TOP 8 WEEKEND GETAWAYS FROM CHANDIGARH

Parwanoo, a  hill station in Solan district, can be an ideal place for a weekend getaway. When in Parwanoo, do not forget to visit the Mughal Gardens which are admired for their scenic beauty. Those who are interested in exploring further, can go to the Gurkha Fort.  That apart, you could even get some of the locally produced jams, jellies and wines on your way back home.
Distance from Chandigarh: 35.8 km 
The best time to visit Parwanoo is from March to October, when the weather is nice and pleasant.
How to reach Parwanoo:

By air : Chandigarh is 30km from Parwanoo, flights connect Chandigarh to Delhi, Mumbai,  Dharamshala, Bengaluru,  Kolkata, etc.  Delhi airport is the nearest international airport.
By train: Kalka is the closest railhead at a distance of 5km. All the major cities are connected to Kalka by rail.

By road: Parwanoo is well connected to Delhi and Chandigarh by road.  Regular bus services connect both the cities with the place. Chandigarh is less than an hour’s drive from the city and while Delhi can easily be reached i four and a half hours.
Places to visit in Parwanoo:  Timber Trail, Cable car ride, Fruit orchards, Kali Mata Temple,  Gorka Fort,  Shri Balaji Temple,  Mansa Temple, Gurudwara  Nada  Sahib, Panchkula.
Restaurants:  Hotel Royal Regency, Timber Trail Resorts.
Hotels:  999/-to 9321/-

Kasauli  is another option if you’re planning a weekend getaway, located on the way from Chandigarh  to Shimla, it’s a hilly cantonment town. It’s at a distance of about 65 km from Chandigarh.  Not only is it known for its attractions but it’s also known for its beautiful villas. It’s particularly loved by trekkers and campers.  Kasauli  is in the southwestern part of Himachal in the Solan district and is on the relatively lower edges of the Himalayas.
Distance from Chandigarh: 65 km
The place experiences visitors all year round but the summers are particularly preferred as the weather is very pleasant while monsoons are preferred for adventurous activities.
How to reach Kasauli:

By air: The nearest airport is the one in Chandigarh. It’s connected to nearly all the major cities.
By train: Kasauli doesn’t have a railway station of its own, the nearest rail heads of north India is Kalka. Kalka connects Kasauli by a good number of trains with almost all the major cities.

By road: Visitors can easily get state owned transport buses that connect Kasauli to all the the major cities and around Himachal Pradesh  plus there are super fast and super deluxe buses that have a stop at Kasauli.
Places to visit in Kasauli: Monkey Point Kasauli, Mall Road, Gilbert Trail, Sunset Point Kasauli, Christ (Anglican) Church, Toy Train Ride, Gurudwara Shri Guru Nanakji,  Baptist Church.
 Restaurants: Hangout Rooftop Bar and Cafe, Narinder Sweet House, NH 22 Dhaba. 
Hotels:  999/- to 12000/-

Mussoorie, could well be considered an option as well,  Mussoorie is the epitome of beauty. It’s loaded with waterfalls, buildings with colonial architecture, diverse flora and fauna. Some of its attractions are Company Garden, Bhatta Falls, Kempty Falls, etc.
Distance from Chandigarh: 203.1 to 222.9 km
The ideal time to be in Mussoorie is in the summer season from April to mid-July when the weather is  ideal for sightseeing, plus this happens to be the peak season.
 

How to reach Mussoorie:  

By air: The closest airport to Mussoorie is the Jolly Grant Airport about 60 km away in Dehradun, on the Rishikesh-Dehradun State Highway. It’s well connected to all the major cities of India via New Delhi. The nearest international airport to Mussoorie is the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. From there, you can hire a taxi to reach Mussoorie, which is about 30 km away from Dehradun. Uttarakhand State Road Transport Corporation buses are there as well from the airport gate.
By train: The nearest railhead to Mussoorie is the Dehradun railway station, which is about 34km away in Dehradun town. A part of the Northern Railway Terminus, it is linked with Superfast trains to almost all the major cities in India like New Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Howrah, Amritsar, Allahabad, Haridwar, Rishikesh and Indore among others. 

Some of the popular trains that you may have heard of are the Amritsar Fast (Psgr.) Dehradun to Amritsar, Howrah Express, Mussoorie Express, Shatabdi and Jan Shatabdi.
By road: Mussoorie is well connected by road to Delhi and all the major cities in Uttar Pradesh through Dehradun which is at a distance of around 35km. One can hire a taxi or take one of the regular buses from Dehradun to Mussoorie. The Uttarakhand State Road Transport Corporation runs regular bus services between Mussoorie, Delhi, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun and other nearby hill stations. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation runs buses between Mussoorie and cities like Lucknow, Allahabad and Varanasi on a regular basis. Private operators provide deluxe and luxury bus services on these routes.

