10 Best Summer Vacation Places In India To Visit With Your Family

The exam season is over, and you and your child can collectively breathe a sigh of relief, as the season for fun has finally begun. While you must have already planned summer activities to keep your child engaged through these two months, how about planning a quick getaway with your family to have some quality bonding time?

We give you the top 10 destinations in India which are ideal to get away from the summer heat and make some beautiful memories as a family. Whether you are looking for a quiet stay by the lake, an adventurous trek up a hill, or an awesome road trip, these summer destinations provide all of that and more.

1. Leh-Ladakh

With jagged terrains, pristine lakes, and jaw-dropping landscapes, Leh and Ladakh is one destination that is on the bucket list of many. It is also an ideal place to get away from the heat of the summer months as the temperature in the months of April and May hovers between 12 Celsius and 6 Celsius during the day.

How to get there

By air: The nearest airport is Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh. It is important to have all relevant documents when flying to the Leh Airport as it is a military terminal.

By train: The nearest railway station to Ladakh, Tawi, is 700 km away. You can book cabs from Tawi to reach Ladakh and the trip takes two days.

By road: Government and private buses are another way to reach Ladakh. There are two ways to get there - from Srinagar and from Manali. The Srinagar path is open from June to October, and the Manali path is open from June to September.

Top 10 places to visit in Leh Ladakh 

1. Zanskar Valley
2. Pangong Tso Lake
3. Kargil
4. Khardung-la Pass
5. Nubra Valley
6. Magnetic Hill
7. Spituk Gompa
8. Shanti Stupa
9. Royal Leh Palace
10. Tso Moriri Lake

An ideal time for a visit: April to July 

2. Kullu Manali

This resort town in Himachal Pradesh is a favorite for both couples and families. What makes this place an ideal vacation spot is that it offers visitors not only beautiful vistas but a chance to dabble in various adventure sports as well. If that's not what you are looking for, you can always relax in a resort in the 'valley of gods' and explore the local shopping scene.

How to get there

By air: Bhuntar Airport or Kullu Manali Airport is merely 50 km away from the main city.

By train: The nearest railway station is Jogindernagar, which is about 143 km away from the town.

By road: The easiest way to get to Kullu Manali is by road, as you can get plenty of options like buses or cabs that ply the route regularly.

Top 10 places to visit in Kullu Manali

1. Hadimba Temple
2. Museum of Himachal Culture and Folk Art
3. Tibetan Monasteries
4. Manu Temple
5. Club House
6. Vashisht Hot Water Springs
7. Maa Sharvari Temple
8. Nehru Kund
9. Jogini Falls
10. Solang Valley

The ideal time for a visit: All year round except during the monsoon season

3. Sikkim

Surrounded by Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal, Sikkim is a state in northeast India that abounds in natural beauty. From glaciers to alpine meadows to India's highest mountain, Kanchenjunga, you'll find it all in Sikkim. It's also home to many popular monasteries, and the cultural landscape of the place is heavily influenced by that.

How to get there

By air: The nearest airport is Bagdogra Airport (124 km away from Gangtok).

By train: The nearest railway station to Gangtok is New Jalpaiguri, 148 km away.

By road: The scenic views make for a great road trip to Sikkim. The buses to and from the state are frequent.

Top 10 places to see in Sikkim

1. Tsomgo Lake
2. Yuksom
3. Nathula Pass
4. Lachung, Lachen and Yumthang Valley
5. Ravangla
6. Namchi
7. Teesta river
8. Phodong monastery
9. Sinalila national park
10. Pelling

The ideal time for visit: From October to mid-December

4. Gulmarg

Gulmarg, meaning a 'meadow of flowers', is a town and a hill station in Jammu and Kashmir. It is considered India's best skiing destination. The Gulmarg Gondola, built by a French company, is considered one of the highest in the world at 3,979 meters. The town is known for its snow-covered peaks and winter sports.

How to get there

By air: Srinagar is the nearest airport to Gulmarg, 56 kilometers away.

By train: The nearest railway station is Jammu, 290 kilometers from the town.

By road: From regular buses to taxis, Gulmarg is well connected by road to neighboring places like Srinagar and Sonmarg.

Top 10 places to see in Gulmarg

1. Gulmarg Gondola
2. Apharwat Peak
3. Alpather Lake
4. Outer Circle Walk
5. Ningle Nallah
6. Drang
7. Gulmarg Biosphere Reserve
8. Children's Park
9. Kongdori
10. Strawberry Valley

The ideal time to visit: October to February, and March to June

5. Nainital

Popularly known as the 'Lake District of India', this hill station in Uttarakhand is one of the most popular summer vacation spots in India. Surrounded by hills on three sides, Nainital boasts of natural wonders as well as significant cultural and religious centers. You can go boating on the famous lake, enjoy a bit of shopping, and visit one of the many cultural centers.

How to get there

By air: Pantnagar is the nearest airport at a distance of 65 km from Nainital.

By train: Kathgodam railway station is the nearest to Nainital at a distance of 34 km

By road: Nainital boasts of excellent bus connectivity to important cities like New Delhi.

