As we look for offbeat experiences in Mumbai, ‘A City That Never Sleeps”, there are so many unique things to indulge in. While creators and influencers highlight all the upcoming eateries, luxury restaurants, I am opting to list down these completely unconventional things to do in Mumbai that one can enjoy indulging with family, friends and even as couples.
Drive A Boat On Pawna Lake
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Pawna or Pavana Lake in Lonavala which is a reservoir turned artificial lake is one of the most searched boating places that is close to Mumbai. Pawna Boat Club offers kayaking, pedal boating and motorboat ride on the lake.
There are a lot of boating and camping sites that offer a variety of activities on Pawna Lake
Boating Timing:
8 am to 6 pm
Visit Mumbai’s First Turkish Hammam
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Located 2 hrs away from Mumbai in Panvel, Shilp Wellness Suites and Spa is India’s first traditional Turkish Hammam!!
Types of Packages Offered:
• Turkish Hammam
• Moroccan Hammam
• Rhassoul
• The Shilp Serenity
• The Shilp Escapade
• Halotherapy (Salt Therapy)
Facilities offered apart from hammam and halotherapy
• Hot Sand Room
• Hydrotherapy
• Serenity garden
• Quartz Therapy
Package Cost:
Starts at INR 5,000 (weekend rates are different)
Take A Boat Ride To A Private Island Resort
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Maharashtra’s first private island resort called The Canary Island Resort and Spa is a luxury property, situated amidst a 100-acre private island on the Salter Lake in Lonavala. Redefining the concept of hospitality, and featuring 26 uber luxe cottages and chalets, a gourmet restaurant, a swimming pool and a beach bar, this opulent property can be accessed by a luxury boat service that is managed by the resort.
A completely unique thing to do either with family or as a couple.
Enjoy An Aerial Tour Of The City Of Dreams
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Experience the bird’s eye view of Mumbai from 1000 feet in the sky!! The joyride can be booked for 15, 20, 30 and 60 minutes and covers the northern and eastern parts of Mumbai. There are various agencies offering this unique experience and you might need to filter out good ones. One such is Accretion Aviation.
A completely unique thing for couples.
Picnic set-up by the river
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Just 2.5 hrs away from the cacophony of Mumbai, one can experience the serenity of nature with Birdsong, Karjat, a 4BHK riverside villa that allows you a breath of fresh air with a slice of quiet!! A property where you can not only swim under the clear blue sky, be mesmerized by the hills surrounding the space but also sit with a picnic basket and re-visit the childhood memories of a memorable picnic day.
A great way to plan a day with family or friends or surprise one’s partner.
Sail over the sea at sunset
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For parties or for a romantic day or for a family outing, there are a lot of yachts available for hire in Mumbai. The rental starts from 7am and continue till 8 pm. Advisable to rent for 2 hrs out of which the time spent on the yacht would be 1 hr and 30 mins, the yacht leaves from the iconic Gateway of India.
The price/yacht starts from INR 3,500 and goes up to INR 20,000 for 2 hrs.
Take a private flight to India’s first fly in resort
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Aero Village in Panheli is India’s First Fly-In Resort that sends a charter plane to pick up their patrons from Juhu Airport and ferry them to Aero Village at an elevation of 1,200 feet from sea level. This is a short 25–45-minute flight from Mumbai.
Go River Rafting at Kolad
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Just 3 hrs away from Mumbai lies a village in the Raigad district of Maharashtra, called Kolad, that is known for its picturesque vista and white-water river rafting. Not as well-known as the rafting in Rishikesh or Dandeli, Kolad is Maharashtra’s rafting call that is closer to Pune and Mumbai. And its worth every penny. Although not as long as Rishikesh, the stretch of the Kundalika River, where the rafting takes place is around 12 kms long with striking rapids.
The rafting starts at 7:45 am and the cost starts from INR 1,200 but depends on the different water sports agencies.
Go On A Wine Tasting Tour At Sula Vinyards
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One of the most sustainable wine businesses in the world, Sula Wines is around 180 kms from Mumbai and located in Nashik. You not only get to taste the wines here but also stay there or opt for a tour.
Book a Float Tank
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Also known as the Sensory Deprivation Tank, which is filled with 800 kg of Epsom salt and 2000 litres of water and kept suitable for skin temperature. Here one floats at zero gravity that is sure to relax the muscles and calm one’s nerves. There are two places that offer this rejuvenating experience – 1000 Petals and Liquid Sanctuary.
