5 Places To Visit In Gurgaon
Gurgaon, an industrial and financial hub in the NCR region near Delhi in Haryana, has quickly risen to become the third highest per capita income city in India. With a distinct skyline of skyscrapers and about 50% of Fortune 500 companies present here, it is rightly called as the City of the Millennium. Its rapid urbanisation has created several interesting destinations for domestic as well as international tourists. If you are planning a trip to Gurgaon, you should definitely take time out to visit these popular world class places:
1. Kingdom Of Dreams
It is like a dream come true when you enter this ultimate entertainment destination, located in Sector-29, Gurgaon. It offers a multitude of entertainment options under one roof and is a complete package in itself. The spectacular outside view of the sprawling building is spread over acres of land and caters to showcase India’s cultural diversity, Bollywood showbiz, cuisine, art and craft. The extravagantly huge performance and entertainment hub uses advanced technology to provide its visitors a world class experience.
Nautanki Mahal
This place is a must see for all those who are true Bollywood fans. This world’s first cinematic theatrical experience offers Indian Cinema Musicals as live dramas on stage. Zangoora, Jhumroo and Wizwits are the grand stage shows which you can choose from. There is also a free crèche facility for children below 2 years who are not allowed. Fees may vary from INR 1099 to 3099 according to your seats and show timings.
Showshaa Theatre
It is a state of the art theatre which can serve as a venue for corporate meetings, events, conferences and celebrations with elaborate lighting and audio visual arrangements.
Culture Gully
This takes you on a colourful ride through an air conditioned indoor ‘street of India’ covered with an artificial sky dome. With more than 14 state stalls, themed restaurants, live arts and craft village, live folk dances and a variety of stores for shopping, it is an unparalleled showcase of India. Timings are 12.30 pm to 12.00 am (Tuesday to Friday) with INR 599 as Entry Fees and 12.00 pm to 12.00 am (Saturday and Sunday) with INR 699 AS Entry Fees. Besides, there is the Bollywood styled IIFA buzz cafe and the famous Paan shop too.
All tickets can be booked online and bought on spot too. The place is closed on Mondays.
2. Cyber Hub
Located in the heart of Cyber City Gurgaon, this comprehensive food and entertainment destination was roped in for the working professionals of Cyber City, but is open to all. If you are a foodie, you should not miss the opportunity to enjoy the multi cuisine Indian and international food outlets here. Actually, a single visit would not be sufficient if you wish to wish to enjoy the varieties of fine dining, fast food, lounge bars, cafes, bakeries and roof top restaurants. Each of them is equally tempting and offers mouth watering dishes, all in the same campus. With more than 40 places to eat and drink, it is an extremely popular choice for both Gurgaon and Delhi people.
Some of the most visited restaurants are Soda Bottle Opener Wala (authentic Parsi food, especially the yummy Berry Pulao in a totally Parsi ambience), Made in Punjab (North Indian and Mughlai Food), Dhaba by Claridges (serve alcohol in actual Pauva Bottles!), Zambhar (typical South Indian food), Farzi (Indian Fusion Cuisine like a Parle G Cheese Cake), Chai point and of course the Beer Cafe and Wine Company (for the regular takers). These are just to name a few. Besides, there is also a huge Amphitheatre which adds to the excitement with its live performances. A safe kids’ zone has also been developed to keep the young ones engaged.
3. Leisure Valley Park
This is the perfect place to relax in the buzzing city, away from the polluting smoke, honking vehicles and huge cemented building structures. Loaded with a variety of plants, trees and seasonal flowers, the Leisure Valley Park is a nice retreat in the lap of nature. Kids as well as adults can relax alike watching the Dancing Fountains. Runners and joggers prefer to choose the mornings or evenings to run around the tracks. A small market and the ‘Roots Cafe’ have been added for foodies. You should not miss the extraordinary and breathtaking Flower Show organised in Feb-March if you happen to visit Gurgaon during this period. On holidays and weekends, it is generally crowded more as it is one of the rare ‘open’ spaces amidst the city’s concrete jungle. Located in Sector 29 and maintained by HUDA, all public transport can take you there. Photo fanatics and nature lovers can spend some good time in this park.
Entry Fees: Nil
Timings: 5.00 am to 10.00 pm all days of the week.
4. Ambience Mall
Plan to do some good time shopping in Gurgaon? Reach out for the Ambience Mall which is indeed the largest one in Gurgaon, area wise. Located at National Highway 8, just at the Delhi Gurgaon border, it is a pleasing experience to spend quality time walking through its long aisles, picking up stuff from all leading Indian and international brands. It houses a huge Food Court which serves a variety of delicious culinary delights. Its main USP is the long floors with a number of stores lined up on either side. The other highlights that will keep you busy if you are not a big shopper are the 7-screen PVR Cinemas, Blu-O Bowling Alley and indoor ice skating in Iskate. The Stellar’s Children Museum is another interesting activity in the Ambience Mall where kids can enjoy fun learning methods through interesting interactive play way methods. In short, Ambience Mall is like a Pandora’s Box, everything packed under one roof.
5. Sultanpur National Bird Sanctuary
This nature retreat is the perfect weekend getaway, not very far from Gurgaon (15 kms away) situated on the Gurgaon Farukh Nagar Road. It is the ideal place for you if you are a bird watcher and love photographing them. Do try to visit in the winter season (December to February) as a large number of migratory birds make this place their home thronging the Sultanpur Jheel. With more than 250 species of domestic as well as migrated species from Europe, Siberia and Afghanistan, one can start an on-foot journey around the park early morning for best bird sighting. There are a number of simple and comfortable resorts to stay overnight and enjoy the natural aura of the place.
The white throated kingfisher, purple sunbird, spotbill, doves, magpie robins, weaver bird and many more are the resident varieties. Northern pintail, rosy pelican, spotted redshank, bluethroat and long billed pipit are just a few of the many migratory species which you can spot if you are lucky enough. Haryana Government has declared it as a National Park. The park remains closed on every Tuesday.
Entry Fees: Rs 5 (ID is a must)
Your trip to Gurgaon should be planned well so that you can visit all or at least some of these interesting destinations. Gurgaon has it all, shopping, sightseeing, bird watching, relaxing parks, amazing entertainment and what not! Choose the best places and make your visit a memorable one.