Exploring Mumbai like a pro! : 101 things to do in Mumbai
From chill hidden gems to iconic must-visits, crazy food trails to epic adventures—this guide’s your ticket to living the ultimate Mumbai dream. Ready to explore like a boss?
By Soumya Pawaskar
02 Jan, 2025
Bollywood, Marine drive, Vada pav!
These are probably the first few things that pop into your head when you think of Mumbai, right? But let us tell you, Mumbai is all that and so much more. Iconic colonial landmarks, chill seaside spots, legendary food places, famous shopping markets, bass you name it, and this city’s got it! No matter how well you think you know it, Mumbai always has something up its sleeve.
And guess what? We bet even the most hardcore Mumbaikars haven’t heard of some of the cool spots and activities we’re about to drop here. Are you excited? Let's go!
101 Things to do in ‘The city of dreams’ — Mumbai
1. Catch a beautiful sunset at Marine drive
2. Take a touristy photograph at Gateway of India
3. Visit Dadar flower market (Even Diljit did, what’s stopping YOU?)
4. Go and shop at Chor Bazaar
5. Attend Siddhivanak temple's kakad aarti at 5:30 AM. If you are lucky enough, you could be 1 of the 14 chosen people who get to witness the aarti from the temple’s innermost sanctum
A view of gorgeous post sunset skies at Marine Drive
6. Don’t miss the South Bombay midnight cycling tour
7. Take the monorail ride, just for the thrill and float above the bustling chaos of Mumbai!
8. Find your zen at the Japanese temple—Nipponzan Myohoji Buddhist temple
9. Go to Esselworld and be a kid again!
10. Go for a long drive on Bandra-Worli sea link at midnight
The stunning Bandra-Worli sea link in the night
11. Watch DDLJ in Maratha Mandir and relive the magic of Raj and Simran on the big screen
12. You HAVE to eat a vada pav from Ashok Vada Pav
13. Visit Mumbai’s oldest working dock—Sassoon dock to experience the city’s fishing culture
14. Hop on Mumbai’s newest underground Aqua metro line
15. Visit Mumbai during the iconic Ganesh Chaturthi to dance, sing and soak in the energy
Try the super tasty Vada pav from Ashok Vada Pav (Credits- @thehungrybrigade)
16. Grab an iconic ice cream sandwich at K Rustom
17. Visit NMACC (Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre) for art, culture and exhibitions
18. Dive into history of India at Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vaastu Sangrahalaya
19. Attend a meditation programme at Global Vipassana Pagoda in Gorai
20. Sip brewing coffee from the cyclewale bhaiyya that you can find literally anywhere on the road
21. A flavourful food tour at Mohammad Ali road is a must!
22. Visit Horniman circle to witness beautiful vintage cars
23. Get the Old Bombay feels at Khotachi Wadi, Girgaon
24. Witness beautiful pottery at the 100 year old Kumbharwada
25. Visit the iconic Dhobi Ghat- World’s largest outdoor laundry
Take in the peaceful vibes at Global Vipassana Pagoda
26. Seek blessings at Haji Ali Dargah, situated on an islet off the Worli coast
27. Step back in time at Flora fountain and get a glimpse of the colonial era architecture
28. Visit the go-to-spot for art exhibitions in the city— Jehangir Art Gallery
29. Go to the Mount Mary church, inspired by Roman Catholic Era
30. Check out the Chinese temple— Kwan Kung temple in Mazgaon for an unique experience
31. History buffs should visit 65 million years old– Gilbert Hill in Andheri, which is said to be there before there was trace of humans
