Things to See in Lucknow

Lucknow, the capital of Uttar Pradesh, is a beautiful city located on the banks of the Gomti River. Dating back to the 13^th century, this is one of the oldest cities in India and is fondly called the City of Nawabs. Lucknow is mainly famous for its delectable Awadhi cuisine, soulful music, and courtly manners, but the city is also home to a number of exquisite historical landmarks. These iconic structures, most of which date back to Mughal or British rule, blend seamlessly into the rapidly expanding skyline of the city. Being a perfect combination of old and new, the city is known to offer a unique experience to travellers.

In addition to that, Lucknow is the most monitored city in the country. With high-quality cameras installed in every nook and cranny of the city, it is considered one of the safest Indian cities. This is another important reason why Lucknow witnesses a huge visitor influx throughout the year. So, if you are feeling overwhelmed with the everyday hustle and bustle and want to plan a fun-filled vacation, there is no place better than this. Apart from being a melting pot of art, culture, architecture, and a lot more, Lucknow is also very hospitable and absolutely safe.

Best Things to Explore in Lucknow

With plenty of options for everything, this city always leaves you spoilt for choice. Here is a list of all the important things to do in Lucknow to enjoy your trip to the fullest: -

• Take a Heritage Tour
• Shop Your Heart Out at Local Markets
• Explore the Indira Gandhi Planetarium
• Enjoy Lip-smacking Local Food
• Witness the Natural Beauty at Janeshwar Mishra Park

Take a Heritage Tour

Being home to a number of architectural marvels, Lucknow has been bestowed with several titles, including Constantinople of the East, Shiraz-e-Hind, and the Golden City of India. All the ancient structures are inspired by the Mughal, Persian, and Turkish styles of architecture and give a peek into the glorious past of the royal city. If you’re a history enthusiast, nothing can give a better headstart to your trip than a heritage tour. As a part of this detailed guided tour, you can cover famous monuments such as:

Bara Imambara: After the Nizamat Imambara, this is the second largest imambara (a shrine built by Shia Muslims for Azadari) in the country. Boasting a huge complex, Bara Imambara was built in 1785 and currently serves as the cultural high point of Lucknow. This historical structure is known for its 180-feet wide central hall, which is also the largest vaulted chamber in the world. Other major parts of the complex include the Shahi Baoli and the Bhool Bhulaiya.

Rumi Darwaza: Built in the 1780s by Nawaz Asaf-ud-Daula, Rumi Darwaza is known for being identical in design to an ancient gate in Constantinople, Turkey. Also referred to as the Turkish Gate, this 60-foot-tall ancient structure used to be an entrance gate to the Old City. Currently, it serves as a major tourist attraction and is a major inclusion in almost every heritage tour.

Dilkusha Kothi: Located in the Dilkusha area of Lucknow, this historical structure is a great example of the English baroque architectural style. This beautiful mansion was built in the 18^th century to serve as a hunting lodge for the Nawab of Awadh at that time. In the present time, you can only see a few damaged towers and external walls, as this structure was damaged during the First War of Independence.

Hussainabad Clock Tower:

Known for its intricate design, Hussainabad Clock Tower is among the most prominent landmarks in the city. It was built in the late 19th century to mark the arrival of Sir George Couper, the first lieutenant governor of the United Province of Avadh. With an impressive height of 220 feet, this structure reflects Victorian and Gothic-style structural designs and has been inspired by Big Ben, London.

Shop Your Heart Out at Local Markets

With a number of vibrant street markets, Lucknow is no less than a paradise for shopping lovers. From Nakhas to Aminabad Market, Bhootnath Market to Chowk, there are several places that you can go to. From authentic chikankari suits and sarees to antique jewellery, beautiful handicrafts to aromatic spices, you can find almost everything in these markets. The biggest and most popular among all of these is Hazratganj Market. On the second Sunday of each month, Ganj Carnival is held, and this is the day when this market witnesses the maximum number of visitors. Often referred to as the Connaught Place of Lucknow, this is a place where you’ll find yourself lost in the sea of options.

Explore the Indira Gandhi Planetarium

If you are a science buff, this is one of the best things to see in Lucknow. Located in Surajkund Park, alongside the Gomti River, this planetarium has a unique shape that is similar to that of the planet Saturn. The centre body of this structure is surrounded by five large rings, and this is one thing that distinguishes it from other planetariums in the country. From taking a virtual space tour to gazing at stars, there is a lot you can do here.

Commonly known as the Taramandal Show, this planetarium also houses several different models of Indian satellites. The fascinating collection also displays several records of astronomical calculations by notable Indian scientists, such as Aryabhatt, Varahamihira, etc.

Enjoy Lip-smacking Local Food

Being synonymous with delicious food, Lucknow is known for offering a wide range of options for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. So, trying the world-famous Awadhi cuisine is definitely one of the best things to do in Lucknow. There are so many places where you can enjoy appetising meat dishes like biryani, mutton korma, shami kebab, seekh kebab, etc. However, nothing can beat Tunday Kebabi when it comes to enjoying galouti kebabs. This is one of the most famous things in Lucknow.

In addition to that, there are several other food joints that are known for specific vegetarian dishes. Some of the must-try options include Bajpai ki poori, Netram ki kachori, chole bhature at Shri Lassi Centre, basket chaat at Royal Café, and kulfi at Chanakya.

Witness the Natural Beauty at Janeshwar Mishra Park

Covering a huge area of more than 376 acres, Janeshwar Mishra Park is also known for being the biggest park in Asia. This scenic urban park was named in memory of the late politician Janeshwar Mishra and currently serves as a major attraction for tourists and locals alike. Featuring two large water bodies, this park is home to a wide array of migratory bird species. So, if you are someone with a keen interest in birdwatching, visiting this place is among the best things to do in Lucknow, India. Or, you can simply head out to this park for a peaceful early morning or late night walk.

Plan an Offbeat Vacation

If you have enough time on hand and are planning to extend your vacation, you can also do that. To make your trip more rejuvenating, you can explore a few hidden gems that are in close proximity to the city. There are a few hill stations near Lucknow as well that you can include in your travel itinerary. Some of them include Chitrakoot, Champawat, Pangot, Mukteshwar, Ranikhet, etc.

With the help of this comprehensive list of things to do in Lucknow, you can definitely make the most of your Lucknow tour. If you don’t want the hassle of planning a trip on your own, explore our range of all-inclusive tour packages and take your pick.