I have two kids and I know Ahmedabad is not a very exciting place for kids. But there are places we can visit with kids. Places most adults would either not know of or would not be interested in. But I was out of options for my daughter. And taking her to malls was definitely NOT happening. So I started compiling a list of places to see in and around Ahmedabad. But when I met fellow-moms and parents who sought admission at GGIS, they were keen to know about such places.
So here I am sharing all the details I have along with my personal experiences about each place. Before you embark on Ahmedabad Darshan with your kid there are two things I would suggest.
1. Don’t impose your thoughts on your child. You may not be fond of museums but your child might just like them. I am sure if you go to new places with kids, they will have a different perspective to it than you do.
2. Please don’t compare the facilities/monuments/places here to similar places abroad. The musical fountain at Las Vegas will definitely be better than the one at Science City but you would rather take your child to Science City now than wait for a couple of years to go to Las Vegas.
Lastly, please note, the list is not exhaustive and neither have I visited all places. In most cases, the information is accurate but please check-up before landing there in person.
1)Satyagraha Ashram (Kochrab)
Most people know only one Gandhi Ashram the one on Sabarmati. But there is this one too. Give it a try.
Address : Nr. Paldi Char Rasta, Ahmedabad – 380007.Phone : (079) 26578358
2) Gandhi Memorial Museum
The mecca for all lovers of Gandhi. Do spin the charkha and see how Gandhiji weaved his own cloth. And don’t forget to visit Manav Sadhna, an NGO within its campus. Say hi to Jagatbhai of Manav Sadhna on my behalf!
Address: Sabarmati Ashram, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380027.Phone : (079) 27557277Fax : (079) 27560569
3)Lala Dalpatbhai Museum:
Many people do not know of its existence but it lies serenely on a vast (and beautiful) campus right across the L D Engineering Hostel gate. Go there just to experience peace if nothing else. And it has a vast collection of ancient coins over and above a lot of other artifacts. Numismatists don’t miss it!
Address: Opp. Gujarat University, Ahmedabad – 380009.Phone : (079) 26306883Timings :10.30am to 1.00pm, 2.30pm to 5.30pm
4) Calico Museum of Textiles:
It’s a lovely museum but they do not allow children below the age of 10. How sad! But for anyone fond of textiles, it is a MUST visit. My friend, a fashion designer from Pune, has visited it more than 5 times. They give guided tours you need to register for. Don’t wait. GOOO
Address: Opp. Shahibaug Underpass, Ahmedabad – 380004.Phone : (079) 22868172Fax : (079) 22867759
5) Shreyas Museum
Shreyas has two museums one about Toys and another one on Folk Art. Both are great but it was the Shreyas Foundation’s campus that I was sold out on. The huge and dense trees and peacocks dancing around make me want to go there again and again.
Address : Shreyas Tekra, Ambawadi, Ahmedabad – 380015.Phone : (079) 26601338/78T
6) Vechaar, Vishalla Restaurant:
It is very much a part of the Vishala Restaurant and is about the vessels of old age and their uses. Visit it with your kid and do introduce her to some authentic Gujarati dishes if she has not experienced the cuisine yet. It will be a good start.
Address : Vishala, Sarkhej-Vasana Tolnaka, Ahmedabad.Phone : (079) 26602422
7) Dastan – AutoWorld Museum:
A place for the entire family to enjoy at, this one has many, many, many vintage cars and they are all well-kept. Moreover they let you touch, feel and open the cars. It is a sensorial experience, unlike a regular museum. And yes, they do offer a ride in one of their vintage cars. Do take it. It is bound to make you feel royal!
Address: Dastan Estate, Sardar Patel Ring Road, Kathwada, Ahmedabad – 382430.Phone : (079) 65457488Fax : (079) 22820649
8) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Memorial Museum:
I have not visited it. Will put in the details when I visit it
Address : Shahibaug Palace, Shahibaug, Ahmedabad – 380004.Phone : (079) 22867027
9) Adivasi Museum:
I have not visited it. I will put in the details when I visit it.
Address : Gujarat Vidyapith Campus, Ashram Road, Ahmedabad – 380014.Phone : (079) 27541392Get Directions
10) Lal Darwaja Traffic Park:
A nice park created by the AMC to educate children on traffic safety and rules. They even have bicycles that kids can take along to ride and understand how to navigate in traffic.
Address : Opp. Roopalee Theater, Nehru Bridge, Ahmedabad.Phone : (079) 25501970
11) Kankaria Lake:
There is so much to Kankaria that I have divided it into different venues. It’s not possible to do all of it in a single day. Too exhausting.
Address : Kankaria Lake, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380008.Phone : (079) 32213344
12) Kankaria Aquarium:
The aquarium is also known as the Matsya Bhavan is within the Lake premises and offers a huge variety of fish to look around. If you do not compare it to aquariums you may have seen abroad, it comes out as pretty interesting.
Address : Kankaria Lake, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380008.Phone : (079) 32213344
13) Kankaria Zoo
I am sure everyone who has grown up in Ahmedabad has been here once. It has not changed much but is really clean and well maintained lately. Moreover, it is well shaded with trees and keeps cool even in hot summers. Do carry a stroller for your little one as it involves a lot of walking.
Address : Kankaria Lake, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380008.Phone : (079) 32213344
14) Kankaria Bal Vatika
A nice combination of rides and some funny mirrors. Not very impressive but good enough to kill some time. The Frog ride is interesting though.
Address : Kankaria Lake, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380008.Phone : (079) 32213344
15) Kankaria Lake and Naginawadi
The lake offers boating, speed boating, zorbing, and a few other activities. There is a dancing fountains show at Naginawadi in the evening but do check before reaching.
