Things to do in Mussoorie: Exploring the Queen of Hills

Located on the way between Dehradun-Mussoorie roads, Kempty Falls is a beautiful cascade of water that falls to the ground from a mighty altitude of 40 feet. Surrounded by high mountain cliffs, Kempty Falls is nestled at an altitude of around 4500 ft above the sea level. This place was developed as a picnic destination by John Mekinan owing to its captivating surroundings and scenic beauty. One of the most renowned waterfalls in Uttarakhand, Kempty Falls offers a mesmerizing panoramic view as the water falls from the mountains. The place is a must-visit tourist attraction and visiting here is one of the top things to do in Mussoorie.

Located in the heart of Mussoorie, the Mall is a colonial relic with benches and lampposts filled with modern shops, video game parlours and skating rinks. You can often find the author Ruskin Bond browsing the Cambridge Bookstore. There would be a lot of local vendors around including photographers who can click awesome photographs for you. Do try out a photograph in local traditional attire here. There are also a whole lot of souvenir shops here where you can purchase knick-knacks. Visiting the Mall is one of the prime things to do in Mussoorie.

Said to be an extinct volcano, Gun Hill is the second highest point in the entire area of Mussoorie standing tall at an altitude of 2024 meters! The scene from the top of this hill is a panoramic view of the snow-clad Himalayan ranges right beside the widespread Doon Valley and a full view of the hill station of Mussoorie. The meadow of the valley is eden-green with thigh-high grass and erect tree trunks. Since the Gun Hill is situated 400 ft above the Mall Road it is accessible by cable cars. You can try the ropeway cable car which offers a picturesque view during the climb of the distant hills and green landscapes. Be sure to include this under your top things to do in Mussoorie.

Mussoorie, being a popular tourist destination has a platter from numerous cuisines to offer. Given the large number of choices and places, you will never run out of options for delicious food in the town. Other than local cuisines, there are many other interesting highlights to the cuisine here. One finds Chinese, Tibetan, Indian, Thai, Moroccan, Italian, Goan and global cuisines in the town. Do indulge in the cakes, muffins as well as the many cafes and a few hookah bars here.

Untouched by commercialisation, Lal Tibba is located on the top of Depot Hill in Landour, approximately 6 kilometres from Mussoorie. Being the highest point in the area, Lal Tibba is one of the most stunning viewpoints you would have experienced in your life. Rising to a height of 2,275 meters (7,164 feet), Lal Tibba is the picture-perfect place to fulfil your sightseeing desires. The telescopes installed here are priceless, and aid in cherishing the beautiful unfettering panoramas of the Nilkantha peak (6,596 meters) in Badrinath, Kedarnath peak (6,940 meters), Banderpoonch range of three peaks with the highest rising to 6,316 meters can all be viewed on a cloudless day. Watching the view from here is one of the topmost things to do in Mussoorie.

The place is ideal for spending the moments of repose with your family and friends. The pristine lake is among the most beautiful destinations in the Queen of Hills i.e. Mussoorie. The emerald waters are covered by green forest terrains from sides giving the whole scenario a resplendent image. It comes on the way to Kempty Falls. It feels great to spend time with the serenity of nature's bliss. It is one of the most beautiful things to be seen in Mussoorie. Another plus point is that the place is less crowded hence you can enjoy the calmness in the laps of nature. It is a gem of attraction and visiting here is one of the best things to do in Mussoorie.

Famous for its almost-extinct mountain quails, deer, leopards and red-billed blue magpie, the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary is well known to house rare species of birds and offers an excellent trail of pine-clad slopes surrounded by Himalayan peaks for a refreshing walk. Taking a wildlife safari at the sanctuary is one of the top things to do in Mussoorie.

6 km west off the Library, the Cloud's end marks the end of Mussoorie. It is covered by thick jungles and tracks 2 km up to the Benog Wildlife Sanctuary. It offers a lovely walking track. This place offers a great view of Aglar River Valley. Enveloped in Oak and Deodar trees, the spot attracts a lot of tourist influx. It is definitely one of the top things to do in Mussoorie.

Among the myriad exciting things to do in Mussoorie, there is also paragliding. The activity lets you soar high in the sky with the charming valley below you full with meandering rivers, gushing waterfalls, narrow winding roads; all in the backdrop of the beautiful mighty hills. Besides giving you an adrenaline rush, it also lets you hang lose and fly free in the blue skies.