Watch theatre At The only Surviving Opera House in India
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Known to be India’s only surviving opera house, this space exudes old European vibes with its vintage baroque style of European and old Indian architecture. The building that was inaugurated by King George V in 1911 still holds traditional dances, plays and recitals. Located at Charni Road, near Girgaun Chowpatty beach this structure is a reminder of the old-world charm of a bygone era.
Stay In A 200-year-Old Portuguese Era Bungalow in Khotachiwadi
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Mumbai has always been home to the East Indian community since it was a cluster of 7 islands and in Khotachiwadi is a hamlet in Girgaon where you will find their impressions (now a lot lesser than it used to be). With colourful bungalows, guitar-playing locals and food this place reflects the old Portuguese style of living and a reminder of Goa. Here lies the well-maintained Ferreira House which is owned by a local fashion designer called James Ferreira and is turned into a homestay.
Visit Mutton Road For Some Vintage Shopping
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Not a name known even to Mumbaikars, this place is named after mutton market in British era but now that is associated with “stolen goods and antiquities”. Mutton Road is near Mohammad Ali Road where you will find original ‘His Masters Voice’ gramophones, German gramophones, gramophone records and many more classics.
Take An Open Bus Ride By HoHo
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MTDC otherwise known as MTDC (Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation) conducts one-hour open air vintage bus tour on Nilambar – a double decker bus. It covers around 16 to 17 heritage structures and iconic buildings of South Mumbai. A guided tour, where the guide speaks in both English and Hindi is appropriate for all age groups.
The ticket can be pre-booked at the nearest MTDC counter near Gateway of India, (MTDC Reservation Counter No 7, Gateway of India).
Two available slots are:
• 7:00 pm to 8:00 pm
• 8:15 pm to 9:15 pm (Every Saturday & Sunday ).
Ticket Cost:
• Upper Deck: INR 250/ per head
• Lower Deck: INR 150 per head (above 3 years full fare).
How to HoHo bus
Bookings Only Through WhatsApp on 9870802643
Visit A Parsi Café
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Nothing beats a good, finger-licking portion of Parsi (Persian) food. With a good population of Parsis in Mumbai, there are quite a few Parsi outlets but only a few are present that has lived through decades and serves authentic Parsi cuisine.
Britannia & Co. and Jimmy Boy are the known Parsi food joints that are authentic.
Get To Know Mumbai’s Very Own Indigenous Warli Tribe
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A day with Mumbai’s indigenous tribe – The Warlis, who live inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park. Known for their artwork which pictorially depicts the usual things in life and other day-to-day activities, the co-founder of Go Hallu Hallu that takes tourists on Warli walks, is also a part of the Warli tribe.
Devour Rice-Less Biriyani In Bohri Moholla
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Stunned?? So was I when I had first heard of it. Made with Colocasia leaves and buff meat where the meat is slow cooked in spices and the leaves are later added, this is a unique rice-less biriyani that is sold by a small farsan shop called Firzon Farsan that is located in Bohri Moholla. The biryani is called Patrel Biriyani that is available at the shop from 11 am onwards.
Visit The Bollywood Themed Park In Karjat
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One of a kind theme park, located in Karjat which is close to 2 hrs and 15 mins from Mumbai. Spread across 52 acres this is a unique place that can be visited by people of all age groups.
Stay In A Hobbit-Styled New Zealand Home At Murbad
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Amazed at having a piece of New Zealand in the rustic setting of Murbad, Maharashtra? We aren’t kidding. Located around 2.5 hrs from Mumbai, AsanjA Titaly under Saffron Stays is the first of its kind, unique earth-shelter with a 360° view of the Sahyadri Hills.
Spot Marine Biodiversity Along The Mumbai Coastline
Hermit crabs scuttle, sea stars cling, and nudibranchs add splashes of color. Marine Life of Mumbai, a flagship project of the Coastal Conservation Foundation brings the ocean closer, educating you about each species and its crucial role in the ecosystem.
Wild Walk Through The Dense Canopy at BNHS
Awaiting you in the quiet corners of Aarey Colony, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) offers guided trails, promising an enlightening journey into nature. While you wait for your fellow adventurers, immerse yourself in the butterfly garden, where winged wonders and colorful caterpillars create a magical prelude. Then, embark on your chosen trail – perhaps the thrilling leopard trail, the vibrant wildflower walk, or the peaceful Temple Trail.
