If you wish to plan a trip to Shimla, it will surely be a memorable vacation. It hardly matters whether you are going solo, with friends, a partner, or with family; in every aspect, Shimla is one of the best places to visit in Himachal Pradesh. Since the monsoon season has bid goodbye, you need not bother about the possibility of heavy rainfall or landslides. There are many things to do in Shimla during your vacation with family & kids, as the place is now safe to travel.
Before finalising your itinerary stops in Shimla, paying attention to every family member’s personal preferences is essential. There might be a possibility that any of your family members may feel uncomfortable visiting in summer or winter. You have to prepare according to that, in terms of carrying essentials. Now, with the onset of winter, you must be equipped with your winter collections.
Today, in this blog, our main motive is to brief you about the top things to do in Shimla when coming with family & kids. These are the places that witness maximum tourist footfall because of their uniqueness.
Amazing Things To Do In Shimla During Vacation
1. Hiking At Jakhu Hill
Jakhu Hill is one of the popular places to visit in Shimla. It is located at 2455 m above sea level; the place is perfect for adventure seekers regarding hiking. It is open 24/7, so enjoy your adventure activity and watch picturesque vistas of snow-capped Shivalik Ranges, & alpine trees. The place also shares a similar name with the famous Hanuman Temple, where you can see the 108-ft tall statue of Lord Hanuman. After retiring from your hiking activity, experience peace praying to the deity.
2. Praying At Tara Devi Temple
Tara Devi Temple is also a significant tourist attraction in Shimla that is worth visiting by pilgrims. This ancient holy shrine is 200 years old, per historical fact. Among many incarnations of Goddess Durga, Tara Devi is one of them. The Navratri festival is celebrated with great devotion here. Besides praying to the deity, you can also experience the panoramic view of the mountains, plus a bird’s eye view of the city.
3. Photography At Shimla Ridge
If you are coming to Shimla for a long weekend vacation with family & kids, then Shimla Ridge must be on your itinerary list. Here, you can take a family group photograph while strolling through colonial-era buildings, boutiques, cafes, bars, shops, restaurants, & gothic structures. You can also observe the local people here & do photo clicks of town.
4. Selfies With Celebrities At Johnnie’s Wax Museum
Want to have a selfie with your favourite celebrity? If yes, welcome to Johnnie’s Wax Museum, which houses wax statues of celebrities including Mahatma Gandhi, James Bond, Salman Khan, Aamir Khan, Michael Jackson, Harry Potter, & more. It will fulfil your dream of getting photographed with wax statues of the personalities you hardly see or take selfies with.
5. Toy Train Ride
The historic Kalka-Shimla Toy Train ride is a not-to-miss experience with your little ones in Shimla. The train passes through the picturesque landscapes, stations, & forests. Also, the 96 km ride will take you through more than 100 tunnels, & 800 bridges. For your information, the 100-year-old Shimla Toy Train is among the UNESCO World Heritage icons.
6. Adoring The Architectural Grandeur of Indian Institute of Advanced Studies
The Indian Institute of Advanced Studies is a revered institution that you will find in Shimla. Besides research facilities, the institute also showcases the architectural heritage of the famous hill city of Himachal Pradesh. Established in the 19th century, it served as a residence for the British governor official, Lord Dufferin. The structure attracts tourists with its spectacular architecture in Victorian style. It was the venue of the 1945 Simla Conference when the decision of the formation of Pakistan took place.
7. River Rafting On Sutlej River
River rafting experience on the Sutlej River is something that no adventure seeker would surely miss. The river flows near this hill city and is a familiar spot for enjoying this water sport. So take the grip of your oars, & get ready to experience a 2-hour rafting drive from Chabba to Tattapani, which stretches across 12 km in the region.
8. Paragliding In Kangra Valley
Paragliding is another famous adventure sport to experience in the Queen Of Hills. Just imagine yourself flying amidst the crystal blue skies & getting a bird’s eye view of the natural landscapes. The place where you can experience this adventure sport in Shimla is Kangra Valley.
9. Cycling At Kufri
If you want to take a long break from your boring work life, it’s time to embark on the journey to Shimla, & experience cycling across the Water Catchment Wildlife Sanctuary, located on the northern side of Kufri. Spend as much time to free yourself from stress.
