Many of us would have been to Delhi umpteen number of times before. Probably on official visits or maybe a family function. And if that’s the case, you wouldn’t have seen much of the city and surroundings. Except a few hotels, some landmarks and possibly some restaurants. But there is much more that Delhi has on offer. While we looked at the ‘Top landmarks to visit in Delhi’ last time, here are many more exciting surprises. If you are a vacationer from abroad or visiting with your family and friends from India, choose from this list of 16 cool and exciting things to do in Delhi to enjoy your holidays.
Must Read- Travel, Hotels & Landmarks Guide- Delhi
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Booking.com16 Offbeat & Exciting Experiences in Delhi
1. National Rail Museum
Spread out over 11 acres the National Rail Museum is one of its kind in the country. There are 6 display galleries with exhibits on the rail heritage of our country. There is also an extensive outdoor area with the feel of a Railway Yard which displays steam, diesel and electric locomotives besides wagons and carriages. Don’t miss out on the toy train ride with your family. And a lavish meal thereafter at the Rail restaurant.
Book your online tickets for Rail Museum in advance here to avoid queues.
2. Waste to Wonder Park
Spread over seven acres the Waste to Wonder Park in Nizamuddin is a creative delight. The seven wonders of the world are recreated here using scrap of automobile parts, fans, rods, nut bolts, iron sheets, bicycle parts and iron railings. It’s a great place to enjoy with family with lovely surroundings.
3. National Crafts Museum
If you wish to experience India at the root level, head to National Crafts Museum. The museum includes a gallery, a village complex, arts & crafts demonstrations and traditional performances. The museum has over 35,000 rare pieces reflecting the tradition of Indian craftsmen. All these masterpieces are displayed in five galleries, three courtyards and walk through passages of the museum. Once you have enjoyed your visit, head to the in-house cafe for some of your favorite food on offer.
Cafe Lota
4. Teen Murti Bhavan & Nehru Planetarium
Teen Murti Bhavan is a national memorial which housed the first Prime Minister of India who lived here for 16 years. Currently the premises in Teen Murti Marg in Central Delhi comprises of the Nehru Memorial Museum, library and Nehru Planetarium. The house gets its name from ‘Three Statues’ within the premise, created in 1922 in memory of Indian soldiers from the then princely states of Jodhpur, Hyderabad and Mysore who laid down their lives in the freedom struggle. Head to the Nehru Planetarium after visiting the museum and library for a date with the stars.
Book your Planetarium tickets in advance on Bookmyshow here to avoid long queues.
5. Museum of Illusions
Get thrilled and at times confused as you experience the world of illusions at Museum of Illusions in Connaught Place. Its an amazing journey for adults and children alike as you walk though the museum where nothing is what it seems. And this fun place includes holograms as exhibits, a no-gravity room and rooms with mirrors which distort reality along with other attractions.
Book your museum tickets online in advance to avoid long queues.
6. Connaught Place
Connaught Place is one of the largest commercial and business center in Delhi. Originally named ‘Rajiv Chowk’ it is divided into an inner and outer circle. When here the fun is in casually walking around and observing people, impulsive buying from the branded showrooms all around, choosing some exclusive home decor items from Janpath and going around eating your favorite cuisine in the classy restaurants, small eateries or street food stalls and vans as your heart pleases.
7. Shankar’s International Doll Museum
Shankar’s International Dolls Museum is located in Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Central Delhi and quite close to Connaught Place. The museum houses a large collection of dolls and was set up by K. Shankar Pillai, a political cartoonist. It’s a great place to visit with your children who would certainly enjoy the vast collection.
8. National Museum
Located on Janpath, the National Museum is the largest museum in India. It holds over 2,00,000 objects spanning more than 5000 years of Indian cultural heritage. Be prepared to spend a few hours here if you love history and heritage. These include paintings, decorative arts, arms & armory, anthropology, archaeology, jewelry and Central Asia antiquity. You also have the Buddha Museum, Kashi: The eternal city gallery and Virtual Experiential Museum of Ajanta to feel spiritual for a while.
Book your online National Museum tickets here in advance and just walk in without waiting.
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9. Red Fort Light & Sound Show
The Sound & Light Show at Red Fort is the perfect way to understand the history of India. Starting from how Mughal emperor Shah Jahan built this fort, his reign and then downfall at the hands of the British and the days of our independence struggle. This one hour show with master storytelling and beautiful light-sound mix is a great way to spend one of your evenings while in Delhi. The show ends with the National anthem. Also you must visit Red Fort during the day to get the real feel and facts.
Book your online tickets in advance here on Indian Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) website for Red Fort Light & Sound Show.
10. India Habitat Centre
India Habitat Centre is a multipurpose enclave situated in Delhi’s posh Lodhi Road. It has separate commercial areas earmarked for commercial space, food plazas and social spots. While some facilities like rooms and restaurants are designated for members and their guests, the visitors too have many options. My favorite is the American breakfast at All America Diner. It’s certainly worth the dash to IHC early morning.
11. Dilli Haat
Located in Kidwai Nagar of South Delhi bang opposite INA Market, Dilli Haat is all about vibrant colors and varied cultures. A shoppers paradise and a foodie’s favorite with a choice of many regional eating joints, you must not miss out on this favorite destination of millions. And one with the ambiance of a traditional village fair where the culture of all states come together. Handicrafts from most states and creations of local artisans and craftsmen are available at reasonable prices.
Entertainment
Shopping
Food
12. Little Tibet
Tucked away in the Manju ka Tilla neighborhood near Central Delhi is this interesting Tibetian colony known as Little Tibet. It has a monastery, gift shops and many small restaurants and eating places which serve good Tibetian food. Ama Cafe is a favorite of many. However the narrow lanes and not too clean surroundings should not put you off because spending some time here is itself an experience coupled with some nice thukpa, momos and chilli pork to satisfy your taste buds.
