I am going to Delhi for a short break to stay with my aunt and uncle, and for the first couple of days, I will be on my own until their holidays start. I am not someone who can sit at home especially that I will be on my own so I need some advice on the things to do in New Delhi. I haven't been to Delhi, so anything I see would be new to me, but I am not really interested in any boring things, so please give suggestions accordingly.
Hello, welcome to the forum! (Images from McKay, Ekabhishek and McKay) Overview New Delhi is the bustling capital of India and was once a stronghold of the Mughal empire as well. A city replete with heritage sites, religious sites and even modern attractions, Delhi provides a complete overview of what the ancient and modern India looks like. Somehow, a visit to India just won't be complete without touring its capital. For those who just can't be without their dose of adventure, Delhi also has a number of activities that you can indulge in while touring. If you're someone who truly search for something unique or different to do whilst in a new territory, then this guide is for you. We would highlight some of the best things to do while in New Delhi, those that are worth your time and can give you that adrenaline rush or thrill. Things To Do in New Delhi 1. Go the offbeat path and explore some unknown heritage sites - So you might have completed already the usual tourist circuit of the Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhawan and Qutub Minar Complex, you're probably looking for some new places to explore in the city. As you know, the history of the city can be traced back as far as the 2nd century and even thereafter, several dynasties conquered it like the Lodhis, the Mughals and the Marathas. As such, the city is filled with wonderful heritage sites, some are not even that known to tourists yet. So go the off the beaten path and explore such heritage sites like Safdarjung's Tomb, an 18th century tomb built for Mirza Muqim Abul Mansur Khan or Safdarjung, the chief minister during the reign of Mohammad Shah. The tomb is the best example of the later architectural style of the Mughals. Whereas the Humayun's Tomb has this perfect symmetry and balance to it, the Safdarjung's Tomb has a haphazard vibe to it. The Mughal empire is the decline during the time of the construction of the tomb and those who constructed the tomb, the sons of Safdarjung, where in a dire need of completing the tomb despite the time frame and limited budget. Though constructed in a typical Mughal char-bagh style tomb, the materials used are a mixture of sandstone and marble. Even the central dome outside are in patches of both sandstone and marble. Inside, instead of the usual carved marble ceilings, the cheaper version of plaster is used. You can also visit the Agrasen Ki Baoli, an ancient stepwell believed to have been built during the rule of King Agrasen and rebuilt during the 14th century. The stepwell has around 100 steps leading to the main water reservoir. The arched niches found on all sides of its walls are truly remarkable. Other unexplored sites worth visiting are the Mehrauli Archeological Park and Tughluqabad Fort. Places to Go - Safdarjung's Tomb, Agrasen Ki Baoli, Mehrauli Archeological Park and Tughluqabad Fort Safdarjung's Tomb (Image from Devansh) 2. Nature and wildlife experience in the city - In such an urban place like Delhi, it is somehow a bit of a puzzle to find regions still laden with wildlife or nature. Well, you have the National Zoological Park, but you won't be spotting animals in a natural way here. So for the wildlife and nature lovers, opt for more hidden forest trails such as the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary, found in the southern end of the city. This wildlife sanctuary was established in the late 20th century as a means of preserving the last remnants of the Delhi Ridge, which can be considered as a part of the Aravalli Hills Ranges. In the past, the area was heavily mined which lead to the opening of pits in many areas. Today, these pits serve as water reservoirs or lakes, filled up during the monsoon season. The largest of these pits is the Asola Bhatti Lake and has this sandy shores perfect for swimming. For the wildlife that you can spot in the sanctuary, common ones are monkeys, peacocks, black-nape hares and nilgais. If you're extremely lucky, the sanctuary also has a number of leopards but they're really elusive creatures. Also worth visiting is the Sanjay Van Forest, nestled between Qutub Minar Complex and Mehrauli Archeological Park. Despite its reputation as being haunted, a day time visit to the forest can give you encounters with the wilds such as snakes, peacocks, nilgais and golden jackals. Places to Go - Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary and Sanjay Van Forest 3. Fun for the whole family in theme parks - Theme parks are great weekend getaways since they provide for an all-in-one entertainment for every member of the group or a family. They can be divided into water parks and amusement parks, some theme parks having both sections. In Delhi, within the city limits, there is a number of theme parks that you can include in your itinerary for a fun-filled trip. One of which is the Fun 'N' Food