Delhi, India — Things to Do
Sightseeing in Delhi
Travelers visiting the magical city of Delhi will be overwhelmed by the sightseeing opportunities. Figuring out where to begin will be the hardest part of the journey. A holiday to Delhi is best enjoyed between the months of November and March when the weather is warm, sunny and tolerable in comparison to the rest of the year.
Start off at Red Fort, Delhi's signature attraction which reminds travelers visiting the city of the Mogul Empire that once ruled here, and check out the majestic Jama Masjid in Old Delhi's bustling streets, India's oldest mosque and a breathtakingly beautiful building to look at or photograph. While you're in the area, check out the market in Chandni Chowk for an authentic shopping experience, or if you can't quite make it to the Taj Mahal in Agra, visit Humayun's Tomb, another classic example of Mogul architecture. A must-see while visiting Delhi is Rashtrapati Bhavan, a palace larger than Versailles and the residence of the Indian President, where visitors can watch the changing of the guard and marvel at the architecture of the palace, built by Herbert Baker and Edwin Lutyens between 1921 and 1929. Other worthwhile attractions include the beautiful Lotus Temple, Rajpath - the main route leading from Rashtrapati Bhavan to India Gate, a memorial monument built for the Indian soldiers who died in World War I - where visitors can relax on the grassy lawns and soak up the scenery.
A great way to visit many of the sights around Delhi is on the Hop On Hop Off Bus, which leaves every 30 minutes and stops at close to 20 of Delhi's top tourist destinations. Tourists pay Rs 300 and can hop on and off at a variety of monuments, gardens, bazaars, museums and galleries.
Shopping in Delhi
Delhi is a fantastic shopping destination with shopping centers, malls and markets offering a variety of well-priced holiday buys. Sought-after Delhi souvenirs include local hand-woven oriental carpets and rugs, beautiful silk fabrics, and jewelry with precious gems and stones. Authentic Indian handicrafts can be found in shops along Baba Kharak Singh Marg, available at affordable government controlled prices. Goods such as shawls, pottery and paintings are available from the Crafts Museum on Mathura Road, while there are handicrafts and handloom items to be found at Dilli Haat, which is also a food bazaar. There are also a few antique shops to explore in Sunder Nagar and a visit to the bustling Chandni Chowk shopping area is a must. Dariba Kalan has some excellent jewelry stores but be wary of gem scams, if an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is. Fashion accessories and upmarket goods can be found at the Connaught Place, Sarojini Nagar and Janpath shopping centers. Ansal Plaza shopping complex is a very modern and trendy shopping destination, as is Hauz Khas, which is an unlikely mix of medieval ruins and posh shopping. Delhi's range of shopping centers and bazaars are sure to send you home with mountains of excess baggage. Bargain hard in the markets and remember to shop around before you commit to a sale.
Attractions for Kids
There's no question about it: Delhi is hot, crowded and intense - not the best place for kids on vacation. But there are a number of interesting and exciting attractions for children in Delhi to enjoy. The Shankar's International Dolls Museum is located in Nehru House, on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg. and has one of the largest collections of costume dolls in the world - a favorite for young girls. On the other hand, Delhi's National Rail Transport Museum, in Chanakyapuri, is a great attraction for young boys. There are a number of bowling alleys in Delhi to take the kids to, including the Kool Kidz Little Tikes Play Zone in Gurgaon, Leisure Bowl in Vasant Kunj, and Little Paradise in Faridabad. Another fun activity, there are also camel and balloon safaris in the nearby Thar Desert for kids to enjoy. One thing is for sure - Delhi is a city that children seldom forget, an exciting and colorful experience to last a lifetime.
