Tourist Places to Visit in Mahabaleshwar for Family Trip

Cover Photo by Ajit Sandhu

A family vacation should be taken at least once a year, and if it is taken more frequently, there is nothing like it! Spending quality time with parents or children is beneficial to a family's well-being, and if that time is spent together travelling to new destinations, the enjoyment doubles! June is an excellent month for travelling across the country, with beautiful weather for most of the day. What’s more, you can get fabulous offers on family holiday packages in India with us!

We recommend visiting Mahabaleshwar, a beautiful hill station in Maharashtra. A modest and lovely hill station nurtured by the Sahyadri Mountain Range, Mahabaleshwar is the perfect place for a family trip in the company of nature. This mountainous hamlet in Satara district, nestled in the picturesque Western Ghats, has long been a popular summer getaway for Mumbaikars and Punekars.

There’s a lot to see and do when you opt for one of the family holiday packages to Mahabaleshwar. Let’s get started: -

Visit Pratapgarh Fort 

Pratapgarh Fort, built in the 17th century by the renowned Maratha warrior Chhatrapati Shivaji, is among Mahabaleshwar's most important historical sites. The fort is positioned on a hill and gives wonderful views of the surrounding regions. It is very close to the town.  According to legend, the fort was the location of several important events during the rule of the Maratha dynasty, including the historic Battle of Pratapgarh. The Afzal Tower, two shrines devoted to Goddess Bhavani and Lord Mahadev, and a Shivaji monument are among the main attractions here.

• Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free Entry
• Distance from Mahabaleshwar: 20 km (approx)

Take a walk in Mapro Garden

Mahabaleshwar Goods aka Mapro, a company that offers identifiable fruit-based products, developed Mapro Garden. A chocolate factory, a Mapro store, a restaurant, a children's play area, and a small nursery are all part of the park. The garden is one of the best things to do in Mahabaleshwar, especially if you're visiting with your family and children. You may sample strawberry-based ice creams, pizzas, and other delicacies while you're here, as well as purchase jams, syrups, juices, and other processed foods from the retail location.

• Timings: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free
• Location: Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar Road 

Go Boating on Venna Lake

A must-include in a Mahabaleshwar tour package, a boating trip on Venna Lake affords a fantastic opportunity to spend some quality time with your loved ones. The Raja of Satara Shri Appasaheb Maharaj erected this manufactured lake in 1842, and it is adjacent to the city market. The tranquil water body is surrounded by lush trees, creating a captivating image. You may also go horseback riding around the lake in addition to rowing or paddle boating. It is one of the most visited tourist places in Mahabaleshwar.

• Timings: 7:00 am to 7:00 pm
• Entry Fee: Free
• Fees for boating: Rowboat fees – ₹ 250 for 30 mins and ₹ 500 for 1 hour (Max 7 persons)

Paddle Boat fees – ₹ 440 for 1 hour (Max 6 persons)

A Picnic to the Waterfalls of Mahabaleshwar 

A one-day picnic is a must-do for anyone searching for activities to do in Mahabaleshwar with family and friends. Is there a more beautiful setting for a picnic than picturesque waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery? Mahabaleshwar is adjacent to some of the region's most beautiful waterfalls, including:

The Lingmala Waterfalls

The Lingmala Waterfalls, nestled in lush environs, are a wonderful spot for photographers, nature enthusiasts, and vacationers. The falls are accessible by hiking along a woodland route, making it a popular destination for both kids and hikers.

• Timings: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm

The Dhobi Waterfalls 

The Dhobi Waterfalls, with its lush green surrounds and rocky backdrop, is another must-see cascade in the region. It is suggested that you visit during or immediately after the monsoons if you want to fully appreciate its flowing magnificence.

• Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

The Chinman’s Falls 

The Chinaman's Falls, a multi-tiered cascade nestled in lush flora, is an excellent picnic location for all types of visitors. It is thought that several Chinese captives worked in the fields surrounding the waterfall, which is how the waterfall earned its name.

