Family Vacations in Shimla

Looking to escape the sweltering summer heat? There’s no place more apt than Shimla for a family vacation. This hill station in Himachal Pradesh was once the summer capital of the British; it still retains this heritage in the form of its old bungalows. Shimla is ideal for a family vacation because there are a wide variety of things you can do here, according to your individual preferences.

 

The experience of travelling in a train together to reach Shimla from Delhi, for instance, can be unmatched. It is an ideal opportunity for you to bond as a family, as I did with my brother, husband and parents. The snow-clad mountains, the pines and apple trees serve as an ideal backdrop for all the fun. As we played antakshari and board games, we didn’t realise that we had arrived at the quaint hillstation. We then checked into one of the resorts in Shimla, only for a brief break, before we set out to explore the charming hill station. Accommodation is hardly an issue in Shimla, considering that it is one of the most frequently visited tourist places. You can choose from among the luxury hotels in Shimla, the mid-range hotels or budget accommodations available.

 

As far as things to do and places in Shimla to visit go, here is a small, and by no means exhaustive, list.

 

Scenic places: The Ridge is a huge open space bang in the centre of Shimla and offers great views of the mountains around. Similarly, there is Prospect Hill, with a temple on its peak dedicated to Kamna Devi. The Prospect Hill offers great glimpses of the landscape around.  There is another hill called the Summer Hill, which is also known as the place Mahatma Gandhi visited. He stayed in the house of Raj Kumari Amrit Kaur during his visit. You could walk four km from the Ridge to reach the Glen forests, with a small stream flowing. Picture-postcard-pretty, one must say.

 

Colonial charm: The Viceregal Lodge is one place you wouldn’t want to miss. It was built in the 19^th century for viceroys of the Raj era, and reminds you of a slice of old London. The building is home to the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. There are other examples of British architecture, including the Town Hall, and the Gorton Castle among others. You can also visit the State Museum and Library.

 

Shopping: You can’t come to Shimla and not go to The Mall. This is a major landmark of the hill station, with restaurants, shops, an old post office, the Scandal Point (offering great views of the mountains) and even a heritage theatre. You can shop for the entire family here, particularly for the woollens and handicrafts of Himachal. Nearby is Lakkar Bazaar famous for wooden souvenirs.

 

For the devout: Shimla is home to churches and temples, and if you have a devout person in the family, he or she can visit Christ Church, St Michael’s Cathedral, the temple of Kali, Tara Devi, Sankat Mochan and Jakhu.