10. Gliding On Ice Surface At Ice Skating Club
Shimla Ice Skating Club in Shimla has been here for 100 years. It gives full opportunity to its visitors to showcase their ice skating skills. You can experience this wonderful sport with your kids by renting the skating gear from the premises, & taking the training sessions. The venue is known for hosting carnivals, competitions, & events throughout the year. This skating club is a must-visit with your little ones.
11. Trekking At Hills
Like many adventure activities to enjoy in Shimla with your family & kids, you can also satiate your thirst for adventure by trekking the hills of this hilly Himachal city. There are many untouched terrains & hills in Shimla for trekking.
12. Watching The Spectacular View Of Cascading Chadwick Falls
There is no limit to experiencing adventurous activities in Shimla. One beautiful view you should always notice here is the cascading Chadwick Falls. This waterfall is a significant attraction in this hilly city, falling from a height of 86 m. It is an excellent place for picnicking with kids, & doing photo-clicking sessions.
13. Viewing The Sunset At Scandal Point
If you are eager to watch the sight of sunrise & sunset, then you have the lovely view from the Scandal Point in Shimla. Besides this, you can also enjoy watching the snow-covered mountains & valleys. Besides enjoying the overwhelming views, people also plan destination weddings in Shimla. In one word, Scandal Point is a paradise for exploring the different grandeurs of nature & photography.
14. Educational Tour to Army Heritage Museum
Army Heritage Museum is one of the top attractions in Shimla. It is worth visiting with your kids as an educational tour. Here, they will be gaining knowledge of the local history of Shimla, military leaders, the Indian army, & awards. The museum stocks uniforms & weapons that are 100 years old, plus contemporary machine guns & pistols. The surrender letter of Pakistan from the 1971 war is a famous exhibit to catch your attention.
15. Pray To Christ At Christ Church
Christ Church is one of the oldest churches known in Shimla. It represents the symbol of colonial legacy. It has been in existence since 1857, & is worth admiring for its fascinating Neo-Gothic architectural pattern. Visit this church with your family & kids, & experience peace while praying to Jesus Christ.
16. Watching Birds & Animals At Water Catchment Sanctuary
For all the wildlife buffs, Water Catchment Sanctuary comes as a great heaven. It is a must place to visit with your kids & introduce them to different wildlife creatures, including Musk Deer, Barbets, Flycatchers, & various chirping bird species. Overall, Shimla is packed with an abundance of flora & fauna.
17. Golfing At Naldehra Golf Course
Like other sports, golfing is also an exciting sport you can play at Naldehra Golf Course with 18 holes. This place is encircled with charming grandeur. The amount to play golf is Rs 400 (Green fee). For foreign tourists, the Green fee is Rs 570. So, are you confident to hit the ball into the hole in one stroke? Do try it at Naldehra Golf Course.
18. Spotting Black Bears At Himalayan Nature Park
If you are a wildlife lover, then Himalayan Nature Park is the best place to spot the Himalayan black bears, & other species, including bharals, Tibetan wolves, musk deer, & Kashmir stag or red deer. Besides these animals, you can also watch the chirping flock of birds.
19 Shop For Woody Items At Lakkar Bazaar
If you love filling your rooms with decorative items, shopping at Lakkar Bazaar will do the needful. It is one of the famous shopping places you will find in Shimla. As the name suggests, the items you will see here are made of wood, ranging from carved wooden toys, souvenirs, handicrafts, sticks, & much more.
20 Explore Stalls At Mall Road
Last on the list is Mall Road. Your trip to Shimla will be considered incomplete despite exploring the best places. It is a must-place to showcase your bargaining for handicraft items, souvenirs, books, & many other goodies to collect before you bid goodbye to Shimla.
Conclusion
So this ends our list of top things to do in Shimla with your family & kids. This blog has mentioned the top adventure activities you can explore in Shimla’s best travel spots. Now comes the most crucial part: planning your staycation with family.
To avoid any inconvenience to your family, we suggest you book jüSTa Cliffend Resort & Spa. This 5-star luxury resort in Mashobra facilitates in 28 rooms with third occupant facility, space for physically-abled guests, bathtubs (only for Villa Suite Room), Sabor restaurant, AIR Bar, Kaafal Cafe, spa, & swimming pool. This hotel is indeed the best place to stay in Shimla.
