12 Best Places to Visit In Nainital with Friends & Family

In this travel guide, we have mentioned the 12 most exciting and best places to visit in Nainital with friends and family.

Basic Information about Nainital

When we talk about hill stations and places to go on vacation in Uttarakhand, Nainital is one name that stands out. The town is frequented by vacationers from all over the nation because of its spectacular architecture and renown for its breathtaking lakes and hill station atmosphere.

This destination is at its peak of popularity during the warm summer months of April through June.

Even though it is known for the beautiful Naini Lake, which is where it gets its name, there are other places of interest that you can visit with your family and friends. “Naini” means “eye,” and “Tal” means “lake.” Together, these words mean “Lake of the Eye.”

Are you in hurry? Before diving deeper into the topic, let’s have a quick look at the most beautiful tourist places to visit in Nainital with friends & family along with their location.

Best Places to Visit In Nainital with Friends & Family

Are you interested in seeing the top tourist attractions that Nainital has to offer? The following is a list of the best places to visit in Nainital for an experience that is both singular and wonderful.

1. Nainital Zoo

G.B. Pant High Altitude Nainital Zoo is another name for this famous zoo that says it is at a high altitude. It is home to many endangered and beautiful animal species, such as the Royal Bengal Tiger, Tibetan Wolves, Leopard Cat, Himalayan bear, Japanese Macaque, Barking Deer, Sambar, etc.

Hill Patridge, Steppe Eagle, White Peafowl, Red Junglefowl, Lady Amherst Pheasant, and many other birds can be spotted there. Since it is one of the best tourist attractions in Nainital, so don’t forget to go to the Nainital zoo if you are planning to visit Nainital.

• Location – Tallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing – 10 am to 5 pm
• Famous For – Wildlife Tourism.

2. Naini Lake

Your trip to Nainital will not be completed until you get to Naini Lake. Nainital gets its name from the beautiful lakes there. The lake is in the middle of the valley or the center of the city, so many tourists visit there all year long. At this lake, tourists can go sailing, paddle, or take a boat ride, so there is something for everyone.

Naini Lake is undoubtedly a popular tourist attraction in Nainital, and you shouldn’t miss it if you plan on visiting the area. We highly recommend you take your camera there and capture the beautiful nature on your camera.

• Location – Nainital Lake, Ayarpatta, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing – 6:00 am to 6:00 pm on all days of the week
• Famous For – Boating, Kayaking, Lakes, Romantic place, Yachting.

Suggested Read: Want to explore Almora as a tourist? Read our travel guide on the best tourist spots in Almora.

3. Naina Devi Temple

Every day of the year, people come to worship at this holy temple. The Naina Devi temple is one of the most important places to pray in Nainital. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva’s wife, Goddess Sati. The beautiful temple is located at the northern end of Naini Lake.

People think that Moti Ram Shah put the idol inside the temple in the year 1842. Even though a big landslide hit the temple in 1880, it was rebuilt in the same spot.

People from all over the world come to the temple to pray to the goddess. Lord Hanuman, Kali Mata, and Lord Ganesha also have shrines or statues in the temple.

• Location – Ayarpatta, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing – 6 am – 10 pm
• Famous For – regarded as one of 51 Shakti Peeths.

4. Aerial Ropeway

The aerial ropeway is a beautiful ropeway that goes from Mallital to the top of the hill. It is a must-see for tourists who are in Nainital. A great thing about taking the ropeway is that you can see the beautiful Naini lake.

The trip costs Rs. 300 for adults and Rs. 200 for kids. It runs every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Once you get to the top of the hill, you can eat snacks or play some games. With the help of telescopes, you can see the tops of mountains and enjoy nature.

• Location – Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing – 10 am to 4 pm
• Famous For – breathtaking views of Naini Lake and the complete Nainital Hill Station.

5. Mall Road

One part of Naini Lake is close to Nainital’s famous Mall Road. Along the road, there are many shops where you can buy things like city souvenirs, scented candles in different shapes and sizes, bronze and wood decorative items, handlooms, and shawls that are made by hand.

The main parts of the city are connected by the Mall road, which goes from Mallital to Tallital. If you go to Nainital, definitely walk on the famous Mall road. It is certainly one of the best tourist attractions in Nainital that is worth experiencing.

• Location – Nainital Adjacent to Naini Lake, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing– 9 am to 9 pm
• Famous For – shopping.

Suggested Read: Want to explore waterfalls in Uttarakhand as a tourist? Read our travel guide on the best waterfalls in Uttarakhand.

6. Snow View Point

Snow View Point is one of the best places to visit in Nainital if you want to spend your time in between fresh air, peaceful atmosphere, positive vibes, and natural beauty.

At Snow View Point, you can see the Nanda Devi peak in all its beauty. About 2 km from the main city, visitors can see the snow-covered Nanda Kot Peak, Nanda Devi Peak, and Trishul Peak.

You can spend a great time sipping hot tea and eating snacks at this location. Here, there is a small temple with pictures of Ram, Sita, Lakshman, Lord Hanuman, Shiva, and Durga.

• Location – Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing– 10am to 5pm
• Famous For– watching the majestic Himalayas from Nainital.

7. The Tiffin Top

Tiffin Top, also called “Dorothy’s Seat,” is on the top of a beautiful hill in Ayarpatta. It is a favorite picnic spot for people who live in Nainital. It not only gives you a great view of the entire Nainital city but also makes you feel the positivity of the city.