13. Karol Bagh
Visiting a market during a holiday? Well Karol Bagh is an unique experience as you walk down some of the prominent streets like Ajmal Khan Road with wide range of options for wedding shopping, inexpensive garments, designer wears, jewelry, dry fruits, books and more. Then you have Gaffar Market for electronic goods and variety of food outlets all around in Karol Bagh. But don’t forget to walk in to a spice store to make your holiday colorful, with much to carry back for your kitchen at home. Fresh spices at great prices.
14. Hauz Khas Village
Hauz Khas is a neighborhood in South Delhi with remnants of 14th to 16th century Islamic architecture. The Hauz Khas complex is the heart of the place and the village is well known since the medieval times. With the advent of urban culture its now a hot spot in the evenings with its art galleries, boutiques, cafes, bars, pubs restaurants and lounges where one has to wait for hours at times to get a table.
Waiting to get a table is not my cup of tea and do feel annoyed. And hence every time I have landed up in Hauz Khas, except couple of times for dinner and drinks, it’s been a relaxed time over a coffee instead and a book to read for a while. Try out Kumzum Cafe for the traveler in you, with a huge option of travel books besides others that you may wish to buy. They have other outlets in Gurgaon, Vasant Vihar & GK 2 as well.
Kumzum Travel Cafe
15. Kingdom of Dreams
Kingdom of Dreams is a majestic live entertainment, leisure and theater destination in Gurgaon with some great popular shows by ‘Nautanki Mahal’ group. With an impressive display of art, magnificent structures and colorful food galleries to satisfy your appetite, its a must visit destination while holidaying in Delhi. Experience just a bit here.
16. Chandni Chowk
Walk, Walk, Walk. It’s Chandni Chowk. If you do not want to miss out on the charm of Old Delhi of the days gone by, it’s still there for you to experience. Right here and just the way it used to be. A little more crowded maybe but no less fun. So what do you do in Chandni Chowk?
Start with a Rickshaw Ride
Walk around & feel the place
Buy latest fashion dress materials at great prices
Freak out on Food
Dahi Bhalla & Aloo Tikki at Natraj
Street-side Kachori Subzi & Jalebis
And the delicious Chaats
Feeling hungry? Well Delhi is a foodie’s paradise and the food capital of India. Take a break from work and come for a holiday to Delhi. We will take a break as well and be back with you for a ‘Food Tour’ of the best places to eat in Delhi and around. And the offerings of festival-time Delhi.
If you loved these Delhi experiences, PIN it for planning your holiday!
There is so much to do in Delhi, was not at all aware about it. Thank u Subhashish for informing so beautifully
My pleasure Nishi.
Oh my gosh just seeing that Jalebi made my mouth water! Karol Bagh looks incredible with all the spices, there are just so many markets and attractions in Delhi I feel like I’ll need a full week to do it all!
I keep travelling to Delhi of and on and find it one of the most seductive cities of the world. All your entries have my heart. Additionally the Bengali in me would suggest the local markets of CR Park for amazing cost effective non vegetarian food and sweets.
Yes certainly C.R.Park is worth a visit for its Bengali food. I was a resident there for 7 years.
Yes a week in Delhi is going to be full of fun Alice.
This is such a great roundup of things to do. I would be interested in Wonder Park, as I always enjoy lovely gardens, followed by the National Museum, the architecture of the building alone looks beautiful. Lastly, I would want to sample some delicious food.
Welcome Renee to Delhi and India for some great food all around.
I love how you listed places no usually on guidebooks, it makes experiencing Delhi a totally different experience to most visitors! Little Tibet sounds wonderful, I hope to visit soon!
You are welcome Daniel to India and Delhi for a great holiday.
I have already been to Delhi three times, but the city is so big and offers so many attractions that I would love to go again. Great article, very helpful in planning a trip to Delhi. I was in Delhi for the first time in 2008, a long time ago. I didn’t have a chance to see the Museum of Illusions. It seems pretty exciting. I haven’t seen Dolls Museum as well. And I would like to see National Rail Museum. So it’s time to back there. It’s a very inspirational article!
Thanks Agnes for your appreciation.
The food looks divine! But I would have expected nothing less from Delhi. How many days would you recommend to spend in the city for a first visit? Would 4-5 days be enough? I bet the Railway Museum was super interesting too.
Yes Natascha 4 days is good enough for Delhi. And then you can take trips from there to Agra, Mathura, Vrindavan and Jaipur.
I never thought Delhi would be on my travel dream list; thank you for convincing me that a trip here is worth having. How I wish I could visit all 16 of these incredible destinations! The Museum of Illusions appeals to me, and I assume the Kingdom of Dreams is also great to visit. I’d also want to explore Dilli Haat to learn about and witness their traditional handicrafts and delicacies.
Not only Delhi, India is full of exotic destinations. Do plan a trip sometime and you’ll feel like coming back again and again.
I’d love to come back to Delhi and experience some of these unique things. The museum of illusions looks like so much fun! Karol Bagh is such a great market. My favourite market in Delhi was Chandni Chowk Market, there I had the best sweet lassi in India. Every time I went to Delhi I returned to that small corner stall to have some more lassi.
Yes Joanna I forgot to mention Lassi of Chandni Chowk certainly a must when there.
Wow , interesting listicles I must say. You have mentioned all offbeat places to visit in Delhi. I am planning for a detailed Delhi trip , thanks for this guide. I am saving it right away.
Thanks Pamela. Do try out some of these places when here.