you wait for your food, be sure to browse the colorful, flower-filled dessert display or check out the upstairs art gallery. Abstract expressionist pieces line the walls of the small studio while eclectic sculptures hide in the corners.
Location: 80 Charoenrat Road, Wat Gate, Muang Chiang Mai, Chiang Mai 50000, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 52 003 717 | Facebook
Hours: Daily from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Brunch at Gallery Seescape and SS1254372 Cafe
The theme of this quirky cafe is “granny in space,” so needless to say, it’s full of funky decor that will bring you back in time (or is it to the future? It’s kinda hard to tell here.) After you devour a scrumptious meal, wander around the outdoor art gallery. The art pieces here rotate every few months but usually aim to invoke emotions. There are sometimes some interactive pieces you can play with, and a shop attached to the cafe where you can buy an assortment of spectacularly kitschy trinkets and souvenirs. Don’t forget to check out the Chiang Mai map on the wall of the gallery, which shows locations of other art galleries in town!
Location: 22/1 ถนน นิมมาน เห มิ น ซอย 17 Suthep Muang Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 93 831 9394 | Facebook
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. (kitchen closes at 3 p.m.; closed on Mondays)
Visit the Chiang Mai City Arts & Cultural Centre
Explore the history, art, and culture of Thailand at Chiang Mai’s heritage museum. For ฿180, you can visit the Arts & Cultural Center, Historical Centre, and Lanna Folk Life Museum, all of which are located next to each other. Discover Thailand’s hill tribes, ancient artifacts, and various exhibitions that showcase the traditions and history of this fascinating country.
Location: 127/7 Prapokkloa Rd, Tambon Si Phum, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 53 217 793
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed on Mondays)
Paint an Elephant at Elephant Parade Land
If you love both elephants and art, Elephant Parade Land should definitely be on your Chiang Mai itinerary. This social enterprise helps protect these endangered animals by spreading awareness through art. Artists and celebrities from around the world are chosen to creatively paint an elephant. Once finished, all of these elephants are featured in a “parade” where they’re auctioned off to raise money for elephant conservation. These one-of-kind pieces are also replicated onto smaller elephants to be sold, as well.
Elephant Parade Land is both a museum and workshop. Learn a ton of interesting facts about elephants (did you know that elephants are pregnant for 22 months?) and why and how these beauties have become endangered (spoiler alert: humans suck). You can also watch the replica-artists at work, and for a more unique statue, paint your own!
Location: 180/ 9, Moo 7, San Phi Suea, Mueang, Chiang Mai 50300, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 62 918 9621 | Facebook
Hours: Daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Check out a Local Art Studio: Supachet Studio
If you’re looking for a unique souvenir to bring home with you, browse this local artist’s shop. Supachet Studio is filled with vibrant, handmade figurines and ornaments. Take home an abstract elephant painting or a beautifully crafted bowl. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet the artist yourself when you stop by!
Location: 56/2 Rachadamnoen Rd, Thesaban Nakhon Chiang Mai, Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Chang Wat Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 89 950 1329 | Facebook
Hours: Monday to Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Sunday from 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Take a Class at Noina Art School
All levels are welcome to join classes at Noina Art School. Noina is incredibly patient and can bring out the artist in anybody! Classes include basic sketching and shading, portrait painting, charcoal powder, watercolor, oil pastel, and more. Noina offers two-hour, three-hour, six-hour, ten-hour, 15-hour, 20-hour, 30-hour and 40-hour courses so you can perfect your skills. Prices start at ฿200 an hour and most materials are included.
Location:315 Moon Muang Road, Lane 9 T. Sripoom A. Muang Chiang Mai Amphoe Mueang Chiang Mai, Thailand 50200, Thailand — VIEW MAP
Contact: +66 84 042 8021 | Facebook
Hours: Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Mad Monkey Insider Tip
- Art galleries and the cool artists that fill them change on the regular. To keep up with all the creative happenings in the city, be sure to check out CAC – Chiang Mai Art Conversation.
More Information About Where to get Creative in Chiang Mai
Did you love our artist’s guide to Chiang Mai? Do you want even more information about the best art galleries, museums, and more in this Northern Thai city? Then check out these articles that we have rounded up for your convenience. Now, get exploring!
- Chiang Mai’s Top 10 Contemporary Art Galleries by A. J. Samuels from Culture Trip
- The Hipster Guide to Chiang Mai: How to Spend 2 Days in South-East Asia’s Creative Capital by Cathy Adams for The Independent
- The People and Galleries Behind Chiang Mai’s Flourishing Art Scene by Monruedee Jansuttipan for BK Magazine
