Hope you are enjoying the ride on #XploreBharat express with a stop this morning at Bangalore with my dear friend and fabulous writer Mayuri. Now I am taking you all the way back to North to explore the millennial city Gurugram, a term that still seems foreign to me, as I still fondly call it Gurgaon.
When I was growing up, Gurgaon was often referred to as the sleepy suburb outside Delhi. But the last 10-15 years has seen it transform into a bustling city with swanky offices, luxurious villas, modern skyscrapers and more shopping malls per square mile than anywhere else in India. It is now home to many expatriates and possibly offers all types of cuisines to cater to their tastes.
Gurgaon skyline by Abhishek Srivastava
Being a Delhi girl, my first brush with this city was when a few relatives bought their houses in Gurgaon. It seemed so far and deserted at that time. All we used to do then was visit the malls in Gurgaon since the charm of getting all the brands under one roof in an air-conditioned setting was rare then. When I graduated and joined the corporate world, my office was in Gurgaon. The city had a young pulse to it and was a corporate hub with places to stay, party, groove and eat / drink. After marriage we moved there and it was home for 7 years. We settled in Gurgaon with ease proving that it is set-up ideally for working couples.
Gurgaon skyline at night clicked by Abhishek Srivastava
I have seen Gurgaon evolve and grow right in front of my eyes. From simple Galleria market and Super mart to new additions Cross point, South point mall, Cyber hub and not to forget the Horizon centre. With the newly added underpasses, recently well laid out roads, metro connectivity, the city indeed became truly a millennial city!
There are lots of exciting things to do in Gurgaon. You can pick the ones that interest you on your next visit –
Kingdom of Dreams entrance
1. Unique experiences
- Kingdom of dreams – Bringing together all major states of India under one roof this is a unique cultural and culinary experience. Their show Zangoora, is India’s answer to Broadway and a must watch too.
- Heritage transport museum – its India’s first transport museum with a collection of rare vintage automobiles, a delight to explore with kids.
2. Outdoor fun in Parks
- Leisure valley has a jogging park, garden, musical fountains and a restaurant.
- Tau Devilal park includes a walkway, green patches and rose park.
- Aravali bio-diversity park contains ecologically restored and semi-arid land vegetation.
Ambience mall entrance from Wiki media Commons
3. Retail therapy in Malls
The first malls as far as I recall, appeared in Gurgaon only. Now there are so many of them that I have lost count. I am mentioning a few popular ones only –
- Ambience mall on NH8 is one of the biggest malls in the country.
- MG Road – The road is laden with numerous malls on both sides.
- Golf course road – Mega mall, South point mall and Cross point mall are major attractions.
Trampoline park
4. Kids’ activities
Gurgaon is the place for kids with numerous play zones and fun kids’ centres. Here I am listing the different ones only –
- I skate is India’s first natural ice skating rink in Ambience mall.
- Smaaash is an amazing indoor entertainment experience across 3 locations in Gurgaon.
- Trampoline park is a unique indoor area with over 100 interconnected trampolines on Sohna road.
- Lego café is one of its kind where kids can play Lego in south point mall.
Lego cafe by Abhishek Srivastava
5. Savour world cuisines
- Malls offer a variety of restaurants.
- Cyber Hub is a party place known for its night life.
- Sector 29 is populated with numerous restaurants, pubs and bakeries.
- 32nd milestone offers an open seating area with variety of restaurants to pick from.
- Horizon centre has plush fine dine options.
Neemrana fort palace from Wikimedia Commons
6. Quick weekend Getaways
These places are ideal to take a break from the buzzing city life.
- Neemrana fort, a heritage property converted to a hotel, is the most popular destination close to Gurgaon.
- Westin resort is ideal to celebrate a special day not too far from Gurgaon.
- Dam Dama lake is a fun hang out with family.
- Tikli bottom is a haveli converted to a guest house perfect for an overnight stay or day trip.
- Sultanpur bird sanctuary is ideal for a visit to mix sight-seeing and relaxation.
- Pataudi palace, also known as Ibrahim Kothi, belongs to the Pataudi Royal Family and is ideal for a unique royal experience.
Pataudi Palace from Wikimedia Commons
Gurgaon seems like a place where everything is tailor made for young working couples. With extended hours offered at school, numerous day care centres, plenty of good schools, simpler admission processes and home deliveries for almost anything! You can enroll your kids in a variety of classes from outdoor sports to indoor chess to music, dance or handwriting.
Tikli bottom
Let me know what you would like to add to this list for Gurugram and your experiences of being in this city. Check out my previous posts on Pondicherry and Chennai as a part of #XploreBharat with #BlogBoosterIndia blog train
I am happy to have boarded the #XploreBharat Blog train where we covered many major cities and some hidden treasures across India. I thoroughly enjoyed this experience and have noted many destinations that I am yet to explore in India.