Address : Kankaria Lake, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380008.Phone : (079) 32213344
16) Kankaria Kids City
A wonderful place for kids 5 years and above. It provides hands-on experience to kids about various vocations. A wonderful place indeed.
Address : Gate No. 6, Kankaria Lake, Maninagar, Ahmedabad – 380008.Phone : (079) 32453344
17) Science City
It is HUGE and has a lot of pavilions and shows. For younger kids, you can try the musical fountains. They don’t exactly dance according to the music but they are nevertheless worth a visit. Again no comparison to the ones you might have seen abroad!
Address : Village Hebatpur, Sola-Santej Road, Ahmedabad.Phone : (079) 55222127/129 9898029617, 65220111
18) Sarkhej Roza
A huge and beautiful monument and a photographer’s paradise is best visited early in the mornings. It does not have anything specific for kids but open spaces are something our kids so need. There is a proactive community trying to restore the roza and you can visit the site to know more.
Address : Sarkhej Road, Ahmedabad.Website : www.sarkhejroza.org
19) Adalaj ni Vav
A step-well near Adalaj, Gandhinagar, it has beautiful architecture. Though I am yet to visit it I am sure it is worth a visit.
Address: Adalaj-Gandhinagar Road.Timings: 10-5 pm
20) Community Science Center
The CSC is great for students above 5-7 years of age but even for 3 years old there are swings they can play over and puzzles they can fiddle with. Try it, you might just find out that you have given birth to an Einstein.
Address : Opp. Gujarat University, Nr. L M College Of Pharmacy, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad.Phone : (079) 26302914, 26302085, 26306497
21) Amdavad ni Gufa
You don’t have to be an artist to visit the Gufa. Trust me. Children love to jump over the gufa and they get messy but it is worth the dirt. And you can spend time at the Zen Cafe there and revisit your college days. It somehow always make me nostalgic.
Address : Kasturbhai Lalbhai Campus, Opp Gujarat University, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad.Phone : (079) 26308698
22) Sidi Saiyyed ni Jali and Aghashiye
Sidi Saiyed’s jali is a symbol of Ahmedabad but most kids have no idea where it is. A visit there is necessary to show the intricate artwork. Bang opposite is Aghashiye which is an old haveli turned into a heritage hotel Worth every minute you spend there.
Address : Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad.
23) Lucky Tea Stall
Lucky tea stall is right across the street from Aghashiye. The tea stall was made over a graveyard and even today there are 11-13 graves within its premises! Spooky, isn’t it? No. Actually it helps children understand death and overcome the fear of unknown. It tells them graveyards are nothing like what you see in horror shows.
Address : Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad.
24) 5 acres of Kindness
Run by an animal welfare foundation and based on AMC’s land, this is a genuine attempt at making children come close to animals. Thanks to the WOLT Foundation, I learned about it and it is a wonderful place to take your out-of-town-guests and hold parties too. Yes, Mrs. Chaudhary helps you do that too.
Address : Gyaspur village, Ahmedabad.Phone : Mrs. Chaudhary – 9979017079
25) Laser Water Show
Irrespective of what your religious beliefs are, this show is a MUST MUST MUST watch. It is absolutely world-class in its execution and is mesmerizing to see such vivid visuals coming out of thin air. However, you would have a hard time explaining the intricacies of birth, death, and moksh to your child afterward!
Address : Akshardham Temple, Sector 20, Gandhinagar.Phone : (079) 2326001
26) Serenity Library:
Although I have not visited it, the pics on its Facebook page look really appealing. It looks more like a nature observatory than a library. Would love to visit it.
Address : Koteshwar, Motera-Bhatgam Road, Ahmedabad.Phone : 09879146350
27) Sundarvan – A Nature Discovery Centre
Sundarvan’s activities with children and youth act as a catalyst in, and stimulate, the process of inquiry into nature. It has a collection of reptiles, birds and small mammals.
Address : Sundarvan – Nature Discovery Centre, S. M. Road, Jodhpur Tekra, Ahmedabad – 380015.Phone : (079) 26923148
28) Heritage Walk – The old city
The Heritage Walk of Ahmedabad is a guided walk of two and a half hours. A special feature of Ahmedabad is the plan of the old city, comprising numerous pols, self-contained neighborhoods, sheltering large numbers of people, traversed by narrow streets, usually terminating in squares with community wells and chabutaras for feeding birds.
Address : Heritage Cell, A.M.C., Block-A, First Floor, Sardar Patel Bhavan, Sardar Patel Road, Danapith, Ahmedabad – 380001.Phone : (079) 25351019, 09327021686
29) Indroda Nature Park:
A precious treasure spread over an area of about 400 hectares on either bank of Sabarmati River in Gandhinagar. It is considered to be the second-largest hatchery of dinosaur eggs in the world. Regarded as India’s Jurassic Park, It is the only dinosaur museum in the country.
Address: Indroda Nature Park, NH 8C, Dholakuva, Gandhinagar, Gujarat 382421.
30) Khoj Museum:
Khoj is the first dynamic children’s museum in India. It connects science, design & innovation by means of participatory displays. Unlike a regular museum where visitors don’t touch the display, at Khoj children are encouraged to participate and play with the displayed activities. We believe learning happens best when a child is immersed in a positive, happy experience.
Address: KHOJ MUSEUM & VEDHSHALA, Near Naranpura Crossing,Naranpura, Ahmedabad – 380013. Contact Number:+91 6352998992