Top 10 places to see in Nainital

1. Nainital Lake
2. Kainchi Dham
3. High Altitude Zoo
4. Eco Cave Gardens
5. Snow View Point
6. Nainital Ropeway
7. Pangot and Kilbury Bird Sanctuary
8. Tibetan Market
9. Astronomical Observatory
10. Lands End

The ideal time to visit: March to June and October to February

6. Dharmshala

Popular for being the holy residence of the Dalai Lama, this hill station is a Tibetan hub and a great place to learn about Buddhist culture. The town is divided into two divisions, wherein the lower division houses the town, and the upper division is known as McLeodganj.

How to get there:

By air: The nearest airport is Gaggal, approximately 13 kilometers away from Dharamshala.

By train: Pathankot is the nearest important railway station. It is 85 km away from Dharamshala.

By road: Dharmashala has excellent connectivity by road. Buses and taxis ply the roads frequently.

Top 10 places to see in Dharmshala

1. Dalai Lama Temple Complex
2. Norbulingka Institute
3. Aghanjar Mahadev Temple
4. Bhagsu Waterfall
5. Tushita Meditation Centre
6. Dharamsala War Memorial
7. Tibetan Museum
8. Church of St John
9. Museum of Kangra Art
10. Gyuto Monastery

The ideal time to visit: March to mid-July

7. Mussoorie

Known as the 'Queen of Hill Stations', Mussoorie is an ideal place to get away from the heat and the hassle of city life. Standing at an altitude of 7,000 ft above sea level, this tranquil place offers a lot in terms of culture and art, outside the scenic vistas and rolling green hills. This is also the famous hometown of popular author Ruskin Bond.

How to get there

By air: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport in Dehradun, which lies approximately 54 kilometers away.

By train: There are numerous trains connecting New Delhi with Dehradun.

By road: The roads to Mussoorie make for a scenic drive. The place is well connected with buses that ply regularly.

Top 10 places to see in Mussoorie

1. Camel's back
2. Cloud's End
3. Kempty Falls
4. George's Everest House
5. Soham Heritage and Arts Centre
6. Gun Hill
7. Happy Valley
8. Jabarkhet Wildlife Reserve
9. Mussoorie Lake
10. The Mall

Ideal time to visit: April to June

8. Ooty

One of the most popular hill stations in the south of India, Ooty or Udhagamandalam, has inspired many authors with its beauty. From lakes to museums and parks to the forever-famous Nilgiri Mountain Railway, Ooty has something for everyone in the family.

How to get there

By air: Coimbatore is the nearest airport at a distance of 88 km from Ooty.

By train: The nearest train station is Mettupalyam, 40 km from Ooty.

By road: Many buses go to Ooty from Bangalore, Chennai, and Mysore.

Top 10 places to see in Ooty

1. Nilgiri Mountain Railway
2. Pykara Lake
3. Shooting Point
4. Avalanche Lake
5. Botanical Gardens
6. Ooty Lake
7. Thunder World
8. Sim's Park
9. Tea Museum
10. Cairn Hill

The ideal time to visit: October to June

9. Shillong

The capital of Meghalaya, Shillong, derives its name from Lei Shyllong, an idol worshipped here. It is also known as the 'Scotland of the East' because of its majestic mountains and tranquil lakes. It's also famous for its rich cultural heritage and traditions, as it's the melting pot of several tribes who settled here a long time ago.

How to get there

By air: The nearest airport is the Umroi Airport near Barapani, about 25 kilometers away. The nearest major airport is Guwahati, about 125 kilometers away.

By train: The closest railway station to Shillong is in Guwahati.

By road: You can choose from many private and government-run buses between Guwahati and Shillong.

Top 10 places to see in Shillong

1. Don Bosco Centre for Indigenous Cultures
2. Mawphlang Sacred Forest
3. Umiam Lake
4. Laitlum Canyons
5. Elephant Falls
6. Mawjymbuin Cave
7. David Scott Trail
8. Shillong's Peak
9. Khasi Heritage Village
10. Wahrashi Falls

The ideal time to visit: March to June

10. Kodaikanal

Cloud-capped mountains and walkways covered in mist, this 'Princess of Hill stations' is located in Palani hills, Tamil Nadu, and is an ideal getaway for the summers, whether you are a part of a family or a couple. The majestic waterfalls, the tranquil lake, and the greenery all around make for an ideal break from the hectic city life.

How to get there

By air: The nearest airport to the hill station is Madurai, about 120 kilometers away.

By train: You can take the train to Kodai Road station, about 100 kilometers away from the main town.

By road: Many buses ply from Bangalore, Chennai, Mysore, and Trichi to Kodaikanal.

Top 10 places to see in Kodaikanal

1. Coakers Walk
2. Kodaikanal Lake
3. Mannvanur Lake
4. Pine forest
5. Pillar Rocks
6. Dolphin's Nose
7. Bryant Park
8. Guna Cave
9. Vattakanal Waterfalls
10. Shembagunur Museum of Natural History

The ideal time to visit: October to March

So, it's time for you to take a break, pack your bags, and go build some memories. Happy vacations!