Village, located near the border of Delhi with Gurgaon in Kapashera. Established in 1993, this can be considered as one of the oldest theme parks in the city. It has an assortment of both dry rides and water rides that can be enjoyed by thrill seekers. It even has old-school rides such as the Tora Tora and Roll N Roll. A newer theme park opened just in 2006 is the Adventure Island, located in the Metro Walk Complex in Rohini. This is mainly a dry rides park but also has a small section dedicated to water rides. The rides here are mainly suitable for little kids but for the adults, attractions like the Z-Force, Side Winder, Sky Riders and Twister can give you that adrenaline pump you're looking for. Then you also have the Delhi Rides, home of the highest ferris wheel in the country, the Delhi Eye. It has a number of child-friendly dry rides and small water park with one swimming pool. Outside the city limits, you can also visit some more theme parks such as Appu Ghar and Drizzling Land. Places to Go - Fun 'N' Food Village, Adventure Island, Delhi Rides, Appu Ghar and Drizzling Land Adventure Island (Image from Adventure Island) 4. Test your shooting skills - Delhi is also home to one of the best shooting ranges in the world, the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range. It is located in the south of the city, close to the Tughluqabad Fort and Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary. The shooting range was built around the year 1982 but was completely renovated in the year 2008. Nestled amidst lush greenery, the shooting range is spread over 72 acres of land. The shooting range has both indoor and outdoor setups with various ranges, from 10 metres up to 50 metres. It is considered as a world-class range that can rival any international shooting range of its kind. In fact, even international shooters from England and Australia has nothing but praises for the shooting range. The management allows for both beginner and expert shooters to practice in the shooting range for set fees per month. So even if you're a novice, you can take this opportunity to try out shooting at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range in Delhi. Places to Go - Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range 5. Go with your friends and try some paintball adventure - Paintball is that adventure activity that just never gets old, especially for a group of friends. The principle of the game is very simple, players are given paintball guns loaded with pellets filled with dye, and the aim is to shoot the opposing team members. Usually, there is a game that the players can follow like capture the flag, base taking or treasure taking. In the city of Delhi, there are various venues for the game of paintball that you can visit. Lock 'N' Load is perhaps one of the most popular ones, it is located in Pacific Mall in Subhash Nagar. The setup is amidst an indoor arena and all the equipment's even suits would be provided for players. One session of about 35 shots of pellets here cost around Rs. 250 per person. For a truer shooting experience, then you can opt for the Shootout Zone, which provides for a more rustic experience in the wild. Hide behind the trees whilst waiting for your opponent to approach, an experience that can make you feel like a soldier. Rates are on the higher side, around Rs. 600 per person, but the experience is more authentic. Another option is the Rock Shot Paintball Sports, which is an outdoor setting paintball arena. Its best feature is that there's a variety of settings so you can choose according to your interests and preferences. Rates are on the higher side, around Rs. 500 per person, but you have more varieties in setting styles and even equipment's. Places to Go - Lock N Load, Shootout Zone and Rock Shot Paintball Sports Shootout Zone (Image from Shootout Zone) 6. Take a stroll amidst the busy markets of Delhi - Delhi is known for its numerous street markets where you can enjoy shopping without the hefty price tag. Chandni Chowk is perhaps the most popular street marking area, built around the 17th century during the Mughal rule. Now, it is still a bustling market area filled with all sorts of knick-knacks, such as sarees, trendy clothes, electronics and more. There are also various restaurants and food stalls here in case one gets hungry. Venture into the southernmost area and you'll find the Khari Baoli, once an ancient stepwell that has now been converted into a market area. This shopping area is known for being the largest spice market in whole Asia. This colourful market is home to a variety of spices, dried fruits, grains, herbs, medicines and many more. Last but not the least is the Sarojini Nagar Market, your perfect venue for budget shopping. Haggling is surely permitted here and you can bargain to your heart's content. From fashionable clothes, to hippie bags, up to accessories, you would find them all here. Do keep in mind that the last market remains closed during Mondays so plan accordingly. Places to Go - Chandni Chowk, Khari Baoli and Sarojini Nagar Market 7. Street food tripping in the capital - It's no secret that Delhi is a foodie's delight as it has an assortment of restaurants and food stalls that are filled with gastronomically enticing