Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh’s capital, is several things wrapped within one. Any avid tourist can enjoy a rendezvous with heritage, art, shopping, amusement, spirituality, cuisine, luxury, and so on in the City of Nawabs. There are several sites to explore, ranging from generations-old British and Mughal ancient buildings to fun-filled amusement parks, gardens, pedestrian bazaars, exhibitions, temples, and monasteries.

1. BARA IMAMBARA

Bara Imambara, also known as Asfi Mosque is an Imambara complex in Lucknow, India built by Asaf-ud-Daula, Nawab of Awadh in 1784. The building also includes the large Asfi mosque, the Bhul-bhulaiya (the labyrinth), and Bowli, a stepwell with running water. Two imposing gateways lead to the main hall. It is said that there are 1024 ways to reach the terrace but only two to come back first gate or the last gate. It is an accidental architecture.

2. RUMI DARWAZA

10 Best Places To Visit In Lucknow In 2021: The City Of Nawabs — rumi-darwaza

You definitely cannot give this unique architectural marvel a miss while selecting the most important Places to visit in Lucknow. The Rumi Darwaza is a gateway between the Bara Imambara and the Chota Imambara. It is one of the few remaining examples of Awadhi architecture featuring a huge gateway that is sixty feet tall. This gate has been named after the famous thirteenth-century Muslim Sufi mystic, Jalal ad-Din Muhammad Rumi. The Rumi Darwaza is one of the most famous Tourist attractions in Lucknow which is accessible by the public all day. It is yet another one of the Best Places to see in Lucknow.

3. BRITISH RESIDENCY

The British Residency, which stands witness to the Revolt of 1857 must feature in the list of the most important Places to visit in Lucknow. The Residency Complex consists of several individual structures and is not only rich in history, but it is also an everlasting example of British architectural skills. If you are a history enthusiast and you want to relive the Sepoy Mutiny then a visit to the Residency Building in Lucknow is a must. Although most of the structures are in ruins now, you can still visit the cemetery, the church, and the graves of people who died in the Siege. Visit this historical and iconic beauty in Lucknow.

4. AMBEDKAR PARK

The Ambedkar Memorial Park in Lucknow too is one of the most important Places to see in Lucknow. It is also known as Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Prateek Sthal. The park covers an area of one hundred and seven acres. The park has museums and galleries commemorating the life of Ambedkar and other great freedom fighters of India. The entrance to the park is a unique one as both sides of the path are lined by sixty-two majestic stone elephants. Give a visit to this wonderful park in Lucknow.

5. INDIRA GANDHI PLANETARIUM

The Indira Gandhi Planetarium is entirely air-conditioned and has state of the art projectors. The shows in the planetarium are held in both Hindi and English, which makes it a favorite amongst children. The planetarium holds special shows from 6:00 pm onwards during summer vacations. While in Lucknow, you must visit this planetarium.

6. JAMA MASJID

The Jama Masjid is one of the most beautiful mosques in India. Built on lines similar to the one in Delhi, this mosque too is an architectural splendor. The construction of this mosque was started in 1839 by Nawab Mohammad Ali Shah Bahadur. The mosque is rich in history and is one of the favorite haunts of history enthusiasts. The mosque has a central prayer hall with eleven massive arches. The pillars in the mosque are covered with beautiful and intricate carvings that are reminiscent of Indo-Islamic art. Visit this holy and divine mosque in Lucknow to offer your prayers to God.

7. STATE MUSEUM

The Lucknow State Museum is located within the grounds of Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Gardens, in Banarasi Bagh. This museum has an extensive collection of archaeological artifacts, coins, and paintings. You will also find a wide collection of ancient weapons and musical instruments in the museum. Similarly, if you want to learn about your country’s history then a trip to this museum must feature on your list of top Places to visit in Lucknow. Take your kids to this museum so that they gain some valuable knowledge.

8. LUCKNOW ZOOLOGICAL PARK

If you are an animal enthusiast then a visit to the Lucknow Zoological Garden must feature in your list of Places to visit in Lucknow. This zoo holds historical importance as well because it was built to commemorate the visit of Prince of Wales Edward VIII. The zoo covers nearly 71.9 acres of land and houses more than nine hundred species of animals, birds, and reptiles. Bring your kids to this zoo for a fun-filled day, as children love exploring such locations.

9. HAZRATGANJ MARKET

Hazratganj is a bustling market that lies in the heart of Lucknow. The foundation for this market was laid in the year 1827 by Nawab Nasiruddin Haider. However, the market was renamed in the year 1842 and came to be known as Hazratganj. It has been so named after Nawab Amjad Ali Shah who was known as ‘Hazrat’. The market is rich in history as well as culture. If you are looking for beautiful chikankari items or exclusive handicrafts of Uttar Pradesh, then Hazratganj is the place to be. The best time to visit the market would be from October to March. During this time the weather in Lucknow is comfortable and you can do your shopping in peace.

10. AMINABAD

A market that’s seen the illustrious times of the Nawabs, Aminabad Market is the busiest and the oldest shopping hub of Lucknow. It is a delight for bargain shopping. You get every kind of consumer item here, from home utilities, utensils, chikan sarees, men’s wear, food items, books, artificial jewellery to local handicrafts. Madan Sarees, Dupatta Mahal, Sargodha Cloth House, Om Prakash Seth, are the oldest shops here. While shopping, drop into some eateries and bakeries like Wahid Biryani and Alamgir, Kalika Chat House. The market remains closed on Thursdays.

It goes without saying that the perfect month to visit Lucknow is from October to March. Lucknow has humid weather with high temperatures due to its location in the midst of the Indus-Gangetic Plain. Summertime, monsoon, and winter are the three primary seasons of the city. Whereas the summers are exceedingly hot and the monsoon season is moist, the winters in Lucknow are typically mild, making it the best time to visit.