An all-weather destination up the Himalayas became one of my favorite places more than a decade and half ago. From the serenity of mountains to the hustle and bustle of a busy town, I loved everything about Mussoorie. It offers breathtaking views of the Himalayas, tranquility of forests, a bustling town with great shopping options and amazing cafes/ restaurants for your gastronomic pleasure. But a first-time traveller would be wondering which places to visit in the lovely town nestled in the mountains. From my experience of visiting the ‘queen of hill stations’, here are the best places to visit and some interesting things to do in Mussoorie.
Being close to Delhi, and Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Mussoorie can be a lot touristy at times for one’s liking. During March to June months, discerning travellers may find it difficult to explore the best places in Mussoorie. But sometimes, one can’t help it but end up finding oneself in that crowd. This is where, knowing some places that not everyone visits, can be helpful. So, I will also put down a list of offbeat places to visit also.
{For more destinations from Uttarakhand, check out: Kasar Devi ||| Badrinath}
Mussoorie: Our experiences over the years
It was in the monsoon season (July) of 2010 when I and Parina visited Mussoorie for the first time. And it was love at first sight. The visit was extra special for us because it was part of our honeymoon trip. The clouds, mountains, and the vibrant energy of Mussoorie instantly made us just fall in love with the hill station. Since then, we have came here many more times, and loved its serenity each time.
The next visit happened some 11 years afterwards, in 2021 (November). While the first trip was more of lazy hanging out, the second trip was about exploring everything that Mussoorie had to offer. The more we explored the city, the more we liked. {To read more about my earlier experiences, check out: Mussoorie, a special place}
Our third trip was in March, 2025. Since the second and third trips were in peak tourist seasons, we saw a lot more crowd than our first trip. So, we beyond the best places, and looked for offbeat places and myriad interesting things to do in Mussoorie. In course of time, we found our own peace and tranquility around the lovely hill station. While walking around in the town during our third trip only, we decided to come back during monsoon to enjoy the rains. So, the fourth trip happened just recently- in July 2025.
{For similar experiences of hill stations, read: Kodaikanal (Tamil Nadu) ||| Gangtok (Sikkim)}
Mussoorie: Best places to visit in/ around the town
1. Landour and Lal Tibba Area
In my book, among the best places in Mussoorie to visit, Landour sits right at the top. Landour is a quaint little place frozen in time. Set up in pine and deodar forest, the same old houses from the pre-independence days, a little market place and two churches constitute Landour.
{If you wanna know more about exploring Landour, do check out: Landour in Mussoorie}
Keeping at least half a day on hand, take a bike ride from Mall Road to Landour enjoying its historic essence and the views. It was one of the first places in Mussoorie to be developed by the British. In those days, Landour used to be a cantonment with an Army establishment, and a Hospital. The main sites one must explore in Landour are the Landour Clock Tower, Char Dukan, Sister Bazar and Lal Tibba.
Exploring the core Landour area:
Char Dukan (literally: four shops) is the tourist hotspot within Landour. Since the British days, the place has added only 2-3 more shops now, and are mostly small eateries. Beside the shops, there’s an old church- St. Paul’s cathedral, established in 1839.
From Char Dukan, the road diverges. While one road goes towards Lal Tibba, the other goes to Sister Bazar. I would suggest, first visit Sister Bazar, stopping over on the way at the Kellogg Memorial Church, established in1903. In fact, you have to park your vehicle there, and hike up to Sister Bazar, a few hundred meters away. Major places of interest in Sister Bazar area are the Ivy Café, Landour Bakehouse, and Praksah’s Store. The most enjoyable part of this area is an enjoyable walk around the place with pine forests and old houses.
From Sister Bazar, just before sunset, head to Lal Tibba, famous for its unique sunset called the ‘Winter-Line’. Especially in the winter season, the sunset here creates a spectacular false horizon in orange hue. It’s unique because it happens only at a few Himalayan destinations, and the Swiss Alps. If you are there in December-end, do look for the ‘Winterline Carnival’ organized by the Government of Uttarakhand.
