Explore Mussoorie: A Complete Guide to Its Best Attractions

The ‘Queen of the Hills’ – Mussoorie is a perfect small town that takes you back in time and gives you a place for everything. If you are searching for an easy-going vacation, the opportunities for must-visit travel destinations in Mussoorie will not fail to charm you. Besides boating in Mussoorie Lake or trekking to Gun Hill Point, this hill station could be best for travelers when it is so hot.

This article will let you know the best tourist places in Mussoorie that you are looking for. That is why, even if you have already been to this place once, there is a chance you will discover a new beautiful trail or hidden observation point in this article. Dear tourists, prepare for the stunning landscapes that make up the most beautiful sites in Mussoorie to be the most popular.

List of the Top Places to Visit in Mussoorie

1. Kempty Falls, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

Any travel guide or map of Mussoorie must include Kempty Falls, which is one of the most famous waterfalls. A British officer constructed the place in the 1830s to hold tea parties, and since then, it has been one of the main sites that attracted many people for picnics in Mussoorie.

These are falls that are 1,363.5 meters in height and thus provide a breathtaking view of the valley around the falls. Kempty Falls is considered one of the best places to visit in Mussoorie, India. You could just swim in the pool formed at the bottom of the fall, take some more pictures, or sit beside the fall and enjoy spicy noodles with strong tea. Most of the hotels in Mussoorie are located on the way to Kempty Fall and are considered the best.

• Location: Ram Gaon Village, Tehri Garhwal District
• Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Entry Fee: Free for general areas (Additional charges start from INR 120 to use the ropeway).
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Mussoorie
• Interesting Fact: The name ‘Kempty’ originates in the English word camp-tea, as the local guides stated that tea parties were a regular feature around the waterfalls in colonial days.

2. Gun Hill Point, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand

The second highest in Mussoorie, the tower point of Gun Hill is one of the favorite spots of tourist attractions. This viewpoint is 1.7 km from Mall Road and can be approached by a 20-minute trek on foot on an uphill traverse. Besides getting bird-eye views of the town and other parts of the Doon Valley, you can view Bunderpunch, Srikantha, Gangotri, and Pithwara Himalayan ranges from here. It is one of the most recommended places to visit in Mussoorie Uttarakhand.

• Location: Mall Road, Landour, Mussoorie
• Timings: 10 AM – 6 PM
• Entry Fee: Free
• Places to Stay: Hotels in Mall Road
• Interesting Fact– Historically, in colonial times, a canon was fired daily from this hill to assist individuals who had clocks to set their time. This practice was meant to give the locals and tourists a clue about how to adjust their clocks. Therefore, the hill was named “Gun Hill”.

3. Lal Tibba, Mussoorie

Lal Tibba is situated on Depot Hill in Landour, among the highest points of view in Mussoorie. Sitting 2,275 meters, this vantage point is just 6 km from the city center, so imagine the scenery here. This is expressed in the actual name of the vantage point, which is Red Hill, referring to the color of the sky you see here at dawn and dusk. It is not only one of the most popular sites in Mussoorie but also a must-visit place.

Standing on this vantage, on a clear day, you can get glimpses of some magnificent mountains, including the Bandarpunch, Kedarnath, and Badrinath peaks. The telescopes at Lal Tibba offer incredible up, close, and personal views of all this, making it one of the most famous places in Mussoorie.

• Location: Landour, Mussoorie’s Bazar Road
• Timings: 6 AM – 6 PM.
• Entry Fee: INR 50.
• Accommodations: Landour Hotels
• Interesting Fact: A strong telescope at the Telescope House in Lal Tibba enables guests to get up-close looks at the far-off peaks, such as Bandarpoonch, Kedarnath, Badrinath, and Nanda Devi.

4. Jharipani Falls, Mussoorie

Seated in the hills and nestled in the Jharipani village 7 Km away from the muscular city of Mussoorie is the captivating Jharipani waterfalls. Its advantage is still in the privacy because it is not overcrowded by tourists yet and has a view for the perfect photo of Mussoorie. Lots of time can be spent taking good pictures of the falls and the scenery around the waterfalls, like the view of the Shivalik range.

It is also marked by flower species that are sometimes difficult to come across in their seasons. The path to the waterfall is uncomplex and could be explored with the help of a car. However, for about 1.5 km, you must walk through a trek to reach the falls.

• Location: Dehradun-Mussoorie Road
• Timings: Open all day
• Entry Fee: Free
• Interesting Fact: The name was derived from the term “Jhari,” suggestive of a waterfall, and “Pani,” the Hindi term for water. The name does complete justice to this beautiful geographical marvel of nature.

5. Mussoorie Lake, Mussoorie

Mussoorie Lake, also known as a man-made lake, is one of the most beautiful sites in the city and has recently turned into a tourist spot. In addition to riding a boat on the lake, there is an opportunity to engage in water zorbing and zip line. And now you can also go paragliding just a few kilometers from the lake.

Shopping vendors like local traders selling souvenirs and tourist destinations such as restaurants and horror houses are a few meters away, close to the lake, making it among Mussoorie’s best places to visit.

• Location: Dhobi Ghat, Mussoorie
• Timings: 8 AM – 7 PM
• Entry Fee: INR 15 (Extra charge for other activities)
• Places to Stay: Hotels Near Mussoorie Lake
• Interesting Fact: This lake was constructed by enhancing a barrier on a small stream in the region. This led to the creation of a serene water body which lies enclosed with beautiful scenic views.

6. Company Garden, Mussoorie

About 3 Km away from Mall Road, the Company Garden Mussoorie is the ideal place to spend some good time with your family and friends. Dr. H Fackner initiated the concept of this garden, which the Garden Welfare Association of Mussoorie looks after.

During a stroll in the garden area, you can see beautiful fountains, well-grown trees, and birds and flowers of different varieties. If you are adventurous enough, visit the place where you can boat on the Artificial Lake.

• Location: The Bazar Road, Landour, Mussoorie
• Timings: 9 AM – 8 PM
• Entry Fee: INR 25
• Interesting Fact: The Company Garden belongs to the colonial era and was owned by British colonial masters. It was founded in the early twentieth century by Dr H.F. Warth, a horticulturist of some note.

The Bottom Line

Mussoorie, in particular, is a place that combines scenic vistas, historic sites, and new sights/shows. It has waterfalls, beautiful trails, markets, adventure activities, and what not, all making the Queen of the Hills an experience. If you would like to relax, or if you want to get acquainted with the exotic local culture, or if your interest is more in actively enjoying yourself with some adrenalin rush than just lying down and peacefully enjoying the most scenic views of the world, Mussoorie provides all of it. 

So, just carry your luggage, draw your schedule, and let’s hope to build wonderful moments in this beautiful hill station. Music of nature lets your heart and soul discover Mussoorie’s unknown beauty.