Child Friendly Holiday Destinations India is full of traveller ‘s excitement. Children especially find a treasure box in the country. And summers bring with them the anticipation of a much-deserved period of cooling off. India has no shortage of destinations to choose from, but child-friendly holiday destinations in India need to lock in the unique combination of fun, adventure, freshness, ease and relaxation- since traveling with kids as a family comes with a unique set of challenges. The best places to travel with children need an eclectic mix of knowledge, open-mindedness, experience and fun.
Ooty
Ooty, a Nilgiris hill station is a favorite spot that kids love especially for city-specific home-made chocolates. Many resorts offer adventure activities. The museum of Honey Bee, botanical gardens, toy train and boat trips make a fun outing.
Things to do in Ooty children:
- Joyride in Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Visit chocolate factory
- Stroll through Government Rose Garden.
Andaman
The islands of Andaman and Nicobar are a beautiful mix of Nature, serenity and adventure. Azure blue seas, white sandy beaches, coral reefs, coconut trees and a rich marine life draw visitors to the islands. Located in the Bay of Bengal, this archipelago of 300 islands is home to the last remaining tribes from middle palaeolithic times. Identified as the People of the Paleolithic Such peoples, and the Sentinel people, have no contact with any other people. Also the famous cellular jails help us recall history closer to our times. Walking in the deep sea, snorkelling, scuba diving and playing other water sports are experiences that children will appreciate.
Things to do in Andaman with children:
- Watersports- Banana boat rides, snorkeling, etc.
- Glass bottom boat ride to see corals and underwater sea life
- Learning about the Indian heritage at museums
Darjeeling
Darjeeling is one of the oldest places to entice you on a toy train trip, allowing you to drink from panoramic views while you’re on the move in the forest of Darjeeling. A walk to the Tiger Hill provides a spectacular sunrise view. Most families have strengthened their ties by strolling along the popular tea and rock gardens of Darjeeling, taking a cable car ride or plonging down for a picnic on the waterfalls’ foothills.
Things to do in Darjeeling with children:
- Ride the Darjeeling Toy Train, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an interesting history
- Enjoy cable car ride
- Visit the tea gardens
- Trek to the Tiger Hill
- Pay a visit to monasteries and interact with monks
Udaipur
Udaipur is a place rife with culture and history, making it a perfect family getaway destination. Although the Udaipur museum provides a peek into our history’s great cultural past, the boat trip in the serene lake provides time with Nature. The light and sound display at the Udaipur Museum is considered to be pure fun, for both adults and children alike.
Things to do in Udaipur with children:
- Lake Pichola
- Vintage Car Museum
- Tree of Life
- Helicopter Joyride
Manali
Manali is an important northern Indian hill station and a destination for thousands of tourists each year. Its cool atmosphere provides a perfect haven for the hot Indian summers afflicted. Manali is also popular for adventure sports such as skiing, climbing, mountaineering, paragliding, rafting, trekking, kayaking, and sightseeing, and mountain biking. In brief, Manali-the veritable “valley of the Gods”-is an ideal place for the ones in search of both adventure and comfort. The Kulluis in beautifully patterned puttoos, Tibetan women wearing ankle-length rainbow-stripped pinafores, Nepali porters, Buddhist monks, and even the odd Zanskaris group, swathed in fusty woolen gonchas, muddled with souvenir-hunting Indian and Western tourists-all add up to Manali’s accommodating hubbub.
Things to do in Manali with children:
- Paragliding, zorbing, horse riding, river rafting, camping, skiing, sightseeing.
Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer, the Golden City, epitomizes the beauty of a sandy desert, along with Rajasthan’s royal palaces and war camels. This world-famous tourist destination lies in the heart of the great Thar Desert. It also shares its borders with Pakistan, Bikaner, Barmer and Jodhpur, acting as the administrative headquarters of the Jaisalmer district. This Golden City is located just 575 km from Jaipur, the state capital. Tourism is the major sector which plays a key role in the district ‘s economy. The town was named after its founder Rawal Jaisal, who ruled Jaisalmer in the 12th century.
Things to do in Jaisalmer with children:
- Camel ride, seated atop colorfully-decked camels
- Enjoy a stay in tents
- Watch the colorful Rajasthani dresses performing folk dances
Gulmarg
Gulmarg, ranked as Asia’s 7th best ski destination, is regarded as India’s “heartland of winter sports.” Gulmarg ‘s natural meadows are filled with exotic wildflowers such as daisies, forget-me-nots and butterflies in spring and summer. Several points on the Gulmarg Apharwat peak provide panoramic views from the Himalayan ranges over Nanga Parbat and Harmukh.
