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Mumbai Dhobi Ghat World Biggest Open Air Laundry

February 22, 2023July 19, 2024

Mumbai Dhobi Ghat World Biggest Open Air Laundry

Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat Mumbai is the world’s largest open-air laundry. People bring dirty clothes from all over Mumbai. And hundreds of washermen and women – dhobis, work their shifts through the day to get the clothes back to their fresh, crisp, and spotless state.

While some dhobi families take help from machines too, much of the activities at this Dhobi Ghat of Mumbai are taken care of by hand. Every family member takes care of their part. One person flogs the clothes in the washing trough, while others hang them out to dry. Then someone will mint the clothes using bulky charcoal irons.

Once the clothes are cleaned, dried, and pressed, the porters take them back to the owners. The system is well-optimized, and each garment and sheet are coded to be traced back to the respective client.

Visit Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai and witness the effective management of strenuous laundry activities traditionally.

History of Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai

The place was set up by an association of 50 washers in 1890, during British rule. And except for a few modifications, Dhobi Ghat has maintained its old look and way of working.

Today, around 700 washer families live together in the area and thrash clothes on their respective stones every day. Some dhobis have installed mechanical washing and drying machines, but most still survive by washing the clothes in their designated troughs and washing platforms, which were built during the British era.

Things to do at Mumbai Dhobi Ghat

1. Watching the organized chaos at the laundry – Dhobi Ghat laundry in Mumbai is one of the top tourist destinations in the city. It buzzes with washers and the smell of washing soda and other chemicals all day long. You can watch the well-managed manual laundry system here. While one dhobi sorts the clothes as per their colors and types, another one will beat the stains out of clothes; and yet another member of the family hangs them on the lines to dry.

Mumbai Dhobi Ghat also has separate sections to boil water and wash infected clothes from hospitals. And while the washed clothes are being ironed before delivery, more porters come in with fresh piles of dirty clothes.

2. Knowing about the life of washermen and women – This Dhobi Ghat in Mumbai is managed by the people who work there, and they’re more than eager to share their stories with travelers. Learn about the entire process, hear about their daily struggles at work, and play a game or two of marbles with the kids there. You might also grab some helpful washing tips to take back home.

3. Clicking colorful photographs of clotheslines – Dhobi Ghat Mumbai sightseeing is also popular among photographers. Rows of colorful clothes drying in the sun streamlined displays of monochrome linens from hospitals and hotels, and happy faces behind the water splashes are all different frames you can capture. The patient photographers can also click piles of clothes loaded on porters’ backs, their cycles, and handcarts wheeled in and out.

Dhobi Ghat Mumbai Timings and Entry Fees

The place is functional for almost 18-20 hours a day.

Around 5,000 washers play their part, every day, in cleaning the clothes of the residents of Mumbai. Some dhobi families start as early as 4 AM, and many others work until 10 PM.

However, for the best experience, your Dhobi Ghat Mumbai visit should only be during the day. And that would be between 8 AM and 6 PM.

Also, you don’t have to pay a fee either to enter this open-air laundry or click photographs. But you can pay a local guide to help you unleash the hidden gems of Dhobi Ghat.

Best Time to Visit Dhobi Ghat

The best time to plan a Dhobi Ghat Mumbai tour is from October to March. The temperature remains pleasant and the chances of rainfall ruining your schedule are at their lowest.

Visit the place in the morning hours to see the dhobis in action; flogging the clothes in their respective cubicles. By noon and early afternoon, the hanging wires in Dhobi Ghat get loaded with clothes hung out to dry in the sun.

Time to Explore Dhobi Ghat Mumbai

It would take only about an hour to explore the dark alleys of Dhobi Ghat. You can witness the British-era water troughs used for washing, get through miles of cloth hanging lines, and also get a glimpse of the ironing sheds.

Interesting facts about Dhobi Ghat

Around 5000 dhobis work here round the clock, cleaning and crisping dirty clothes.
Dhobi Ghat has more than 700 washing stations where washing is done by hand.
Once 496 dhobis washed clothes together, thus getting Dhobi Ghat a place in the Guinness Book of World Records for “most people hand-washing clothes at a single location”.
Nearby hotels, hospitals, and decorators are the regular clients of the washers. Garment manufacturers also send clothes to this laundry.
Many Hindi and Marathi movies like Munnabhai MBBS, Shootout at Wadala, and Dhobi Ghat (aka Mumbai Diaries) have been shot at this place.

Things to keep in mind while visiting Dhobi Ghat

Get in there early in the morning to avoid the rush working hours of the dhobis.
Make your camera waterproof as most of the areas are wet.
Take a Guided walk inside Dhobi Ghat with Experience Tour Guide.

Places to visit near Dhobi Ghat:

1. Mahalakshmi Temple – Mahalakshmi Temple Mumbai is a beautiful temple overlooking the seashore of Mumbai. It is about 3 km away from Dhobi Ghat and devotees come here to take blessings from Goddess Mahalakshmi, Mahakali, and Mahasaraswati. You can understand the religious importance of this place from the fact that it is full of pilgrims when the Navratri celebrations are ongoing. The devotees wait for hours in the queue for their turn to offer flowers, sweets, and coconuts to the deities.

2. Haji Ali Dargah – Haji Ali Mosque is an Islamic pilgrimage site, only a few hundred meters away from Mahalakshmi Temple. It is built in the honor of saint Haji Ali Shah Bukhari and has been decorated in the Indo-Islamic architectural style. It stands on a small island in the Arabian Sea and is connected to the mainland through a narrow pathway. Visiting Haji Ali during high tides is not advisable but at other times of the day, tourists and pilgrims from around the world come here to take blessings.

3. Nehru Planetarium – Nehru Planetarium is a notable center for scientific studies and astronomical activities. It is a part of the Nehru Science Centre, about 4 km away from Dhobi Ghat. At the planetarium, one can observe planets and other celestial objects in the sky. Local people come here to witness events like Lunar eclipses and Solar eclipses through one of the numerous telescopes installed at the site. The place is also the venue for many educational programs, cultural shows, and scientific discussions.