Over the next few days, the blog train will be exploring some more amazing places before it reaches it’s final destination on 31st March. Tomorrow the express will leave for the next destination as Sanjota takes you on a tour across Karnataka.
Title image is Gurugram skyline clicked by Abhishek Srivastava
Where not credited, author has used her own images
❤️❤️❤️❤️ awesomely captured.
Thanks Esha!
I love Gurgaon, for the reasons you mentioned. Though my trip there has always been short, so I haven’t been able to see all the attractions you listed. Kingdom of Dreams was a fabulous experience though!
I am going to refer to this detailed and helpful post, to tick off what I haven’t seen of Gurgaon, for future visits. Awesome one!
Thanks so much Mayuri. Gurgaon indeed has lots going on!
Lovely,heartfelt post as always, Prerna ☺️ And wonderful photos ☺️
Thank you Vijaylakshmi!
Yes…. Thats gurugram. When I came to delhi in 2005 going for an interview to gurgaon was no less than a mission and now we find ourselves so many times at cyber hub. While reading your blog I was like “ha, I have been here”.
Still I was unaware about trampoline park. This weekend I am taking kids there for sure.Thanks for it.
Thanks Ujjwal. Yes there is actually so much to do in Gurgaon now. The city has lots to offer!
You did complete justice to the lively city of Gurugram. Nice write-up ?
Thanks so much Aditi!
When I was working in Noida around 12 years back, Gurgaon used to be a deserted city with a few transportation options. Even I have seen this city evolving and growing rapidly in the last few years. And as my brother lives there, now it’s home too. Love the post and the details you have shared Prerna from hangout spots in the city to the weekend gateways too.
Thanks so much Vartika and glad to know that you enjoyed this post!
Prerna, that’s a great post on Gurugram. My family belongs to Delhi, and in Gurugram or Gudgavan, as my dadi used to call it, we have our Kuldevi ka temple (Sitlamata). For every small or big occasion, we would be visiting the temple. I remember it was such a task to reach there due to very bad roads. Also, 22 years earlier, when my eldest buaji decided to move to Gurgaon, my dadi was not happy. “What is there in that place?” The town grew by leaps and bounds post 2000. 🙂
Anshu, what you have mentioned is so relatable. Thanks!
Aah i have so many friends here!! Coming soon there!!
That’s wonderful. Let me know when you visit!
I have never been to Delhi. My friend is from Gurgaon and she is used to make awesome malai lauki 🙂 I want to have one Delhi trip including Tajmahal & street food exploring. Great post Prerna.
Thank you Sanjota. Yes you should surely visit some day!
[…] #XploreBharat Blog Train halts in Karnataka today, after arriving from Gurugram by Prerna. Next stop of this train will be on Ujjwal’s […]
Good detailed post on the Millenium City of India. Nice work.
#ContemplationOfaJoker #Jokerophilia
Thanks!
Prerna, if I ever go to Gurugram you listed all the places to go.
Thanks Pragnya!
Wow, such detailed peep in gurgaon, loved it a lot. When I was working in gurugram it was growing, My relatives use to say why I’m working in haryana city and not somewhere else. I long to visit again after reading your post specially with my kids to trampoline, Lego & kingdom of dreams.
Thanks Pragun.
That’s a wonderfully definitive post on Gurugram. It’s indeed a metropolis in every sense of the word!
True that Noor!
I haven’t explored Gurgaon a lot but in one of our India trips, we had visited Kingdom Of Dreams and we truly loved it. I got a few decore pieces and traditional jewry from there. Gurgaon is growing very fast. Thanks for penning down these places. Now I know how to spend our Delhi stay in a fun-filled way.
Yeah plan one soon Alpana!
Lovely, detailed post on the city. Your personal touch made it even better. When I think of Gurugram, the malls and the IT offices are the only things that come to my mind. This post expands the boundaries of that view.
Thank you, for this. 🙂
Thanks Ajit for your lovely words!
I have been working in Gurugram from last three years and yes it has its pros and cons both! The fact is that thisbplace has evolved so much with each passing year. I love this place as it gives me my bread and butter 🙂
Nice to know that Madhu. It surely grows on you.
You’ve captured every aspect of Gurugram, right from malls to kids places to have fun. Must agree that it has a lot to cater.
Thanks Jhilmil
I have never been to Gurgaon but your post urges me to do so. I have special interest in the kingdom of dreams, have been hearing about it for long. Great read ?
Thanks Aritra. you should plan a visit!