Itineraries for Your Trip to Mumbai
3 Days in Mumbai for Families
I’ve met a lot of people—both Indian and international—who want to travel the country with kids but just aren’t sure where to go. While the advice I give people hinges largely on their interests and the ages of their children, Mumbai is consistently a spot I recommend. The city offers not only family-friendly beaches and easy access to archaeological sites and wildlife reserves, but it’s also a great place for some lighthearted fun—whether that involves pretending you’re on the silver screen at a Bollywood studio or cooling off with a splash at a local water park. Here’s one way to do it.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Kamala Nehru Park.
Wear loose-fitting clothes to make the heat and humidity easier to deal with.
Spend your first day in Mumbai by seeing some of the city's most popular family-friendly attractions by taxi or as part of a tour. Kamala Nehru Park is a hit with little ones owing to its massive boot-shaped playhouse. The Nehru Science Center and nearby Nehru Planetarium are great for kids interested in the natural world and cosmos.
Head to Chowpatty Beach or the historic Fort area in the late afternoon to take some family pictures. You can even hire a local photographer for a professional shoot.
On your second day, go back in time with a visit to the Kanheri Caves, a complex of ancient cave temples found inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park. It's best visited with a guide who can explain the history and context, and tours that include round-trip transportation from Mumbai are available.
Head back to Mumbai in the afternoon to visit a Bollywood studio. Packages are available that include watching a family-friendly Bollywood-style song-and-dance performance.
Wake up bright and early on your final day and take an excursion to the Karnala Bird Sanctuary, a fantastic place to see hundreds of species of birds and butterflies, monkeys, antelope, and wild boars. We recommend visiting the sanctuary with a guide who can help you spot and identify wildlife.
In the afternoon, head out on a different type of safari: an urban safari in an open-air Jeep. Kids will love riding in a windowless Jeep, while adults can take advantage of the opportunity to get great photos.
