The school-boy-haired writer – Ruskin Bond treasured his serenity in the mountains of Mussoorie for many decades. There must be a strong reason behind the Ruskin Bond fascination with Queen of Hills. Dare we say places to visit in Mussoorie like Main Square of Mall Road, Landour have separate hype amongst tourists because visitors don’t have to contend with crowds. Plus, the chances to spot Ruskin Bond wandering in the town shoot up high.
Queen of Hills is A Crowd Puller Since Nearly 200 Years Back
Evidently, Mussoorie is an added charm in Utarkhand’s beauty. Encircled by Doon Valley from the south and the snow-capped Himalayas from the northeast, this hill station in the Himalayan foothills is the pride of the Shivalik Range. Moreover, its proximity to the capital of Uttarakhand, Dehradun, and Delhi makes Mussoorie one of the best hill stations in India. So, if you are making your maiden visit to Mussoorie, buckle up the tourist attractions to visit in Mussoorie.
What’s Special About Tourist Attractions in Mussoorie?
On the brighter side, travel writers rush to the unexplored attractions in Mussoorie to unfurl Ruskin Bond’s fascination with those hidden spots. Whether you are a writer or not, Mussoorie beacons poignant tales of Garhwal Hills. Thus, tourist attractions in Mussoorie are crowd pullers – mainly for the tourists from Delhi.
11 Best Places to Visit in Mussoorie That Personifies its Stupendous Queen of Hill Title
You will be in for an extra treat if you make your maiden visit to the Mussoriee after reading our list of the 11 best tourist places in Mussoorie. Thank us, later! Now scroll on!!
- Kempty Falls – Nature Fall that Looks Like Artificial Fall
- Soham Heritage Art Centre – Where Ancient Himalayan Culture Oozes
- Lal Tibba – Crowned as the Highest Peak of Mussoorie
- Mall Road – The Pride of Mussoorie
- Company Garden – Influx Your Lungs with Immerse Greenery
- Mossy Falls – Tryst With Mother Nature
- Gun Hill Point – Enjoy the Whimsical Beauty of the Second’s Highest Mussoorie Hill
- Cloud’s End – Where Cotton Candy Clouds Hug the Hills
- Sir George Everest’s House
- Mussoorie Lake – Beautified With Man-Made Approach
- Jwala Devi Temple – An Amazing DIY Temple Trek
1. Kempty Falls – Nature Fall that Looks Like Artificial Fall
Kempty Falls is one of the eye-catching and photogenic places in Mussoorie. Almost every itinerary has Kempty Falls under it. Kempty Fall is a good place if you want to gush yourself with joy in Mussoorie in summer from March to June.
The average elevation of these falls is 4,500 ft (approx.), and you get a sweeping view of the encircled mountains. If you plan your Kempty Fall trip carefully, you can beat the crowd for boating, angling, and swimming in the falls where water is below your knees.
- Visiting Hours: 8 AM – 5 PM
- Kempty Fall Entry Fee: Free for all
- Additional Charges (approx.): ₹ 50 for locker, ₹ 40 for parking fees
- Distance from Mall Road: 12.2 kilometers/45 minutes (approx.)
2. Soham Heritage Art Centre – Where Ancient Himalayan Culture Oozes
Get a sneak-peek into Himalayan culture through paintings, sculptures, arts, murals at Soham Heritage Art Centre. It is a private museum and is not on the touristy radar. Hence, you must visit Soham Heritage Art Centre on summer day sightseeing. Being an enclosed attraction braced by a small, lush garden setting, Soham Heritage Art Centre is one of the top tourist places to see in Mussoorie in summer.
Art lovers will love to explore the painting section, where painting themes vary from spiritual to cultural to modern art, including the Mural of 7 incarnations of Lord Vishnu. One of the museum’s sections features Himalayan culture before post-independence. While the third section has old native Himalayan people’s souvenirs for display. Adjacent to this section is souvenir shop Himalayan herbal products and Himalayan stones.
- Entry Fee: 100 INR (approx.)
- Visiting Hours: 10 AM – 2 AM, 3 PM – 5 PM
- Opening Days: Except Thursday and Friday along with public holidays
- Distance from Mall Road: Stone throw distance, 2 km/10 minutes (approx.)
3. Lal Tibba – Crowned as the Highest Peak of Mussoorie
Put the protein bar in your front pocket and embark on a hike to Lal Tibba. Snuggled at an elevation of 2,275 m (7,464 ft), Lal Tibba is one of the best tourist attractions to visit in Mussoorie for youngsters. There are 2 famous slots to pick to get impeccable sunset and sunrise views. As a result, Visit Lal Tibba during dusk hours to see the bald patch of the peak getting a red brush glow.