2. Mall Road, Mussoorie:
Right at the heart of Mussoorie is the Mall Road, the center of all attractions in Mussoorie. In fact, a lot of visitors hardly move beyond! They come, stay, enjoy the Mall Road vibes, and go back! So, no wonder it’s among everyone’s list of best places to visit in Mussoorie.
You typically find a Mall Road in the Himalayan hill stations. For me, Mall Road in Mussoorie is easily the best of the lot, maybe only comparable to that of Shimla. With amazing view of the Doon Valley below, a beautiful sunset in the evening, and the most bustling market place for shopping and culinary pleasure, Mall Road is everything that a tourist wants in the evening. In spite of being crowded in the evening throughout the year, you will enjoy the ambiance (we certainly do).
The expanse of Mall Road:
Though the Mall Road runs from Library Bazar in the north-west to a little beyond the Landour Tower in south-east, covering ~ 3 kms, the main section ends at Picture Palace in Kulri Bazar area. From Library Bazar to Kulri Bazar, it’s a lovely enjoyable walk walk of nearly 2 kms.
The main section of the Mall Road is closed to general traffic in the busy hours, i.e ~9 AM to 9 PM (varies from time to time). This means, it’s mainly meant for pedestrians, though pedal rickshaws, and local vehicles are allowed. That’s why it’s a pedestrian’s delight; I just love walking around the Mall Road. At some stretches of the road, there are no shops, and one can hang around leisurely.
Things to do at the Mall Road:
Visit the Cambridge Book Store to pick up a Ruskin Bond book as a souvenir. And if you are lucky, you can see the famous author there in flesh and blood. He used to visit this shop regularly in pre-covid days and sign off books for his readers. But these days, he is avoiding the market place due to advanced age. We were lucky to have a book signed by him on our first visit.
There are three colonial era churches on the Mall Road. A little walk from the Library Bazar (towards Kulri Bazar) will bring you the Christ Church. Established in 1836, it was among the first few buildings that came up in Mussoorie, and is the oldest church in the Himalayan region. One has to take a detour of about a hundred meters from the Mall Road to reach there.
In the Kulri Bazar area, there are two churches: Central Methodist Church (Estd. 1885), and the Union Church (Estd.1874; near Kulri Chowk). So, do look for these buildings, if you love old architectural heritage, or maybe for religious reasons.
Though both Library Bazar and Kulri Bazar are good markets, Kulri Bazar side is more happening and have better options. Most of the best restaurants/ cafes are towards Kulri Bazar.
Another interesting thing to do is to take a rickshaw ride from the market to a little outside of the crowded place, and enjoy the views with cool air brushing past your face.
3. Gun Hill
About middle of the Mall Road, there’s a cable car point from where one can take a ride up to the Gun Hill at 6640 ft (~2020 meters), the second highest point in Mussoorie. Else, one may choose to trek a distance of less than a kilometre, though it’s a steep ascent. Among the best places to visit in Mussoorie, Gun Hill offers wonderful 360-degree view of the valleys around Mussoorie. On a clear day, one can see up to the mountain peaks of Banderpunch, Pithwara and the Gangotri group.
It’s a great place for witnessing a beautiful sunset too. There are quite a few eateries for snacking with some tea/ coffee. Besides, traditional Garhwali costume photography is also a popular activity for tourists up there.
4. Company Garden
Every great hill station must have a great garden too! Mussoorie has its own great garden- the Company Garden, or Company Bagh. Established in 1842 (I’m not absolutely sure of this), laid out by Dr. H. Fackner, a British officer for recreational purposes, the garden still charms one and all. Though it has been renamed as Atal Udyan recently, locals still call it by its good old name.
The multi-level garden remains full of flowers and other ornamental plants throughout the year. If you are a flower lover, it’s definitely one of the best places to visit in Mussoorie. Elevating its beauty, there’s an artificial waterfall and a small lake for boating.
5. Happy Valley/ Dalai Hill/ Buddha Temple
When his holiness, 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet had to flee his country in 1959, he came to Mussoorie first. A local rich person gifted him a hill in the Happy Valley area to settle down with his people. Later, the hill was called Dalai Hill. Recently (2022), a Buddha statue has been erected at the top of the hill. It takes a hike of about 500 meters to reach the top. But the hike is absolutely worth it, with gorgeous 360-degree view of the valleys around. Less than 3 kms from Library Chowk, Happy Valley is definitely among the best places to visit in Mussoorie.
