Gurugram formerly known as Gurgaon is the economic and commercial capital of Haryana. Be it for industries, IT companies, malls, hospitality, or nightlife, the city can rival any cosmopolitan city across the world. However, it still lags miles behind the big cities in tourism. Despite having an immense potential to be developed as a luxury tourism hub, Gurugram till date is nowhere on the tourism map despite its strategic position on the Golden Triangle route (Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra).
The plush hotels of the city host thousands of tourists headed for various tourist destinations, especially Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra. However, the city figures nowhere on their must-visit list. Gurugram that is home to swankiest malls, offbeat museums, luxurious theme restaurants, a sanctuary, entertainment, and amusement parks has a lot to offer to tourists but it lacks official patronage and promotion. However, thanks to social media publicity, travelers are now waking up to the marvels of Gurugram.
Cyber Hub
Step in here and you will forget you are in Haryana or even in India, at times. This hangout place gives you the real feel of the IT hub of Gurugram and a one-stop destination for residents and working professionals. It is a unique, one of a kind concept in India — a premium food, entertainment, and retail destination. However, it is the ambiance that makes the Cyber Hub an unparalleled experience and an ideal destination for art and cultural shows, media launches, lifestyle and movie shoots.
The hub is located on the National Highway No. 8 and is full of uniquely designed spaces, world-class design and structural ambiance with rooftop terrace, amphitheater, exhibit area and a media room that allow stimulating entertainment options. It has also gone on to become an important symbolic landmark of the city.
Appu Ghar water park
The water park has unique thrilling rides is not just an attraction for local residents but also for people from across the National Capital Region (NCR). Whether you are looking for a relaxing afternoon by water or a high thrill state-of-the-art water ride, there is something for everyone at the Appu Ghar water park. With its prime location near the Huda City Metro station, the water park spread over around 10 acres boasts of 15 water rides, restaurants, and banquets. The park also has introduced Go Carting Bowling etc., to make it a one-stop entertainment destination for families.
Heritage Transport Museum
The Heritage Transport Museum is an endeavor to showcase and interpret the multiple narratives of the transport movement in India. Located on the Taoru-Gurugram highway, the museum is built on a three-acre complex. It is spread over four air-conditioned floors that offer over one lakh square feet of exhibition space, a library and reference center, a mini auditorium, museum, souvenir shop, seminar rooms, and a refreshment area. The vision behind the museum is to share its rich and diverse collection with a large number of people and give them a fun-filled learning experience.
Opened to the public on December 7, 2013, as India’s first comprehensive transport museum, it brings alive the history and evolution of the transport heritage in India through a rich and diverse collection of vehicles and associated memorabilia.
The museum has more than 3,500 curated objects on display that weave a tale of India’s colorful transportation history. The large and varied collection of this museum has been categorized into various sections — Pre-mechanised &: heavy mechanized transportation, railways, aviation, maritime, collectible Indian toys on transport; rural &: indigenous transportation, two-wheelers, and popular &: tribal art section. The museum is also rich in contemporary art collection displayed at various sections.
Camera Museum
The Museo Camera museum showcases analog cameras from over a century-long period, grown out of the personal collection of visual historian and celebrated photographer Aditya Arya. The museum’s growing collection has over 2,000 cameras, ranging in origin from the 1880s to 1990s. Started by Arya in 2009, the museum displays his personal collection.
The cameras come from all over the world and the museum has one of the single largest collections of its kind in the country. Out to tap the potential, the Municipal Corporation Gurugram has built the Rs 33-crore museum to collaborate with Arya and house his collection. It shall open for public next month
Damdama lake
One of the largest natural lakes in the state, Damdama has been a popular picnic spot. Ironically, while its condition and maintenance are dubious at times, the lake is known for adventure tourism and resorts. One can enjoy rock climbing at the Damdama lake, near the Aravalli hills. Hot air ballooning, parasailing, rock climbing, cycling, angling, trekking, and camping are possible here. Hot air ballooning and parasailing are available at various resorts here. The latest attraction is the PUBG style paintball daylong games which draw youths from the NCR.
Vegas of Gurugram
Often known as Vegas of Gurugram, Sector 29 is a one-stop destination for all party animals. The city, which was still about five years ago known as a dry corporate satellite of Delhi, has turned into the most sort-after party hub of the NCR. It today boasts of cocktail bars, restaurants with bars, clubs, breweries, and lounges to make your nights into an unforgettable and enchanting fun affair. What used to be a dull corporate hub is now changing into a city with a vibrant nightlife. Step in here and you have a plethora to choose from and hop on.
Leisure Valley Park
The Leisure Valley located amidst sky-scrappers is a popular tourist attraction of Gurugram. This open, wide green space spreads over an area of 101,171 square meters and features musical fountains, rides, restaurants, jogging tracks, and a garden. At night, the fountains are illuminated and water flows out from them in the rhythm of the latest songs.
iSKATE
India’s first natural ice skating rink and cafe is situated in Ambience Mall. This amusement area inaugurated in December 2011 provides a unique experience of leisure and entertainment.
Spread over an area of 15,000 sq ft, iSKATE is one of the best ice skating rinks in the country. The facilities here include ice skating with state-of-the-art sound and light, private karaoke rooms, lockers, Penguin buddies, in-house photographer, specialty food and beverage counters and a gourmet ice cream parlor.
Stellar Children’s Museum
The Stellar Children’s Museum at Ambience Mall is modeled after some of the best children’s museums in the world. It an interactive, play-based museum where children are engaged in experiential learning, and multisensory, object-based exploration. Through educational play-based exhibits and programs, the focus here is on developing cognitive skills such as gross and fine motor skills, sensory awareness, social and emotional learning, problem-solving and language and literacy.
Lush green town
Sohna is a beautiful lush green town of Haryana. It has many resorts which offer a nice weekend getaway option. Set in the foothills of the Aravalli hills, Sohna is the perfect retreat offering a relaxing vacation. This place is quite popular for its medicinal water springs, lake as well as an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. Today, it has premium luxury resorts.
A popular destination for birdwatchers
The Sultanpur bird sanctuary was established in 1971 and declared a national park in 1991. It is one of the most popular destinations for nature lovers and birdwatchers. Having faced official apathy for years, the sanctuary today, following various conservation initiatives in the last decade, boasts of 250 species of birds. Some of them are resident, while others come from distant regions such as Siberia, Europe, and Afghanistan.
For viewers, there are four watchtowers located at different points. An Educational Interpretation Centre has been established here to offer proper guidance to tourists visiting the place. It is ideal for day picnics and the government is working towards developing a resort here.
Kingdom of Dreams
KOD, as it is popularly called, is one of a kind ultimate entertainment and leisure destination. The kingdom set up on several acres in Sector 29 is a dream city representing Bollywood inspired diversity of the country. Over the years it has transformed into the most iconic destination of the country. The kingdom brings to life a blend of India’s art, culture, heritage, craft, cuisine and performing art, all supported by world-class technology. The key attractions here include:
Nautanki Mahal: It presents extravagant cinematic, theatrical, and musical shows.
Culture Gully: An elaborate culture, arts, crafts, and food boulevard.
Showshaa Theatre: A fabulous, colorful drama marquee spotlighting Indian mythology productions, a mock wedding show, and the great Indian talent circus.
iifa Buzz: It is a glamorous Bollywood-themed cafe. It is a destination in itself that is capturing the imagination of the world.