Then, take advantage of the Japanese installed telescope at the summit to watch the two sacred peaks (Kedarnath and Badrinath). At the top, two restaurants are located that serve mountainous food to the visitors. It goes without saying that Lal Tibba is one of the best places to visit in Mussoorie for photography lovers and trekkers. You can reach the trek via foot or private vehicle because no public transportation is available. Moreover, it is no brainer that Lal Tibba in winters experiences snowfall from December to January.
- Round-Up Trip Hike: 10 kilometers (approx.)
- Visiting Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Distance from Mall Road: 7.5 kilometers/30 minutes (approx.)
4. Mall Road – The Pride of Mussoorie
Mall Road is a famous promenade in the Queen of the Hills, and like every other hill station, this is the place to enjoy a shopping spree. So if you are looking for romantic places to see in Mussoorie in December for a honeymoon, Mall Road is a place to go! It’s a shopping place where restaurants, souvenir stores are dotted.
In winter, particularly from December to January, Mall Road is one of the best places to see snowfall in Mussoorie. In fact, it also bills itself as one of the nightspots in Mussoorie to take a romantic stroll. Even more, kids will also love their gaming experience at the video game parlors at Mall Road shops.
- Visiting Hours: 9 AM – 9 PM (Although the Mall Road remains open (24*7)
5. Company Garden – Influx Your Lungs with Immerse Greenery
Inhale the lush greenery adorned in the Company Garden aka Municipal Garden irrespective of the season. This place to visit in Mussoorie has distinct charisma in summer, monsoon, winter. Hence, shutterbugs enthusiasts get ample photography opportunities for family tourers and couples.
The backdrops of the flowering bushes, fountains, artificial waterfall, artificial lake where pedal boating is done are the highlights of Company Garden. East India company has commissioned this tourist spot in Mussoorie. Now there is a food court to munch at, a wax museum to visit for children.
- Visiting Hours: 9 AM – 5 PM
- Ideal Duration: 1 hour (approx.)
- Distance from Mall Road: 8.3 kilometers/35 minutes (approx.)
6. Mossy Falls – Tryst With Mother Nature
Surround yourself with nature, water, and mountains at Mossy Falls. This is a relatively lesser explored waterfall in Mussoorie, and that is its USP over the Kempty Falls. Due to its lush green surroundings, the chirping of birds is best enjoyed. Mossy Falls is a peaceful location for a tryst with mother nature.
There is a Shiv Mandir in front of the falls, perfect for awakening your spiritual solace. However, one must have good cardio and endurance to reach Mossy Falls because walking is required. The driving option is not suitable because the roads are steeper for a typical driver.
- Total Time Taken to Hike Up and Down: 2.5 hours (approx.)
- Best Time to Visit: Except monsoon (July to August)
- Visiting Hours: 9 AM – 5:30 PM (approx.)
- Distance from Mall Road: 4.3 kilometers/21 minutes (approx.)
Read Also: Camping in Mussoorie
7. Gun Hill Point – Enjoy the Whimsical Beauty of the Second’s Highest Mussoorie Hill
Famed as the second-highest point in Mussoorie (2,024 m) after Lal Tibba, Gun Hill Point counts as the best place to visit in Mussoorie to witness the snow-wrapped Himalayas. The whole hill itself is a scenic picnic point for family tourists. If you have kids with you, reach Gun Hill close to Mall Road via a short walk or arrive there via a ropeway from Jhula Ghar.
Such staggering elevation of Gun Hill provides panoramic views of the Doon Valley and snow-capped Himalayas. There are stalls set up at the hill’s summit, plus souvenir shops are positioned to buy pahadi items.
- Gun Hill Trek Starting Point: Mall Road (Near Police Station)
- Gun Hill Trek Time: 30-45 minutes (approx.)
- Distance from Mall Road: 350 m (approx.)
- Ropeway Starting Point: Jhula Ghar, 5.1 km from Mall Road
- Gun Hill Ropeway Mussoorie Fare: ₹ 100 (approx.) for roundup trip
- How Long Cable Car Takes to Reach Gun Hill: Less than 5 minutes (approx.)
- Gun Hill Ropeway Mussoorie Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM (approx.)
8. Cloud’s End – Where Cotton Candy Clouds Hug the Hills
As the name sounds, Cloud’s End is the ending point of the Mussoorie town. The whole place is wrapped with thick oak and pine forests. As a result, Cloud’s End is one of the beautiful places in Mussoorie to watch clouds engulfing the Queen of Hills. Nearby to it is Mussoorie Library which is another hot spot for tourists.
Another highlight of Cloud’s End is the British Heritage Building, which is the British era’s testimony. However, the place is a private estate and owned by a family. Thus, visitors need to pay a minimal fee to watch the sunrise and sunset from Cloud’s End. Tickets are available at the entry place.
- Entry Fee: ₹ 50 (approx.) per person
- Visiting Hours: 5 AM to 6 PM
- Ideal Duration: 1-2 hours (approx.)
- How to Reach: It’s a motorable road
- Distance from Mall Road: 12 km (approx.)