Below that hill, in the Happy Valley itself, there’s a monastery (Shedup Choephheling) established by the Dalai Lama in 1964. Since it’s the first such monastery to be established by Dalai Lama anywhere outside of Tibet, it has great historic significance. The monastery serves as a center for learning Tibetan Buddhism and of course, for prayers and rituals. It houses the images of the Buddha, and other important deities of Tibetan Buddhism. From its premises, one can view George Everest House on the other side of the valley.
6. George Everest House/ Peak
Sir George Everest, the legendary man after whom the highest peak in the world is named, lived and worked as the Surveyor General of India out of a house over a hill top between 1830 and 1841. Ironically, he had no direct connection with the discovery and mapping of mount Everest! However, his contribution to the Great Trigonometric Survey was immense.
The house in which he lived for 11 years, was lying derelict till recently when the authorities have renovated it and opened for tourism. Though the idea was good, the way the renovation has been done, doesn’t look good to me. The house now looks like a brand-new house! Unfortunately, the heritage value is lost significantly.
However, tourism has seen an upward curve, and it has become one of the best places to visit in Mussoorie. Only about 5 kms away from Library Chowk, this is a nice half day trip, especially in the afternoon-evening. A Cartography Museum has been established at the house. Adding to the experience, an air safari has been introduced there. The whole area has got a facelift. One can trek (~ 1 km) up to the nearby peak- George Everest Peak at 6578 feet (~2005 meters). The hike is easy, and enjoyable with gorgeous views of the Doon Valley and Aglar river.
7. Camel’s Back Road
Captain Frederick Young, the man credited with the establishment of Mussoorie built the first building on Camel’s Back Road. He, along with FJ Shore, built a Shooting Lodge in 1823 on this road for facilitating hunting sports for the British officers. During many of my walks there, I couldn’t locate the Shooting Lodge on the road. If anyone knows if that lodge still remains, please let me know.
From near the Library Bazar, Camel’s Back Road runs 3 kms parallel to the Mall Road, and joins it near the Mussoorie main post office. With spectacular views of the Kedarnath- Badrinath mountain ranges, it’s a pleasurable walk. In recent times, some entrepreneurs have put a few golf-carts for visitors in case they can’t walk the whole distance.
Though not a lot of tourists go that side, it’s surely among my best places to visit in Mussoorie. There’s no market that side, only a few hotels and lots of view points. On the way, one comes across Sant Nirankari’s Ashram, and a British era cemetery.
However, my favorite spot is the Scandal Point, a lovely view point with some history. Interestingly, it still maintains the same look from its colonial days (have a look in the pictures below). A lady has set up a small tea shop there, and an old man has stationed a small telescope for visitors to have a look at the far-off snow-capped mountain peaks.
Mussoorie: Best places away from the town (day trips)
The best places mentioned above are within or close to Mussoorie town. However, if one is ready to venturing a bit out of Mussoorie, one can explore a few other best places.
Kempty Falls:
About 20 kms away from the town is the beautiful multi-level Kempty waterfall. It takes about 45 minutes to reach there. On the way, you will come across beautiful little villages and typical pahadi houses. You will love the wonderful views of the different shades of the Himalayas- from lush green to brown and black to snow-capped white mountains.
On reaching the destination, one has to walk down more than 100 steps to reach the waterfall. At the waterfall, you will have a great time taking a bath or sitting idly for a while enjoying the view of gushing waters through the mountains. On the way back to Mussoorie, you will come across a little café called “On the Edge”. The café offers a stunning view of the Himalayas; do stop over for a cup of tea.
Dhanaulti:
Dhanaulti, another sleepy town nestled in the high mountains, is just 30 kms from Mussoorie. The town itself has not a lot to offer except the usual serenity all over the Himalayan region. However, the view reaching up to Dhanaulti is magnificent. The view of Gangotri and Kedarnath group of mountain peaks is mesmerizing; and it runs a long way between Mussoorie and Dhanaulti. (see below)
Though you can take a taxi, I suggest, you ride a bike (available on rent for Rs.500- 600/ day). In warm sunshine, enjoying the view, ride through the curvy mountainous terrains, because the ride itself is an experience. It takes about two and half hours to reach Dhanaulti. Hence, take a few stops here and there to take some rest, and click beautiful pictures.
