Top 10 Places to Visit in Pune with Kids

Known as the Oxford of the East, the vibrant city of Pune has its own charm. A booming IT and manufacturing hub with huge amount student population is like an emerging metropolitan but still has its small city tag attached to it. It is a perfect blend of modern with a huge sprinkling of culture to it. Having spend most of my life here, I love this city. This is the reason I want my little one to fall in love with Pune too. What better way than to show her the places that Pune is famous for. So here is a list of the Top 10 Places to Visit in Pune with Kids.

Top 10 Places to Visit in Pune with Kids


Shaniwar Wada


 Top 10 Places to Visit in Pune with Kids

The most popular monument in Pune Shaniwar Wada is a fort situated right in the heart of the City. Built in 1732, by Peshwa Bajirao I, it was the capital building of the Maratha Empire. There are several palaces, gates, fountains, reservoirs within the fort walls. Its popular with tourists as well as locals. The beautiful garden is well maintained and you can even see students preparing for their exams under a tree here. The fort has some really spooky stories attached to it which are better explained by the locals there. This fort gained more popularity by the movie Bajirao Mastani as the story was based here.

Aga Khan Palace


This majestic monument has a special place in India’s Freedom Struggle. This historical place is where Sarojni Naidu, Kasturba Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi and his secretary Mahadev Desai were imprisoned after the Quit India Movement. Later on, Kasturba Gandhi and Mahadev Desai also breathed their last here during their captivity. It also houses a memorial for Gandhi where his ashes are placed. Built by Sultan Muhammad Shah Aga Khan III, in the year 1892, to offer a means of livelihood for the famine hit villagers. This place is open from 0900 to 1800 for tourists. Many artifacts and belongings of Gandhi are on display here. This palace looks so spectacular that the kids will be perplexed whether it was a palace or a prison.

Raja Dinkar Kelkar Museum


This museum houses the personal collection of Late Dr. D. G. Kelkar. The museum houses 22,000 artifacts that depict the day-to-day life. There are also jewelry made of ivory, gold and silver. There is a section dedicated to musical instruments also. Fondly remembered as Kaka, Dr. Kelkar travelled extensively across the country and collecting artifacts along the way. This museum was dedicated to his son who died an untimely death.

Sinhagad Fort


Sinhagad is a fortress lining the outskirts of Pune. Built at a height of 1300 meters it is perfect place for some light trekking with the kids. This fort still stands tall in-spite of the many battles fought here. The last being the Battle of Sinhagad in 1670. The views of Pune city from the top are stunning and if combined with the lush greenery that monsoon brings then it just takes it to another level. There are many spots inside the fort that are worth visiting like Tanaji Memorial, the Kali Temple, Tomb of Rajaram Chattrapati. Do not miss the local food sold here.

Empress Botanical Garden


Pune is one of the few cities that still has places where there are huge parks with birds chirping and kids playing around. The Empress Botanical Garden is in fact a landmark in Pune. It is good idea to get the kids here than to take them to the malls. It’s a botanical garden so there are many types of trees and flowers on show. There is an annual flower show that takes part here to generate awareness about horticulture. This park is managed by the Agri – Horticulture Society of western India.


Read More: Family Road Trip – Delhi to Kanha National Park


Lal Mahal


This Mahal or Palace was built in 1630 AD by Shahaji Bhonsale for his wife Jijabai and son Shivaji. Shivaji Maharaj grew up here and stayed till he captured his own fort. He even got married in this palace. The palace was destroyed and what stands no is a reconstructed one. This now houses a memorial with many paintings depicting the main events of Shivaji’s life along with many sculptures of Jijabai and Shivaji. This is great place to introduce the Great Maratha Warrior to your kids.

Khadakwasla


The Khadakwasla Dam built on Mutha River on the outskirts of Pune, is a favourite picnic spot for many. The dam’s reservoir is perfect for splashing around. It is beautiful and scenic. It is perfect an evening outing and a good way to show the kids what a dam is. This place can get very crowded in the evenings as this place has always been the most favored spot among the huge number of student population in the city.

Joshi’s Museum of Miniature Railways


This miniature railways museum was founded by Bhausaheb Joshi in 1998. It includes various working models of trains like steam train, bullet train and a mini sky train. The children will watch with awe the mini trains going around a mini city complete with flyovers, 65 signals, lamp posts and fences. It has its own manufacturing unit that sells miniature models to other countries. This includes the scale model of Europe’s highest railways at Jungfrau. There are even toy rail kits available for sale. The kids will surely enjoy their time here.

Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park


This is not one of the best Zoo’s in the country but its worth a visit with kids. I remember visiting this every year with my cousins. Earlier it was the Katraj Snake Park which later became the Rajiv Gandhi Zoological Park. Apart from the Royal Bengal Tiger, white tiger and leopard there are different types of deer, monkeys and sloth bear. The snake park attached to it is very informative and the handlers might also allow you to touch one. There is also boating in the Katraj Lake which is an added attraction.

Sahyadri Range


Pune is situated in the leeward side of the Sahyadri Range, This close proximity ensures a number of hill stations within drivable distance. The list is quite exhaustive; Lonvavla, Khandala, Mahableshwar, Panchgani, Panhala, Kamshet, Panshet and so on. These hill stations come alive in the monsoons. The beauty of staying in Pune is that you can even drive to these places for a meal or evening tea and be back home before dinner time. It is perfect  to take your kids out for a day of trekking in the lush greenery surrounding the hills.

Where to Stay in Pune


As in the case of any other city in the country, Pune, has no dearth of Hotels. In fact you will be spoilt with options. To help you choose your staying option click here.

Hope you find this post on Pune of use to you. Have you also visited any of these places with kids. What was your experience? Do let us know about your experience or if I am missing something, please contact us or comment below and I will update this blog soon. Your comments and/or feedback are most welcome.


In case you found the above read interesting, you might also like the following:

Sariska National Park – Where The Tigers Roar (for few lucky ones)!!

A Guide to Visiting the Taj Mahal

Wildlife Jungle Safari at Kanha National Park

 

About Pooja

Hi! I am Pooja. My life is an amalgamation of mundane and that of a digital nomad. The travel bug actually hit me after I completed my education and started earning. It was then I actually started experiencing places than just visiting them. Thus started a zeal to explore to satisfy my wanderlust. After marriage things just worked out better for me thanks to my equally zealous Hubby. Accompanied by our daughter who is ever ready to get out of home, we often set sails on many interesting (and sometimes crazy) family adventures with dreams to travel not to escape life but for life not to escape us. Mail me at poojasamtani@laidbacktraveller.com

10 Comments

  1. Thanks for Pune update .. Been there so many times . Still missed some of these places .

  2. I can’t forgive myself on how I missed visiting Pune when I was in Mumbai. Since then, I’ve never gotten a chance to head there again.
    I’ve heard so much about Aga Khan palace. It would be such an honour to walk in the premises where Mahatma Gandhi once walked!
    Sinhagad Fort and Sahyadri Range would top my list of things to do!

  3. My daughter would love the fort and botanical gardens! I love that these aren’t just places specifically catered to kids but ones the entire family can enjoy. Your daughter is very lucky to have a childhood filled with travel and adventures!

  4. I wish I had read your article earlier. I have visited Goa and Mumbai and wish that I had known about Pune. Sahyadri Ridge and the National Park look stunning and I hope to visit them some day.

  5. I love Pune and its atmosphere. I have had the chance to live here on and off and have explored some of the gems that you have mentioned. My favorite is the Aga Khan Palace and my son’s the miniature railway museum. I am glad to see that there are so many places in Pune that I have not been to yet. Waiting to check them out soon.

  6. I have been in Pune, India before. It was a short drive from Mumbai and I enjoyed it. I went to see Aga Khan Museum and it was very informative. I also tried the local cuisine. It was so good. I wish I can go back to Pune.

  7. I am all the more interested to visit Pune after reading this. Shaniwar wada will be on top of my list because of all the crazy stories surrounding it and because I love historic forts. The sahayadri range is definitely beautiful. I had explored Malshej Ghatsnear Pune while I lived in Mumbai. Thanks for sharing this awesome list of best places to visit in Pune.

  8. That’s a big list of places to visit in Pune with kids. I like the blend of fun, historical and cultural. But honestly, even if the zoo isn’t the best, I loved hearing how it has special memories of going with your cousins growing up.

  9. My Pune visits have always been about quick visits. I have never really been able to see it all. Shahyadri range is beautiful. The Joshi’s museum of miniature railways and the Shainwar Wada have been on my mind. Will keep you blog post handy for my next time there.

  10. I was looking for places near pune to visit with my 3 year old. Thanks for the awesome post.

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