Top 14 Things To Do In Dehradun, Uttarakhand

1. Watch an astronomy show in the planetarium of the Regional Science Centre

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

This newly founded science park has emerged as one of the most visited places in Dehradun in recent times. It was established with the noble mission of educating the public about the purpose of science and its effectiveness in our everyday lives.

The park rests on a sprawling area of land and features several objects that will keep you exploring. Visitors can spend a fun day in the dinosaur park, gravity chair, whispering garden, and eco tube. You can also enjoy watching an astronomy show in the planetarium.

Regional Science Centre

Address: Vigyan Dham, Jhjara, Prem Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007

Website: Regional Science Centre

Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 10:15am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: 50 INR (0.61 USD)

2. Have a fun ride on the ropeway in Sahasradhara

One of the many famous spots in the beautiful city of Dehradun, ‘Sahasradhara’ is only a few metres away from the bustling city centre and attracts tourists in huge numbers.

Sahasradhara, which when translated to English means ‘The Thousand Fold Spring’, is near the pristine Baldi River. The cascading waterfalls in the backdrop of majestic rocks and incredibly mesmerising landscapes make the visit to this place all the more worthwhile. Don’t miss riding the ropeway which will offer you spectacular views of the city.

Sahasradhara

Address: Sahastradhara Road, Timilimansingh, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248001, India

Website: Sahasradhara

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

Price: Entry is free; Ropeway - 200 INR (2.45 USD)

3. Enjoy surfing in the wave pool at the The Fun Valley, Dehradun

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

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Situated in the “Golden Triangle of Uttaranchal”, this one-of-a-kind amusement park also features a water park and a resort with lovely cottages for an overnight stay. You can have a whale of a time with family and the little ones by riding go-carts and gliding down water slides.

A great spot to hang out for families, the park also has a multi-cuisine food court where visitors can indulge their palates with some delectable spreads and refuel their energies. Pamper yourself with retail therapy at the onsite shopping arcade after you have enjoyed surfing in the wave pool.

The Fun Valley, Dehradun

Address: 28th Km Stone, Haridwar Road, Lal Tappar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001

Website: The Fun Valley, Dehradun

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 700 INR (8.58 USD)

4. Learn about the history of the land through artifacts in the Zonal Anthropological Museum

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Founded in 1971-72 by the Anthropological Survey of India, this museum in Dehradun is open all year round and is located in the very heart of the city. It showcases an impressive collection of various different coins, statues, sculptures, and artifacts that bear a testament to the earliest human civilisation in the Himalayan foothills. Many of them were discovered during excavation and provide the ones who are keen on learning about the history of the land with valuable historical content.

Zonal Anthropological Museum

Address: 82W7+J3J, Pearson Rd, Forest Research Institute, ONGC, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248003

Website: Zonal Anthropological Museum

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sat & Sun)

Price: 15 INR (0.18 USD)

5. Explore a natural river cave

Robber’s Cave, also known as the Guchhupani by the locals, is a natural cave river formation located in the village of Anarwala. It is a popular tourist destination because of the unique rock formations and calming vibes within the area. Visitors can choose to wade in the cold water, especially during the hot Indian summers. Aside from the scenic views surrounding the cave, the Robbers Cave is also a popular picnic spot. Tourists can bring food with them and spend a few hours within the serene environment.

Robber's Cave

Address: Gucchupani, Malsi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248003, India

Opening hours: 7am - 7:30pm (daily)

6. Picturesque colonial style Forest Research Institute

The Forest Research Institute is one of the oldest and most beautiful architecture in Dehradun. This 1000-feet (304-metre) wide pure brick colonial-style architecture was constructed in 1929 and it has been focusing a lot on developing and researching about scientific forestry since its establishment. Aside from housing lots of state-of-the-art equipment and laboratories, this beautiful space is also home to six museums that include the Social Forestry Museum, the Pathology Museum, the Silviculture Museum, the Timber Museum, the N.W.F.P. Museum and the Entomology Museum. For the nature lovers who wish to know more about the development of scientific forestry over the last few decades, this is definitely a must-visit place.

FRI ( Forest Research Institute) Timber Museum

Address: Brandis Rd, Forest Research Institute, Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248003, India

Opening hours: 9am - 5pm (daily)

7. Visit the Sikh temple of worship

For visitors who want to go on a sacred tour and find out more about the cultural heritage of the Sikh community, the Guru Ram Rai Gurudwara is the place to go. This pilgrimage was constructed back in the 17th century under the command of Ram Rai, the eldest son of the seventh Guru of Sikhs, and it is now the holiest temple for the Sikh community in Dehradun. This Indo-Islamic style architecture features a lot of domes, towers and paintings that are all related to the traditional Sikh heritage.

Guru Ram Rai Gurudwara

Address: Tilak Rd, Jhanda Bazar, Jhanda Mohalla, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India

Website: Guru Ram Rai Gurudwara

Opening hours: 5am - 9pm (daily)

8. Play with the deers at Malsi Deer Park

The Malsi Deer Park is located in the foot of the Garhwal Himalayas, within the Dehradun Zoo. It is a popular destination among the animal lovers as well as families with young children. This park is home to a few gorgeous species of deers, a few other wildlife species as well as beautiful plants. The best thing about this park is that the space is pretty spacious and is enough for the deers to roam quite freely around the area. After some sightseeing, children can also play within the grounds of the park as there are some slides that are installed specially for the younger ones.

