Top 7 Places to Visit in Bangalore with Family
Top 7 Places to Visit in Bangalore with Family
Bangalore, fondly known as the "Garden City of India," is an incredible destination for families looking for a mix of culture, history, and natural beauty. Whether you're a local exploring your city or a traveler planning a memorable outing, there are plenty of top places to visit in Bangalore with family that cater to all interests. Here’s a guide to the best spots for a perfect family day out:
1. Lalbagh Botanical Garden
A green oasis in the heart of the city, Lalbagh Botanical Garden is a must-visit among the top places to visit in Bangalore with family. Known for its rare plants, glasshouse, and annual flower shows, it’s an ideal place to relax, stroll, and enjoy a picnic with your loved ones.
Key Attractions at Lalbagh Botanical Garden
The Glass House/Dome
- Hosts annual flower exhibitions on 26th January and 15th August.
- A must-visit if you're in Bangalore during these dates.
The Rock Formation
- A unique natural formation, fun for kids and adults to climb.
- Can be slippery during rains, so tread carefully.
The Lake
- A peaceful spot for picnics.
- Tip: Carry mosquito repellent to avoid pesky bites.
The Bonsai Garden
- Showcases miniature trees, fascinating for children and adults alike.
- A perfect blend of nature and art.
Lalbagh Flower Show
- Held annually on Republic Day (26th January) and Independence Day (15th August).
- Pro Tip: Visit a day or two after the event to avoid crowds while enjoying the displays.
Enormous Trees
- Ancient trees that add to the garden's charm and history.
Visiting Time
- Usual visiting timings is 6am to 7am
2. Bangalore Palace
If you're fascinated by history and architecture, Bangalore Palace is a remarkable spot. Its royal charm, intricate interiors, and expansive gardens make it one of the top places to visit in Bangalore with family. Children will love imagining the tales of kings and queens that once walked here.
Bengaluru Palace Overview
Massive Campus and Architecture
- Sprawls across 454 acres, with the building covering 1 acre (45,000 sq. ft.).
- Features 34 bedrooms, a swimming pool, fortified watch towers, and turrets.
Exquisite Interiors and Exterior
- Interiors include wooden carvings, paintings, and intricate motifs.
- Exterior is partially covered with greenery and well-maintained plants.
Unique Features
- Houses a wooden fan and imported artifacts, showcasing royal heritage.
Visitor Information
- Open daily from 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM (restrictions apply during private events).
Accessibility
- Located 5.3 km from Bengaluru city center (Majestic) and 33 km from the international airport.
- Nearest railway station: Bengaluru Cantonment (3 km).
- Closest metro: Mantri Mall Malleshwaram (4 km).
Transport Options
- Accessible via public transport or taxis from all parts of Bengaluru.
Nearby Luxury Hotels
- Windsor Manor Sheraton & Towers (2.2 km) and The Lalit Ashok Bengaluru (2.5 km).
- Additional accommodation options are available across Bengaluru city.
3. Cubbon Park
Families looking to spend quality time outdoors will find Cubbon Park perfect. This lush green haven offers walking trails, playgrounds, and serene corners, making it a favorite among the top places to visit in Bangalore with family.
Cubbon Park Highlights
Seshadri Iyer Memorial Hall and Central Library
- Houses the central library, open daily from 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM (closed on Mondays, public holidays, and second Tuesdays).
- A vibrant garden with colorful flowers is located in front of the memorial hall.
Children’s Play Area and Toy Train
- Features a popular toy train ride inside Jawahar Bal Bhavan, a favorite among kids.
Government Aquarium
- Displays aquatic creatures across three floors.
- Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, closed on Mondays and alternate Tuesdays.
Free Entry to Cubbon Park
- Visitors can explore Cubbon Park without any entry fee.
Nearby Attractions
- Includes Vidhana Soudha, High Court of Karnataka, Freedom Park, Kanteerava Indoor Stadium, and Vishveshwaraya Industrial and Technological Museum.