Situated near Mussoorie, Nag Tibba is a relatively unknown and a very exhilarating trekking trail. Known as one of the best weekend treks, the place offers a climb of about 10,000 ft amid the snow clad mountains. Also referred to as Serpent's Peak, Nag Tibba is the highest peak of the Nagtibba range with an altitude of 9915m and is said to serve as a home to Nag Devta. The trail of the expedition is also highly fascinating and spectacular, being adorned with a rich variety of flora and fauna, a rustic Gharwali lifestyle and oak and deodar forest housing exotic birds and wildlife. Trekking up the hill is one the best things to do in Mussoorie.

Located at an divine altitude atop Benog Hills, the Jwala Devi Temple offers lovely view of the Doon Valley and the milky white Yamuna. Youc an reach here through a short trek. Apart from pilgrims and devotees, this temple is also visited by nature lovers, tourists and wanderers, and climbing up the hill and making a visit here is one of the top things to do in Mussoorie.

Nestled amidst the hustle bustle and cultural hub of Happy Valley is the Shedup Choepelling Temple. The huge idol of Buddha on top of the temple livens up the place and gives a unique charm to the tiny temple. Located at a distance of around 2.5 kms from the Company Garden on the highest cliff of the valley, the temple is adorned with murals, prayer wheels and meditation chambers. Listen under the most popular things to do in Mussoorie, a visit to the temple is filled with a divine aura, solace, calm and peace.

Located near the Bhatta village in the city of Mussourie, the Bhatta falls is a beautiful waterfall and is one of the major attractions of the city. The cascade of frothy waters descends gently from the crevices of the mountains and forms a quaint pool below, where it paints a beautiful picture for which Himachal Pradesh is known. One of the most photogenic locations in the region, the pristine beauty of this destination attracts a number of nature lovers and an adventurous crowd on a daily basis. Be sure to include this in your bucket list of things to do in Mussoorie.

White Water Rafting is one of the most popular activities and things to do in Mussoorie. The clear waters and rapids of the hill town are perfect to enjoy rafting. The activity is performed under strict guidance of the professionals and is completely safety not to mention very enjoyable and memorable.

Located in the heart of Mussoorie, the Camel's Back Road is one of the most popular attractions of this spectacular hill station and taking a walk down here is one of the prime things to do in Mussoorie. Overlooking the Doon Valley and offering a picturesque view of the sky touching the Himalayas, this site is a testimony to the magnetic allure of Mussoorie. Being one of the most famous roads in the state, the Camel's Back road stretches over a distance of 3 kms, starting from the Library point and ending at the Kulri Bazaar. This pristine and clean road has been named so because of the rocks that line up on either side of the road that resembles the shape of a camel's hump.

Perched on top of a cliff overlooking the beguiling Mussoorie valley, George Everest's House offers a sense of serenity, tranquility and nostalgia. Built in 1832, the house is located in Park Estate, 6 kms west of Gandhi Chawk in Mussoorie and is also popularly known as Park House. With panoramic sights of the scenic Doon Valley on the side, mighty Aglar river valley and spectacular Himalayan peaks in the north, this quaint little place holds an old world charm and draws history buffs, nature enthusiasts and adventure travellers to visit it. Although in a dilapidated crumbling state, the house retains the heritage and visiting here is definitely one of the top touristy things to do in Mussoorie.

Famous for housing some magnificent Tibetan monasteries, the IAS academy, candidly beautiful Municipal garden, a splendid valley of flowers, lively eateries and an all-around jocund environment, Happy Valley lies on the western end of the Library Point. Popularly known as ‘mini Tibet’, this enchanting valley is one of the most detailed and largest rendition of a typical Tibetan society. Home to around 5000 Tibetan refugees, the valley boasts of gorgeous views in the 360 - degree panorama.

Cosily tucked amidst the tantalizing mountains and the exuberant woods, Mossy Falls is a well-kept secret of the hill town of Mussoorie. Located at a distance of 7 kms from the main city on the Bala Hisar Road, Mossy Falls is named after the moss-laden rocks surrounding the gushing waterfalls. The mesmerising cascade offers a sight of absolute euphoria as it is hidden away from the conventional chaos and din of the city. Literally veiled from view, with a cleft in the hillside, this charming masterpiece of natural wonder can be reached with a little bushwhack following a slightly rough terrain. Trekking up here is one of the best things to do in Mussoorie.

