Sruthi Nair
“The city of dreams” provides a lot of inspiration for everything you do in life. Aamchi Mumbai has a lot to offer to people from all sorts of life who are here in the quest of finding meaning to their lives. And if you have been living in Mumbai for a while now, the most popular spots and monuments would be familiar to you by now. And in case you are new to the city and need a guide to roam the streets of Mumbai, then you have stumbled upon the perfect picnic spot list in Mumbai.
Places to Visit in Mumbai for One Day Picnic with your family and friends.
1. Gateway of India
The Great Gateway to the glorious land of India, the city of Mumbai proudly presents this architectural wonder which beckons near the sea, welcoming far away travelers and thousands of tourists every day. If you know anything about the city of Mumbai, you know that Mumbai is known for this iconic structure. Standing there and letting the breeze play with your hair and see the waves hitting the rocks periodically will definitely make your day. The Indo-Saracenic building with Muslim influences is widely appreciated and known.
How many ever times you go to this place, you’ll just keep coming back to the waves of the seas and the waves of people surrounding the gateway. You can spend the day with your favorites and click pictures which will fetch you likes of all hardcore Mumbaikars and Indians.
2. Elephanta Caves
Few people visiting the brimming metropolis that is Mumbai city would guess that the deep connections and links it has with history. Elephanta caves while offering a magnificent and delightful tour for everyone, presents a great display of that historical splendor. Known as Gharapuri in Marathi, the site consists of a series of 5 caves, 3 Hindu and 2 Buddhist that were excavated between 7th and 8th century AD.
These caves provide a serious insight to the Buddhist and Hindu religion back in the day. The site is easily accessible from the Gateway of India via a regular ferry service and the ferry ride in itself is an amazing experience to go through with anyone you like. Try to not go wow when you see the aesthetic sculptures and try even harder to not wow when you see those countless langurs in the area.
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3. Marine Drive
For Mumbaikars, the boulevard of all dreams lies here. Various tales of history and mystery, love and hatred, misery and success have emerged from this location. When you have free time from college/ work, take your dearest buddy and go to this seaside avenue and listen to soulful music on repeat. This will not only calm your nerves, but also calm your entire being. The hectic schedule of Mumbai life comes to a standstill in the boulevard of dreams. And although the place would be heavily crowded, you will still find peace there.
Image Credit : Flick User – Atanu Maity
You will find people from all walks of life there, like couples holding hands and watching the sea blissfully, a college student completing notes by the side path or even business men in suits and ties blabbering on and on about his conference call! Mumbaikars just can’t live without going to Marine Drive, and if you haven’t visited the spot in a while, it’s time to take your buddy and go there.
4. CSMT Building
The majestic Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus railway station is known throughout the world for its elegance and grandeur. Designed by Frederick William Steven in 1878, according to the concept of Victorian Italianate Gothic Revival architecture and meant to be a similar revival of Indian Goth (classical era) architecture. It is considered to be a jewel of the whole city, if not the whole country. The headquarters of the Central and Harbor line of Mumbai Railways, it is a splendid hallmark in the history of the British era in India.
Stand below the onion domes and gaze up in wonder to the carefully schemed color patterns on the side of the walls through which vibrant rays of the sun beautifully emerge in different hues. As you stand there, don’t get lost in the magnitude of the crowd as millions of people pass through the station each day!
5. Sanjay Gandhi National Park
This National Park is a complete landscape change from the treeless streets of Mumbai. You can spend time with animals and plants in the wilderness of Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Go for a small trek to the green lungs of the city as you can breathe in fresh air to you fullest in this National Park.
Established in 1942, Sanjay Gandhi National park was previously known as Borivali National Park even though it spreads to areas such as Powai and Thane too. So take your family on a trip to breathe air free from the pollutants of the city.
Kanheri Caves
Nestled deep within the jungles of Sanjay Gandhi national park, these caves offer a beautiful insight into the past. Built between 2nd and 5th century AD, this collection of more than 50 caves are the earliest example of Buddhist architecture in Mumbai.
6. Haji Ali Dargah
Located in the heart of Mumbai, Haji Ali stands proudly near the sea, with its salty waves carefully caressing the structure ever so slightly. Come to the crowded yet serene location and huddle together with countless people out of whom some are there to practice their faith and some are to watch people practice their faith in the beautiful building.
The spot also visible from the great Bandra-Worli Sea Link, this is an added advantage to you. Go on a ride through the Sea link and watch the monument by the sea. So the next Saturday you get free, go to the amazing Haji Ali Dargah and show around your friends this grand glory.
7. Essel World & Water Kingdom – Amusement Park
If monuments and caves and beaches aren’t your cup of tea then worry not! We have got you covered. If your whole week had been a drag and you need some adrenaline pumping in your veins, go and enjoy in the Amusement Park that is Essel World and splash around water in the water theme park just next to Essel World that is Water Kingdom.
Enjoyable rides with your loved one will certainly prove to be an ecstatic memory. The theme parks, located at the edge of the Northern suburb of Mumbai, are splendid in unwinding and living off in a whole new world of fun and energy. Amazing for children as well as adults, the two should be visited by all Mumbaikars!
