The cleanest city of India, street food capital of India and commercial capital of Madhya Pradesh, Indore is known by various names and has been constantly developing on all fronts. This vacation, how about trying out some of the awesome things to do in Indore? If you make it a long trip, you can also explore some amazing places to visit near Indore.
Indore may seem like an uncommon travel destination in India because it isn't as famous as Mumbai or Delhi. However, just one visit will help you see how special Indore truly is! That's why we don't recommend that you make a short, quick trip to Indore on last minute flights.
There are new adventure parks developed around the city and also some picnic destinations near Indore. One such place which is recently getting into limelight is Lotus Valley, the perfect weekend getaway near Indore. Cascading down a towering height of 150 to 200 feet, the gorgeous Patalpani Waterfall is among the best places to visit in Indore.
Picnicking at this lush waterfall is among the top things to do in Indore during monsoon. Water levels are at their best and you can enjoy breathtaking views of the surrounding verdant greenery.
Indore, also known as the city of lakes, is popular for its natural and artificial lakes, 7-storey Rajwada Palace and the Lal Baag Palace. Indore is for those who want to explore and enjoy delicacies! Some of the popular places to visit are Rajwada Palace, Khajrana Ganesh Mandir, Patalpani Waterfall, Lal Baag Palace, Sarafa Bazaar, Shri Omkeshwar Jyotirlinga.
Don’t leave Indore without indulging yourself into some lip-smacking street food! It's better to enjoy an extended vacation wherein you can enjoy most of the fun things to do in Indore. For an idea of where to begin, check out our list below of the best and most fun things to do in Indore.
What to do in Indore during your trip? Check out the most popular ones listed below!
1. Visit Rajwada Palace
Also popularly called the Holkar Palace, Rajwada Palace is among the city’s top attractions. A seven-story structure, it depicts a blend of Maratha, Mughal, and French architectural styles. The major attraction at Rajwada Palace is the massive and intimidating wooden entrance enveloped in iron studs.
2. Explore Lal Bagh Palace
Lal Bagh Palace is among the grandest attractions to explore when arriving in the city on business class flights. Built during the late 1800s to early 1900s, Lal Bagh Palace is among the top places to visit in Indore. Among the best things to do in Indore is to explore the palace’s marble interiors, classy chandeliers, and stained Belgian windows among other things.
3. Marvel at Kanch Mandir
One of the most unique and special attractions in Indore, Kanch Mandir, as the name suggests, is made completely of glass. To add to the charm of this mesmerizing monument are Chinese lantern-like glasses and skillfully crafted glass chandeliers. Visiting and marveling at this remarkable wonder is among the top things to do in Indore.
4. Have fun at Pipliyapala Regional Park
There are several things that make Pipliyapala Regional Park a cool Indore attraction. For one, there is a Mughal-cum-French inspired stunning garden with an abundance of fountains. Also, the amphitheater at the park is known to host the hippest events in the city. Added to this, the park offers boating facility to make the visit more fun!
5. Adventure time at Somanipuram Adventure Park
If you love thrilling outdoor activities, visiting Somanipuram Adventure Park is among the best things to do in Indore for you. Here, under the watchful eye of instructors, you'll be able to enjoy mountaineering, rope climbing, team games, and more. Also, you can look through a telescope at day time and light campfires at night!
6. Eat at Sarafa Bazar
The breakfast staple in Indore is poha (flat rice) and jalebis (a type of Indian dessert) served together. There are plenty of food stalls that open by 6 in the morning to serve busy office folk this delicious breakfast dish. You should definitely try this during your trip. This is among the best things to do in Indore to begin your day!
During day time, Sarafa Bazar Indore offers visitors the chance to buy high-quality gold and silver ornaments. Come nightfall, the region transforms into a food lover's paradise. Scores of vendors set up shop outside jewelry stores that have closed for the day and sell the most delicious street food. Gorging on local street food at Sarafa Bazaar Indore is among the best things to do in Indore for foodies!
A tangy poha accompanied with crispy, sweet cardamom flavoured jalebis can surely make your day. One of the most popular breakfasts in the state and nearly available at every corner of the street this surely is one of the famous dishes the state offers. If you get to taste Indori Poha and Jalebi combo you are going to remember it every time you have this dish elsewhere.
One of the traditional dishes of the state, Dal Bafla is prepared in parties, social gatherings, near the banks of rivers and most frequently in the villages where they call it by the traditional name GAKAD. Enriched with ghee the crispy baflas when dipped in the pulses give you a sense of how vegetarian foods still live into hearts of the society and probably give you a sign of good happenings.
Bhutte Ka Kees is a specific Malwa dish owing to heavy productions of corn in the region. This dish is prepared by grating corn and then adding spices and other flavors to grated part. This dish is concentrated and consumed more often in the malwan frontiers and can be tasted at chappan shops and sarafa bazaar in Indore.
Famously known as Indori Garadu, technically this dish is grated and fried yam. Religiously served at every popular food joint of the city this surely would make it to any food chart of Madhya Pradesh because it is one of the antiquities of the state and is less known in other places.
Say hello to India’s own pancakes. Malpua is majorly prepared with flour, fried in ghee and then dipped in the sugar syrup to add the taste that will make you crave for the dish again and again. The dressing of some saffron can further enhance the taste of this dish. Malpua is best served with rabdi for a complete treat.
How to reach Indore
It’s pretty easy to reach and enjoy fun things to do in Indore. International travelers will need to book cheap flights to Kolkata, Mumbai, Delhi, or other such cities first. From here, you will need to board a connecting flight to Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar International Airport (IDR) in Indore. Local tourists can also make use of buses and trains that connect Indore to major parts of India. With the vast availability of buses, cabs, and auto-rickshaws, transport within Indore is a breeze as well.