On reaching Dhanaulti, if you are interested, take a walk in the Eco Park in (we didn’t choose to enter though), or just walk beside it. You can have some street food there, if you like.
If you like archaeological ruins, explore the Deogarh Fort. Recharge your batteries, and then take the ride back to Mussoorie. Or, you may ride up to Kanatal, another little hill station some 15 kms away from Dhanaulti. Some people venture further to Surkanda Devi Temple, one of the 51 Shakti Peeths. However, this is difficult to do in one day.
Mussoorie: Best offbeat places to visit
Apart from the best places mentioned above, there are a few places near Mussoorie for people who don’t like the crowd, and want to spend some peaceful time with the nature. Most of these places are towards west and south-west of Mussoorie.
On the George Everest route:
- Clouds End: About 8 kms from Library Chowk, Mussoorie, Clouds End is a tranquil place for hanging out and enjoying the view of the Doon Valley. It’s generally peaceful there. However, the problem is that on google map, there are a few similar names that leads to confusion. So, to reach at the right place, type: ‘Cloud End Viewpoint Original’.
- Hathipaon: On the way to Clouds End, one may stop over at this location for a while
- Kimadi waterfall: A small waterfall, just 12 kms away
- Sainji Corn Village: A little far (~20 kms), this unique village known for its households hanging their corns outside their houses.
On Dehradun route:
- Mussoorie lake: Newly developed, this small artificial lake is getting popular in recent times
- Bhatta falls: Approximately 10 kms on Mussoorie- Dehradun road, one needs to take a detour to reach this lovely waterfall
- Jharipani waterfall: About 9 kms south of Mussoorie, this is a small but hidden spot.
Interesting things to do in Mussoorie
Mussoorie is truly and interesting place, with something for everyone. But if you need some tips on things you must try, here are the top 10 things to do.
- Make it a point to witness the ‘Winter-Line’ sunset at Lal Tibba
- Soak in the peaceful vibes of Landour, take a stroll around the sleepy village
- Explore the colonial era buildings, especially the five churches; three on Mall Road, and two in Landour
- Anyone who likes a vibrant market place, would love Mall Road. But it’s more than only that! Take a pedal rickshaw ride, and enjoy the sunset in the evening.
- If you are a book lover, head to the Cambridge Book Depot on Mall Road, buy a Ruskin Bond book
- If you like a bit of adventure, hike up to the George Everest Peak
- Spend good part of a day in the Happy Valley
- If you love walking, do take a stroll around the Camel’s back Road
- Take a cable car ride up to the Gun Hill, and click a picture in Garhwali costume
- Enjoy your food at some of the best cafes/ restaurants in the town (see suggestions in the next section).
Mussoorie: Travel Tips
Best time to visit:
Mussoorie is absolutely an all-weather destination. One can visit the hill station any time of the year, and would enjoy the weather. For most travellers, pleasant weather is between March and June months. But for me, monsoon months of July to September are the best times to spend in Mussoorie. I and Parina have had wonderful times, two times in July. It’s an off-season; so, not many tourists out there. Besides, we just love the rains. We have lovely memories of enjoying the rains from the comfort of our hotel room with pakode and chai/ coffee. Winter months of October to February are not too unpleasant either.
How to reach:
- Flight: The nearest airport is Jolly Grant Airport, Dehradun, 60 kms away.
- Railways: The nearest railway station is in Dehradun, 35 kms away. From the station, one may take a taxi, shared taxi, or a local bus to Mussoorie.
- Road: One can reach Dehradun by luxury buses from Delhi. From there, one can take a taxi, shared-taxi, or local bus to reach Mussoorie.
Where to stay:
- Some budget hotel suggestions: Mango Tree Courtyard ||| Crystal Palace ||| Himalayan Club ||| Hotel Paradise Mansion ||| Shiva Continental ||| Savoy Residency ||| Hotel Skylark.