The four major bus stands in Mussoorie are:
Library Bus Stand
Tehri Bus Stand
Masonic Bus Stand
Kempty Bus Stand (operational only from May to October) 
Places to visit in Mussoorie: Kempty Falls, Gun Hill, Lal Tibba, Lake Mist, Clould’s End, Camel’s Back Road, Landour, Jharipani Falls.

Shimla: Shimla is the capital of Himachal Pradesh, India and is a loved hill-station. Situated at the height of 2200m, Shimla was the summer capital of British India. Shimla still retains that flavour with beautiful colonial architecture, pedestrian-friendly Mall Road and the ridge lined up with multiple shops, cafes and restaurants. Tourists also visit the famous Jakhu Temple and engage in sightseeing at various viewpoints during their trip to Shimla.
Distance of Shmla from Chandigarh: 113.9 km

The weather is more or less pleasant for most of the months with tourists flooding in especially during the summer months. The ideal time to visit Shimla is between March to June when the weather is pleasant and the temperature ranges from 15°C to 30°C. The best time to experience Snowfall is during winters months - November to February. This time is ideal for snow-activities like skiing and exploring the snow-covered surroundings.

 

How to reach Shimla:

By air: The Shimla Airport, even known as Jubbarhatti airport is about 25 km away from the main city and is one of the very few airports at any of the hill stations. Probably one of the smallest airstrips, the ride is pretty bumpy in the plane when it lands. However, since this airport is not functional throughout the year, hence it's advisable to choose Chandigarh or Delhi as connecting airports. People coming by air till Chandigarh generally prefer to book cabs to reach Shimla, which will take 3-4 hours. There are regular buses too. From Delhi airport, it roughly takes around 7-8 hours to reach Shimla.
By train: The nearest broad gauge railway station from Shimla is the Kalka Railway Station which is only 90 km away. Chandigarh Railway station is also just 113 km away from Shimla. From both of these railway stations, Shimla is well connected with local buses and cabs. Shimla has its own railway station, but only narrow gauge trains from Kalka arrive here. It takes around 5-6 hours from Kalka to reach here by train, but it's a very beautiful journey with a lot of tunnels and scenery which makes up for the extra time taken on the route.
By road: Shimla is a tourist destination so there are buses for Shimla from as far as Delhi, Jaipur, Punjab, Haryana and parts of Uttar Pradesh. There may or may not be a halt in Chandigarh while coming to Shimla from Delhi. Taxis are widely available to travel to Shimla from Chandigarh and Delhi or from any other local places. Shimla is also very well connected with HRTC buses from almost all parts of Himachal Pradesh.
Places to visit in Shimla: The Ridge, Mall Road, Kufri, Green Valley, Jakhu Temple, Chail, Shimla Christ Church, Kalka Shimla Toy Train, Narkanda, Naldehra.
Restaurants: Ashiana, Cafe Sol, Wake & Bake, Cecil Reastaurant, Indian Coffee House, Cafe Shimla Times, EBR Cafe, Guptajee’s.

Hotels: 594/- to 21500/-

 Manali, one of the most popular hill stations in Himachal, Manali has the most striking views of the Pir Panjal and the Dhauladhar ranges covered with snow for most parts of the year. With cozy cafes, good wifi availability, small eateries and convenient shops, Manali might be considered a great option for a weekend getaway. There are homestays and hostels offering dorm beds for cheap for longer durations. Manali has many trekking options around it, making it a great base for exploring this side of Himalayas. River Beas provides great rafting options in 

Isn’t Golden Temple the first thing that comes to one’s mind when thinking or talking about Amritsar? A day in this peaceful city begins with the spiritual prayers from Gurudwaras. The original name of first the ancient lake, then of the temple complex, and later the surrounding city, meaning "pool of ambrosial nectar."
Amritsar is the spiritual and cultural centre of the Sikh Religion. Baisakhi festival highlights Amritsar's gorgeousness with its finest food, clothes and merry-making. This place is also famous for its Jallianwala Bagh massacre and its proximity to Wagah Border.

Disatnce from Chandigarh: 226.5 km
September to December and February to March are known to be the best time to visit Amritsar as the weather is ideal  for sightseeing. The temperatures drop down to nearly 5°C in January while the peak summer months of May and June take the temperature to as high as 40°C.  
How to reach Amritsar:

By air: Sri Guru Ram Das Jee International Airport is connected well to most cities in India and many major cities abroad.

