What can be a better way to relax your mind, body, and soul than spending quality time with your family? And what's a better way to spend quality time together than family vacations? India, a sub-continent with a rich history and culture, has a long list of family holiday destinations from Jammu & Kashmir in the north to Kerala in the south, and from The Great Rann of Kutch in the west to Darjeeling in the east. With so many options available, we bring you the top 18 places to visit with your family in India.
If you want to witness colonial-style architecture during a trip to a hill station, you must visit Nainital, Uttarakhand. There are several things you can enjoy like boating in Naini Lake, shopping at Mall Road or Tibetan market, ropeway rides and trekking. Pleasant climatic conditions throughout the year make this place a perfect family holiday destination for you to get away from the scorching heat around the country.
Looking for the best hill station for a family vacation? Well, nestled in the Himalayas, Manali is among the best hill stations that you can visit with your family. With numerous valleys, waterfalls, architecture, scenic beauty, and many adventurous sports, you’re bound to have a lovely time with your family here. You can visit Solang Valley and Rohtang Pass to have a fun time enjoying the snow.
If you’re planning on travelling to Maharashtra, Mahabaleshwar is among the best options for your family vacation. Why? Mainly because this destination is blessed with numerous rivers, valleys, ancient temples, hills, and lush green forest. There are several places, including different pilgrimage sites, Elephant's Head Point, Venna Lake, Chinaman's Waterfall and Dhobi Waterfall, that you can visit. Besides, there are various activities here such as hiking and adventure sports that will make your family trip fun.
If you consider yourself a nature lover, Ooty in Tamil Nadu will be a nature paradise for you. The tea plantation on the hillside, the Botanical Garden, Rose Garden and the marvellous ecosystem of Ooty makes this place famous among the family holiday destinations in India. With a pleasant climate around the year, you can visit this place any time.
Who doesn’t know about the famous Pink City of India, Jaipur! There you’ll certainly have the best family vacation with the brimming culture and heritage this city has to offer. A trip to Jaipur will take you to the many majestic forts, palaces and markets. Amer Palace, Jal Mahal, Hawa Mahal, Choki Dhani, shared tuk-tuks, and the bazaars of Jaipur will offer your family a plethora of experiences.
You must have heard about this "heaven on earth". With Srinagar and all its beauty, you’ll have a pleasant family holiday travelling around Dal Lake. Several Mughal age gardens with their exquisite architecture will intrigue your mind and take you through Srinagar’s glorious history. Kashmiri cuisine, Kashmiri dry fruits along with the bazaars, and famous Gondola type rowboats will add more fun to your family trip.
Mumbai is a city of dreams where you’ll experience a perfect blend of culture and lifestyle. This is one of the biggest metropolitan cities that you can visit with your family. It’s a destination where you’ll witness the great diversity of India. The Taj Hotel, Gateway of India, Juhu Beach, the Asiatic Society, the list of places to see goes on!
Once in a while, we all want a getaway from scorching heat and to just relax, don’t we? Shillong, the capital of Meghalaya, is a city where you can have a pleasant trip travelling around various destinations surrounded by pine trees. There are numerous waterfalls, lakes, peaks, museums, and a zoo that your family can enjoy. The pleasant climate of Shillong throughout the year makes it a perfect destination for you and your family to get away from your busy everyday life and cool off.
Situated on the Aravali Plateau, Mount Abu is the only hill station that you’ll find in the state of Rajasthan. There are many attractions like Nakki Lake, Dilwara Jain Temple, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Guru Shikhar Peak and Peace Park that you can explore and enjoy on your trip.
With palm-fringed beaches and turquoise water, this destination is a tropical paradise for your family. You’ll find advancement in some of the islands that are commercialised for tourism and you’ll enjoy natural beauty in some that are untouched by humans. It's a great place open for exploration for adults as well as kids, which makes it a great destination for family vacations.
We all have heard about the famous tea gardens of Darjeeling and their beauty. This is a pleasant and peaceful destination offering the best family vacations. There you’ll find magnificent colonial architecture, mansions and churches telling stories of the British era. Darjeeling will offer your family diverse experiences with its cultural crafts and cuisines. The Toy Train of Darjeeling is a world-famous UNESCO World Heritage site that you must ride.
Whether you’re a religious person or an adventure lover, you and your family will enjoy Rishikesh. Located on the banks of the Ganga River, it’s among the holiest and adventurous destinations in India. You’ll explore temples with a legendary history, waterfalls, adventurous sports, and camping with your family. Rishikesh is among the best places to visit in February in India.
Agra is a world-famous tourist destination, known for being home to one of the Seven Wonders of the World, the Taj Mahal. The beauty of the Taj Mahal is mesmerising, isn’t it? Besides Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri are among other UNESCO world heritage sites here. In the architecture of Agra, you’ll see a reflection of Persian, Hindu, and Mughal culture in India. The culture and heritage of Agra make this a famous destination for family holiday destinations.
If you and your family want to enjoy a perfect blend of ancient and modern India, Delhi is the destination for you. In the narrow lanes and famous bazaars of Old Delhi, you’ll see the culture and history. You’ll also witness a striking mix of tradition and modernity in New Delhi.
If you wish to seek spirituality on your family vacation, you can consider Varanasi. Being one of the holiest places in India, it’s among the top go-to destinations for family vacations in India. In this city of Lord Shiva, you’ll find a soothing essence and a sense of spirituality. With divine rituals at temples, boat riding at Ganga River, Aarti at Ganga River, and Dharmekh Stupa, Varanasi will captivate you tranquillity.
Situated along the Western Ghats, you’ll find Coorg to be a ravishing hill station in Karnataka. Along with the scenic beauty, you’ll find rich culture in this place and a unique local clan called Kodavas. With so many activities and popular festivals like Keil Poldu, Huttari, and the Kaveri Sankramana, this is an ideal destination for your family holiday.
The capital of Himachal Pradesh, Shimla, is among the top hill stations you can find for family vacations in India. Your family will have a refreshing and adventurous experience with Oak, Pine, and Deodar forests. What else? You can go Trekking and ice skating.
If you wish to visit a unique destination in India, you’ll find Kutch to be one of the most surreal places ever. Kutch is a place worth visiting with your family, especially from December to February. You’ll have unique experiences in the famous Rann Festival in Kutch with camps, cultural programs, and adventurous activities such as hot air balloon and camel rides.
With so many places to see, what are you waiting for? Select a destination and start planning the trip!
