Mahasarakham University has a modern campus just north of town about 8 kilometers on highway 213. The university has an outdoor museum built in traditional Isaan style as well as a small zoo. The university's older campus near downtown has The Museum of Northeastern Culture.
A beautiful park, Wang Ma Cha "Fish Sanctuary" is about five kilometers northeast of downtown. A great place to relax at the many gazebos on the lake, feed the huge catfish, and wander through the little zoo. It is suggested to have a tuk-tuk driver who knows the park, to take you there, and then pay him waiting time for the duration of your stay at the park to ensure return transportation.
About 90 minutes south of Mahasarakham is a quite large chedi "Prathat Na Dune" which houses a relic of Buddha. The surrounding large park is a great place for a picnic in the shade of the many trees which are part of the grounds. A nearby replica of an ancient Isaan village gives you a feel for the cultural roots of the area. You will see exhibits which show the silk-making process as well as ancient farm implements.