Accessibility
- Easily accessible via Bengaluru Metro (BMRCL), buses, or taxis from any part of the city.
- Located 3 km from Majestic bus stand and 35 km from Bengaluru airport.
Traffic and Restrictions
- Traffic restrictions may apply occasionally, so plan your visit accordingly.
4. Vidhana Soudha
Marvel at the grandeur of Vidhana Soudha, an architectural masterpiece. It’s not only an important landmark but also a great place for families to appreciate Bangalore’s heritage. No wonder it’s one of the top places to visit in Bangalore with family.
Vidhana Soudha Highlights
Architectural Grandeur
- Spanning 60 acres, Vidhana Soudha is a blend of Neo-Dravidian and Indo-Saracenic architecture.
- Built entirely of granite and porphyry, the structure houses 172 rooms across four levels and a basement.
Majestic Features
- Features a grand staircase with 45 steps, leading to the foyer and Assembly Chamber.
- The Assembly Hall entrance is adorned with 20 towering columns, each 40 feet tall.
- A central dome crowned with the Indian National Emblem is supported by eight granite columns.
Intricate Designs
- Richly carved bases, capitals, kapotha cornices, chaithya arches, and deep friezes enhance its elegance.
- Built by 5000 convicts turned laborers, who were granted freedom after its completion.
Illuminating Light Show
- The building is lit with vibrant lights on Sunday evenings and special occasions, from 6:30 PM to 8:00 PM.
- A proposal aims to light it daily for two hours using solar energy.
Inspiring Slogan
- The entrance bears the inscription: "Government's work is God's work" in English and Kannada.
- This phrase inspired similar inscriptions globally, such as at the Ohio State House in the USA.
Tips for Visiting
- Special permission is required to visit the interiors due to security measures.
- Follow all guidelines when visiting the site.
Accessibility
- Located 5 km from Bangalore Railway Station and 2.1 km from Kempegowda (Majestic) Bus Station.
- Accessible via the Vidhan Soudha Metro Station, buses, taxis, or auto-rickshaws.
5. Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace
Step into history at Tipu Sultan’s Summer Palace, where you can admire intricate wooden carvings and artifacts. It’s a fantastic choice for families interested in learning about Bangalore’s rich cultural heritage, placing it firmly on the list of top places to visit in Bangalore with family.
Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace Highlights
Architectural Beauty
- A unique blend of Hindu and Islamic architectural styles, featuring floral motifs, intricate arches, and carved pillars.
- Walls adorned with frescoes depicting hunting scenes and aspects of Tipu Sultan's life.
Durbar Hall
- The palace includes a grand Durbar Hall used by Tipu Sultan for meetings and addressing his subjects.
Courtyard
- Features a beautifully designed courtyard surrounded by intricately carved pillars, adding to its charm.
Museum Inside the Palace
- Maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India, the palace has been converted into a museum.
- Houses artifacts like Tipu Sultan’s sword, clothes, and personal belongings, along with paintings and photographs.
Historical Significance
- Offers a glimpse into the opulent lifestyle of the Mysore kings and showcases the region's rich cultural heritage.
Visitor Information
- Open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.
- Entry fee: INR 15 for Indian tourists and INR 200 for foreigners.
- Photography charges: INR 25.
What to Expect
- Walk through magnificent alleyways, admire floral motifs, and view paintings with embellishments like emerald stones.
6. ISKCON Temple
A visit to the ISKCON Temple is a spiritually enriching experience for families. The temple’s grandeur, soothing ambiance, and delicious prasadam make it a delightful spot among the top places to visit in Bangalore with family.
ISKCON Sri Radha Krishna Temple Highlights
Architectural Splendor
- One of the largest ISKCON temples, located on Hare Krishna Hill (7-acre hillock) in Rajajinagar.
- A blend of traditional temple architecture and modern construction styles.
- Inaugurated on May 31, 1997, for the service of humanity.