4. Mumbai Zoo – Officially called Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Udyan, Mumbai Zoo is one of the oldest zoos and botanical gardens in India. This zoo has a variety of birds and animals, including penguins. Many other animals like hyenas and swamp deer are kept in their respective habitats too. Local people visit the place with friends and family during weekends. Mumbai Zoo is about 2 km away from Dhobi Ghat.

5. Marine Drive – Marine Drive, about 7 km away, is a sea-facing promenade popular among local people and tourists alike. Mumbaikars visit this place to jog and hang out with friends. The place is also known for its range of street food stalls and restaurants. Marine Drive is nicknamed the Queen’s Necklace because of the glistening display of lights at night.

How to Reach Dhobi Ghat Mumbai?

Dhobi Ghat is in proximity to many other tourist spots in Mumbai. To reach Dhobi Ghat, Mahalaxmi Mumbai station is the nearest local railway station.

You can also avail of cab service from top car rental companies in Mumbai to take you to this world record holder laundry. And here are the various ways to reach Mumbai –

By Road – Mumbai has regular buses to various parts of India. Whether you want to get a bus from the nearby towns Pune and Nagpur or distant tourist destinations like Ahmedabad and Panaji, you’ll find a suitable conveyance. The Mumbai Central bus stop is only about 2 km away from Dhobi Ghat.

By Rail – Railways are the lifeline of Mumbai, and regular trains connect it to different corners of India. While Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus is 6 km away from Dhobi Ghat, Mumbai Central is at a distance of 3 km. Suburban railway stations like Bandra Terminus, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and others also have many trains coming from different towns.

By Air – Mumbai is the gateway to India and has reliable connectivity to other parts of the world via air. Flights from popular national and international cities land at regular intervals at Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport. It is at a distance of 16 km from Dhobi Ghat.

Make the most of your Mumbai tour by booking a Mumbai tour package with us. We at Mumbai Dream Tours, a division offering packages at pocket-friendly prices. Book your tour with us and we are sure you will have a great time filled with many memorable moments. To know more details about the various packages, please fill out the Contact Us form and we will get back to you.

Location Map for Dhobi Ghat Mumbai https://goo.gl/maps/5ZvsoHHkwinYVXX59

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Best street shopping Tour in Mumbai with Mumbai Dream…

November 21, 2020July 19, 2024

Explore the new colorful places in Mumbai Markets:

It’s time to ditch the cliched shopping sessions at malls and take a street shopping tour around the city. Mumbai, being a city of hopes and dreams is definitely fulfilling our shopping wishlist too as it has one of the best street shopping markets in India. If you’re new in town or holidaying in Mumbai then your trip is incomplete without a street shopping session. You just cannot miss out on what they sell the best as you’ll be spoilt for choices – Be it clothes, accessories, footwear, and the list never ends. We’ve made it easier for you by curating the best of the street markets you can explore and have a crazy shopping experience. Mumbai street shopping will definitely get excited as shopping places in Mumbai have their own charm.

A walking tour through the historic markets of south Mumbai will give you a taste of the real India. The wide streets and narrow alleyways are alive with activity. In front of colonial buildings and alongside temples and mosques, vendors shout from carts that sell everything from colorful birds and spicy snacks to flowers and Indian clothes.

Colaba Causeway

Colaba Causeway takes the lead when it comes to selling the most beautiful accessories trending huge this season. The vendors sell stunning danglers, customized necklaces in both artificial gold and silver sparkling artificial rings, and a lot of accessories you’ll fall in love with. This is not it as the market is not just about accessories but they also sell handicrafts, footwear, clothes, and books.

Highlights: Antiques, Accessories, Clothes, Watches, Footwear

Location: Colaba, South Mumbai

2. Fashion Street

It’s a street every shopaholic could dream of with almost hundreds of stalls selling the best of clothing you wear on almost any occasion. It’s the go-to spot for college students when it comes to street shopping so taking a walk around the market is definitely a good idea. One can totally grab the finest of clothes when confined to a limited budget.

Highlights: Handbags, Footwear, Accessories, Mobile Covers, Clothes

Location: MG Road, South Mumbai

3. Chor Bazaar

The name says it all but to be precise second hand and stolen goods are usually sold here. It’s like a flea market altogether selling authentic handicrafts, spare parts of vehicles, antiques, shoes, and whatnot. They’ve literally got anything and everything and we mean it.

Highlights: Showpieces, Antiques, Idols, Watches, Sunglasses, Electronics, Handicrafts, Spare Vehicle Parts, Mobile Phones

Location: Mutton Street, Kumbharwada

4. Zaveri Bazaar

You’ll be spoilt for choices when you’ll reach Zaveri Bazaar as it’s a place dominated by jewelry vendors all around. It’s the hub for all kinds of pieces of jewelry you have on your wishlist – Name it and they’ll have it. You’ll find sales on the best gold jewelry here, be it artificial or real. This bazaar has got its bling game on point with fancy finger rings and necklaces to catch your attention.

Highlights: Artificial Cheap Gold Jewelry, Rings, Necklaces, Bracelets, Anklets, Wedding Jewellery

Location: Dana Bandar, Mandvi

5. Kala Ghoda Pavement Market

Kala Ghoda Pavement Market is the go-to place if you’re looking for authentic artsy paintings and greeting cards. If you admire art then this street will amaze you with people’s mesmerizing paintings made with perfection and unique techniques. Don’t stop yourself from interacting with the artists as it might turn out to be a great conversation. This place will hit you with the right kind of exhibition feels.

Highlights: Gift Cards, Paintings

Location: Kala Ghoda, Fort

6. Mangaldas Market

Browse away your favorite fabrics in this amazing market with a huge number of stalls and shops selling almost every kind of fabric. If you’re looking for a particular print, pattern, or specific dupatta – you’ll definitely find it all here. Mangaldas Market should definitely be on your list if you’re looking for fabric to stitch your dream lehenga or suit.