• Timings: 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

Eat at one of the best Restaurants and Cafes in Mahabaleshwar 

Mahabaleshwar has a wide range of culinary pleasures to offer, including both Indian and international cuisines. Here are some of Mahabaleshwar's best restaurants to visit for a delicious lunch.

The Grapevine Restaurant 

• Location- Masjid Road
• The average cost for two- ₹ 600
• Timings- 30 am to 03.00 pm & 05.00 pm to 10.00 pm

Bagicha Corner 

• Location- Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar Road
• The average cost for two- ₹ 500
• Timings- 08.00 am to 10.30

Saayali Restaurant 

• Location- ST Bus Station
• The average cost for two- ₹ 500
• Timings- 07:30 am to 10.30 pm

Farmhouse Bistro

• Location- Hotel Dreamland
• The average cost for two- ₹ 800
• Timings- 12:00 am to 3:00 pm & 8:00 am to 11:00 pm

Velocity Entertainmentz is a great place to bring out your adventurous side

Now that you've seen some of Mahabaleshwar's most beautiful sights, how about trying something new? Make your way to Velocity Entertainmentz, a 10-acre amusement park with a variety of rides. This is the place to be if you want to play air hockey, zorbing, dashing cars, gyroscope, go-karting, or basketball with your family and friends, or if you want to spend time with your family and friends enjoying indoor activities.

• Location: Panchgani – Mahabaleshwar Road
• Timings: 9:00 am to 11:00 pm
• Game Costs: ₹ 50 to ₹ 600 

A Camping Trip to Tapola

The picturesque hamlet of Tapola, popularly known as the West's Mini Kashmir, is home to the magnificent Shivasagar Lake and is a favourite destination for jungle hikers. The camping alternatives provided here are also quite popular. You may stay in lakeside tents, participate in BBQ sessions and campfires, and play a variety of indoor and outdoor games at such camps. At Tapola, there are a variety of camping agencies from which to pick, depending on your budget.

• Location- 28km (approx) from Mahabaleshwar
• The Average cost- Starting price for overnight camping ₹ 1200 (approx.)

Visit Laxmi Strawberry Farm for strawberry picking.

Laxmi Strawberry Farm will thrill you to the core if you enjoy strawberries. To begin with, this farm is where the tastiest berries in town may be purchased. That's not all, though. During the usual strawberry season, you may also go strawberry picking. Well, this isn't something you get to do each day, do you?

• Location- Nakinda Road – Old Mahabaleshwar
• Timings- 8:00 am to 7:00 pm (during the strawberries season) 

Trip to Panchgani

If you're visiting Mahabaleshwar for three or four days, don't forget to add Panchgani to your schedule. You may simply relax and enjoy the scenery, or you may explore some of Panchgani's most famous attractions. Table Land, a flat and massive stretch of laterite rock, is one of the main attractions here. There are a few great overlooks, such as Parsi Point and Sydney Point, as well as adventure sports like paragliding, trekking, and riding.

• Location- 20km (approx) from Mahabaleshwar 

Visit the Wax Museum

The Wax Museum is probably one of Mahabaleshwar's most fascinating attractions. The museum entertains visitors of all ages with a display of more than 30 life-size wax replicas of notable people from throughout the world. You may also buy candles produced by vision-challenged children as keepsakes while you're here.

• Location- Jama Masjid Road, Mahabaleshwar
• Fees for the entry- ₹ 200 (per person)
• Timings- 11:00 am to 8:30 pm

A Trip to Rajpuri Caves that offers a glimpse into history. 

For history aficionados, a visit to the historic Rajpuri Caves is one of the top things to do in Mahabaleshwar. According to mythology, the Pandava brothers found refuge in these caverns during their exile. The caverns are flanked by various water kunds, the water of which is said to have the ability to cure all illnesses. Another important feature of these caverns is a temple dedicated to Lord Karthikeya.

• Timings- 6:00 am to 6:00 pm

Without a doubt, the most rejuvenating travels take place in the mountains, where you enter a world of magnificent tranquillity. So, when is a trip to Mahabaleshwar on the cards?!