The main attractionin Siem Reap is the Angkor Wat. Touring these impressive temples may spark the imagination in adults as well as children. Although the city does not offer a plethora of manmade attractions aimed directly at children, the city is rich in history and natural beauty and can provide a exciting and educational  vacation spot for the entire family to relish.

Angkor Wat in Miniature
Even if you’ve seen the real thing, Dy Preoung’s expanding collection of Angkor and surrounding temples made of sandstone and carvings is impressive. This collection is based at his house and workshop situated just north of route 6, close to the main river road. There is a sign outside and most tuk-tuk drivers should know it.

Elephant trekking
Probably the top family activity would be elephant trekking. There are mahouts ready to take you on a journey around the Angkor complex. Just make sure you don’t send the kids off alone.

Hot-air balloon over Angkor Wat
An unforgettable experience awaits you over Angkor Wat with a 10-minute tethered balloon ride. Although short, it’s great for those who find small amounts of exhilaration to be enough. The cost is moderate and if you have a steady hand you might get some great aerial photos.

Silkworm Farm
Located a little way out of the city, this attraction is ideal for children. The young children usually love the chance to see these lazy creepy-crawlies in action and will even get a chance to feed them. The silk produced by the worms is then used to produce colourful textiles onsite.

Swimming
Even if your hotel does not have a pool, there is probably one nearby that will allow entry for a small fee.

Ta Prohm and Beng Melea
Possibly the most kid-friendly location of the Angkor complex, Ta Prohm is still somewhat engulfed by jungle vines and you could easily pretend you’re in a Tomb Raider movie here. More of a walk on the wild side, Beng Melea is a fun sight with lots of crumbly ruins that are fun to explore. It’s 60kms east of Siem Reap and is usually done on a daytrip.

When it comes to activities for adults, Siem Reap is fairly well versed. Aside from a visit to Angkor Wat, Siem Reap has plenty of fascinating venues to experience, from traditional villages to an open-air theatre. Make sure to set aside a couple of extra days on top of those dedicated to the many temples in and around Angkor Wat but be prepared to arrange transport as some attractions are outside of Siem Reap itself.

Angkor Wat
The temple complex is massive, covering just under 100sqkm and a minimum of 3 days should be spent here. The sunrises and sunsets are spectacular and you should ask your hotel or a guide about the best viewpoints. You can learn a lot about the temples, beyond just strolling about – and it’s advisable to hire a guide for a day or two, as they can explain the details of each structure. Tickets are sold for 1 day, 3 days or 1 week and should be paid in US dollars. Some of the outlying temples require an extra fee. The temples are open dawn to dusk. Angkor Wat itself was built in the 12^th century and is an incredible example of Khmer architecture.

Aspara Theatre
Located within the grounds of the plush Angkor Village Resort, the Apsara Theatre doubles up as a dinner show from 19:00 every evening. The show brings together court intrigue, dancing and singing as the Aspara Ballet Troupe performs traditional Khmer theatre with a heavy emphasis on the life and times of past kings. This is a colourful event that, although aimed at tourists, does represent a genuine form of Khmer theatre. Phone: +855 63 963 363; website: www.angkorvillage.com.

Kampong Phluck
A two-hour drive out of Siem Reap, this traditional floating village makes a fascinating trip with plenty of photo opportunities. This is how the Khmer traditionally lived on Tonlé Sap Lake. To get here, ask at a Siem Reap tour operator or your hotel about arranging a trip. Note there will be delays in the rainy season due to the often poor condition of the roads.

Land Mine Museum
If you need a break from the temples, take a couple hours to visit the Land Mine Museum in Siem Reap. Not your typical museum, it nonetheless offers some handy information about land mines and is interesting.

Psar Chas
Siem Reap’s old market is a charming place to hunt around for souvenirs and to pick up Cambodian handicrafts that are difficult to find elsewhere outside of Phnom Penh. Expect to haggle and avoid supposed ‘antiques’ like the plague.