Highlights: Wedding Wear, Best Fabrics, Dupattas

Location: Lohar Chawl, Kalbadevi

7. Flower Market

Watching the colorful flower market in Dadar East (previously known as Phool gully) unfold at 5 AM every morning is a sight. It’s chaotically beautiful, and the colors can soothe your senses. If you want to know where all your tiny local flower markets get their bulk supply from, read on.

Right outside the station, under the Dadar flyover flourishes the wholesale flower market, possibly the only one in Mumbai. The tiny, narrow lane is lined with kiosks, stalls, and even wooden planks with one thing in common, flowers, and the sweet fragrance that awaits us. We found roses, lotuses, gerberas, crimsons, lilies, marigolds, chrysanthemums, and peonies to only name a few. There are vendors walking with heavy baskets on their heads and shoulders to catch the local train and supply flowers all over the city. You will get a basket full of marigolds (a kilogram) ranging from INR 50 – 80. A bunch of 20 white roses will cost INR 50 (say what?). While Indian flowers are cheaper, the prices of exotic ones like lilies and peonies might be on a higher scale.

Highlights: Vibrant, fresh flower market featuring early-morning auctions & a colorful variety of blooms.

Location: Senapati Bapat Marg, Dadar West

8. Crawford Market

It’s noisy, it’s crowded and it’s always buzzing. Yet, we love the Crawford Market, whose each and every lane is filled with loads and loads of things to shop. Enter the lanes and you’ll be welcomed by vendors selling table mats, Dustin bags, or scarves. (They are perpetually there at the entrance, literally). There is nothing you can miss here. Every turn you take, every move you make, you will find something that you would need or want. A traditional old-school market with labyrinths of different offerings, each lane will surprise you. They have dedicated lanes for home decor, Chinese crockery, stationery, perfumes (guitar), party lane (yes, they have it all), artificial flowers, fairy lights, and many more. We’d recommend The Bombay Stationery store for great discounts on stationery items and Beauty Center for some amazing discounts on makeup items. There are plenty of wholesale stores selling bags, accessories, and decor items. So, in case you want to buy in bulk, you can head to these stores.

There’s The Party Shop, which is literally a go-to for all your party essentials and needs. There’s an entire lane dedicated to artificial flowers, indoor plants, and decoration. If you’re looking to shop for something premium or branded you can head to Metros, Bata, or Roopam as well from where you can get your hands on chic shoes, clothing, etc. We won’t lie, shopping in Crawford can be really tiring. That’s why we’d say end your shopping by visiting Badshah, which is a pretty popular restaurant there known for its fresh juices, faluda, and pav bhaji.

Highlights: Good place for shopping for imported stuff and exotic vegetable fruits etc…

Location: Crawford Market mjp market

Contact us at +91 900413 5215

Email: info@mumbaidreamtours.com

website: https://mumbaidreamtours.com/

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22 Best Places to Visit in Mumbai to Make…

June 13, 2020July 19, 2024

Mumbai is the city where dreams are made and fulfilled! From jam-packed railway platforms to the famous Dabbawalas, multi-millionaires to suburban slums, the dazzling Bollywood to the quintessential vada pav, bhel puri, and sev puri, the uniqueness of Mumbai is beyond words. If you are planning a trip to Mumbai, make sure you visit the right places to imbibe the dynamic effervescence of this city. To help you with that, we have listed down some of the amazing places visits in Mumbai, which will make you fall in love with this extravagant city over and over again.

Places to Visit in Mumbai with Family

Are you visiting Mumbai with your parents, spouse, and kids? The city has a long list of places to visit in Mumbai where families can have fun and create indelible memories. Here’re some of the best places to visit in Mumbai with family:

1. Gateway of India, Mumbai

Gateway of India| #1 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Family

Gateway of India, the best place to visit in Mumbai, was built in 1924 by George Willet to honor the visit of King George V and Queen Mary to Mumbai. Visit this place in the early morning or late evening hours to enjoy the cool breeze of the sea with your family sans the crowd. Located next to the iconic Taj Mahal Palace and facing the vast Arabian Sea, the Gateway of India leaves you spellbound in every way possible. Take a ferry ride offered here to experience a stupendous view of this monument right from the sea and you can also visit other main attractions nearby.

And the best part? You don’t have to spend a penny to enjoy the beauty of this iconic monument which is often called the Taj Mahal of Mumbai. And the city has many such places that you can enjoy free of cost.

Check out our blog on the best things to do in Mumbai for some great ideas.

Location: Apollo Bandar, Colaba, Mumbai
Timings: 24×7; every day
Entry Fee: Free entry

Ferry rides are chargeable

2. Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai

Sanjay Gandhi National Park | #2 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Family

Sprawling over an area of 104 sq. km. of land, this is one of the most-visited national parks in Asia and because of this, I give it the 2nd spot among all the best places to visit in Mumbai. With all sorts of fun activities, this park can surely be a family entertainer. You can watch the big cats of the park close enough in a safari cage and have a fun day boating in the artificial lake in the park. Take the forest road or stairs and hike towards the Gandhi Tekdi, a memorial built in memory of Mahatma Gandhi. The toy train, Van Rani, is another popular attraction here, especially among kids. You can also visit the 2000-year-old Kanheri Caves to capture the Buddha relics. The undisturbed natural trails and the Jain Temple in the forest are also sure to make your visit a memorable one.

