Naini Lake, Nainital – things to do, places to see

Naini Lake in Nainital, Uttarakhand is one of the most visited lakes in India. As the sun’s rays beat down across India in the summer, people escape to cooler hill towns like Nainital for respite.  To give you an idea of how hot it gets in some other parts of India, 2016 saw the country’s highest temperature ever at over 50 degree celsius or 120 degree fahrenheit at Phalodi in Rajasthan state.

Surrounded by seven hills, Naini lake has the bustling Mall Road, Tibetan market,  and the much revered Naina Devi temple, after whom the town is believed to have been named, on its periphery. A rickshaw ride down the leafy Mall Road will allow you a view of the lake and a row boat will give you a joy ride  on its waters.

If you’re wondering what else to do near Naini Lake, you could walk around admiring some of the colonial era buildings like the Boat House Club, do some shopping, visit the temple, or grab a bite at restaurants in that area – Ashok restaurant serves good vegetarian food. The Nainital Zoo is believed to have some exotic animals, but since I haven’t been there I can’t comment on whether it’s worth a visit. Eco Cave Gardens, Snow view point, Tiffin Top, and Bhimtal are other places to drop in.

Hotels with a view of the lake tend to be priced higher than ones tucked in the lanes, but watching a sunrise or sunset on the lake makes it worth the additional cost.

Refer to this Tripadvisor link for more information on sightseeing.