Situated on little hill-lock slightly above the Kasmanda Palace, Mussoorie Christ Church boasts of being the very first Catholic church in all of the Himalayan region. Built in 1836, the exquisite church is an exemplary example of Gothic architecture which evolved from Romanesque architecture. The prominent style being followed, Mussoorie Christ Church exhibits the pointed arches, ribbed vaults and flying buttresses ideal to the gothic style. With its colonial charm and old world feels, the entire complex transports you back in the vintage era. Be sure to put this activity under your bucketlist of things to do in Mussoorie.

The Company Garden at Mussoorie is a popular tourist attraction in the mountain city of Mussoorie. Nestled amidst the high Himalayas, it is a patch of green maintained by the Garden Welfare Association of Mussoorie. It was laid down by Dr. H. Fackner in the early years of this millennium. The vibrant garden is a lovely place to spend an entire day out with your family and friends within the lush greenery and the beautiful blossoms. Company Garden is dotted with tropical green trees of all kinds providing shade to the visitors in patches. You can find people enjoying their time sitting or strolling or taking photographs in the eclectic lawn of the garden.

Snuggled amidst the eventful Mall road, is the vibrant Library Bazaar, bustling with energy and vivacity. A stroll in the bazaar can take you back to the vintage times. Arranged along a small circular path, the market oozes with gusto and radiates a colonial feel. The tiny shops dotting the arena perfectly fit into the settlement and present a compressed pretty picture of the entire place. Other than finger-licking street food, local trinkets, handcrafted jewellery, you can find every bric-o-brac in the bazaar. Dribbling with every possible gewgaw knick-knack, this market introduces you to the desi side of Mussoorie.

Located at a distance of 6 kms on the Mussoorie- Dehradun highway, Mussoorie Lake is an artificial lake developed and maintained by the City Board and the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority. Surrounded by a mesmerising natural charm and some surreal views of the charming Doon Valley, this lake offers a rejuvenating retreat in nature’s lap. You can also enjoy a boat ride here which is one of the top things to do in Mussoorie.

Established in 2003, for the adventure enthusiasts and the young at heart; the Mussoorie Adventure Park is a treasure trove of fun adventure activities. Backed by highly trained and extremely experienced staff, the park offers a variety of activities including rock climbing, rappelling, trekking, parallel rope, zip line etc. Operated by Real Adventure Sports - an X-treme Adventure Sports Company, this park is supposedly the one of its kind, spreading over vast acres of land amidst natural beauty and a panoramic landscape. Make sure you definitely visit this place and put it under your top things to do in Mussoorie.

Another feather in the cap of Mussoorie is the newly inaugurated K Dev Bhoomi Wax Museum, inspired by Madame Tussauds in London. Being the fourth of its kind in India after Kanyakumari, Kolkata and Lonavala, the museum needs no introduction of its own. Situated in the premises of Company Garden, just 3 kms ahead of The Mall, the museum is explored by tourists day in and day out. The museum boasts of lifelike wax statues of both domestic and international personalities, some of which have been imported from the other branches.

Jabarkhet Wildlife Reserve boasts of being the first privately owned and operated wildlife sanctuary in Uttarakhand, which is also the first of its kind in all of India. Located on the Mussoorie- Dhanaulti road, around 15 kms from the heart of the city, the nature park is spread over 100 acres of land. At an elevation of approximately 2000 metres above the sea level, the sanctuary is set around different altitudinal zones with an extensive variety of rare plants, insects, reptiles, animals, trees, birds and mammals.

Located on the Chamunda Peeth Temple Road, Soham Heritage Centre is a private enterprise based to preserve the rich Himalayan heritage by showcasing the cultural diversity of the Himalayas through paintings, murals, scrap art, frescoes and artefacts. An admirable initiative by Mr Sameer Shukla and his wife Dr Kavita Shukla, the art centre is a humble effort to display the diversity of the Himalayas through varied art forms. Established in January 2014, the heritage centre is the result of around 18 years of tireless planning, inspiration, dedication and collecting of data. The idea is to conserve the vast diversity of Uttarakhand and the Himalayas and maintain the cultural identity, rich history and the lifestyle of the tribals.

Rock Climbing and Rappelling are the prime activities and some of the best things to do in Mussoorie. You are harnessed to a rope or a cable for safety purposes before you can climb up the cliff or rappel down. Considered as two of the most adventurous activities of all times, you are sure to get an adrenaline rush.