Top 10 Things to Do in Shimla in 2024 With Family & Kids

If you are planning a trip to Shimla, you are in for a memorable vacation. Shimla is a great destination to visit at most times of the year, and travellers across all age-groups will have something enjoyable to do here. However, because of heavy rainfall and possibilities of landslides, avoid planning your trip during the monsoon season, which is usually from the months of July to September.

Ensure that the personal preferences of all family members are considered before finalising your itinerary. If you are want to visit during summers (March-June), then include trekking, camping and rafting in your list. On the other hand, if you are visiting in the winters (October-February), come prepared with thick woollens and snow gear to enjoy activities such as skiing and ice-skating.

Also Read: Top 40 Places In Shimla Are Waiting to Be Explored

With so many options for you to choose from, it is wise to decide beforehand what activities you want to indulge in your vacation. We have picked the following 10 things to do in Shimla:

Toy Train Ride - Things to do in Munnar

Our first pick is an enjoyable mode of travel for a fun start to your vacation. Do not travel by road or book your flights for the last leg of your journey to Shimla. Instead, reserve your seats in the toy train that starts from Kalka. A must-have experience, you can enjoy this train ride through 806 bridges and 103 tunnels amidst mountains with scenic views. It is a narrow-gauge route built in the pre-independence era and which began operations in the year 1903. You and your family will start the vacation with a fairytale-like experience crossing stations like Koti (the second longest tunnel on the route), Sonwara (famous for the Sanawar residential school), Dharampur (connecting point for Kasauli), Barog (longest tunnel), Solan, Kandhaghat, Taradevi (famous for the Sankat Mochan and Tara Devi temples) and Summer Hill before your journey ends at Shimla.

Visit The Ridge - Things to do in Munnar

The second activity in our things to do in Shimla is to visit the ever hustling, bustling Ridge at Mall Road. It is one of the most bustling places in the city, where you can enjoy views from a height of 7,234 feet. Go on a shopping spree in the local markets and eat your heart out at eateries along Mall Road. You can also relive the moments spent by Farhan and Raju in Shimla searching for Rancho, all characters from the popular movie ‘3 idiots’.

Tranquil Treks - Things to do in Munnar

Let your loved ones soak in the serene and unperturbed beauty of this city with a trek around the city. Some most loved and explored trekking trails in Shimla are listed as under:

1) Shimla - Luhri - Ani - Khanag - Jalori Pass - Jibhit - Banjar

2) Shimla - Narkanda - Hattu Peak - Chaupal - Kedi - Halau - Kandol - Koti - Chakrata

3) Shimla - Narkanda - Khadrala - Sungri - Devidhar – Rohru

In case, you are looking forward to some shorter hikes through green pine forests, then visit the beautiful Jhakhoo Temple along with the tall Hanuman statute. This is a huge landmark here. Be wary of the monkeys in the area, though, who will vanish with your belongings right before your eyes, in an instant.

Also Read: The Definitive Shimla Travel Guide: Recommendations to help you plan your holiday

Tranquil Camp Sites

The lush green forests full of oak, pine and deodar trees covering the hills of Shimla make the atmosphere misty and relaxing. There are numerous camping sites like Shoghi, Sarahan, Sandasu and Chirgaon with stunning views that your family can enjoy during their stay. You can book a night’s stay in any of these camps beforehand for a hassle-free experience.

Ice Skating

Shimla has the one and only natural ice skating rink present in India, which is also the largest in South Asia. It attracts lakhs of visitors during winter, especially through the months of December to February, the best month to enjoy this sport. These sessions are available for short-term and long-term members in the mornings and evenings.

White-Water Rafting

White-water rafting can be enjoyed by lovers of water sports from Chabba to Tattapani on the rapid and aggressive River Sutlej. With a length of 12 km, it takes about two hours to finish this quest. Remember that river rafting is prohibited during monsoons and winters. The summer months are ideal to enjoy this sport, provided you have proper equipment and training. Rafting is one of the best things to do in Shimla

Museum-Visits

For a calm and serene day with your family, you can visit the museums in and around the city. Take a trip to the Army Heritage Museum and Johnnie’s Wax Museum, which is our answer to the world-renowned Madam Tussaud’s museum.

Paragliding

If your family is bitten by the adventure bug and wants to try out flying, then do try paragliding over the beautiful hills of Shimla. The adrenaline rush you get with this perfect experience will remain etched in your memories forever. The best place to give wings to your dream of flying is Kangra Valley, which will provide you with some thrilling views during paragliding. This sport and love for it may want you to return to Shimla over and over to relive this excitement.

Cycling

Our next pick after some adrenaline-pumping sports is cycling across the different terrains of Shimla. You can enjoy this experience in the lap of nature. Other travellers will not disturb you and your family members since not many visitors indulge in cycling tours. You can soak in silent forests of fir, pine, cedar, deodar, spruce and oak trees. We guarantee that even after returning to your city life you will be reminded of the soothing smell of these trees in the air of Shimla.

Shopping At Lakkar Bazaar

No family vacation is complete without picking up memorabilia of that place, and Lakkar Bazaar is perfect to indulge your inner shopaholic. You can pick up some interesting wooden items for gifting purposes as well. The available products range from small key rings to home décor items.

One of the most important aspects of planning a trip is to find the perfect accommodation. Shimla is home to a plethora of hotels, and Club Mahindra’s Naldehra resort near Shimla is ranked as one of the best in the city. The rooms are spacious and offer state-of-the-art modern amenities for your utmost comfort. The staff is courteous and hospitable, ready to serve all your needs on priority. Enjoy some mouth-watering local cuisine in the in-house restaurant at the property. Check out Club Mahindra reviews online to know how other travellers are making amazing memories for life!

Also Read: How to reach Shimla: Our guide for your holiday in the hills