Take a Polar Plunge
Globally recognized to have numerous therapeutic properties and health benefits, polar plunge is one of the several things that’s been a popular activity in the offbeat-experiences-in-Mumbai circuit. A cold bath, also known as an ice bath requires you to immerse your body at a temperature between 5-7°C for a short period.
Visit the Religious Vestiges
Afghan Church
The 165-year-old testament of war erected by the British in memory of the 4,500 fallen heroes of Indo-Afghan war is Afghan Church which is located in Navy Nagar, Colaba.
How to reach Afghan Church?
The best and cheapest way is to arrive at Churchgate Station by train and then hailing a cab that would cost INR 110 in all (one-way train ticket = INR 15, cab fare = INR 85 – INR 95)
St. Andrew’s Church
St. Thomas Cathedral
Older than the Taj Mahal, the provenance of St. Thomas Church dates back to when Mumbai was an archipelago of seven islands. Established on Salsette Island where Bandra is based, the church was built in 1575 to accommodate the growing population of Catholics in Bandra.
Mhataricha Boot or The Old Lady’s Shoe
Atop Malabar Hill, a posh neighbourhood in South Bombay, lies Kamala Nehru Park, which has recently opened Mumbai’s first elevated forest walkway. The park is also known for the gigantic shoe that was inspired by the nursery rhyme “There was an old woman who lived in a shoe”. Built in 1952 the shoe was has been a favourite among children over generations.
The Forest Walkway
Entry fees and timings
Open daily from 5 am to 8 pm
Entry fee:
Indian citizens: ₹25 Foreign nationals: ₹100
Bookings: Online pre-booking – Book here
How to reach?
The entry and exit points are located at Siri Road, behind Kamala Nehru Park, making it easily accessible to the public.
Visitor guidelines
To prevent overcrowding, only 200 visitors will be allowed at a time, with a one-hour time slot per visitor. Additionally, to protect the ecosystem, food is not allowed, as it may attract monkeys. However, visitors can carry water bottles.
Immerse in Bandra Street Art
Bandra offers beyond the living quarters of the very famous Khans. Apart from being the fashion street of Mumbai, the alleys and sub-alleys display myriad murals across Chapel Road. Take a walk around for first-hand experience!
Sign-up for Parsi Cooking Workshop
A fine marinate between Persian and Gujrati flavours, Parsi cuisine offers a mix of robust meat preparations of Persia with the vegetarian traditions of Gujarati cooking. If you are someone who loves to experiment with various culinary styles then book a seat at a Parsi Cooking Workshop.
Peep into Colonial Mumbai
South Bombay or SoBo has a lot to offer – from midnight markets to Art Deco architectural marvels, to vintage eateries, to corniches, to surviving communities to hidden hamlets; you get a slice of everything!
Explore the Secret Village in Mumbai: Matharpacady
Hidden in the bylanes of Mazagaon, which was one of the seven islands that Bombay, lies this 400-year-old East Indian heritage precinct called Matharpacady. The name derived from ‘mathar’, meaning elderly and ‘pakhadi’ meaning village, still retains the blend of Portuguese charm. Although this place can be self-explored by heading there with tour experts is a great way to be able to interact with the residents and know the history of this East Indian enclave.
Visit the Only Chinese Temple in Mumbai
Nestled snug in the East Indian village of Mazagaon is the only Chinese temple in Mumbai – Kwan Tai Shek Temple. Its origin dates back to the late 19th century, when a small community of Chinese immigrants, primarily from Canton, settled in Mumbai, drawn by the city’s burgeoning trade opportunities.
Explore Dharavi
Dharavi, better known as the ‘largest slum in the world’ is a reflection of resourcefulness and spirit of entrepreneurship where individuals and families create their own opportunities amidst challenging circumstances. A place where informal industries like pottery, leatherwork, and recycling operate with remarkable efficiency, providing livelihoods for thousands, its a complex of solidarity and human resilience and a tour through its alleys is sure to provide people with an eye-opening perspective and solid respect.
Forest Bathing
Forest bathing, or “shinrin-yoku” in Japanese, encourages to reconnect with the natural environment to utilize the Earth’s healing energy – a mindful immersion to soak in the slowness of nature, allowing it to seep into our senses and heal our soul. Quite a few touring agencies conduct forest bathing experience but the best one is by Trove Experiences.
These unique experiences that one can indulge in, when in the “City of Dreams” are literally one of a kind which can be experienced by both the locals and also the tourists who seek the unusual!
Apart from these you can also check the things that can be done under INR 500 in Mumbai.
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