Mussoorie, also known as Queen of the Hills, is among the most popular hill stations of the country. 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.

It was in December of 2025 when I and Aditya along with my 4 years daughter Anaisha  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 nuclear  trip. The clouds, mountains, and the vibrant energy of Mussoorie instantly made us just fall in love with the hill station. 

My stay at mussoorie

Shining Hills

Barlowganj, Christian Village, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179, Barlow Ganj, Mussoorie, India, 248122

Shining Hills offers a perfect retreat for nature lovers and adventure enthusiasts. Situated in close proximity to several notable landmarks, this hotel provides easy access to some of the most popular attractions in the area. Just a short distance away from Shining Hills is The Rink, a renowned ice skating rink that has been a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

 With its prime location near these landmarks and attractions, Shining Hills is the ideal base for exploring the vibrant surroundings of Mussoorie.

Discover a range of beautifully designed rooms at Shining Hills in Mussoorie, India. Whether you are traveling alone, with your partner, or with your family, this hotel has the perfect accommodation option for you. Choose from the Deluxe Double Room, offering 20 square meters of space and a comfortable Double Bed, or opt for the spacious Family Room, spanning 45 square meters and featuring two Double Beds. For those seeking a touch of luxury, the Premium Rooms provide 40 square meters of elegance with a plush Double Bed. 

Dining Area 

Delicious Dining and Impeccable Service at Shining Hills

At Shining Hills, guests can indulge in a culinary journey like no other. With a range of dining options and impeccable service, this hotel is a food lover’s paradise. The on-site restaurant offers a delightful menu that caters to all tastes and preferences. From traditional Indian delicacies to international cuisines, every dish is a masterpiece prepared by skilled chefs using the freshest ingredients. The elegant ambiance of the restaurant adds to the overall dining experience, making it a perfect place for a romantic dinner or a gathering with friends and family

Places to visit

1. Library Bazar, Mall Road

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 an 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 .

2. Gun Hill

                                                   Cable Car ride to the Gun Hill

About the 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 a 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.

3. 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.

4. Happy Valley/ Dalai Hill/ Buddha Temple

                                                    Buddha Temple, Happy Valley

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 a 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 the 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.

5. 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.

Maggies and Momos in hills

Momos and Maggi are widely considered iconic comfort foods in Indian hill stations,  prized for providing warmth and satisfying hunger in the cold mountain weather. Eating a steaming plate of momos or a bowl of hot Maggi with a mountain view is a quintessential experience for many travelers. 

• Warmth and Comfort: The primary appeal is the comfort they offer in the chilly climate. Hot, spicy food helps heat up the body quickly.
• Quick and Easy: Maggi, especially, is easy and quick to prepare, making it a staple at roadside stalls (often called “Maggi Points”) that cater to hungry travelers and trekkers.
• Energy for Activity: Both items are rich in carbohydrates, providing necessary energy for physical activities like hiking and trekking.
• Enhanced Flavor: Many people report that the fresh mountain air and water make these simple foods taste significantly better than they do back home.
• Availability: These dishes are available nearly everywhere in hill stations, from small local shops in Darjeeling and Sikkim to popular spots on Mussoorie’s Mall Road. 

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. We were lucky that we didn’t have to face extreme cold there, even in the cold month of December. But in my opinion mussoorie should be visited between March to May so that you can enjoy the cool weather there during the hot summer months. 

 For most travellers, pleasant weather is between March and June.. I and Aditya have had wonderful times, in cold December. It’s off-season, but due to Christmas and new year holidays there were  so many tourists out there. Besides, we just love the cold, of course with extra care. We have lovely memories of enjoying the winters from the comfort of our hotel room with pakode, maggie, momos  and chai/ coffee. Winter 

How to reach

We have chosen a private cab for ourselves  and completed our 2 days  Mussoorie trip through this private taxi from New Delhi. You can choose a transport way as per your comfort, all ways are easily available.

• 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

Thank you for reading this Blog

This travel Blog is written by myself. I am a Content writer, Fiction Blogger, Travel Blogger and also ex banking professional. I started my career as a  Banker. I often write short stories and poems which have been published in some magazines and newspapers. I like to go to beautiful destinations and capture their beauty.  Writing a travel blog is my hobby. This Blog is on my Musoorie visit. The amazing breathtaking views,  and cold weather  with hot Tea  of  Musoorie  inspired me to write a travel blog on it and share my own experience about that awesome hill station .

I hope after reading this blog you will definitely visit Queen of  hills Mussoorie once. 

So have a happy visit to Mussoorie.