Bangkok, Thailand

No US airline currently flies nonstop to Bangkok — every itinerary connects through an Asian hub, most commonly Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei, for a total door-to-door time of around 18 to 20 hours. It's a genuine commitment, but it's also the gateway to the rest of mainland Southeast Asia if a family wants to add Cambodia or Vietnam onto the same trip.

Bangkok's temples — Wat Arun's riverside spires and the Grand Palace chief among them — require shoulders and knees covered for entry, which we flag ahead of time since it catches first-time visitors off guard in Bangkok's heat. Street food here is some of the most celebrated in the world and, contrary to first instinct, is generally a safe and genuinely kid-friendly way to eat: busy stalls with high turnover are the ones locals themselves queue for.

March through May brings Bangkok's hottest, most humid stretch and is worth avoiding with young kids. November through February is the cool, dry season — still warm by US standards, but the most comfortable window for walking between temples.

The Chao Phraya river cuts through the city and is worth using as transport, not just scenery — river ferries and the Skytrain together cover most of the sights without needing a car in Bangkok's notoriously heavy traffic. The Grand Palace and Wat Arun anchor the old city, while Chinatown's street food and the Chatuchak weekend market (one of the world's largest) round out a well-paced few days before heading to the islands.

Three to four nights is enough for the city itself, most often as the starting or ending point of a longer Thailand trip that continues to the islands or the north. It suits nearly any traveler, and the mix of temples, markets and food gives it enough range for both first-time and repeat visitors.

Getting there: About 18-20h, with one connection (no US airline flies nonstop to Bangkok). We check routing and fare-class options across that itinerary and weigh them against November to February (cool, dry season), rather than booking on price alone.

Bangkok's official ceremonial name runs to 168 characters and is recognized by Guinness World Records as the longest place name on Earth; locals simply call it Krung Thep, 'City of Angels.' The city's street food culture is serious enough that a Bangkok street vendor, Jay Fai, has held a Michelin star for her crab omelets cooked over charcoal — proof that the plastic-stool roadside stalls are not a budget compromise but often the better meal. Thai Buddhism shapes daily rhythm visibly: orange-robed monks collect alms on foot each morning, and Wat Pho and Wat Arun, two of the city's grandest temples, remain active religious sites rather than museums, which means modest dress (covered shoulders and knees) is enforced, not optional. The Chao Phraya River and its network of khlongs (canals) were historically Bangkok's main transport arteries before roads took over, and the longtail boats still running them today offer a genuinely different, faster view of the city than the Skytrain above ground. Bangkok's chaotic reputation is real but navigable: the elevated BTS and underground MRT systems cover most tourist areas cleanly, sidestepping the city's notorious traffic almost entirely.