Nainital, the hill station with its astonishing natural beauty, tranquil setting, incredible valleys, sparkling gardens and awe-inspiring landscapes, presents a memorable 3 days holiday vacation that is incomparable to any other destination. From solo travellers to adventure enthusiasts, honeymooners to families with children, the ‘Lake District of India’ makes everyone smile with its unique charm and magic.
This untouched beauty of Uttarakhand state boasts an amazing location with the Himalayas surrounding the northern side and the plains surrounding the southern side. Situated in the Kumaon region, the hill station promises you to offer a unique and different experience on your 3 day visit and also every time you get to see this paradise. It is a nature of delight for holidaymakers of all ages and has become a much-preferred destination for tourists not only in India but all around the world.
Stroll around the old buildings, monuments and architectures to revisit the past moments again. Enjoy some ME time in the less-crowded areas. Seek blessings at the religious places. Take your kids to the amusement park and zoos. Treat your buds with mouth watering delicacies in fine-dining restaurants or shop at your favourite street. The city has something for everyone.
However, to have a perfect time, it is important to plan your Nainital tour properly. And for that, we have summed up the top Nainital tourist places that you can cover in 3 days. Read on to know more..
Nainital Tourist Places to visit in 3 Days
1. Naini Lake
Encompassed by snow-capped mountains, colourful boats, lush greenery and a chilling atmosphere, the Nainital Lake is a crescent-shaped lake that offers unforgettable moments with an experience worth remembering.
It is an interesting spot to get away from the overcrowded areas of the hill station on your 3 day trip to Nainital. Here you can enjoy boating under the Kumaon Sky or indulge yourself in a photography session. Other than that, the lake also allows you to witness the beautiful scenery in the evening.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM on all days
- Recommended Duration: 2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: March, June, November and December
- Distance: 1 km from Tallital Bus Stand
2. High Altitude Nainital Zoo
A stand out among the popular sightseeing places in Nainital, High Altitude Zoo boasts of a wide variety of exotic birds and animals for wildlife enthusiasts. These include Sambar, Himalayan Bear, Leopard Cat, Royal Bengal Tiger, Civet, Tibetan Wolf, Barking Bear, Snow Leopard and Golden Pheasant.
Spreading over an area of 11 hectares, the park organizes various programs and events to teach people about the importance of wildlife conservation. Debate and quiz competitions are also held within the park for the entertainment of children.
- Entry Fee: INR 20 per person for children and INR 50 per person for adults
- Timings: 10:00 AM to 4:30 PM on all days (closed on Monday)
- Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Any time
- Distance: 2 km from Tallital Bus Stand
3. Naina Devi Temple
Boasting an excellent hilltop location on the banks of Naini Lake is the Naina Devi Temple. Opening its doors in the year 1842, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu community of India and has a presiding deity of Goddess Naina Devi in the form of eyes.
Built by Moti Ram Shah, Naina Devi Temple is visited by thousands of tourists every year. However, majority of them prefer visiting this place during Navratri and Nanda Ashtami. At this time, an 8-day long festival is celebrated along with proper rituals.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM on all days
- Recommended Duration: 1-2 hour
- Best Time to Visit: September to November
- Distance: 300 meters from Tallital Bus Stand
4. The Mall Road
Do save some money when you are visiting Nainital for 3 days. The city has one of the busiest shopping streets, The Mall Road, where you can stop to bring some souvenirs back home. It is a common place for locals to have all the fun and entertainment and for tourists to spend some leisure evenings.
From a wide variety of vendors selling cute woollen clothes to handmade products, artificial jewellery and home decorative items, here you will find everything under one roof. Tourists can also explore fine-dining restaurants and vibrant bars to relax for some time after buying goods from their favourite shop.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: Shops open from 9:00 am to 10:00 pm
- Recommended Duration: 2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: May, June and October
- Distance: 1.5 km from Tallital Bus Stand
5. Tiffin Top
Also known as Dorothy’s Seat, the Tiffin Top is a famous vantage point that allows visitors to overlook the gorgeous Himalayan scenery from the top. It is a great place to enjoy the 360-degree view of the Nainital town.
Built by British Army Officer J.P. Kellet, the Tiffin Top is surrounded by a dense forest of deodar, oak and pine trees and has a rich variety of flora and fauna species to offer. Here you can get adventurous with trekking, hiking and horse-riding or simply choose to enjoy a stroll around with your loved ones.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM on all days
- Recommended Duration: 1-2 hour
- Best Time to Visit: March to June
- Distance: 1.8 km from Tallital Bus Stand
6. Eco Cave Garden
While exploring the popular tourist places in Nainital, you cannot miss visiting the Eco Cave Garden. Nestled in the Sukhatal region, on the Kaladungi road, the Eco Cave Garden is composed of 6 interconnected small caves that let you take a glance at the wild side of the hill station.
