Mumbai with Kids
A hands-on science museum, a giant shoe, a beach and bhelpuri
- Duration
- 1 day
- Theme
- Family
- Budget
- ₹2,000–4,000 for a family of four
- Best for
- Families with children 4–14, Rainy-season days (the science centre is mostly indoors)
Mumbai is not an obvious family destination, but this day is built for it: a science centre where everything is meant to be touched, a lunch that will please everyone, a park with a climbable Old Woman's Shoe and the city's best view, and a beach evening with balloon-sellers and kulfi. Distances are short and every stop has toilets, shade and snacks nearby.
The plan
Nehru Science Centre: Nehru Science Centre
Start in the outdoor science park while it's cool, then the galleries and a show. Budget more time than you think.
Lunch at Copper Chimney: Copper Chimney
Reliable, spacious, and a menu wide enough for fussy eaters. The buffet solves the 'what do you want' problem.
Hanging Gardens and the Old Woman's Shoe: Hanging Gardens & Kamala Nehru Park
Kamala Nehru Park's giant shoe is climbable; Hanging Gardens has hedges clipped into animals and the view over Marine Drive.
All-day snacks at All in 1: All in 1 - Pure Jain Restaurant
A Girgaon institution for vegetarian snacks and a cold drink before the beach.
Girgaon Chowpatty: Girgaon Chowpatty
Sand, sunset, bhelpuri, kulfi and balloon-sellers. Let them run; the beach is safe if you keep them out of the water.
Marine Drive after dark: Marine Drive
Walk a stretch of the sea wall with the Queen's Necklace lit, a good way to wind down before the taxi back.
Before you go
- Check the Nehru Science Centre show times when you buy tickets and build the morning around one
- Kamala Nehru Park's shoe is the photo; Hanging Gardens across the road has the topiary animals, do both
- Chowpatty's licensed food plaza is the safe choice for chaat with children
- Everything here is doable by taxi in under 20 minutes; skip the trains with small kids at rush hour