The best places in Chiang Mai for when it’s raining

You can't mention art in Chiang Mai without talking about MAIIAM. The city's most prominent contemporary art museum – founded by Jean Michel Beurdeley alongside his son and late wife – the building proudly houses the family's private collection built over more than 30 years. In addition, bold, colourful installations and works come and go as fluidly as the rain, with local and international artists all exhibiting (often together), exploring all kinds of topics, themes and ideas. These rotating exhibitions mean there's always a new reason to go back – and a good chance you'll notice something different every time you do. A rainy afternoon here goes faster than expected, good for when the rain stops any chance of driving home.

122, Moo 7 Tonpao San Kamphaeng. Open 10am-6pm, closed Tuesdays

While there’s a lot of cafes out there, and strong competition for a good cup, there’s no place quite like Blue Coffee – a towering wooden café on the CMU Agriculture campus with floor-to-ceiling windows that promise the most dramatic mountain storm views from the warm safety of dry socks and warm lattes. The wooden panels arranged in rows mirror the planting lines of the fields just outside, making for some striking views and, if you’re into it, some great insta check-ins too. While the clouds roar outside, the vibe inside is quiet and focused – students and locals come here when they need a change of scenery – and the coffee is purposefully strong. If you prefer to colour coordinate your drink, the soft matcha is a worthwhile deviation, with a creamy and indulgent take on the Japanese drink that pairs perfectly with the monsoon mood.

239 Suthep Rd, Su Thep, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 7am-6pm, opens at 7.30am on the weekend

Who says the rain should keep you from your exercise routine? When the usual outdoor courts are flooded, these four stylish indoor padel courts make a very good alternative – available for private booking or drop-in sessions throughout the week. Padel CNX runs a regular schedule of matches across different player levels with a wallet top-up prize for winners to use towards their next booking. They occasionally host free morning yoga classes too – yes, free. All equipment is provided so just show up, get your heart rate up and let the rain do its thing outside.

79 Chang Phuak Road, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 8am-10pm

Getting here may require a raincoat, but once inside, this  Nimman jazz bar plays in harmony with the stormy blues outside – elevated but easygoing, warm yet still air-conditioned. Live bands play throughout the night making it impossible not to bob your head or sing along while ignoring the weather outside, and their full food menu means you can settle in for the whole evening and not worry about drinking on an empty stomach. Work through a plate of Thai food, order a second round of drinks and stay until the rain decides to stop.

B101 102 Nimmana Haeminda Road, Suthep, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 4.30pm-midnight

Sometimes the best way to distract yourself from the clouds is to learn something new. Kalm Village, if you’ve not been yet, is quite like Baan Kang Wat, but it’s covered, more targeted and considerably less busy. A calm oasis in the heart of the Old City,  the space dedicates itself to keeping Lanna traditions alive through workshops, exhibitions, shops and special events. Learn to fingernail dance or make a traditional Lanna flower hairpin – there’s lots to do and a full itinerary can be found on their website. Needless to say, a rainy afternoon here can move very naturally, from workshop to art exhibition to shopping to lunch – all under one roof. The open-air central square is also a good spot to sit and watch the rain fall while the plants get thoroughly watered around you.

14 Phra Pok Klao Road Soi 4, Phra Sing, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 9.30am-6.30pm

Board games are an easy way to make friends or, depending on how competitive things get, enemies. They get better when it’s raining, because more people want to play. Among the many board game cafes in the city, Game Mezz has an exceptionally friendly range of options for every kind of player – from easy party games like Exploding Kittens to longer strategy games that will genuinely bend your brain. Drinks and snacks are available to order throughout, just wipe your hands before handling the cards. A few hours here passes faster than you'd expect and the background noise of rain hitting the pavement only helps you concentrate more.

25/5 Arak Road, SI Phum, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 10am-10pm

Another spot for those who like to stay active, but prefer to be sweat-soaked rather than rain-soaked, is 50FLY!. Step inside and you’ll find a thousand square metres of trampolines, foam pits, ninja courses, basketballs, dodgeballs and laser tag to keep you well and truly busy. An excellent option for getting some energy out when going outside isn't appealing – equally good for kids and adults who refuse to act their age. They even have augmented reality games for those looking for bright skies, even if they’re artificial. 

132 Moo 10, Pa Daet, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 11am-8pm, opens at 10am on the weekend

Vinyl spinning in the background, coffee brewing and a good book in hand – not a bad way to spend a rainy afternoon. Rare Finds lives up to its name with a collection of vintage and obscure books, old copies of classics and titles you've genuinely never come across. Houseplants fill the space so it never feels stuffy and the quiet atmosphere makes it easy to actually finish something you've been meaning to read for months. Let the rain patter outside while you work through a chapter or three.

18, 2 Chang Moi Kao Road, Chang Moi, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 11am-5pm

Pull on your best two-piece gym set and head to Libi for yoga, mat pilates or reformer pilates depending on what your body needs that day. Classes are focused across different goals including core mobility, office syndrome and full body workouts and private sessions are available for anyone who prefers a more one-on-one experience. If you happen to suffer from seasonal attitude disorder, the red light therapy sessions are just what you need,  said to help with mood, improve active performance, reduce inflammation and speed up muscle recovery. A productive way to spend a rainy day that also counts as self-care.

8/25 Super Highway, Muang Chiang Mai. Open 7am-7pm