Enjoy crawling your way in to experience the natural habitat. The hanging gardens enhance the overall beauty of the place, whereas the musical fountains add various effects. It is indeed a must-visit picnic spot for families with children.
- Entry Fee: INR 25 per person for children and INR 60 per person for adults
- Timings: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM on all days
- Recommended Duration: 2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: March to June
- Distance: 3.7 km from Tallital Bus Stand
7. Raj Bhawan
Combining an awe-inspiring Gothic style architecture with its magnificent looks, the Raj Bhawan or Governor House is the heritage site that was earlier used as a residence of Britishers. However, it is now the official residence of Governor of Uttarakhand state.
Established in the year 1897, the building took 3 years to complete its construction. There are 113 well-decorated rooms, a swimming pool, a lush green garden, and a 45-acre golf course. Besides this, a spacious auditorium is also there which is used to conduct seminars, oath-taking ceremonies and other government functions.
- Entry Fee: INR 50 per person
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM (closed on Sunday
- Recommended Duration: 1 hour
- Best Time to Visit: January to December
- Distance: 3 km from Tallital Bus Stand
8. Snow View Point
Give yourself a chance to capture the best of enchanting views at the Snow View Point. An ideal romantic gem for both couples and honeymooners alike, the Snow View Point lets you spend some quality time far away from the daily chores.
Enjoy a romantic walk while admiring the breathtaking landscapes. Try your hand at recreational activities such as go-karting. Shop around the various gift shops or visit the amusement park to have a fun-filled time. The viewpoint keeps you occupied throughout your stay.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM (closed every Saturday)
- Recommended Duration: 1-2 hours
- Best Time to Visit: Summer season
- Distance: 3 km from city centre
9. Naina peak
Naina Peak is the highest peak of the Nainital hill station. Positioned at a height of 2615 meters, the peak offers splendid views of the town and its neighbouring mountains. It offers a perfect setting for people who love to go on long walks and breathe in the chilling air.
Locally known as China Peak, the Naina Peak boasts of an excellent atmosphere to relax and rejuvenate your senses. You can enjoy a 6km trek to make the most of your visit or simply opt for a pony ride to see the unexplored scenic beauty on your three day trip to Nainital.
Please note that there are no food stalls and eateries available for the convenience of tourists. Hence, it is better to carry enough snacks with you.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: 8:00 AM to 5:30 pm on all days
- Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: August, September and October
- Distance: 17 km from Tallital Bus Stand
10. St. John in the Wilderness Church
If you are interested in learning more about history, you should pave your way towards the St. John in the Wilderness Church. Counted as one of the topmost tourist places to visit in Nainital, the church has the perfect vibes, charm and positive aura for experience seekers.
The foundation of the church by laid by Rev. Daniel Wilson in 1846. It is an ancient building that features an impressive architecture with stained glass windows, thus attracting thousands of history buffs from all around the world.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: 7:00 AM to 6:30 PM from Monday to Saturday and 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM on every Sunday
- Recommended Duration: 1-2 hour
- Best Time to Visit: Summer season
- Distance: 2 km from The Mall Road and 3 km from Tallital Bus Stand
11. Lands’ End, Nainital
For all those who are up for a truly magical experience, the Lands’ End is undoubtedly a perfect base to get closer to nature and feel its majestic touch. It is a mesmerizing wonder that provides a breathtaking view of the Khurpatal Lake and its surrounding regions, which are covered with pine forests.
A relaxing climate with a blend of real adventure is what the destination offers its visitors. Here you can discover the inner peace in you. This is also a great place to capture some of the amazing pictures, with a vivid background at your backdrop.
- Entry Fee: No entry fee
- Timings: Open for 24 hours a day of the week
- Recommended Duration: 2-3 hours
- Best Time to Visit: April to October
- Distance: 6 km from Tallital Bus Stand
The ‘City of Lakes’ has a lot more to offer than just a few tourist attractions. We, at Nainital tourism, a division of Holidays DNA, have covered the best sightseeing places that you must consider to visit on your next trip to Nainital – to make your 3-days most rewarding. However, if you are here for only a day or two, you can also check out our 1 Day Nainital tour packages and Nainital Darshan Packages to enjoy your trip to the fullest.
To know more about the itinerary, you can reach us by filling the Contact Us form. For a hassle-free experience, our team of experts has also prepared a list of top car rental companies in Nainital from where you can book a private vehicle to commute within the hill station. What else do you need? It’s time to pack your bags now!