Location: Borivali East, Mumbai
Timings: 07:30 am to 06:30 pm; closed on Mondays
Entry Fee: Adults – ₹53 per person
Children (Between 5 to 12 years of age) – ₹28 per person
Children (Below 5 years) – free

Additional charges for Kanheri Cave visit, safari, boat ride, and toy train ride

3. Red Carpet Wax Museum, Mumbai

Red Carpet Wax Museum | #3 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Family

Ever imagined standing next to Barack Obama, striking a pose with Michael Jackson, or taking a selfie with Harry Potter? Yes, you read it right. Come to the city of dreams and fulfill this dream at the Red Carpet Wax Museum. It exhibits lifelike wax figures of prominent icons from various fields including science, politics, sports, and world cinema. So, take selfies with your favorite icon, post it on social media, and make your friends jealous. This is my 3rd best place to visit in Mumbai.

Location: Amrut Nagar, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai
Timings: 09:45 am to 09:30 pm; every day
Entry FeeWeekdays – ₹250 per person
Weekends – ₹350 per person

Check their website for details on combo offers

4. Haji Ali Dargah, Mumbai

Haji Ali Dargah | #4 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Family

How about taking a trip with your family to one of the most popular religious shrines in Mumbai, built right in the middle of the Arabian Sea? Yes, we are talking about Haji Ali Dargah which houses the tomb of Sayed Peer Haji Ali Shah Bukhari. This grand edifice is made of white marble and exemplifies the Indo-Islamic style of architecture. A walk through the causeway that connects the Dargah to the Lala Rajput Rai Marg is the main attraction of this place. Feel the spirituality of this place with your dear ones while enjoying a panoramic view of the deep blue waters! I give the places Fab rank no.4 among all the best places to visit in Mumbai.

Location: Dargah Road, Mumbai
Timings: 05:30 am to 10:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee: N/A

5. Elephanta Caves, Mumbai

Elephanta Caves | #5 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Family

Take a tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Mumbai and get wonderstruck by the massive rock-cut caves that date back several centuries. It has five caves dedicated to Hindu god Shiva and two caves depicting Buddhist architecture. To reach this place, you need to take a one-hour ferry ride from the Gateway of India, during which you can also enjoy the scenic beauty of Mumbai. Those who lack the spirit of a trekker can hop on the toy train that will take you on a tour of the caves right from the entry point. The restaurant and canteen run by MTDC can take care of your hunger pangs. If you are planning a one-day tour of the Elephanta Caves, this blog will give you more details.

Location: Gharapuri, Mumbai
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm; closed on Mondays
Entry Fee: Citizens of India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Maldives, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, & Thailand – ₹10 per person
Other foreign citizens – ₹250 per person

Separate charges involved for videography, toy train ride, and ferry ride

6. Siddhivinayak Temple, Mumbai

Siddhivinayak Temple | #6 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Family

One of the most frequented temples in Mumbai, the Siddhivinayak Temple is dedicated to Lord Ganesh. Devotees from across India including famous personalities from Bollywood and sports throng the temple to seek the blessings of Siddhivinayak Ganapati. The auspicious idol of Lord Ganesha is carved out in a single black stone with the trunk bent towards the right making it one-of-its-kind. You can plan a visit to this temple with your family for an enriched spiritual experience.

Location: Khed Galli, Prabhadevi, Mumbai
Timings: 05:30 am to 10:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee: NA

7. Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus (CST), Mumbai

Chhatrapathi Shivaji Terminus (CST) | Mumbai

Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus is another UNESCO World Heritage Site situated right in the heart of Mumbai. Built in the year 1888, during the British colonial period, this edifice exemplifies the Victorian-Gothic style of architecture. While you are here, don’t forget to take a photograph with your family and kids. And guess what, the magnificent CST is the most photographed building in India after the Taj Mahal!

And once you are done sightseeing, don’t forget to treat yourself and your dear ones to some lip-smacking food. Whether you are looking for budget restaurants, fine diners, or buffet places, Mumbai has it all. Want some great ideas? Read our blog on the top restaurants in Mumbai.

Location: Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus Area, Mumbai
Timings: Every day
Entry Fee: N/A

Places to Visit in Mumbai with Kids

One of the most prized gifts you can give your kids is fun-filled memories. And while in Mumbai, this isn’t a tough task at all. Listed below are some of the places to visit in Mumbai with kids, where they can create virtual souvenirs to cherish for a lifetime.

8. Nehru Center, Mumbai

Nehru Center | #8 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Kids

Built in the memory of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, this center propagates his teachings and ideas through educational and cultural programs. It consists of a spectacular dome-shaped planetarium that creates curiosity about astronomy and science in young kids. You can stargaze with your little ones at the sky theater for a memorable time. Make your kids stand at the cubicle that calculates their weight in each of the nine planets of the solar system. Other attractions here, such as the miniature galaxy with the Sun at the center, the Moon’s surface, a view of the Earth from the Moon, an art gallery, a library, etc. will surely get your kids charged up with energy and intuitiveness.

Location: Dr. Annie Besant Rd, Lotus Colony, Worli, Mumbai
Timings: 11:00 am to 05:00 pm; closed on Mondays
Entry Fee: ₹100 per person (4 years and above)

For details on shows and their timings, check the website.

9. Kidzania, Mumbai

Kidzania is an indoor amusement park made exclusively for kids with a unique concept of role-playing in a real city-like environment. Here, kids are required to perform a ‘job’ as a part of their role-playing. After successful completion of the job, they get paid in the form of kiddo money as an encouragement. You can see them brimming with joy as they make their own money for the first job in their life. Parents can relax at the lounge, from where they can monitor their kids on the TV screen. With such interactive edutainment activities, Kidzania should be your ideal destination for a fun-filled day with your tiny tots.

Location: R City Mall, Ghatkopar West, Mumbai
Timings:10:00 am to 08:00 pm; Tuesday to Friday
10:00 am to 03:00 pm and 04:00 pm to 09:00 pm; Saturday, Sunday, and Public Holidays
Closed on Mondays
Entry Fee: Different packages for kids, adults, and senior citizens, ranging from ₹300 to ₹1500. Check the website for more details.

