Chandigarh is one of the most underrated destinations. No, I am not saying go here when the temperature is touching 45 degrees, but at any other time of the year when you just have a weekend or so to spare, it makes for an excellent getaway. It can be relaxing, peaceful and even therapeutic.

Road Trip

Breakfast at Amrik Sukhdev

It is true, some things can’t be expressed in words, that includes, a road trip on a rainy day. So, if you ever do decide to take this trip, I would suggest you go on a rainy day or at least, a cloudy day. What adds to the feel of a road trip?- Yes, the road, and the road, from Delhi to Chandigarh is very well-maintained, so without any doubt, you will be able to take the full experience of a good long drive. Further, a road trip is not quite complete without some pit stops at the dhabas. We chose Amrik Sukhdev.. You are going to find ghee wali paneer paratha, aloo paratha with chilled dahi. When we had gone, we had our breakfast there, and all this breakfast did was give a good sense of Punjab before we even reached its borders. I have to admit that it was one of the best breakfasts of my life. On the way, you will come across many green and yellow farms. For us, as it was raining on that day, the air was filled with the fragrance of moist soil - I believe it to be the authentic smell of India. After a beautiful, long drive yet tiring drive, I am sure you would want to take another halt and for that, we recommend you- Nik Baker’s which is on the border of Chandigarh. There were other restaurants next to it that you can try out, but we couldn’t resist the muffins and cookies on display. Further, as we got in the shop, the smell of coffee consumed us. As I write this, my mind has already teleported to the corner seat from where the view of the farms was just breathtaking. I didn’t want to leave that place, and I am sure when you visit it, you will feel the same. However, good things don’t last for long, so we had to keep moving. As we approached the city, the traffic approaches us, but it was not unbearable. Either way, we had reached Chandigarh.

Where to Stay

There are plenty of accommodation options in Chandigarh. You can get hotels across price ranges. You can also search for a nice  OYO room. However, we would recommend you to opt for rooms in hotels, that are towards the outskirts of the main city. In that way, you would be able to get excellent rooms at a cheaper cost and more peace and quiet. Now, who wouldn’t want that?

Museum And Art Gallery

Government Museum and Art Gallery

If it's too hot when you decide to visit Chandigarh, then the best place to go to is the Government Museum and Art Gallery. This place is going to give you the vibes of Punjab without roasting you under the sun. Here, you will encounter a memory of the struggles that India went through pre-independence. You will find yourself amongst artefacts, paintings, sculptures and decorative arts, from before the partition. So, if you are a history buff, this pace is a must visit; to know more, click here. This unique museum has four main galleries, and we found the National Gallery of Portraits and Architecture Museum to be the interesting ones. Other galleries include the Natural History Museum and International Doll Museum, which you can visit if you have interest and time.

Sukhna Lake

Sukhna Lake

There is no better place to visit than the Sukhna Lake during sunset . The area around the lake is well-kept and is constructed in layers. Which means, that, there is a well-constructed path beside the water line, and besides that path, there is a lush green lawn. Yes, the layers continue, then you will find another thin strip of the walking path and another strip of greenery (which as you go closer towards the Sukhna Lake ghat, will turn into children’s garden). So, when you walk on that first path across from the waterline, you will find yourself walking between Sukhna Lake on one side, and a long stretch of lawn on the other, making that place a perfect spot for a long evening walk. After a nice, soothing and a calming walk, you can have some snacks or an early dinner at one of the restaurants situated beside the lake. There are also many artists sitting by the lakeside who can draw your portrait or a portrait from a photograph. A pretty neat gift, I think.

Rock garden

I would suggest you go to the Rock Garden early in the morning. It is filled with greenery, artificial waterfalls and not to forget, Nek Chand’s beautiful ‘best out of waste’ sculptures and art pieces. Further, those artefacts make a good backdrop for any photo and video shoots. So, if you are looking for a nice spot to make a vlog or workout videos for YouTube, this place is perfect. The garden opens around 9 am every morning, so you can start your day early and make creative plans. Additionally, a word of caution, there are no food stalls inside the garden premise, so keep some chocolate bars or fruits with you. Also, keep a garbage bag to throw the wrappers (this tip goes for whenever you travel) and please, don’t litter the garden premise. If, you are with a family and are looking for a picnic spot then check out Zakir Hussain Rose Garden as food is allowed in there.

Sector Satara Chandigarh

No trip is complete without shopping, and sector Satara is going to blow your mind with what it has in stock for you. You will find all the brands that the world has to offer to you in that market, but that’s not all. Also, in the middle of that market, you will find flee markets that sell bags, shoes, earrings, stalls and many more. We were so impressed by this market that we decided if we ever go again to Chandigarh, we will make a beeline for this first.  

Cactus Garden

Cactus Garden

Cactus Garden is a bit away from the main city, in Panchkula, but this is again another garden to explore before you head back to Delhi. Here you will find exotic cactus species and flowers. I don’t know about you, but I love to see cacti. They have a unique structure and a different mechanism to work with their surroundings. So, I hope you check out this rare and an interesting place in Haryana.

Give into your spontaneous callings by taking a short road trip to Chandigarh, preferably on a rainy day. For many more short, spontaneous trips, keep following Daily Poutine.

Happy Tripping!