25 Places To Visit In Mussoorie: Your Guide To The Queen Of Hills

A unique feature of all Indian hill stations is the Mall Road—a base camp where every trip begins and ends. A hotspot for Maggi, momos, cute cafes, and endless views, Mussoorie's Mall Road is lined with pretty benches and lamp posts at every viewpoint. It’s a core memory for many of us—simply strolling along this Mall Road (much like those in Shimla, Manali, or Nainital) late at night, hand in hand with our best friends, after devouring a dozen momos and giggling uncontrollably. Then, finally sitting on a bench, taking in the quiet town and the sea of stars. Or perhaps shopping for local goodies, hopping between cafes and local street food joints, and soaking in the lively atmosphere—just the best!

In addition to the very popular and often crowded Kempty Falls, Mussoorie also boasts several lesser-known waterfalls worth visiting. These include Mossy Falls, Jharipani Falls, and Bhatta Falls—each a bit more secluded from the main city. To reach Mossy Falls (named after the moss-covered rocks surrounding the gushing water), you'll need to hike a little, as the falls are tucked away in a cleft in the hillside. The terrain is slightly rough, but the reward is worth it. Mossy Falls also features a shivlinga hidden within the fall, continuously drenched by the flowing water. You can also visit Jharipani Falls to enjoy its pristine, scenic beauty, dotted with wildflowers—perfect for a cute picnic!

Surrounded by oak and deodar forests, Clouds End is a landmark located at the geographical end of Mussoorie. Situated about 7 km from the main city, Clouds End is one of the must-visit places in Mussoorie. Known for its pleasant scenic views of the hills and enjoyable climate, it also features a beautiful heritage bungalow built by Major Swetenham in 1838, which is one of the oldest buildings in the city. This bungalow has since been converted into a heritage hotel called Clouds End Forest Resort, which is also a popular tourist destination. Nature walks through the nearby forest are another highlight of the area.

LBB Tip: From what we know, it is temporarily closed right now, but it is best to confirm it with the residents of Mussoorie. 

For those of you looking to visit Mussoorie for a dose of adrenaline and a bit of adventure, you can trek to Nag Tibba Peak. Nag Tibba, which translates to 'Serpent's Peak', is the highest peak in the lower Himalayas of the Garhwal region near Mussoorie. This comparatively easy trek, suitable for beginners, is a great weekend option, taking approximately two days to complete. You can book a tour package that will plan the itinerary and guide you throughout the trek. Along the way, you'll come across a temple, and from the summit, you can enjoy spellbinding views of some of Doon Valley's most beautiful peaks. The views, of course, feel much sweeter due to the hard work you’ve put in to reach the top.

Believe it or not, Mussoorie is a hotspot for bibliophiles. The city is home to Ruskin Bond, and the famous Cambridge Book Depot on Mall Road is where the author greets his fans every weekend he’s in town. The bookstore itself is a dream for bookworms, and many authors and writers, including Mulk Raj Anand, Gulzar, William Dalrymple, Shakuntala Devi, and Atal Bihari Vajpayee, have also frequented it. Stop by to grab your favourite read!

Walking is much more fun when we're so high above sea level and surrounded by greenery all around. Waking up early or taking a late-night stroll with your beau is totally worth it when in Mussoorie. A popular destination for these walks is the beautiful Camel's Back Road, a 4 km long stretch that starts from Library Point and leads to Kulri Bazaar. The slope adjacent to the road features a 180-year-old colonial cemetery, which you can see as you walk along. The road is the perfect spot to witness mesmerising views of the sun rising and setting over the hills.

One of the few private natural reserves in India, Jabarkhet Natural Reserve (JNR) is the perfect place to experience 'eco-tourism.' Here, you can hop on one of the easy to moderate walking trails, spend time taking in fresh air, hike, go birdwatching, practice wildlife photography, draw, or simply enjoy the peace and solitude of the moment. For many, this is the ideal vacation—walking along a forest trail with a partner and getting as close to nature as possible. The team at JNR also organises guided walks, mushroom identification, butterfly trails, meditation, art or writing sessions, and many other activities for tourists. Sounds like a must-do!