10. Taraporewala Aquarium, Mumbai

Taraporewala Aquarium | #10 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Kids

Touted as India’s oldest aquarium, this place houses a variety of marine and freshwater fishes including coral fishes from the Lakshadweep Islands. It also has an Oceanarium that gives you the feel of walking under the sea with exotic fishes floating above you. Well, there is more. Your kids can touch some of the aquatic fishes and animals without harming them at the Touch Pool. You can also enjoy a whale of a time at the fish spa along with your little ones. This aquarium is a perfect blend of education and entertainment, making it an ideal place to visit with kids.

Location: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Marine Drive, Mumbai
Timings: 10:00 am to 08:00 pm; closed on Mondays
Entry Fee: Adults – ₹60 per person
Children (Below 12 years) – ₹30 per person
Govt. Employees – ₹30 per person

Separate charges for photography and videography

11. Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo, Mumbai

Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo | #11 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Kids

Kids love zoos, period! While you are in Mumbai, you can have a great day out with your little ones at Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Zoo which houses many wild animals like elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, crocodiles, etc. The aviary includes some colorful birds and some rare ones like albino crows and flamingos. Sprawling over an area of 48 acres, one of the prominent attractions of the zoo is its penguin enclosure, which is kept in the perfect environment and temperature.

Location: Byculla East, Mazgaon, Mumbai
Timings: 09:30 am to 05:30 pm, closed on Wednesdays
Entry Fee: Family of four – ₹100 and ₹25 for each extra child
Couples – ₹100
Students (Private schools) – ₹15 per person

12. Smaaash Junior, Mumbai

Smaaash Junior | #12 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Kids

Looking for some indoor activities for your little munchkins on a scorching summer day or on a dull rainy day? Then, Smaaash Junior is the right place for them. This is a perfect entertainment zone for your kids to have a frolicsome day. The Tubular Slide, Canon Shooting, Netted Tunnel, Padded Bridge, Spinning Palm Tree, etc. are some of the popular slides and rides among the tots. Also to curb their ravenousness, some finger-licking food and desserts are available at their food court.

Location: Kamala Mills Compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai
Timings:01:00 pm to 01:00 am; Monday to Saturday
11:00 am to 01:00 pm; Sundays
Entry Fee: Weekdays – ₹399/ 60 minutes and ₹499/ 90 minutes
Weekends – ₹499/ 60 minutes and ₹599/ 90 minutes

Places to Visit in Mumbai for Couples

Mumbai is the city of dreams and by extension, the perfect city for romantic couples. If you are looking for spots where you and your partner can add some spark to your love life, here’s our hand-picked list.

13. Juhu Beach, Mumbai

Juhu Beach | #13 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Couple

Nothing can be more romantic than watching the crimson sun and the luminous orange sky on a breezy beach, with your loved one. Juhu Beach is one such spectacular place in Mumbai, often visited by couples who need a little romantic escape from the humdrum of city life. You can also plan a romantic date night at one of the amazing beachside restaurants available at Juhu.

Location: Juhu Tara Road, Mumbai
Timings: 24 x 7; every day
Entry Fee: NA

14. Marine Drive, Mumbai

Marine Drive | #14 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Couple

Walk hand in hand with your lover along the walkway at Marine Drive witnessing the sunset hues reflecting on the vast Arabian Sea. It is an ideal place to relax and spend some romantic moments on a beautiful evening. This is also one of the popular places to visit in Mumbai at night. Don’t forget to satiate your hunger with some delicious street food available here.

Location: Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Road, Chowpatty, Mumbai
Timings: 24 x 7; every day
Entry Fee: NA

15. Chota Kashmir, Mumbai

Chota Kashmir | #15 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Couple

If you are in search of a peaceful yet serene place to cherish some intimate moments with your partner, Chota Kashmir should be the right spot while you are in Mumbai. It has a beautifully landscaped garden and a placid lake that tranquilizes your body and mind. Recline peacefully on the greens of the garden or go boating in the lake and get lost in love with this little piece of paradise. Either way, you are sure to find a new spark in your love life!

Location: Aarey Milk Colony, Goregaon, Mumbai
Timings: 10:00 am to 06:00 pm; every day
Entry Fees: Free entry

Separate charges for boating.

16. Worli Sea Face, Mumbai

Worli Sea Face, undoubtedly, is one of the favorite hangout spots for couples, where they can walk along the long stretched promenade in the evening or late night hours with a splendid view of the sea in the background. You can sit along the sealine with your lover and feel the water splashing across your face after hitting the rocks below, making the evening more enchanting and memorable. The panoramic view of the Arabian Sea and the cool refreshing breeze make this place a must-go among couples in Mumbai.

Location: Worli, Mumbai
Timings: 24 x 7; every day
Entry Fee: NA

17. Hanging Gardens, Mumbai

Hanging Gardens | #17 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Couple

Every relationship deserves a break from monotonous daily routines. Take your significant other to this amazing Hanging Garden and unwind and slacken yourself amidst the flower beds, spectacular water fountains, and lush green animal-shaped hedges. Don’t miss out to take a funny picture with your partner at the giant boot structure here, known as the “Old Women Shoes”. What else can be more romantic than this?

Location: Simla Nagar, Malabar Hill, Mumbai
Timings: 05:00 am to 09:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee: Free entry

Places to Visit in Mumbai with Friends

Moments spent with friends are moments filled with unlimited fun and joy. The city of Mumbai offers you and your friends many options to indulge in heavy-duty, boundless fun and entertainment. Here’s a list of the best places to visit in Mumbai with friends.

18. Colaba Causeway, Mumbai

Colaba Causeway | #18 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Friends

Do you have friends who think shopping is the best form of therapy? Then the Colaba Causeway would be a shopping paradise for them forever. With shop after shop piled up with goodies, you are sure to have a great time shopping everything from inexpensive clothes to sophisticated designer wears, home décor items to jewelry, and everything in between. For food fanatics, the place has a lot of restaurants, cafés, and patisseries.