- Hostels: goStops ||| The Hosteller ||| Shalom Backpackers ||| Zostel.
How to get around:
- Walking is the best way to explore the best places around Mall Road in Mussoorie. If you find walking difficult, paddle rickshaws and golf carts are also available.
- Beyond the Mall Road, one can either take a bike or a taxi. But I would suggest taking a bike in order to avoid traffic jams on the narrow roads.
What/ Where to eat:
- Traditional Garhwali Thali: Jeet ||| Panorama ||| Orchid ||| OAK
- Pan-Asian: Cafe Anahata ||| The Rice Bowl Amitash ||| 19th CenturyUK ||| Rosemary
- North Indian: The Glen ||| Urban Turban Bistro ||| Aapkaa Ahaar
- European/ Continental: Chick Chocolate ||| Cafe De Tavern ||| Landour Bakehouse ||| Cafe Ivy ||| Little Llama.
Final Thoughts
Mussoorie is among the original hill stations built during the British Raj. Though it has grown multiple times, the best part is that it retains its colonial era charm. New hotels/ cafes are coming up, but the old ones are still doing great.
I have been to Mussoorie four times with Parina, and once with a friend. Each time I have explored the hill station a little more, and loved it a bit more. It has sort of grown on us over the years. This year alone, we have visited twice, and can go back again! We have now got a nice property to stay for a moderate price. It’s spacious, clean and offers great views of the Doon Valley. Since it’s close to Delhi, a long weekend is what it takes to be there.
I hope you liked my list of best places to visit in Mussoorie. Of course, most would suggest a similar list. But I have included a few places that people generally exclude. If you want to know more, do write to us.
Pavan
Great work, loved reading the entire blog.
This is my first time coming to mossiure, and this blog already created exictment.
Thanks for the details. Wish you all the best experiences going ahead
stampedmoments
Thanks a lot, Pavan for sharing your feedback.
I’m happy that you found it interesting.
Have a good trip! Keep in touch.
Rohit
Nice 🙂
stampedmoments
Thank you!
Abhishek Chauhan
The website layout, font, images, and the content is amazing. 💯💯
stampedmoments
Hi Abhishek!
So good to hear this! Thanks a lot.
Please keep in touch.
Avinash singh
Thankyou for your shared experience my guy, we’re just in train on a sudden plan to mussoorie, this was indeed worth a read.
Don’t need anything else to figure out what to do.💕
stampedmoments
Hi Avinash!
Thanks for the sweet feedback. This makes our day; this is the purpose of our blog.
Keep in touch. Wish you a great trip! Cheers!
Aashish Bharadwaj
Thank you so much! I’m a solo traveler and planning to visit Mussoorie on my birthday. I really liked all the details you shared—they’re incredibly helpful. I’ll be traveling in June 2026, and this information will definitely help me plan better.
I just have one question: are there any budget-friendly stays for a solo traveler? That’s the only thing I’m a bit concerned about. Other than that, you’ve covered everything, so I don’t think I have anything else to ask.
Thanks again!
stampedmoments
Hi Aashish!
Thanks for this lovely feedback.
For accommodation, please see the “Travel Tips” section in the blog itself.
I’m writing a separate email as well.
Have a great trip! Cheers!
Niraj Saha
Content like this not only informs readers but also helps them visualize the experience even before they begin their journey.
For travelers who are now inspired and planning a visit, finding the right accommodation is one of the most important parts of a comfortable trip. Booking hotels in advance is often recommended, especially during weekends and peak seasons when hill stations get busy — a common suggestion shared by travelers across online travel discussions as well.
To make hotel booking simple and reliable, tourists can explore Karo Trip, an online travel platform offering budget to luxury hotel options with secure booking and exclusive deals. The platform provides a wide selection of verified stays along with a smooth and user-friendly booking experience designed for modern travelers.
stampedmoments
Thanks a lot, Niraj for the additional information.
Deepti
Very elaborate information
Very helpful
Loved it
Keep travelling
Keep posting
stampedmoments
Hi Deepti!
Thanks for such a lovely feedback.
Please keep in touch.
Cheers!