Best weekend destinations from Bangalore: Perfect getaways for your entire family

Trust us, all you need is some planning and a little effort to make the weekend a fantastic one for both you and your family.

So, here are some weekend destinations from Bangalore that your kids will love:

1. Innovative Film City

Where: Bidadi
Distance from Bangalore: 31.1 km

Looking for a day filled with fun and frolic for your children? Take a trip to Innovative Film City. This place is filled with a lot of spaces that are divided into sections. Each section is dedicated to one particular theme such as adventure sports, a museum, a haunted house, a replica of Ripley's Believe It or Not, a mini car racing track, a miniature golf course, and a food court.

2. Brindavan Gardens and Mysore Zoo

Where: Mysore
Distance from Bangalore: 149 km via NH275

Located at the foothills of the Chamundi Hills, Mysore is a well-planned city, with many attractions for kids. Take them to the beautiful Brindavan Gardens where they can witness the colorful fountain show in the evenings. Alternatively, visit Mysore Zoo which houses many animals including tigers, lions, elephants and also, reptiles.

3. Nandi hills

Where: Chikkaballapur district
Distance from Bangalore: 61.3 km

A popular weekend getaway from the city, Nandi Hills is famous for the magnificent views it offers. Get there before sunrise or make it a point to stay till sunset. Also known as Nandi Durg, it is an ancient hill fortress of South India. You can plan a picnic here for your kids or participate in adventure sports like paragliding.

4. Kolar

Where: Kolar
Distance from Bangalore: 67.2 km

If you are looking for a unique getaway, head to Kolar. Famed for gold mines that are no longer in use, this town also see visitors flocking to the Anthargange temple and caves, that are a sacred and religious site. The Kotilingesvara temple is another attraction. However, if your kids want something more adventurous, you can visit the Black Buck sanctuary near Kolar.

5. Shivanasamudra Falls

Where: Shivanasamudra
Distance from Bangalore: 135.5 km

Branching out of the river Cauvery, the Shivanasamudra Falls are an awesome spectacle. The bifurcation of the river has resulted in two magnificent waterfalls that are definitely worth a visit. Also, give your kids a lesson in history too - Shivanasamudra is also the location for Asia's first hydroelectric power station.

6. Kabini

Where: Kabini
Distance from Bangalore: 210 km

Kabini is a great weekend destination for thrill-seekers. If your kids are wildlife enthusiasts, take them animal spotting under the careful guidance of a travel guide. Do some adventure rafting on the Kabini river, or go on a coracle ride and look out for tigers by the river banks. Or better still, laze around in the midst of nature.

7. Coorg

Where: Kodagu district
Distance from Bangalore: 264 km

Known as the 'Scotland of India' for its stunning landscape, cool climate and coffee plantations, Coorg is a very kid-friendly destination. Take your family to Nisargadham where your kids can feed the deer. Or give elephants a bath at Dubbare Elephant Camp. If you're still feeling energetic, go on long treks and don't forget to enjoy the local cuisine. If you dig non vegetarian fare, enjoy the local speciality like the pandi curry.

8. Bandipur national park

Where: Bandipur
Distance from Bangalore: 224 km

The Bandipur National Park is guaranteed to take your breath away. Here, you can go on family safaris into the forest and hope to stop wild animals including, tigers, elephants, deer, and sloth bear. Summer is a good time to visit the park as that is when the animals come out often to drink at their watering holes.

9. Hampi

Where: Hampi
Distance from Bangalore: 374 km

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi is a treasurehouse of ancient temples, forts, palaces and other monuments. Your kids can see grand ruins too and learn about the rich history of the erstwhile Vijayanagara empire.

10. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary

Where: Mandya district
Distance from Bangalore: 119 km

The Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located near Srirangapatna and is home to several species of birds, including painted storks, pelicans, herons, egrets and cormorants. You can take your kids for ranger-guided boat tours here.

Weekends are when you want to spend time with your loved ones. And a short holiday is the best way to do that. Most of the places on our list are ideal destinations in that they are only a short drive away from the city. So, next weekend, simply head out to one of these destinations and enjoy a relaxing getaway.