Deities and Worship
- Presiding Deities: Sri Radha Krishnachandra, Sri Krishna Balarama, and Sri Nitai Gauranga.
- Additional shrines for Sri Srinivasa Govinda, Sri Prahlada Narasimha, Garudadeva, and Hanuman.
- Daily worship, shayana pallakki utsava, and special abhisheka every Friday and Saturday morning at 5:30 AM.
Special Features
- Hari-nama mantapa for chanting Hare Krishna maha-mantra 108 times.
- Annadana Hall offers free delicious lunch prasadam to devotees.
- Exhibits, goshala with 25 cows, diorama on soul changing bodies, and prasadam counters.
- Teppotsava (boat rides), handicraft sales, and a sattvik restaurant, "The Higher Taste."
Programs and Initiatives
- Hare Krishna Chanters Club: Promotes mantra chanting with regular events and workshops.
- Values Plus: Value education program for school children.
- Cultural Education Services (CES): Activities like Heritage Fest, Gita Quiz, and Culture Camp for students.
- FOLK (Friends Of Lord Krishna): Spiritual wisdom programs for youth.
Festivals and Events
- Major festivals: Sri Krishna Janmashtami, Vaikuntha Ekadashi, Brahmotsava, Ratha Yatra, and Govardhana Puja.
- Weekly cultural programs include bhajans, music, and dance performances by artists.
Publications and Projects
- Magazines: Bhaktivedanta Darshana (Kannada) and Krishna Voice (English).
- Organic farming: A self-sustainable farm in Mandya district focusing on organic farming and spiritual welfare.
Visitor Information
- Darshan Timings:
- Morning: 4:15 AM - 5:00 AM.
- Monday-Friday: 7:15 AM - 1:00 PM, 4:15 PM - 8:15 PM.
- Weekends/Public Holidays: 7:15 AM - 8:15 PM.
- How to Reach:
- 5-6 km from central bus/railway station, 2 km from Yeshwantpur railway station, and 32 km from the airport.
- Nearest metro station: Mahalakshmi Station (5-minute walk).
- Darshan Timings:
7. St. Mark’s Cathedral
St. Mark’s Cathedral, with its colonial charm and stained glass windows, is a serene spot to end your family outing. Its calm and spiritual atmosphere makes it one of the top places to visit in Bangalore with family, offering a moment of quiet reflection.
Key Points About St. Mark’s Cathedral Church
Foundation and History
- Established in 1808, consecrated in 1816, and initially a garrison Anglican church for the Madras Army.
- Became part of the Church of South India in 1947 and the Cathedral of the Karnataka Central Diocese in 1961.
Architectural Style
- Modeled on St. Paul’s Cathedral in London with colonial-style design, featuring a dome, semi-circular chancel, and Roman arches.
- The entrance boasts intricate woodwork and ornate carvings, complemented by beautifully done ceilings and domes.
Renovations and Reconstructions
- Expanded in 1901 and reconstructed in 1906 after a collapse.
- Damaged by fire in 1923 and again collapsed during renovation in 1924. The current structure was completed in 1927.
Seating Capacity
- Originally accommodated 400 people; expanded to 700 during later reconstructions to meet the growing congregation.
Military Heritage
- Houses the buried military colors of the 77th Moplah Rifles and a memorial for those lost in the Moplah revolt.
- Includes plaques dedicated to British officers who served in Bangalore Cantonment.
Unique Features
- Features one of the best-maintained church bells in India and stunning stained-glass windows.
- The cathedral’s intricate design and colonial charm make it a standout landmark.
Visiting Hours
- Open to all visitors, regardless of religion or faith, from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily.
Why Choose These Places?
Each of these destinations offers something special, blending history, nature, and culture. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful retreat or an educational outing, these top places to visit in Bangalore with family promise unforgettable memories.
Plan your visit today and discover the joys of exploring Bangalore with your loved ones!