By train: There are direct trains from most cities in India to the Amritsar railway station.
By road: Amritsar is very well connected via different highways to many cities in the country.
Places to visit in Amritsar: Golden Temple, Wagah Border, Jallianwala Bagh,  Guru Ke Mahal, Hall Bazar Amritsar, Maharaja Ranjit Singh Museum, Gurudwara Mata kaulan, Partition Museum, Khair-Ud-Din Masjid, Dukh Bhanjani Ber Tree.
Restaurants: Bharawan Da Dhaba,  Makhan Fish, Neelamaos, Guru- Ka – Langar,  Crystal Restaurant, Gurudas Ram, Kesar Da Dhaba, Brothers’ Dhaba, Yellow Chilli, Kanha Sweets.
Hotels: 809/- to 30999/-

Haridwar Haridwar, considered to be one of the seven holiest cities in India, is an ancient city located on the banks of River Ganga in the Garhwal region of Uttarakhand. Filled with temples, ashrams and narrow lanes across the city, Haridwar is a famous Hindu temple town where millions of devotees come to take a dip in the holy Ganges. It's believed that taking a dip in the holy Har Ki Pauri relieves you of all your sins.
Every evening, Haridwar witnesses a set of rituals for the famous Ganga Aarti at the Ghats (River Banks) where thousands of devotees come together to pray to the river. Once in every twelve years, Haridwar hosts the mega-gathering during the world famous Kumbh Mela which sees millions of visitors from all over the country. Along with Prayagraj, Nashik and Ujjain, Haridwar is one of the only four cities in India which can host the Kumbh Mela.
Distance from Chandigarh: 226.6 km
The best time to go to Haridwar is from October to February when the weather is pleasant. Even though, Haridwar has moderate climate throughout the year, which is probably why devotees are able to take part in different ceremonies and rituals. If you are a pilgrim, the best time to visit is during the Kanwar Mela in July and Diwali in October.
How to reach Haridwar: By air: Haridwar doesn’t have an airport. The nearest airport is in Dehradun. It is Jolly Grant Airport. Taxis and buses are easily available from there till Haridwar.
By train: Haridwar has a organised well-connected railway system. There are regular trains to many cities. From the railway station, many taxis are available to take you to any place you want. 
By road:  Haridwar can easily be travelled by roads. The roads are well connected to every major city in India. Taxi. buses and private vehicles can be used to reach here.
Places to visit in Haridwar: Ganga Aarti in Haridwar, Har Ki Pauri, Chandi Devi Temple, Chilla Wildlife Sanctuary, Mansa Devi Temple Haridwar, Bharat Mata Mandir Haridwar, Daksha Mahadev Temple, Vaishno Devi Temple Haridwar, Swami Vivekanand Park, Maya Devi Temple.
Restaurants: Chotiwala, Haveli Hari Ganga Reataurant, Hoshiyar Puri, Dosa Plaza, Big Ben Restaurant.
Hotels: 450/- to 22500/-

Dalhousie is an absolutely captivating town located in the North Indian state of Himachal Pradesh. Spread across five hills, this town is an excellent choice for tourists seeking serenity and peace. With dewy hills, snow-capped pastures, and colonial-era architecture, Dalhousie embodies charm. A culturally and historically significant place, Dalhousie draws tourists from all over the world to explore its striking landscapes and so they can indulge in an experience that leaves them in wonderstruck. 
The town is located at an altitude of 1970 meters above sea level and is one of the most relished hill towns in Himachal Pradesh. If you are thinking of a weekend getaway, Dalhousie might well be one of the options .

Distance from Chandigarh: 315.4 km

Dalhousie, is one of the very few places which may be visited all year round, for its ideal climatic conditions. However, the best time to visit Dalhousie would be from March-June. The snow starts to melt in the months of March and April and its brilliance can be seen when the rays of sun hit the snow-capped mountains and pastures. The weather is pleasant during this period and you can experience the chills too. 
The temperature begins to rise in the month of June. The summer months experience nice weather too. Monsoons are more or less the same here as the moderate rainfall does not interfere with your plans. Winters in Dalhousie are perfect for outdoor activities.

 

How to reach Dalhousie: By air:  Kangra Airport: 108km, Costs around INR 2500-3000 by taxi
Jammu Airport: 170 km, Costs around INR 5000 by taxi
Amritsar Airport: 208 km, Costs around INR 7000-8000 by taxi
Nearest Airport: Jammu - 107 kms from Dalhousie: 
By train:   The closest railway station to Dalhousie is Pathankot railway station, which is about 86 km away from Dalhousie.
By road:   Dalhousie is connected well with nearly all the major cities of Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and other states in this region. A number of buses - private as well as state-owned operate from Delhi's ISBT to Dalhousie (590 km) on a daily basis as well. You can travel by Deluxe, A/c, Non- A/c buses to Dalhousie.

Places to visit in Dalhousie: Panchpula, Khajjiar, St. John’s Church Dalhousie, Kalatop Wildlife Sanctuary, Dainkund Peak, Ganji Pahari Trek, Indo Tibetian Market, Chamba, Satdhara Falls, Mall Road, Cafe Dalhousie, Sach Pass, Trekking in Dalhousie, Rock Garden Dalhousie, Chamunda Devi Temple
Restaurants: Moti Mahal Deluxe, Cafe Dalhousie, Kwality Restaurant
Hotels: 7500/- to 30999/-