Siem Reap’s range of restaurants is close to rivalling that of the capital Phnom Penh; and there are new venues sprouting up every tourist season serving everything from Cambodian curries to Japanese sushi. If you aren’t a fan of the national cuisine, you won’t have any trouble finding Western food and if you are, expect to be served a tourist-friendly version of the local fare. For the real thing, head to a back road and try one of the little local food stalls.

Pub street as it is known offers the widest choice of restaurants to visiting tourists. Khmer Family and Khmer Kitchen, both on this road, are among the more popular Cambodian-style restaurants serving up spicy salads and ‘amok’, Khmer fish curry. Both are good and great value for money, serving dishes that have been toned down for the foreign palate. If you’re trying to find somewhere to eat and don’t know whether you want Cambodian or international food, then try out the Red Piano as it serves both along with cocktails.

Kama Sutra and Maharajah, just on the next street down, both serve excellent Indian cuisine in fairly upscale venues with meat dishes for a few US dollars. If you’re craving for some Tex-Mex then look no farther than Viva, also on Pub street; it is the only Mexican venue in Siem Reap that offers standard fare like nachos and quesadillas.

With the huge influx of tourists that grows larger every year, Siem Reap has understandably developed a staple of upmarket restaurants. French-owned Abacus is a legendary Siem Reap eatery serving European cuisine along with more unusual dishes including grilled ostrich that makes for an excellent meal out. 

One of the most celebrated restaurants in Siem Reap is the ultra trendy L’Angelo. Serving Italian food with a modern twist, this excellent venue is also the priciest dining out experience in the city, so expect to pay Western rates.

If you want to do a little shopping, Psar Chas is very popular with tourists for its handicrafts and authentic Khmer feel.  Central Market on the corner of Achamean street and Sivatha boulevard has more variety and sells clothes too. Buyers are free to haggle and sometimes proves to be a necessary endeavour as the first price quoted to you can be extremely inflated. Indeed, you will be expected to haggle, so stand firm and have fun.

Angkor Market is the plushest new shop in town stocking food and drink and a plethora of shops. The city can be expected to expand its repertoire of shopping venues in the next few years. While the restaurant and café scene has quickly caught up in the past decade after years of tourism inactivity, Siem Reap’s shops are struggling to meet international standards but are nonetheless charming and atmospheric.

In the face of stiff competition from Angkor Wat, outdoor pursuits have slowly gained prominence on the Siem Reap tourist trail. There is now a good range of activities to take part in. If you’re into firing off semi-automatic weapons or taking things a little more sedately with a few holes of golf, Siem Reap will be able to keep you happy. Animal rides are also popular here whether it’s on the back of an elephant or a horse. Visitors can also enjoy a countryside tour just outside the city; which makes for a fascinating introduction to rural life and a slow-paced outdoor activity that won’t leave you sticky with sweat.

Countryside tours
Offered by numerous tour operators in the city, these tours usually take place on the road from Siem Reap to Tonlé Sap Lake. The excursions look at traditional Khmer life in the region so you’ll see a traditional village home, rice paddy fields and the odd water buffalo cooling itself off. Half-day tours and longer are available.

Golf
Managed by the Sofitel Resort, this charming golf club is Siem Reap’s first international standard course, meaning it’s sure to rise in popularity over the coming years. It’s a full 18-hole course that can be played at any time of year. There are also the other extras that usually come with golf clubs such as a pro-shop, driving range and putting range, not to mention a 19^th hole.

Horseback Riding
As the name suggests, Happy Ranch International is a strictly international affair with foreign instructors at a good standard stable offering lessons and rides both within in the compound and on nearby trails. All equipment will be included in the price of your ride so just bring some appropriate attire and preferably some hard-wearing shoes. It’s a little bit out of the city on the road from Sivitha so make sure to check with a taxi driver that he knows where to go.

Shooting range
Just outside Siem Reap near Banteay Srei, is a shooting range which sells well among visiting tourists. You’ll get the chance to fire an M-16 or even a rocket launcher. It’s not cheap – in fact an afternoon of explosive entertainment will probably end up costing more than you bargained for, but if you like this sort of thing it’s hard to find anywhere else. Just don’t tell your travel insurance company.