Ticket Price: Starts at INR 350 per person

One of the most prominent landmarks in Mussoorie is an old Victorian-style library, built in 1843 during colonial rule. Although the library is not open to the general public, its ornate balcony/verandah features beautiful cast-iron lacework that can be viewed from the outside. It functions as a lending library, but only card-carrying members are allowed beyond the foyer, which is the furthest point the general public can wander. The bazaar in front of this historic library is called Library Bazaar, also known as Gandhi Chowk, due to the Mahatma Gandhi statue at one end. It’s the busiest part of Mall Road and a great spot for taking pictures! There's another library in town, the Tilak Library, which is even older (built in 1841) than this one. Located at the beginning of Kulri Bazaar, this library is open to the general public.

Mussoorie is a great place for a cultural walk, as it is home to numerous temples, churches, and religious centers that you can visit, admire, and meditate at. Built in 1836 and located very close to the Library Bus Stand, Christ Church is known as the first Catholic church in the entire Himalayan region. Surrounded by thick oak and deodar trees, the Jwala Devi Temple is frequented by both pilgrims and nature lovers (nemophilists) alike.

Around 3 km from Library Bazaar, Happy Valley is the place where the 14th Dalai Lama took refuge in Mussoorie for a year, before moving to Dharmshala. Since then, the place has become home to approximately 5,000 refugees rendering to the common name, 'mini Tibet.' You can visit the area for some beautiful Tibetan Monasteries, relish Tibetan food and more. The magnificent Shedup Choephelling Temple, which is situated at the highest point of the Happy Valley on a cliff, offers some of the most scenic views of the hill station. A Buddha statue, the Company Garden, the Cloud End point, all of them lie here in the area. The Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy Of Administration is also in this area only. 

Ticket Price (Company Garden): INR 18 per person

This is one of the best attractions in Mussoorie for those who enjoy gazing at and losing themselves in art—whether for introspection, to delve into the story it tells, or simply to appreciate its beauty. The Soham Heritage & Art Centre is a unique tourist spot and a private enterprise aimed at showcasing the diversity of the Himalayas through various art forms. It displays the cultural richness of the Himalayas through paintings, murals, scrap art, frescoes, and artifacts. The art centre also features an exhibition of traditional jewellery, tools, household items, and wildlife from the Himalayan regions.

Ticket Price: INR 100 per person

If you’re a fan of ropeways and cable cars, you can take one to Gun Hill, the second-highest peak in Mussoorie. It’s a crowd-favourite viewpoint offering picturesque views of the Doon Valley and snow-clad Himalayan peaks.

Ticket Price: INR 75 per person

A tiny shop so popular that it has now become one of the best tourist attractions in Mussoorie! Chick Chocolate is as close as humanity will get to a time machine — around seven decades old (since 1942). People flock to this historical and nostalgic café for their iconic fruit cream, softies, drinks like cranberry ginger fizz and iced tea, chocolates and chocolate desserts, and their wood-fired pizzas. An old-school café, its humble décor is also noteworthy, with yellow-hued walls, music memorabilia, and movie posters. Even chef Anahita Dhondy has raved about this cute Mussoorie shop.

Google Rating: 3.5/5

Make sure you set aside a couple of hours from your itinerary to visit this wonderful café, as you might just have to wait to find a table at this crowd-favourite spot. After all, who doesn’t love delicious food with some of the best hillside views? As soon as you step into this super cute, three-storey café with wooden interiors, you’ll be greeted by the whiff of fresh bakes and food that will make you drool. Baked goodies, momos, burgers, ramen, sushi, coffee, pizza, pasta, hot chocolate, shakes, mezze platters — you name it, and you’ll find it here, and all of it will be so good that you won’t be able to get enough of it. You can take pretty pictures for your Instagram on the rooftop or from a window-side seat. The reason it’s always so crowded might just be that no one who comes here ever wants to leave!

Google Rating: 4.5/5

When you're visiting a hill station and the sun is setting, the wind is cold, and the weather is chilly, that's when you'll most appreciate a piping hot plate of momos and a hot bowl of soup. That's also when you should visit this famous pan-Asian restaurant on Mussoorie Mall Road, called Kalsang Friends Corner. True to its name, the place is always buzzing with groups of friends, all enjoying a variety of Tibetan, Korean, Chinese, and Thai delicacies. Even though there are plenty of tables (and floors), you might have to wait a little while to get a seat during peak season. The place is almost always filled with the happy chatter of people devouring their spicy and delectable fare.

