Things to Do in Lucknow

Here we have shortlisted some of the must-try activities so that even if it is a short trip, you know what to do in Lucknow!

1. Try to figure out your way to the top at Bhool Bhulaiya!
This unique architectural structure is a part of the Bara Imambara complex and consists of a labyrinth with 500 odd identical doorways! It is believed that it is here that the Nawab of Awadh liked playing hide and seek with his wives!

Legend says if you figure out your way properly, you may find the hidden treasure! And if you manage to seek your way out to the top, you are endowed with a breathtaking view of Lucknow.

The main complex of Bara Imambara is a Mughal complex built by the fourth Nawab of Awadh and is replete with courtyards, gateways, and step wells connected by an arched central hall where you can gasp into the tales of the bygone era!

2. Take a stroll in the historical gardens of the British Residency
The British Residency has a collection of gardens and buildings, all of which reek of the repercussions of the first breakthrough with the freedom struggle- the mutiny of 1857! When the Indians came out all guns blazing, 3000 British soldiers sought refuge here.

In fact, you can even see the age-old cannon and bullet marks here! You can take a stroll in these historical gardens to seep into the rich history of Lucknow, and this is also considered to be one of the best things to do in Lucknow.

3. Buy yourself a treat at Tunday Kebabi
This simple restaurant undoubtedly serves the best culinary fare in the city! If you do not reach early, you may find that you do not get a seat even on a weekday! Their specialty is the tunde ke kabab- galawati kebab made of buffalo meat!

You may have had the dish elsewhere, but this is the most authentic version of it! Apart from this, the restaurant serves a plethora of kebab platters and biryani varieties, all of which will leave you salivating!

4. Take a heritage walk
This is an initiative of the Uttar Pradesh government, where you can have a guided tour of all the important landmarks of the city! An English speaking guide meets you at Tila Wali Masjid and guides you while taking you around the architectural complexes, mosques, food havens, and shopping zones!

5. Bargain for a good chikankari piece at Hazratganj
There is not a single shade of color of chikankari clothes that you will not see in the vibrant local bazaar of Hazratganj! The lanes of this market are dotted with chikan shops, selling all types of kurtas and sarees in cotton, muslin, and organza.

You can also buy dupattas, bangles, bindis, jewelry, and everything else under the sun here! And the best part is you can even bargain to get a great discount on these items!

So you have brought your kids along and don’t know what to do in Lucknow that will interest them? Here is the list of some of the best things to do in Lucknow, with kids!

1. A playdate with Royal Bengal Tigers
The Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological garden houses over 400 species of animals and birds, including Asiatic lions and Royal Bengal Tigers! Your kid will be intrigued by the sheer beauty and majesty of the plethora of animals living here!

And to make it more enjoyable for them, the zoo also offers a toy train ride for the kids! You can even take your kids into the Uttar Pradesh State Museum, located in the premises of the zoo!

2. Take the water slides at Anandi Water Park!
Kids and water are a combination that rarely goes wrong! Anandi Water park has many water slides and shallow pools where you can safely leave your child to have a splash! This water park also offers a few fun rides, a water play area, and slides to accelerate the fun quotient of the kids! On the weekend, the park is thronged with tourists as well as locals alike.

Lucknow is famed for having a rich heritage and culture that reflects in its architecture, food, music, and sartorial style. The imprint of this culture can be seen all over the city: from the obscure Safed Baradari to the Imambaras.

It also holds the reputation for having a happening classical music and dance scene, and Kathak is reputed worldwide! The Lucknow gharana is famed worldwide for the facial expressions used to communicate the story, with a list of famed exponents like Nawab Wjid Ali Shah and Pandit Birju Maharaj!

It is also extremely renowned for chikankari work- which has been incorporated by even Manish Malhotra in his clothes!

It would be unfair to pinpoint just one dish from the diverse culinary spread of the city, so we are going to provide you with a few to choose from! And you should definitely indulge in a gastronomical tour as it is one of the top things to do in Lucknow!

1. Kakori kebab
One of the top picks among the kebabs you need to try; this goes best with the pudina chutney! You could try these at Tunday kababi itself!

2. Chicken Pasanda
Chicken, cheese, and khoya- what could go wrong? Topped with coconut cashew sauce, this is a lip-smacking dish that will leave you wanting for more. The best place to have it is probably at the Chowk.

3. Galawati kebab
The most famous dish of the city was created by the nawab’s chef when the old nawab of Lucknow faced difficulty in chewing the food. This kebab specialty is extremely mouthwatering and melts in your mouth with every bite!

4. Shahi tukda
The traditional Mughlai dessert, this dish can be found here in its most authentic form! Made of bread, milk and dry fruits with saffron sprinkled on top, the shahi tukda will be the perfect culmination of your food walk in the city!

Considering it is a treasure trove of varied types of ornaments and fabrics, going on a shopping spree is one of the top things to do in Lucknow! But you need to know the right places to look in, and you should be good at haggling!

1. Hazratganj
If you ask a local what to do in Lucknow- he will definitely direct you here! Located in the middle of the city, Hazratganj has every type of ethnic attire and fabric you could want! On top of that, the streets are lined with bangle shops that sell multi-colored bangle varieties!

But the best things to pick out from here are the chikankari pieces, khadi attires, handwoven sarees, and glass bangles!

2. The Chowk
Located near the Bada Imambara, this local market is a treasure trove of handicrafts and jewelry items! You can also find here chikankari kurtas and traditional zardozi fabric that are the heritage of Lucknow. Apart from this, it is a shoe paradise, and you can buy juttis and Nagra footwear at a low price here!

3. Aminabad Market
This is where you will find the celebrated Dupatta Mahal, which sells the best fabrics in the city! Apart from that, you can also buy chikan kurtas, bedsheets, and sarees here!

Lucknow is well-connected to all the major cities in India by various modes of communication that we have enlisted below.

- By Air
The Amausi Airport (LKO) is the main airport of Lucknow, and it receives daily from all the major cities of the country- Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kochi, etc.

- By Train
Lucknow is well connected to the rest of the country via the extensive rail network of the country. It has a number of railway stations, of which the most important ones are Lucknow Charbagh, Badshahnagar, Lucknow Junction and Alamnagar. Most of the trains run quite frequently( 3-4 times a week).

- By Bus
Kaisarbagh is the primary bus station in the city, and it has buses coming in from many states daily.

- March to April(Early summer) is the best time to visit Lucknow as the weather remains extremely pleasant. You should, however, refrain from visiting Lucknow in May, June, and July, which are the main summer months as it becomes sweltering hot during this time in Lucknow.

- Monsoon(July-September) may bring moderate rainfall but the weather in Lucknow remains pleasant during this time.

- Winter( November to March) is a good time to visit Lucknow as the weather remains pleasant during this time. You may need to pack heavy woolens as the nights are pretty cold during this time!

It is the safest city in the whole state of Uttar Pradesh! So you might not worry about your safety once you’re over here. However, be careful about conveyance as you may not get any transportation medium late at night.