9. Sir George Everest’s House – The Erstwhile House of Surveyor General of India
The easy ascend and the views from the top make Sir George Everest’s House one of the top attractions in Mussoorie for youngsters. Sir George Everest’s House is a historical landmark dating back to the 18th century. It is a house and laboratory of the erstwhile Surveyor General of India who helped Britishers calculate Mt Everest’s height.
As a result, the peak was named after him. In the earlier times, Sir George Everest’s House was used as an observatory to have impeccable views of the snow-shrouded Himalayas and the dazzling Doon Valley. A mountain trail near Mussoorie connects the hike.
- Time Taken to Hike: 2.5 hours (approx.)
- Trek Distance: 3 km (approx.) uphill trek
- Base Point of Trek: Everest House
- Visiting Hours: 10 AM – 5:30 PM
- Ideal Duration: 2-3 hours (approx.)
10. Mussoorie Lake – Beautified With Man-Made Approach
Tourists in Mussoorie must be thankful to the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority for creating this artificial lake. Located on the Dehradun Mussoorie Road, Mussoorie Lake is created from natural waterfalls. Therefore, there are ample kids-friendly activities to do at the lake without breaking the bank.
The whole deck of eateries is encircled at the lake. Plus, the road that leads to Mussoorie Lake is bound to give you pictorial moments because of the lush green factor. Mussoorie Lake is one of the best places to visit in Mussoorie in July, August, and even September.
- Visiting Hours: 8 AM – 6 PM
- Activities at Mussoorie Lake: Paragliding near the hill, zip lining, zorbing ball.
- Activities Charge (approx.): ₹ 30 for boating, ₹ 100 for zorbing ball, ₹ 350 for ziplining.
11. Jwala Devi Temple – An Amazing DIY Temple Trek
Last but not the least, it would be a sin if you visit the Devbhoomi and return home without seeking blessings from the Goddess Durga. So head to the Jwala Devi Temple on an easy trek to manifest divinity in your routine. Located at the summit of the Binoj Hill on elevation 2,104 m (approx.), Jwala Devi Temple requires an easy hike to reach.
It is one of the DIY temple treks in Mussoorie. The temple’s inner sanctum has stone idols of the goddess. The trail to Jwala Devi Temple passes through Mussoorie Wildlife Sanctuary. As a result, forest check posts for the entry charges. At the summit, surround yourself with lush greenery and the Yamuna River Valley.
- Temple Visiting Hours: 5 AM – 12 PM and 4 PM – 8 PM
- Where Trek Starts: Cloud’s End (2 km) traverse through thick green vegetation
- Trek Distance: 2 km (approx.) uphill trek
- Time Taken to Reach: Less than 1 hour (approx.)
- Suitable For: Kids above 10 years (approx.) as well
Wrapping Up
So, folks, Devbhoomi urges you to travel to Mussoorie’s top tourist attractions. When you are heading to Queen of Hills? Need help in planning? Look no further than Mussoorie tour packages at Tourism of India and take your pick. Of course, the package customization option will bewitch your mind.
Tell Me “OMG” Facts About Mussoorie Tourism That No One Talks About
Mussoorie Was Earlier Called Mansuri With Strong Reasoning Behind It
Mussoorie was conquered in 1803 by the Gorkhas under the supremacy of Umer Singh Thapa, who commanded the Gorkhali Army. Afterward, “Mussoorie” was coined.
Mussoorie Has A Legacy of Nurturing Lucid Writers
Mussoorie and Ruskin Bond have been synonymous since 1963-1964 when he settled there with his adopted family. Unfortunately, the best of Mussoorie Tourism is less available on the internet and abundantly described in Ruskin Bond’s novels encircling the beauty of the Doon Valley, Mussoorie, and the valley encircling the town.
You Can Spot Ruskin Bond in Mussoorie
Doon Valley, Mussoorie, and Landour are the attractions where Ruskin Bond has spent most of the years. He still lives in Landour and comes down to the Mall Road every Saturday at Cambridge Book Depot. If you are lucky, you might get a signature autographed book or novel from Ruskin Bond.
Mussorie Emerged on Touristy Radar at the Beginning of the 19th Century.
In the initial phase of the 19th century, Mussoorie became a socially active summer resort town for polo, and horse riding under British supremacy.
Quick Overview of Mussoorie Geography in December
The temperature of Mussoorie in December: -1°C to 14°C (approx.)
Best Way to Reach Mussoorie During December: Four Wheeler because it is bone-chilling cold
Nearest Airport to Mussoorie (Domestic): 60 kilometers (approx.), Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun
Nearest Airport to Mussoorie (International): Indira Gandhi International Airport, 300 km (approx.)
Nearest Railway Station around Mussoorie: Dehradun Junction Railway Station: 35 kilometers (approx.)
Read Also: Honeymoon places in Uttarakhand