And once you are done with this retail therapy, it’s time to start your gastronomic therapy. Head out to one of the many food streets in the city and experience an explosion of flavors in the form of pav Bhaji, vada pav, pani puri, bhel puri, ragda patties, kebabs, sandwiches, and more. Here’s your ultimate guide to discovering Mumbai’s best street food.

Location: Colaba Causeway, Mumbai
Open: All days
Entry Fee: NA

19. Mumbai Film City, Mumbai

Mumbai Film City | #19 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Friends

Sprawling over approximately 100,000 sq. ft. area, the Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagari also known as Mumbai Film City is a world of wonders where you can see theaters, gardens, lakes, recording rooms, and grounds that are leased out for Bollywood film shootings. Take a bus tour of the film city with your friends and see the familiar sets of popular sitcoms and movies. If you and your pals are die-hard fans of Bollywood, this film city is something you shouldn’t miss out on.

Location: Aarey Colony, Goregaon East, Mumbai
Timings: 10:00 am to 05:00 pm; every day

20. Hakone Entertainment Centre, Mumbai

Hakone Entertainment Centre | #20 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Friends

An ideal entertainment center to have a blast with your friends, this place offers the perfect blend of sports, fun, and leisure for people of all ages. Here you can indulge in Go-Karting on the 200-meter track with karts with Honda engines of 5.5HP. This power-packed entertainment center also offers simulators, redemption machines, billiards, and a LAN Gaming zone. Some of the other popular activities here are the Bull Ride, Air Gun Shooting, and Bumper Cars. Or how about competing with your friends at the Paintball game on a real, simulated field?

Location: Hiranandani Gardens, Powai, Mumbai
Timings: 02:30 pm to 09:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee: Check the website for activity charges

21. Snow World, Mumbai

Snow World | #21 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Friends

Now, you can experience -10° C temperature in Mumbai with some frolicsome activities at the Snow world, another great place to have serious fun with your friends. Feel the natural snowfall, slide through the ice in a rubber tube, play snowball wars with your buddies, run down the ice slope screaming with joy, go ice skating, and learn some snowboarding while you are in this really ‘cool’ place. Enthralling right?

Besides this, Mumbai has a fine range of amusement parks where you can have a fun-filled day with your family and friends. From Essel World and Yazoo Park to Hakone and Vardhman Fantasy, your options are plenty while you are here. Know about the best 8 amusement parks in Mumbai for more details. For those who love some heavy-duty aquatic fun can also visit one of these 10 best waterparks in Mumbai where fun and frolic never end.

Location: Phoenix Market City, Kamani Junction Kurla (W), Mumbai
Timings: 11:00 am to 10:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee: ₹575 per person

22. Clue Hunt Mumbai, Mumbai

Clue Hunt Mumbai | #22 of 22 Places to Visit in Mumbai with Friends

Looking for some unique yet interesting games to play with your friends? Indulge yourselves in this 60-minute ‘Room Escape’ game challenge, where you and your friends are locked in a game room. Spooky? Wait, there is more. Using some hidden clues and keys, you should solve the puzzles and escape out of a 250 sq. ft mysterious room. So, go ahead and play this dynamic and mind-boggling game at Clue Hunt Mumbai.

Location: Andheri, Bandra, Lower Parel, and Fort, Mumbai
Timings: 11:00 am to 10:30 pm; every day
Entry Fee: WeekdaysClue Hunt Twin – ₹700 per person
Triplet – ₹600 per person
Quartet, Quintet, Sextet, Septet, and Octet – ₹500 per person
Weekends and Public holidays club Hunt Twin – ₹1000 per person
Triplet – ₹900 per person
Quartet – ₹800 per person
Quintet, Sextet, Septet, and Octet – ₹700 per person
Exclusive of taxes

Whether it is a bunch of crazy friends, a loving family, or a cute couple, Mumbai has no dearth of places to escape the daily grind of life. You can explore the city at your own pace or hop onto the Mumbai Darshan tour bus, which takes you to prominent places to visit Mumbai in one day. As Salman Rushdie had rightly said, “You can take the boy out of Bombay. You can’t take Bombay out of the boy, you know”.

> For any Further Queries please connect with us and we shall be glad to assist You.

Contact us at +91 900413 5215

Email: info@mumbaidreamtours.com

Website: www.mumbaidreamtours.com

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Best Tour in Mumbai: Dabbawala | Dhobi Ghat |…

October 18, 2019July 19, 2024

Meet The Dabbawalas of Mumbai (Super Hero of Bombay)

For anyone who has ever been to Mumbai, the Dabbawalas are a special class of people who everyone knows! For the uninitiated though – Who is a Dabbawalla?

The word “dabbawala” in Hindi when literally translated, means “one who carries a box”. “Dabba” means a box (usually a cylindrical tin or aluminum container). The closest meaning of the dabbawala in English would be the “lunch box delivery man”

The dabbawalas (also spelled dabbawallas or dabbawallahs, called tiffin wallahs in older sources) constitute a lunchbox delivery and return system that delivers hot lunches from homes and restaurants to people at work in India, especially in Mumbai. The lunchboxes are picked up in the late morning, delivered predominantly using bicycles and railway trains, and returned empty in the afternoon. They are also used by meal suppliers in Mumbai, who pay them to ferry lunchboxes with ready-cooked meals from central kitchens to customers and back. The 2013 Bollywood film The Lunchbox is based on the dabbawala service.

Each day throughout the city of Mumbai, 5,000 of the dabbawalas deliver some 130,000 dabbas to offices throughout the metropolis. In the nearly 120 years of this service, the dabbawalas’ approach has remained consistent: a semi-literate workforce (the dabbawalas) pick up the filled dabbas from the households that prepare them and deliver the boxes to the requisite offices; they then retrieve the empty dabbas from these delivery points and returned them to the originating households, in order to begin the process again the next day. Roughly 260,000 transactions are completed within 6 hours each day, 6 days a week, 51 weeks a year, and operating at a quality level comparable to Six Sigma processes. Moreover, this operational excellence is accomplished in the absence of technology, such as computers or even cell phones.