Google Rating: 4.2/5

One can't visit Mussoorie and miss the iconic Landour Bakehouse. Almost everyone has this place saved in their phone galleries or Instagram feeds. The iconic green board of Landour Bakehouse is recognizable from afar, and people have been visiting for generations to relish the delectable cakes, pastries, and sandwiches. Their recipes date back to the late 1890s, coming from the Landour Cookbook (which you can also buy on Amazon as a book by Ruskin Bond). The cookbook contains recipes collected in the early twentieth century by Mrs. Lucas, wife of the pastor of Kellogg Church in Landour, and Irene Parker, one of the residents of Landour. It's aptly titled Over a Hundred Years of Hillside Cooking. Anyway, a coffee date in the hills with scones, crepes, and stuffed croissants might just take all your troubles away!

Google Rating: 4.3/5

This restaurant in the JW Marriott Walnut Grove Resort & Spa is the most idyllic space you'll probably come across. And that’s because it draws all of its beauty from its heavenly location. It features an outdoor deck that lets you take in the breathtaking surroundings as you lounge on a comfy sofa, sipping on a glass of fine wine or coffee. The dishes you can enjoy here include a variety of pastas, wood-smoked pizzas, hot bowls of soup, and more. We just can’t get the image of us sitting here with our favourite read all day long out of our heads!

Google Rating: 4.5/5

This is an artsy kind of place, with sunset-orange-coloured walls, and it is heartily decorated with paintings, photographs, origami, and wall art that makes it feel really homely. They have a cute outdoor area decked with potted plants, along with books, board games, and a huge variety of beverages to sip on. They also serve delicious-looking waffles, while other items on the menu include pizzas, fries, burgers, and more.

Google Rating: 4.2/5

The place lives up to the name and the momos are soft, juicy, freshly made and flavourful. The place in itself is pretty cute — red bricked walls, Tibetan prayer flags, wooden chairs, all of it giving it a very cosy and authentic vibe, making it a must-try!

Perhaps the most beautiful and popular boutique hotel in Mussoorie, Rokeby Manor is an English-style country estate hotel that has been restored to its original 19th-century decor. It stands fully in character with its brick arches, fireplaces, wood floors, and stonewalls with intricate work. You can escape here for a vacation that will not just rejuvenate you, but will also teleport you to a different time. The hotel also has a salon and spa shed, while its cafes Emily’s and Landour Bakehouse have fame of their own. 

Google Rating: 4.5/5

If you’re in the mood to truly indulge, then Savoy is where you should be. There’s not much that matches the grandeur of The Savoy in Mussoorie. It is an elegant and historic hotel, built in the style of English Gothic architecture. The hotel combines old-world charm with modern conveniences, offering experiences like storytelling soirées, the forest trail, and the Savoy post office, all of which you shouldn’t miss. 

Google Rating: 4.8/5

This homestay is best if you plan to visit with a group of people. You can book the entire villa which has 3 rooms and accommodates around six to nine people. You can book the villa for your family or a group of friends. The property is surrounded by majestic snow peaks but the cosy wooden furniture and slate floors don’t let you feel the chill. The villa is tastefully decorated and blessed with scenic views and plenty of outdoor spaces, where you can savour a delightful picnic spread, read your favourite book, sip on some hot coffee or enjoy a bonfire under the sea of stars! 

Google Rating: 4.7/5

LBB-tip: Read more about it here. 

Pro Tip: Win A Stay Here For Free. 

Yet another boutique hotel in Landour that would be no less than a tonic for your soul is Oakwood Forest Retreat. It has a lush green valley that looks directly at the beautiful hilly views. Since it is well-secluded from the city's hustle and bustle, you can definitely find your moment of peace here. 

Google Rating: 4.7/5

Another 19th-century heritage place turned hotel, The Pine Retreat is the perfect romantic getaway that you were dreaming of with your S.O. Our favourite part about this hotel is the magical views of the Dehradun Valley that it offers which makes this hotel one of the best Mussorie sightseeing places too. The entire scene transforms into a beautifully lit fairyland at night, covered by a blanket of shining stars. 

Google Rating: 4.5/5

Just 100m away from Gandhi Chowk, EllBee Hotel overlooks the incredible Shivalik Hills. From free Wi-Fi and on-site parking to scenic views from the rustic, warm rooms, the place, nestled centrally in the city, will give you the best of everything the Queen of Hills has to offer. 

Google Rating: 4.8/5