options. From local fare up to international fare, you can find it all here. But for a true local experience, it's best to indulge in a food trip experience through the alleyways and streets of the city. In the Chandni Chowk area, there's the Kake Di Hatti, a dhaba-like food stall which serves the best and most delicious parathas in the city. Huge parathas with dollops of ghee, perfect for vegetarians, are served here with love. Maybe you're a fan of samosas, then visit the Munni Lal Halwai in Malka Ganj. They are best known for their classic samosas, authentic in taste, nothing fancy but can curb your cravings. Or you can opt for Kumar Samose Wala, located in New Moti Nagar, where they take on new twists for samosas, filling them with chocolates, mushrooms or even macaronis. In Chawri Bazaar, you can't miss the Ustad Moinuddin Kebab Wale, known for their delicious kebabs, and Lotan Chole Kulche Wala, known for their spicy chole kulches. Places to Go - Kake Di Hatti, Munni Lal Halwai, Kumar Samose Wala, Ustad Moinuddin Kebab Wale and Lotan Chole Kulche Wala Kake Di Hatti (Image from Kake Di Hatti) 8. Fly like a bird with paramotoring - For the adrenaline junkies, one adventure sport that you can try is paramotoring. This adventure sport is suitable even for beginners, it doesn't require much training since the rider is attached to a propeller and harness. The best feature of this adventure sport is that it doesn't require a cliff or high area for launching. In Delhi, there are a few adventure sports operator that conducts this activity. The most popular and reliable is Flyboy which was established in the year 2005. They have a variety of paramotors that one can choose from like jet, max, sprint and more. If you want new landscapes, then you can try paramotoring in Gurgaon via Adventure Nation or in Sonipat via Mojo Land. Places to Go - Flyboy (Mahipalpur Extension) 9. A number of adventure activities to try - Recently, a new adventure park has been opened in the Garden of Five Senses in Saket in Delhi. This so-called Adventure Zone is managed by Wanderlust, a leading adventure sports company in India. In a way, the adventure park is supposed to rekindle the local's love for the garden slash park which has been under the shadow of newer and more modern attractions of the city. For very nominal rates, guests can experience a myriad of adventure activities to keep them active whilst bonding with their friends or loved ones. The adventure park has a number of the usual activities such as rappelling, zip lining, bull riding, and zorbing. It also has some obstacle courses that groups can have some competitive games in. Archery, paintball and running bungee can also be enjoyed here. Nothing costs more than Rs. 120 per game here so it's very light on the pocket. Places to Go - Adventure Zone (Garden of Five Senses) Garden of Five Senses (Image from Siva) 10. Because go karting is never overrated - Last on this guide is the adventure activity of go karting, wherein riders are put unto open-wheeled vehicles and they need to traverse through a set track. This is a fun activity for teens and adults, requires no training at all. You can try this activity in Speedy Singh's Go Karting, located in Pacific Mall in Subhash Nagar. They have very nominal rates and you can even opt for packages that include a session in their paintball arena. The setup is amidst indoors so even during monsoon season you can enjoy this activity here. Alternatively, you can head on to Gurgaon, in the F9 Go Karting, for a more diverse option in vehicles and a larger track. Wonder Speedway in Noida is considered as the best professional track for go karting in the Delhi NCR area. Places to Go - Speedy Singh's Go Karting, F9 Go Karting and Wonder Speedway Conclusion This ends our guide on the best things or activities to indulge in while in New Delhi. The city of Delhi is not just all about heritage sites or even religious attractions, it is also filled with tons of wonderful activities to keep you and your loved ones busy. Go the off the beaten track and explore the unexplored heritage sites of the city. Or maybe indulge in some wildlife spotting, find the trails of the lush forests hidden in the city. For fun-loving individuals, there's no dearth of theme parks where you can have the time of your lives with thrill and adventure. Sports such as paintball, go karting, paramotoring and shooting can also be enjoyed here. Good luck and I hope this helps you!
A few places I would like to add are Dilli Haat and also keeping an eye out what exhibitions are being held at Pragati Maidan. At Dilli Haat you will see a lot of cultural things, there are stalls which represent each state in India as well as food stalls for each state. During this time of the year, they also have a mango festival which showcases many different varieties of mangos. They also sometimes have entertainment nights, you can see anything from musicians, bands, comedians, dance performances etc. Currently, there are two Dilli Haats in Delhi one in South Delhi opposite INA market and the other in Janakpuri. I would strongly recommend going to the one in South Delhi as it has better stalls and the food varieties are better where as the one in Janakpuri provides just a normal food court.