7 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Friends for a Day of Fun

One can never get bored in a city like Mumbai! There is so much to do and so many places to visit in Mumbai - as an individual and with friends - that you will need a few years just to do them all! When it comes to planning an outing with friends, it can be quite a difficult task narrowing down on an activity that gets a unanimous vote of approval and doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. But unlike a Goa trip that is always in the planning stage, things to do in Mumbai can actually happen.

Here is a list of places to visit in Mumbai that promise and deliver in make your day fun and memorable!

Places to Visit in Mumbai

#1 Bandra West

An entire day with your friends in Bandra West can encompass numerous activities. The main roads are more crowded and noisy so if you are looking to walk in peace and experience the tranquil side of Bandra, step into the by-lanes that have been nestled by trees. In terms of street shopping, Linking Road and Hill Road are your best bets. With good haggling skills hidden up your sleeve, you can shop all kinds of clothes, accessories, footwear, beauty products and even some home essentials! Anything you can possibly crave, there is a street stall, a cafe, a bakery or a restaurant that serves it in Bandra.

#2 Gorai

You must have heard of Juhu beach, Chowpatty Beach and Versova Beach but how often do you come across Gorai Beach while looking up for places to visit in Mumbai? Just a ferry ride away from Borivali or Malad, Gorai Beach is a peaceful escape from the chaos of the main city of Mumbai. It has a very rustic, old-world charm with bullock carts making their way the small roads and vintage-styles bungalows and churches sporting everywhere. You can spend the whole day relaxing at the beach and exploring the Gorai village. If you and your friends are up for it, you can stay the night at one of the resorts in Gorai. Have a bonfire and enjoy watching the stars shining in the sky, a view you don’t get in the city.

#3 Essel World

Let’s add having fun at a water park in your list of things to do in Mumbai! Essel World is India’s largest amusement theme park and stretches over 64 acres of land. It is very popular among the younger generations and for the adults, it induces nostalgia since Essel World has been serving as a destination of fun since almost 30 years. It is an ideal choice for a one-day picnic with your friends. Some of the most popular rides in Essel World are Shot-n-Drop, Hoola Hoop, Aqua Dive, Crazy Cups and Big Apple.

#4 Byculla Zoo

Officially known as Veer Mata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, it is the oldest public garden in Mumbai. It is named after Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s mother, Jijamata. You can spend a few hours watching in amazement the animals go about with their lives. The park houses the Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Museum which is the oldest museum in Mumbai. There is a lot of local history in Byculla Zoo and you and your friends can spend the day learning about all of it!

#5 Colaba Causeway

Picture this - a narrow footpath crowded with a mix of locals and tourists, street vendors and hawkers shouting out their prices and chanting quirky slogans to grab your attention. The opposite side of this chaos are tall, grand British structures that still echo with the history that makes this part of Mumbai and the entire city so attractive. Yes, this is Colaba Causeway. Situated in South Bombay, Colaba Causeway is a shopper’s paradise. It is an entire stretch of footpath that pans the length of the street. There are stall after stalls after stalls and what seems like an endless line of items that you and your friends will want to buy. You can spend 3-4 hours rummaging through all the items put on display - clothes, footwear, home essentials, copper and bronze items, bags, glassware, personalised items, accessories and so much more! If you want to take a break, there are numerous food joints and iconic cafes such as Cafe Leopold and Cafe Mondegar that face these stalls and are situated on the same stretch of footpath.

#6 Smaaash!

Are you ready to ‘smaaash’ it out of the park with adrenaline-pumping games at Smaaash!? This is one of the best places to visit in Mumbai to have some fun with your friends. You can spend the entire day at the location, indulging in various games and competing with or against your friends. There are activities such as Laser Tag, Bowling, Arcade Games, Cricket, Go Karting, Jurassic Escape, Trampoline Park and more. It is kind of an expensive place but if you are going with a big group of friends, there are certain offers and discounts that you can avail. There is also the option of eating at Smaaash or you can locate a restaurant within Kamala Mills to enjoy some dinner and drinks with friends and make it the perfect end to a memorable day.

#7 Sanjay Gandhi National Park

Sanjay Gandhi National Park should be on your list of places to visit in Mumbai if you want to explore the flora and fauna Mumbai is home to. With almost 2 million visitors every year, it is one of the most visited parks in the world. Safaris, nature trails and rock climbing are popular recreational activities conducted in the national park. You can catch glimpses of leopards, lions, types of reptiles, deer, monkeys and creepy-crawly insects. Pay a visit to the Kanheri Caves which situated within the park. These caves were built during 9^th and 1^st century BCE and was an important learning centre and pilgrimage site for the Buddhists. Start your day early and beat the crowd to do all these activities in Sanjay Gandhi National Park. By the time you step out of the national park, the sun will setting and making way for the moon to shine!

Restaurants in Mumbai

The city is a treasure house of incredible restaurants! Restaurants in Mumbai range from Southeast Asian to European to Middle Eastern, from Gourmet to Home-style cooking. Every neighbourhood has numerous restaurants in Mumbai to choose from. Life in Mumbai is so quick-paced and ever-evolving that a new restaurant can appear every week! Kandivali, Cater Road, Mohammad Ali Road, Matunga and Colaba are popular places in Mumbai known for their food spots.

Best Time to Visit Mumbai

Monsoon and winter seasons are the best time to visit Mumbai. After the blazing heat during summer, the rains are welcomed with open arms and big smiles. The weather is pleasant and believe it or not, you need to get soaking wet in these rains to know what’s so great about them. The chance to seek shelter at a makeshift stall and enjoy hot pakoras with a spicy green chutney and a cup of cutting chai or freshly roasted cob of corned that has been rubbed with a spice mix and lime juice - wow! Winter is considered as the best time to visit Mumbai since the weather is perfect for sight-seeing and exploring the city. In fact, the sunshine is a welcoming burst of warmth.