The rich heritage, the amazing beaches and the mesmerising natural beauty of Mumbai speak volumes about why the locals and tourists love the city. Owing to its rich cultural history, you will find umpteen attractive places of historical significance worth visiting. But did you know that there are several picnic spots in and around Mumbai too, where you can have an enjoyable time with your childhood friends? Yes, away from the hustle-bustle of the city, there are quite a few picnic spots that will make your weekend getaway amazing and refreshing.
Last year when I visited some of my friends in Mumbai, we planned a picnic in the outskirts of the city. We packed our bags that included a picnic mat, a few interesting picnic games, lunch, and two expensive digital cameras for capturing some fascinating moments. We had an exciting time amidst the breathtaking greenery and beautiful landscape. Therefore, I suggest you to organise your picnic at these picnic spots as well and have a splendid time making new memories with your childhood friends. You can consider booking hotel in advance for a comfortable stay here and then select among the following picnic destinations to set out for the sojourn.
Karjat
A famous picnic spot in Mumbai, Karjat is encompassed with lush greenery where you can visit with your friends and enjoy a refreshing weekend. You can rest under the shades and enjoy some quiet time amidst the green ferns and blooming flowers. Besides, you can enjoy your day playing badminton after lunch or gossip with your friends about your childhood days. The tranquillity of this place is something rare and therefore, you will relish the peaceful time spent with your best friends here. If your gang is of the adventure kind like my friends, then you can also visit the nearby caves and indulge in the best trekking experience of your lifetime.
Matheran
Matheran, a small hill station in the grand Western Ghats is loved by all nature-lovers. The stunning panorama and beautiful landscape make this place a popular destination for short trips and picnics. You will find that vehicles are not permitted in the proximity, so trekking on the mud roads amidst the majestic hills is the only option to visit this place. Despite being the only option, I am sure you will love this experience. After you are done with your picnic lunch, you can take a leisurely walk in the surroundings and appreciate the beauty of the waning sun. Also, you can take a ride of the Matheran Toy Train with your friends meandering in between the hills and catch a stunning view from the hilltop. And for dinner, you can check out the eateries nearby and enjoy the taste of the delicious dishes of Maharashtra.
Pawna Lake
Pawna Lake near Lonavala is one of the top destinations for tourists and visitors from all over the country. The lake is artificially made for the Pawna dam, however, the scenic beauty is a sight to behold. The quiet and fresh breeze near the lake serves as an attractive picnic spot in Mumbai. If you want to host a quiet picnic gathering with your childhood pals, Pawna Lake is the best place to relax and unwind away from the commotion of city life. Camping, paragliding and watersports are some of the other attractions here that you can take part in to make your day more memorable. Besides, if you want to make your day even more exciting, you can arrange for bonfires at night and revel amidst the enthralling atmosphere.
Elephanta caves
An hour-long journey by ferry boat from the city of Mumbai, Elephanta Cave is one of the exquisite places for organising a picnic. You will enjoy the boat ride from the Gateway of India to the caves across the Arabian Sea. Elephanta Caves is hailed as a world heritage site by UNESCO owing to its exceptional rock-cut temples, paintings and extraordinary sculptures of Medieval times. The paintings depict several deities of India, especially of Lord Shiva. There are intricate latticeworks inside the caves that captivate the admirers for a long time. If your friends love history and architecture, bring them here and they will surely remember this trip forever. After your picnic lunch, you can also head to the nearby market for a little shopping.
With all these picnic spots near Mumbai, you will have a fascinating time in the lap of nature. So, without any further ado, pack the essentials required for the picnic and explore the picturesque landscapes right from the moment you reach.