32. Take Rajbhavan underground bunker tour— perfect place for an amazing sunrise
33. Go for a heritage walk through South Bombay— Ballard Estate that will transport you to early 20th century
34. Explore amazing street art at Chapel road in Bandra
35. Want to know about the evolution of money in India? Explore RBI Monetary museum
Art lovers enjoying the art at the Jehangir Art Gallery
36. Journey through more than a century of Indian Cinema, at National Museum of India Cinema (NMIC)
37. Cheer like a true Mumbaikar at a cricket match in Wankhede Stadium
38. Visit Mumbai’s oldest temple, Mumbadevi temple
39. Watch Mumbai che dabbawalas in action during lunch hours
40. Sing your heart out at a karaoke night at Hard Rock Café
41. Visit ISKCON temple in Juhu
42. Breath in the fresh air on a nature walk at Aarey colony
43. Get your hiking boots and trek through Sanjay Gandhi National Park
44. Attend Kala Ghoda Art festival and soak in the artsy vibe in case if you visit in February
45. Watch a play at Prithvi Theatre
A mesmerising view of Wankhede stadium
46. Buy books for about Rs. 100 at book street near Flora Fountain
47. Go on shopping spree at Hill Road market, Bandra
48. Enjoy a hearty breakfast at any of the Irani cafes in the city
49. Visit Aksa beach for a quiet escape from the city chaos
50. Catch a stunning sunset at Madh Island beach
51. Stroll along Versova beach – Who knows? You might bump into the next Bollywood superstar in the making!
52. Try Parsi food at Britannia and Co. Because nothing says “old Bombay charm” like berry pulao and dhansak
53. Spot Flamingos at Sewri Jetty
54. Participate in community clean-up drives at local beaches
55. Take a walking tour of Dharavi’s vibrant lanes
Spot cute flamingos at Sewri Jetty
56. Try bouldering at Podar college wall in Matunga
57. Take a slow train from CSMT to Mulund It's not about the destination, it’s about taking in the quintessential Mumbai station vibes
58. Explore Mumbai’s most iconic market—- The Crawford market
59. Pack a mat, grab some snacks and picnic at lush green Oval Maidan in Churchgate
60. Attend a storytelling session at Kommune Mumbai
61. Check out Mumbai’s underground party scene at antiSOCIAL, Lower Parel
62. Take a tour of Worli fishing village to learn about Koli (local fisherman community) culture
63. Explore Ghatkopar’s Khau Galli- trust us it’s a foodie’s paradise
64. Want to stargaze in Mumbai? Check out Nehru planetarium and learn astronomy
65. Go to Mahalaxmi racecourse just to see where the horse racing used to happen
Night aerial view of CSMT Railway Station
66. Take a chill walk at Cuff Parade promenade with yachts on one side and sea birds keeping you company
67. Enjoy marine biodiversity at Taraporewala Aquarium
68. Explore the naval history of Mumbai at Bombay Dockyard
69. Get a glimpse into city’s 300-year old Bhikha Behram Well, a sacred site for Zorastrians
70. Discover lesser-known Buddhist and Hindu cave carvings at Mandapeshwar Caves in Borivali
71. Say hi to exotic animals at recently revamped Byculla Zoo (Veermata Jeejabai Udyan)
72. Visit the sets of the popular TV show Tarak Mehta Ka Oolta Chashma (with the makers’ permission, of course!)
73. Admire the Eros Cinema, an Art Deco marvel from the 1930s at Churchgate
74. Savour authentic South Indian dishes at the famous Ram Ashraya in Matunga
75. Visit The Hanging Gardens, built on a slope for scenic views of the Arabian Sea and the city skyline. Don’t miss the Old Woman’s shoe here!
Kids playing at the old women's shoe in the famous Hanging Garden
76. Explore the amazing street art in Mahim, east
77. Visit Mani Bhavan, Mahatma Gandhi’s Mumbai home which is also a museum now
78. Experience Virtual Reality at its best at the VR game Zone, Vile Parle
79. Feast on Mumbai’s iconic street food at Girgaon Chowpaty while the sun sets over the Arabian sea
80. Enjoy a peaceful reading session at David Sassoon library and explore the heritage architecture
81. Take a heritage walk through Dadar Parsi Colony’s leafy streets and soak in the Parsi culture
82. Discover Matharpacady Village, a quaint Catholic village with colorful cottages that look straight out of a postcard
83. Take a quiet stroll in Five Gardens, surrounded by greenery in the old neighborhood of Matunga
84. Chill at Candies, an iconic café in Bandra and enjoy its affordable food and retro vibe
85. Walk or jog along Carter road’s promenade sea-facing stretch
86. Take an aerial tour of Mumbai city with Pawan Hans Helicopter joy ride
87. Experience the crashing waves against rugged rocks with stunning sunset at Versova rocks
88. Hit top shopping malls in the city like Palladium (Lower Parel), Phoenix Market city (Kurla), Infiniti Mall (Malad), Inorbit (Malad)
89. Visit House of Neon in Ghatkopar to play with neon colours and splash all over
90. Have an artistic day out with your friends along with pottery, art and cooking session at The Mini Date, Vikhroli
Visit the iconic Candies cafe in Bandra and munch on some delicious snacks (Credits- @candiescafe)
91. Jump high on trampolines at Bounce India, Infiniti Mall, Malad
92. Go parasailing at Juhu beach and feel the thrill of flying
93. Spend a fun evening in Mystery rooms, Andheri (You can find many escape rooms all across the city)
94. Learn the art of Sushi making at Nusara, Juhu
95. Go on a coffee date at Subko in Bandra and sip on some artisanal brews
96. Visit Mumbai’s highest climbing arena, High Rock in Powai
97. Feel the adrenaline as planes take off just above you at Jari Mari hills
98. Take a tour of the heritage building BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal corporation) Headquarters for its stunning architecture
99. Take a peek at old movie sets and Bollywood’s golden era at Bollywood Park Mumbai Filmcity, Goregaon
100. Get competitive and enjoy all the different colors of fun at OWG Paintball, Mira Bhayandar
101. Enjoy a fun date night at the Jio Drive-In Theatre, BKC to watch movies under the stars for an ultimate romantic evening
Enjoy movie night at Jio Drive-In theatre in BKC (Credits- @foodie_24into7)
Are you ready to explore Mumbai like a pro? Who knows, while checking out these places, you might stumble upon some amazing hidden gems. Afterall, yeh Mumbai hai boss, it never stops surprising you! And once you’ve ticked off all these places and activities, why not plan your next adventure around Mumbai? Check out our detailed blog for all the inspo you need!
Oh also, after all that exploring, you’ll need a spot to relax and rest, right? Located just a 9-minute drive from Mumbai International Airport, The Hosteller Mumbai, Andheri, is the perfect place to crash! Plan your Mumbai trip today!
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