Stories – like the remarkable one that the Dabbawalas have, inspire teams to relook at their own paradigms with fresh new eyes.

Dhobi Ghat ( Open Air-Laundry )

(Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat) is a well-known open-air laundromat in Mumbai, India. The washers, locally known as Dhobis, work in the open to wash the clothes from Mumbai’s hotels and hospitals. There are rows of open-air concrete wash pens, each fitted with its own flogging stone. Called the world’s largest outdoor laundry, Dhobi Ghat is a very popular attraction among foreign tourists.

The word Dhobi Ghat is used all over India to refer to any place where many washers are present. It is located next to Mahalaxmi railway station on the Western Railway’s Saat Rasta roundabout.

In 2013, World Records India and World Amazing Records honored World Record Certificate to Dhobi Kalyan. Home to the dhobis and their families (around 200 families), the Dhobi Ghat has seen this occupation passed down from one generation to the next. Also known as the Mahalaxmi Dhobi Ghat, it can be viewed easily from the Mahalaxmi Railway station. The best time to visit Dhobi Ghat is early morning and early afternoon. While the dhobis are in action in the morning to take care of the washing load, the early afternoons are an ideal time to see the clothes dry.

Why Dharavi is the heart of Mumbai? ( Slum Tour )

Dharavi slum was founded in 1882 during the British Raj yet remains to be an iconic destination for city lovers. Asia’s largest slum Dharavi lies on prime property right in the middle of India’s financial capital, Mumbai. Dharavi is much more than a historic area of Mumbai’s poverty. Most of these things are created innovatively, in very small spaces!

> For any Further Queries please connect with us and we shall be glad to assist You.

Contact us at +91 900413 5215

Email: info@mumbaidreamtours.com

To Book this tour click on the link: https://mumbaidreamtours.com/portfolio/dabbawala-tour/

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Slum Tour in Mumbai | Must do if you…

September 20, 2019July 19, 2024

Visit Asia’s Largest Slum, DHARAVI: The Heart of Mumbai.

Why is Dharavi the heart of Mumbai?

In the 18th century, Dharavi was an island with predominantly mangrove swamp. It was a sparsely populated village before the late 19th century, inhabited by Koli fishermen. Dharavi was then referred to as the village of Koliwada. Dharavi slum was found in 1882 during the British Raj yet remains to be an iconic destination for the city lovers. Asia’s largest slum Dharavi lies on prime property right in the middle of Indian’s financial capital, Mumbai. Dharavi is much more than a historic area of Mumbai’s poverty. Most of these things are created innovatively, in very small spaces!

Dharavi which is one of the largest slums in Asia. Dharavi economic output is estimated to be approximately 1 billion US dollars annually much of that revenue is generated by the Rubies informal recycling industry over 20 million people live in Mumbai they produce over 6,500 tons of garbage every single day over 85% of that waste is recycled. Normally people think slum is all poor people left there but we are trying to show the different set of Dharavi slums which is a sense of community and friendly and hard work hard-working people that have is a place where many different kinds of people live there are very poor people and also very very rich also people who export stuff from here who make millions of rupees so it’s a city within the city we love doing this tour’s in Dharavi because this is not a monument where information always the same here we meet the real people and the real side of slum and this is how we are trying to change the legend about the Dharavi slums in Mumbai.

Dharavi is a Houses about One million of Mumbai’s inhabitant and its industries have an annual turnover of approximately US $ 665 million. It has a large number of thriving small-scale industries that produce embroidered garments, export quality leather goods, pottery, plastic and many more. Most of these products are made in tiny manufacturing units spread across the slum and are sold in domestic as well as international markets.

Dharavi is a large area situated between Mumbai’s two main suburban railway lines, the Western and Central Railways. To the west of Dharavi are Mahim and Bandra, and to the north lies the Mithi River. The Mithi River empties into the Arabian Sea through the Mahim Creek. The area of Antop Hill lies to the east while the locality called Matunga is located in the South. Due to its location and poor sewage and drainage systems, Dharavi particularly becomes vulnerable to floods during the wet season.

Dharavi is considered one of the largest slums in the world. The low-rise building style and narrow street structure of the area make Dharavi very cramped and confined. Like most slums, it is overpopulated. Compared to Mumbai’s urban floor space index (FSI) of a range from 5 to 15, in Dharavi, it is about 13.3. Government officials are considering changing the Dharavi’s floor space index to 4. Despite the expensive Mumbai lifestyle, Dharavi provides a cheap alternative where rent is as low as Rs.1000 per month.

Potable water is supplied by the MCGM to Dharavi and the whole of Mumbai. However, a large amount of water is lost due to water thefts, illegal connection, and leakage. The community also has a number of water wells that are sources of non-potable water.

The original power supply was undertaken by the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST), which distributes power to the island city. In the year 2007, BEST had drawn up a plan for segregating Dharavi from the rest of the city. It was reported that the power supply to Dharavi would be privatized on the lines of Bhiwandi to curb power thefts.

Cooking gas is supplied in the form of liquefied petroleum gas cylinders sold by state-owned oil companies, as well as through piped natural gas supplied by Mahanagar Gas Limited. There are settlement houses that remain not having legal connections to the utility service and thus rely on an illegal connection to the water and power supply.

About Dharavi Walking Tour In Mumbai

We are pleased to welcome you to witness the hidden treasures of Mumbai. Our walking tours through the industries and residential areas of Dharavi show the unique strengths, opportunities, and challenges of the community. Our aim is to raise awareness while dispelling the negative attitudes many people have about slums. The tour offers walking through narrow alleyways of Dharavi for 2.5 hours. Dharavi Slum tours are emphasized on human spirits of operating in any conditions. Our friendly tour operators to take you the spot where Slumdog millionaire was actually filmed. With quite immeasurable residents, you may additionally witness the large periphery of diversity. The tour will then end with visiting a KumbharWada pottery colony, where visitors will get to have the unique glimpse of artisans creating all types of pots out of unfired, sun-dried clay.

