Bangalore, often dubbed India’s “Garden City” due to its lush parks and picturesque gardens, offers plenty of ways to have fun. Take a stroll through sprawling Cubbon Park or shop in its malls and street markets – there is something here for everyone!
Wonderla is one of the top attractions in Bangalore and draws in visitors year-round with over 60 wet and dry rides to offer visitors! It also provides excellent dining options. Cathay Pacific offers several flights to Bangalore, including the popular San Francisco to Bengaluru.
1. Tipu Sultan Palace
The Summer Palace of Tipu Sultan in Bangalore is a splendid monument. Boasting intricate Islamic architecture and stunning frescos, this monument stands as one of the top things to see and do in the city. Additionally, this monument serves as an outstanding example of Indo-Islamic architecture that made Bangalore so well-known during its 18th-century peak.
Tipu Sultan’s Palace can be reached via an impressive flight of steps flanked by two projecting balconies, providing an eye-catching entrance that was described by its inscription as the “Abode of Happiness and Envy of Heaven.” Additionally, this palace also hosts a museum housing ancient artefacts; two such items that stand out include replicas of Tipu’s Tiger and his grand throne that he promised himself once he defeated British colonizers.
The Palace is open throughout the year, but for optimal experience it is best to visit in the morning or early afternoon when temperatures are more bearable. Expect large crowds during holidays and weekends. While Mysore may no longer have its infamous Tiger, Bangaloreans still feel an immense sense of pride towards its former ruler and his fort and summer palace.
2. National Gallery of Modern Art
National Gallery of Modern Art is one of India’s premier art galleries, showcasing Indian art dating back to 1850. Boasting an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, prints and photographs as well as hosting various exhibitions and programs throughout the year – its impressive showcase includes masterpieces by celebrated artists like Raja Ravi Verma, Amrita Sher-Gil and Rabindranath Tagore among others.
Established in 1954 with its main museum located at Jaipur House in Delhi, the National Glass and Mineral Art Gallery (NGMA) currently has branches at Mumbai and Bangalore. The latter opened their branch on Palace Road 49 within Manikyavelu Mansion in 2009.
This impressive museum consists of two distinct yet impressive buildings connected by an adjoining sculpture garden, featuring wood-paneled galleries, marble hallways and indoor gardens for visitors to enjoy. The gallery serves as an engaging place to learn more about India’s arts evolution – its collection features works by legendary sculptors such as D. P. Roy Choudhury and Chintamoni Kar capturing this pathological process; additionally there is also an impressive assortment of paintings by contemporary artists including K.G Subramanyan Sudhir Patwardhan and Atul Dodiya that span centuries of development!
3. Commercial Street
Commercial Street is an unparalleled shopping paradise, from street markets to designer boutiques. Home to several malls and markets that cater to tourists as well as locals alike, one can find everything here from clothing, shoes and accessories to electronics and home goods. Situated right in the center of Bangalore city itself, Commercial Street has long been a favored location for real estate investors seeking investment properties here.
Historically, Commercial Street served as a commercial hub for heavy industry on the fringes of London. Noisey industrial activity that was too noisy for inner city locations was outsourced here instead. Today however, this region remains fashionable while still holding onto its historical charm.
An effort has been undertaken to develop this street in such a way that it becomes an attractive commercial place and sustainable in the long term. To do this, existing buildings on this street should be maintained carefully, inspecting for their status, architectural character and historical value as well as devising methods of redirecting cars away from this street during certain hours in order to preserve pedestrian movement and preserve ease-of-movement.
4. Vidhana Soudha
Vidhana Soudha stands in the heart of Bengaluru as home for state legislature and Karnataka Secretariat, featuring an eye-catching blend of modern and traditional architecture styles. Conceived by Kengal Hanumanthaiah and decorated with Ashok Chakra national emblem on its central dome; construction took place from 1952 – 1956 at an estimated cost of 1.75 crores with 5000 laborers working alongside 1500 skilled sculptors to complete it.
This remarkable structure is one of the premier tourist spots and landmarks in Bangalore and India alike, serving as an ode to our nation. Dubbed as ‘South India’s Taj Mahal’ by many, its first brick was laid by then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru along with Chief Minister K.C. Reddy on July 13, 1951.
Visitors need a special permit in order to gain entry to this magnificent monument, with March and May being ideal times for visits as the weather is more agreeable. June-August marks monsoon season so it might not be ideal timing.
5. Art of Living Centre
The Art of Living was established by spiritual leader and humanitarian Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in 1968 as an international non-profit organization with regional centers across 140 countries. Locals refer to its headquarters, known as Bangalore Ashram, located 21km away on Kanakapura Road atop Panchagiri Hills as “Bangalore Ashram.”
The Ashram offers visitors a peaceful sanctuary where they can find inner peace and reconnect with nature. Offering courses in yoga, meditation, and breathing techniques such as Sudarshan Kriya. Furthermore, events and festivals are held throughout the year at this peaceful refuge.
One of the hallmarks of an ashram is its impressive thousand petal lotus mandap, where evening satsang and guided meditation sessions take place. Additionally, Nakshatra Vanam provides visitors with a collection of trees planted according to each person’s birth star (nakshatra).
The Art of Living is internationally renowned for its initiatives in sustainability and social welfare. Their goal is to build a violence-free society through teaching stress management techniques and spreading a culture of peace; their courses are led by certified professionals around the globe and those interested can enroll by visiting an ashram directly or attending one of several international retreats that take place annually.
6. Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium
The Jawaharlal Nehru Planetarium in Bangalore is one of the city’s premier science centers, featuring cutting-edge digital projection technology and interactive exhibits that make learning about space exciting for kids. Furthermore, regular shows provide visitors with insight into stars, planets and other features of our vast universe.
The Sky Theater at the center has a 15 m dome with seating capacity for 225. Shows here cover topics related to solar systems, moons, suns, eclipses and transits – in English and Kannada respectively.
Planetarium also hosts various educational and entertaining activities for both kids and adults, such as science quiz contests, astronomy lectures, Astro-painting competitions, elocution competitions and programs to watch events such as Penumbral Lunar Eclipse.
The Planetarium on Sir T. Chowdaiah Road is open year-round, providing an ideal family outing destination no matter the season or climate conditions.
7. Lal Bagh Botanical Garden
Lal Bagh Botanical Garden in Bangalore’s heart is an essential destination for nature enthusiasts. Covering an expanse of 240 acres, its variety of exotic plants and trees includes centuries-old specimens. Here visitors can gain knowledge about horticulture as they learn about this storehouse of diverse plant species. Additionally, Lal Bagh boasts an aviary, aquarium building, Kempegowda Tower Deer Paddock Tree Fossils as well as Pigeon House to complete the experience.
The highlight of the park is undoubtedly its beautiful glass house modeled on London’s Crystal Palace, which serves as an integral part of its gardens and hosts biannual flower shows. Sri Chamaraja Wodeyar statue and Pigeon house with colorful blooms also deserve to be visited for added enjoyment.
Apart from these structures, the botanical garden features a lake that adds to its charm. Furthermore, this garden hosts many stalls selling horticulture products and gardening equipment – some even sell Vetiver handicrafts along with fresh fruits and vegetables! Tourists are welcome to explore its beauty at any time during the year but we recommend visiting between November and March when temperatures tend to be more comfortable.