Malsi Deer Park

Address: Diversion, Mussoorie Rd, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248009, India

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 9am - 5:30pm; Sun: 9am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

9. Holy excursion to the Tapkeshwar Temple

Tapkeshwar Temple is the home of Lord Shiva, one of the main deities of Hinduism. This famous Hindu cave temple is situated right on the bank of the Asan River, about 6.5 kilometres (4 miles) from the Dehradun city. The name “Tapkeshwar” comes from the water droplets constantly dripping from the ceiling onto a shiva linga. This temple is a famous pilgrimage for many locals and tourists who believe in Hinduism. Devotees love taking bath in the cool waters of the nearby spring before entering the temple.

Tapkeshwar Temple

Address: Tapkeshwar Colony, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India

Opening hours: 9am - 1pm, 1:30pm - 5:30pm (daily)

10. Have a picnic at the scenic MDDA Park

The MDDA Park is a popular picnic and recreation area nestled within the Kairwaan village in Raipur. This isn’t just your usual park. Many visitors are attracted to the gorgeous environment as the lovely gardens and fountains surrounding the area are really exquisite and beautiful. Aside from that, there are well-marked jogging and running tracks within the park, which are perfect for fitness enthusiasts. Tourists can also plan a chill picnic session at the park with their friends and families.

MDDA Park

Address: 16/3, Rajpur Road, IAS Officers Colony, Rajpur, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248009, India

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 5pm; Sun: 9:15am - 5pm

11. Immerse yourself in nature at Rajaji National Park

Rajaji National Park is one of India’s most famous national park and tiger reserve located near the foothills of the Himalayas. Spread over an area of 820 square kilometres (82000 ha), it is also home to an array of wildlife species. Visitors can explore the park on a jungle safari or go on a nature trek. With up to 34 kilometres (19 miles) of forest trail, you’ll be able to spot different species of wildlife, including tigers, elephants wild boars, and even bears. Aside from that, the nature lovers will also be thrilled to see lots of plant species. This is truly an activity that all visitors to Dehradun should experience.

Rajaji National Park

Address: 5/1, Ansari Road, Mohand Range, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India

Website: Rajaji National Park

Opening hours: Sun - Mon: 6am - 10am, 2:30pm - 6:30pm; Mon - Wed: 7am - 10pm, 2:30pm - 5:30pm

12. Marvel at the clock tower

The Clock Tower is one attraction in Dehradun that visitors will never miss. This 85-metres (279-feet) tall structure was constructed in 1953 when India was still a British colony. It became a city landmark almost immediately after its construction. The tower is located on the main Rajpur Road in Dehradun, bordered by lots of business buildings. Although the clock hasn’t ticked in over a year, its heritage will not be forgotten. The gold plate on top of the tower is filled with the names of the freedom warriors who fought for India’s independence from the British.

Clock Tower

Address: Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001, India

13. Come face-to-face with animals in Dehradun Zoo

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The Dehradun Zoo is a really famous and popular tourist destination in Dehradun. Located in the foothills of Garhwal Himalayas, this zoo is built on the basis of conserving wild animals and their natural biodiversity. It is also an education and rescue centre for various wild animals. Aside from the Malsi Deer Park we’ve mentioned above, the Dehradun Zoo is also home to lots of other species such as leopards, turtles and nilgai. There is a newly opened aquarium situated within the zoo, as well. Visitors will be able to spot rare marine species like the jaguar fish and alligator fish. With the large variety of animals that are thriving within the Dehradun Zoo, it is no wonder why this attraction is so popular among the tourists.

Dehradun Zoo

Address: Mussoorie Road, Malsi, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248009, India

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

14. Buddhist pilgrimage trip to the Mindrolling Monastery

The Mindrolling Monastery, located in Clement Town, is a tranquil Buddhist temple that serves as an important pilgrimage spot for many believers practicing the Dharma of Vajrayana Buddhism. This stunning structure contains a variety of different unique furnishings in both its interiors and exteriors. Upon stepping into the Buddha Garden situated within the temple grounds, you will see a huge statue of the highly respected Buddha. The Nagyur Nyingma College that aims to train and pass on the lineage of Buddhist teachings to the future generations is also part of the monastery. For tourists who are looking for a quiet and peaceful place to visit during their vacation, the Mindrolling Monastery is definitely a great choice.

Mindrolling Monastery

Address: 3, Buddha Temple Road, New Basti, Clement Town, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248002, India

Website: Mindrolling Monastery

Opening hours: Mon: 2:30pm - 7pm; Tue - Sun: 10am - 7pm

You'll have so much fun in Dehradun

There are just so many attractions in Dehradun, we are pretty sure that you will never run out of places to visit. India is a country with a really rich cultural heritage and there are just so many beautiful temples and religious sites you can visit. Most of them are very welcoming to visitors, even if they are non-believers. But it is important to note that there might be certain dress codes in those areas. So remember to do your research prior to your trip and dress appropriately when visiting those attractions.