Tiffin Top is a great place for photographers because it gives the best photo-worthy sights to the photographer. The beauty of this location is that the lens here can speak louder than words. You can capture the beauty of the city from different angles.

• Location – Ayarpatta, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing – 10am to 5pm
• Famous For – its marvelous sunrise and sunset. 

Suggested Read: Want to explore Mussoorie with your friends and family? Read our travel guide on the best tourist sites in Mussoorie.

8. Eco Cave Garden

The Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam created and takes care of the Eco Cave Garden, which is an amazing and one of the best tourist sites in Nainital. It is a place where animal caves naturally connect to each other. With the hanging garden, this place is even more beautiful and fun to look at.

It is made up of different-sized caves that you have to walk, climb, or crawl through to get through. It is surely one of the best places to visit in Nainital with friends and family. If you go to the Nainital then forget to visit the Eco Cave Garden.

• Location – Sukhatal, Mallital, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing– 10 am to 4:30 pm
• Famous For – Caves.

9. Pangot Kilbury Bird Sanctuary

When you’re alone, the beauty of the forest makes you feel like you’re going crazy. Kilbury is a great place to go if you like to see birds or take pictures of them. You can get close to nature because there are so many birds at the trees and in the open cloud.

The main city of Nainital is about 14 km from the Kilbury bird sanctuary, which is also where the Naina Devi Himalayan Bird Reserve is. It is best known for the many kinds of birds that live there and for the pines, oaks, and rhododendron trees that grow there.

• Location – Pangot, Uttarakhand
• Timing- 10 am to 5 pm
• Famous For -numerous bird species. 

10. Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary

The Sonanadi Wildlife Sanctuary in Nainital is a popular tourist destination for visitors. The area’s current name comes from its previous use as a gold mine before it was turned into a sanctuary. Rajaji National Park and Corbett National Park are both easily accessible from here.

The sanctuary is made up of the River Palain and the River Mandal, which are the two main streams that flow through it. The beauty of the Bamboo, Sal, and Sheesham trees in the forests makes travelers want to wear glasses. From Kalagarh, Vatanvasa gate, Durgadevi, and Kotdwar, you can get there.

• Location – Ramnagar, Uttarakhand
• Timing– 11 am to 6 pm
• Famous For – 580 different species of birds.

11. Raj Bhawan

Raj Bhawan is one of the best places to visit in Nainital. This beautiful British-era house is where the Governor of Uttarakhand resides. Its charming beauty absolutely takes you back in time.

The British used Raj Bhawan which is a two-story building with 113 rooms, as their summer home. The building’s design is a mix of Gothic styles, and it looks a lot like Buckingham Palace.

• Location – Amghari, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing – 8 am to 5 pm
• Famous For – Architecture.

12. Tibetan Market

Your trip cannot be completed without shopping in the local market of Nainital. The best place to go shopping in the city is Tibetan Market. The Tibetan Market is located at one end of Mall road. It is well known for selling clothes and warm hand-knit woolens made in Tibet.

Tourists come to this popular busy market all year long, and buy a wide range of Tibetan goods there. In this local market of Nainital, don’t miss out on the fun of bargaining if you are good at it.

• Location – Ayarpatta, Nainital, Uttarakhand
• Timing – 11 am to 7 pm
• Famous For – shopping and food stalls.

Best Time to Visit Nainital

In the summer and spring seasons of the year. Nainital has beauty at its peak. So, the best time to visit Nainital is from February to June. Also, you should avoid visiting in Monsoon as there are high chances of landslides during this season.

Best Accommodations in Nainital

There are several accommodations available in Nainital, a few of them are as follows –

1. Hotel Himalaya
2. Hotel Elphinstone
3. Grand Hotel
4. Hotel Channi Raja
5. Classic The Mall

Best Restaurants in Nainital

There are some of the best restaurants in Nainital that offer very tasty food to their customers-

1. Sakley’s Restaurant
2. Machan
3. Udupiwala
4. Anupam
5. Purohit
6. Sher-E-Punjab

Shopping Centers in Nainital

You should definitely go shopping in Nainital and buy things from the local market. Some of the shopping centers are as follows where you buy things –

1. Mall Road
2. Bara Bazaar
3. Tibetan Market
4. Bhotia Bazaar
5. The Pahari Store

Temperature in Nainital

Summer: 22°C – 28°C ( May & June)

Winter: 0°C – 2°C ( December & January)

How to Reach Nainital

Nainital, the city of the lake can be reached by several modes of transport. You can reach there even by train as well as by flight but not directly.

1. By Road

It is connected to major towns of Uttarakhand so after getting to Uttarakhand, you can easily reach Nainital by your own car, cabs, or public transport.

2. By Train

Kathgodam, 41 km away from Nainital is the nearest railway station to Nainital. Trains from different cities of the country come here at their scheduled time. After reaching here, you can book cabs, or rent a car and drive to Nainital.

3. By Air

Pantnagar Airport is the nearest airport to Nainital which is only 72 km away from there. So, after reaching this airport, you can book cabs, use public transport or rent a car and get to Nainital.

Conclusion – Best Places to Visit In Nainital

That’s all about our discussion on the best places to visit in Nainital. Nainital is one of the best cities to visit in Uttarakhand because it is a very beautiful site to enjoy and experience. You can go to Nainital Zoo, Nainital lake, temples, and many more places. People love to see these places in Nainital.

Even though it is most famous for the stunning Naini Lake, from which the city gets its name, there are a number of other points of interest in the area that you and your loved ones may find enjoyable to explore.

FAQs – Tourist Attractions in Nainital