When the summer season arrives in India, the heart yearns for a quiet retreat at a chilled-out hill station where the surroundings mesmerize and the weather reinstates the spirit. When at your typical hill station holiday, you may want to soak in the sights, go ziplining, trek a little, visit tea plantations, enjoy local cuisines, and maybe go for something similar to a campfire.

When finalizing the hill station for your summer visit, many options come to mind. Among them, Mussoorie is a well-recognized and beautiful destination that needs no introduction. Many people will recall Mussoorie as the place where the much loved British-Indian author, Ruskin Bond stays.

Mussoorie is just 38 km from Dehradun and is a destination well-recognized for its varied flora and fauna and green hills. This makes Mussoories a hill station beyond par.

When at Mussoorie, you get to enjoy mesmerizing views of the Himalayan snow-covered caps and also the Doon Valley. Other visit-worthy destinations close to Mussoorie are Haridwar, Saharanpur, and Roorkie, all towards the south. They make fine options to consider as a part of your package for Mussoorie tourism.

When we look at the history of Mussoorie, we see that Captain Young discovered it in 1827. Young was an adventurous army man. The ridge had attracted Young to no end and hence, he laid the foundation of Mussoorie. It should be noted that Mussoorie holds a great bit of spiritual significance in Hinduism for being the gateway to Yamnotri and Gangotri shrines.

Mussoorie is rightly known as the queen of hill stations because the scenic beauty here is out of this world. Similarly, Mussoorie comes by as a brilliant place to visit from the viewpoint of entertainment and social life.

The climate in Mussoorie is always amicable and visitors come to feel as though they have come to an endless holiday resort. During summers, Mussoorie shines bright in its full glory, the environs are vibrant and the air is filled with fun and gaiety.

There are no steep inclines at Mussoorie as such. But a few of the avenues have been developed for the more adventurous and spirited. They could make excursions to the varied secluded locales close to Mussoorie. Let us now consider the top destinations to visit in Mussoorie:

Mussoorie Tourist Places

1. Mall Road

   In the heart of Mussoorie, the Mall Road blends colonial charm with modern shops, video game parlors, and skating rinks. You might spot Ruskin Bond at the Cambridge Bookstore. Local vendors and photographers offer services, including photos in traditional attire.

   • Best time to visit: Anytime during the day
   • Travel time from hotel: 2 minute walk
   • Essentials to carry: Cap and water bottle
2. George Everest

   Enjoy a great picnic spot with a 360-degree view of the valleys of Mussoorie, accompanied by a fresh breeze. This is the highest peak in Mussoorie, Uttarakhand. From the parking lot, it’s a 30-minute trek on a paved trail (2 km) to reach Everest House.

   • Best time to visit: Early morning or late evening for a perfect sunrise or sunset
   • Travel time from hotel: 25-30 minutes
   • Essentials to carry: Cap, sports shoes, and water bottles
3. Dalai Hills, Happy Valley

   When the first Dalai Lama left Tibet, China, this was the initial place of settlement. It offers a stunning 180-degree view of the Mussoorie Valley. The Buddhist mantra “Aum Mani Padme Hum” is inscribed on all the prayer wheels around the temple, providing great spiritual benefits.

   • Best time to visit: Any time during the day, except afternoons (due to heat)
   • Travel time from hotel: 15-20 minutes
   • Essentials to carry: Cap, sports shoes, and water bottles
4. Lal Tibba

   Then, tourists to Mussoorie rate Depot Hill very highly among Mussoorie top destinations, which is also known as Lal Tibba and is Mussoorie's highest point. Located at the top of Depot Hill, Landour, Lal Tibba is a 6-kilometer drive offering views of the snow-capped Himalayan ranges (Neelkanth Peak, Badrinath, Kedarnath). It's cooler than most of Mussoorie, making it ideal for visits when the weather is favorable. The sunset view here is spectacular and perfect for photography.

   Besides, from Lal Tibba, one could reach Camel’s Back Hill in an electric trolley, one of the prime destinations to visit in Mussoorie. This is again one of the most exciting journeys in Mussoorie and one gets to view lush green hills and valleys with flowers in full bloom from either side of the trolley. Similarly, when the days are exceptionally clear, Ganga and Yamuna are visible from Lal Tibba and Camel’s Back Hill.

   • Best time to visit: Any time during the day
   • Travel time from hotel: 30-40 minutes
   • Essentials to carry: Camera and yourself
5. Kempty Falls

   When we consider the top attractions close to Mussoorie, one of them is Kempty Falls that are just 11 km close to Mussoorie and hundreds of people visit the destination every day. Once developed by the Britishers for organizing tea parties, Kempty Falls has come to become one of the most visited tourist spots in Mussoorie. Under the 40 feet waterfall, tourists can enjoy a nice dip in the natural spring and also go boating in the nearby man-made pond.

   • Best time to visit: Anytime during the day, especially during summers
   • Travel time from hotel: 45-50 minutes
   • Essentials to carry: Towels and snacks