Things to do in Gulmarg with children:
- Gondola, for cable car ride, skiing, snow fights
Corbett
Corbett National Park, after the famous naturalist and photographer Jim Corbett, got its name in 1957. This is India’s first National Park and undoubtedly India’s most attractive park. The Park is situated in the foothills of the Himalayas, among dense greenery and rugged mountains of varying heights, ranging from around 1300 feet to almost 4000 feet.
Tourists and wildlife enthusiasts’ main attraction to this Park is that the majestic view of Tiger with all its wildness in this Park. This park is a natural sanctuary of the endangered Tigers species facing extinction and rich flora and fauna with a variety of wild animals, birds that make it a paradise for bird watchers. It is a place that draws huge tourist inflow and offers excellent sightseeing.
Things to do with children in Corbett:
- Safari rides, bird-watching, forest-stay and exploring the stunning wildlife.
Chennai
Chennai or Madras as it was previously called, on the Coromandel Coast, is the capital of Tamil Nadu, an Indian Sub-continent province. It is an important Southern India industrial , commercial, cultural, economic and educational centre. The population of the District of Chennai is 46,81,087 [census 2011]. Chennai City is India’s sixth-largest populated city. It is known as the “Detroit of India” because many automobile industries are located here. The city also has a population of over 80,000 expatriates as per 2011 census.
There are many versions and legends of how the name of this city kept changing from time to time from Madras and Chennai. This city was originally renamed Madras, from Madraspattinam during the reign of Nayakars. It was a fishing village north of present-day Fort St. George. British bought the King of Vijayanagar piece of land and built Fort St. George who houses the Tamil Nadu Government Secretariat complex today. British kept the name as Madrasapattinam though it was renamed Chennapattinam by the locals. A legend also says that in memory of Damal Chennappa Nayakkar, this city was first called Chennai. In 1996, it was renamed Chennai by the then ruling government of Madras, and it stands well to date.
Things to do in Chennai with children:
- Visit the beach, check out museums, and enjoy thrilling rides in amusement parks.
Goa
Some of the elements that make Goa a popular beach tourist destination in India include sandy beaches, warm sunsets, beautiful villages and an atmosphere filled with joy. Not only the beautiful beaches but also Goa ‘s tropical environment will make one fall in love and build an desire to discover the place by visiting it time and time again. Apart from that, For those seeking yoga and ayurveda retreat, Goa is a perfect travel destination or indulge in a thrilling adventure to get a holistic travel experience. The Goa Travel Guide will cover everything you can do to make the trip a memorable one for the travellers planning a trip to this priceless destination of India anytime soon.
Things to do in Goa with children:
- Spend the day on shores, take them to wildlife sanctuaries, old forts, museums, elephant rides and bathing in the spice plantations.
Munnar
Munnar is rising as three mountain streams-Mudrapuzha, Nallathanni and Kundala-merge. Formerly the summer resort of the former British Government in South India, this hill station was 1,600 m above sea level. One of Kerala’s most sought after honeymoon destinations, Munnar is overflowing with resorts and logding facilities that suit a big budget rage. Sprawling tea groves, picturesque villages, winding lanes and holiday facilities make this a popular resort area. The Neelakurinji are among the exotic flora found here in the forests and grasslands. This flora, which once in twelve years bathes the hills in light, will bloom next in 2030. Munnar also boasts South India’s highest mountain, Anamudi, soaring over 2,695 m.
Let us now explore some of the options in and around Munnar that would provide travellers ample opportunities to enjoy the captivating hill station of Munnar.
Things to do in Munnar with children:
- Trekking, boating, elephant rides, paragliding, tea plantation tour, museum visits, stay in tree houses, etc.
Jaipur
Jaipur’s ‘Pink Town’ was named after Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, who founded the town on 18 November 1727. Jaipur forms the Indian Golden Triangle along with Delhi and Agra. This is India’s most visited tourist road. This Rajasthan capital is also a gateway to other tourist places in the state such as Ajmer, Pushkar, Chittorgarh, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Mount Abu.
Things to do in Jaipur with children:
- Elephant ride, village feel in Chokhi Dhani, Trekking to Amer Fort, explore Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Jantar Market, ancient temples and even the chaotic markets.