Mumbai is fully staffed with Local guides. Most of your tour guide is university student living in Dharavi Slum that Helps them with their studies by providing a much-Needed financial gain to all or any permit them to study. By taking this tour you recognize you’re putting one thing into the material of Mumbai Society.

The most interesting thing, guide himself lives in Dharavi slum.

Book your Dharavi slum Tour https://mumbaidreamtours.com/portfolio/slum-tour/

> For any Further Queries please connect with us and we shall be glad to assist you.

Contact us on +91 900413 5215

Email : info@mumbaidreamtours.com

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Experience Mumbai in the calm and cool of the…

August 23, 2019July 19, 2024

Have you ever seen India’s busiest metropolis before it wakes up?

Pedaling around India’s biggest city would, by day, mean taking your life in your hands. Fancy a cycle ride through the wanted heritage sites of the city you call home come and see aamchi Mumbai on a cycle tour with like journey enthusiasts. Let the sights and sounds of South Mumbai enthrall you under the indigo midnight sky. Breathe in the crisp, cool air you surpass nice monuments, previous structures, and architectural wonders, all lying asleep at the close of day.

While the remainder of the city is only is barely just commencing to wake up, we have a tendency to take advantage of the empty streets and cool air to explore South Mumbai by cycle. The tour starts at 6 AM and Your 4-hour bicycle tour starts with a gentle ride through the back streets of the Fort area, a business district that lay at the heart of the city during the 18th century. As you wind our way through the back lanes, we’ll visit must-see Mumbai sights just like the Gateway of India and CST Station as well as some hidden gems like Sassoon Dock and Mumbai Panjrapole (cow sanctuary). Safety is that the number one priority on this trip, and thus Bicycle helmets are available on request and a second guide cycles at the back of the group.

At the end of the tour, we’ll stop for a well-deserved South Indian breakfast of dosa, idli, upma, and much more.

We expertise in showing you the bliss of various coastal sides of Mumbai. Our extended solutions are offered for day or night bicycle tours. When you wish to have unique and kind experiences, do book us.

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Mumbai’s Best Street Food Tour!

August 19, 2019July 19, 2024

What better way to sample some of this food that we have been so curious about, foods we have been seeing as we toured the city on our own. It was great to have a guide, to explain to us what we were eating and what was (hopefully!) safe to eat. I did have some concerns that we could be paying for this little adventure over the next few days, but Sagar, our guide, assured us that everything we were about to eat was clean safe food.

The tour started at Chowpatty, Mumbai’s beach and local hang out spot. There were many stands here selling food, most of them looked to be selling the same foods. Its kind of reminded me of buying food at a carnival. This was a Hindu area of town and everything that we would be eating here would be vegetarian.

Pani Puri

The first thing we tried was pani puri. A hollow ball of crusty dough, almost like a taco chip, was punctured by the thumb of the man serving the food and filled with a cold water mixture of what looked like corn and something green.

I could count five things in the preparation of this food with the potential to get us ill…should we really be doing this?

The four of us were served our pani puri. The proper way to eat it was to put the entire thing into your mouth and eat it. It is quite a large bite of food! I bit into mine, sending a surprising explosion of cold, spicy, vegetable water into my mouth. I can’t say that I really liked it. Still, I went back for seconds, but that was enough for me.

Dahi Batata Puri

Next up was Dahi batata puri. After stuffing the puri and topping it with sauces and copious amounts of creamy Dahi, he hands us the plate with a flourish and we proceed to dig in. This was awesome. Those same puri shells were filled with some vegetable mixture, hot this time, and not watery, then doused with yogurt and herbs. So, so good!

Pav Bhaji

The third dish we tried turned out to be a family favorite, pav bhaji. This part of India was first settled by the Portuguese, and this dish has a Portuguese origin. Tomatoes and other vegetables are cooked and mashed together and Indian spices are added to it. We ate the bread with the vegetable mixture and it was awesome. I could eat this every day.

Kulfi

Next up, another family favorite and something sweet this time. Kulfi is sweetened condensed milk with added flavorings, then frozen. Any flavors can be added, however, the assortment of Kulfi flavors we enjoyed were pistachio, mango, vanilla, rosewater, cardamom and cashew nut – all traditional delicious Indian flavors. This was perfect on a hot night and it was so good that we went back for seconds.

Chicken Rolls and Sandwiches

Part one of the tour was over. To get to the next location, a predominantly Muslim neighborhood in Mumbai, we had to take a twenty-minute taxi ride across town. Now it was time for some meat dishes.

We took our seats in the back of a very small restaurant. It was very warm in the back, even at 8 pm. Here we ate chicken rolls, a dish made of beef and eggs in a flat pastry, and a spicy chicken sandwich. It was all very good, especially the spicy chicken sandwich.

Ice Cream

Ice cream time! There’s always room for ice cream, especially homemade ice cream. Everything that needs to be said about Taj Icecream has probably been said. The outlet is over 125 years old, and if it isn’t the oldest ice cream place in the city, we don’t know what is. Its charm exists in the traditional preparation of ice cream, still churned by hand. That the place isn’t ideal to hang out at is a small mercy, or we’d be there for dessert all night. Everything tastes good here, and it’s arguably the best traditional ice creams in the city. we were the biggest fans of this dish.

Our food tour ended at Taj Icecream. What a wonderful experience. I love trying new foods, especially strange new foods. And I am very happy to say that none of us got sick after this tour, a very wonderful thing since we had a plane to catch to Udaipur the next day.

So, if anyone has plans to tour Mumbai, put the street food tour with Mumbai Dream Tours at the top of your life.