When you need a break from the stresses of your daily life, do you ever consider a jaunt to one of the many fine picnic spots in Mumbai? Here are some of the hidden places that will ease your tension.
Picnic Spots in Mumbai
Dapoli
Dapoli is one of the most memorable spots in all of Mumbai. Picnics here allow your spirit to rest and your body a moment to refresh. Meet your family here and take time to share the beauty of the landscape or play with your children. Enjoy one of the delicacies of Dapoli - Alphonso mangoes and drop by one of the beaches before heading back to the bustling city. If you have the time, take a look at some of the hiking trails and caves.
Mahabaleshwar Hill Station
While this is not a spot that you can enjoy during a work day, the 224 kilometer excursion to Mahabaleshwar Hill Station is a fabulous location for a weekend picnic. There are overnight picnic areas as well. Explore nature’s beauty at Kate’s Point and create memories as you watch the sunset with your loved ones at Mumbai Point.
Matheran
Approximately an hour outside of Mumbai, you will discover some of the most intriguing waterfalls on earth. Just as you came to believe that the entire world was made of concrete, you toss your cares to the wind and encounter luxurious forests.
Matheran is one of the picnic spots in Mumbai. If you can, try to get to this getaway spot during the week when there are fewer people and indulge in a leisurely walk on one of the trails.
Elephanta Island
Spending time on Elephanta Island in one of the seven caves with hand-carved panels makes for a pleasant adventure as you picnic beneath the mountains. One of the caves has a panel depicting the god of creation, Shiva sculpted into the walls. This is smaller than Ajanta, so you can see the cave carvings without exhausting yourself.
Keshav Shrusti
Keshav Shrusti is one of the favorite refuges for locals during Monsoon season. The spectacular views from Bhayander Station and sprawling greenery invite you to picnic here. Look around and see if you can identify some of the botanicals and herbs that grow wild.
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
If you are looking for more than just a quiet picnic and beautiful landscapes, get ready for a picnic near the tiger sanctuary or monkeys chattering and lunging from tree branches.
Unlike many spots, this one has a designated area for the kids to jump around and release all the energy that children have which makes it one of the best picnic spots in Mumbai.
Rent one of the cottages for a few days and take advantage of the variety of activities that Sanjay Gandhi National Park offers. Adults and children love riding the miniature train and taking one of the safari tours.
Hanging Garden & Kamala Nehru Park
If you work or are staying at one of the hotels in the central area of Mumbai and just want a place that does not require fighting traffic or travelling outside the city for a place to relax, stroll over to Kamala Nehru Park and on the other side of the street to the Hanging Garden.
If you are looking for a place with shade, choose the garden. This is another place that children love and scaling the giant shoe is acceptable for them.
Kamala Nehru Park is a more sedate setting, but the sprawling lawns allow plenty of room for children to bounce around while you inspect the amazing topiaries that fills in for trees.
Chota Kashmir
The children will love this park location as will the child hiding inside you. It’s like a little hide-away inside the Aarey Milk Colony parklands and offers both paddle boats and row boats for sailing around the small lake.
This area of the colony is chockfull of flowers and there is even a lotus pond for ambience. If Chota Kashmir seems familiar, it’s probably because it is the backdrop for almost all the Ballywood movie sequences ever made.
Beaches
Beaches and picnics seem to go together whether in England, the U.S. or India.
One of the closest beaches to Mumbai is Chowpatty Beach which is located in the Back Bay section of the city. In spite of the fact that it is extremely crowded every day, there is always a place to spread out a blanket and have a picnic. And, you could make friends with those around you.
If you go further south along the Maharashtra Coast, you’ll be surprised to find a beach that is usually vacant. There is a beach that locals try to keep secret in the town of Alibag and you can find a taxi to drive you if you don’t have a car to use. Just a tip about hiring a taxi for this trip: Practice your negotiating skills and settle the price of the ride before you depart!
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