Most of the attractions in Ahmedabad are of a cultural nature, including temples and museums. In the past few years, however, things have improved with the introduction of the increasingly popular Science City, a venue with plenty to amuse and educate children of all ages. Additionally, the zoo is a popular favourite among kids, as is Kankaria lake.

Kamla Nehru Zoo
One of the best zoos in the country, Kamla Nehru Zoo features a full range of animals including Indian elephants, tigers, bears, reptiles and a bird enclosure. The zoo is also well-known for its large numbers of rare albino animals and its sometimes aggressive elephants. There is also a natural history museum onsite that explains more about some of India’s species with the aid of a number of stuffed and miniature animals. Phone: +91 22 28365683.

Kankaria Lake
Located close to the zoo, this lake and gardens are popular with local families. There is an island in the very middle of the water that houses a summer palace. More interesting for children though is the musical fountain show and boating club which allows small boats to be taken out onto the water. This place is best after the monsoon season when the rain has stopped and it’s not too hot outside.

Science City
When it comes to keeping kids occupied in Ahmedabad, nothing comes close to the newly constructed Science City. Featuring a 3D IMAX theatre, flight simulators, rides, a musical dancing fountain and a huge array of interactive science exhibits, children of all ages will be happily amused all day here. The park is easily found on the western side of the river, close to the main road heading north to Gandhinagar.
Phone: +91 79 65220111; website: www.scity.org

With its long history of political agitation, piety and culture, there is a wealth of fascinating places to visit in Ahmedabad which highlight the significance and sway the city has held over the rest of the region over the past 1,000 years. Some of these cultural relics, like the Gandhi Ashram, have not only affected the lives of the people in the vicinity, but also those throughout India. Although Ahmedabad is striving to make it as a business centre, its heart lies in politics and the arts.

Bhadra Fort
Constructed by the original founder of Ahmedabad, Sultan Ahmed Shah, this 600-year-old structure remains as impressive today as it must have been in the 15th century. This huge structure is overflowing with attractive arches and ornate decoration, meaning its well worth a look around. This is where the former sultan would watch polo matches in the square below. The complex also houses a Kali temple and museum on popular local freedom fighter Sardar Patel.

Calico Textile Museum
Now nearly 60 years old, this excellent exhibition is widely considered to be one of the most impressive textile museums in the world. Ahmedabad’s long history as a major textile producer is detailed here with fabrics on show that date back nearly 400 years. The museum also displays textiles and materials produced all over India along with other handmade items such as furniture and crafts. The complex is also home to a comprehensive textile library that is an interesting reference for those with a keen interest in textiles or who may be doing research. Website: www.calicomuseum.com

Darpana Academy of Performing Arts
If you are interested in seeing theatre in Gujarat, this is the only place to be. Founded as a small performing arts workshop in 1949, Darpana is a unique theatre set up that shows regular local performances as well as international theatre at its excellent venue close to the Sabarmati river. Among the types of performance on show here are traditional dance, folk and tribal dance as well as theatre. Phone: +91 79 27551389; website: www.darpana.com

Gandhi Ashram
This is one of the most popular attractions among tourists in the city and with good reason. Founded by the great man himself in 1915, this Hindu hermitage overlooks the river and was the point from where Gandhi launched his inspired protests against the salt tax imposed by the occupying British in 1930. Today there is plenty of Gandhi memorabilia on show here as well as a paper factory and a handicrafts centre, among numerous other interesting knick-knacks for tourists to enjoy. Phone: +91 79 7556659.

Lalbhai Dalpatbhai Museum
Of the handful of museums in Ahmedabad, this is perhaps the most interesting. The exhibition features a wealth of colourful and very precious artefacts from the region, the rest of India, Nepal and Tibet. These include anything from stone sculptures and terracotta, to traditional paintings and textiles, many of which date back hundreds of years. If you see only one exhibition during your stay in Ahmedabad, then make it this one. Phone: +91 79 6302463.

Sardar Patel Memorial Museum
Housed in the Bhadra Fort, this exhibition pays tribute to Sardar Patel, a local resident who is famous for lending his full support to the independence movement mostly led by another local favourite, Mahatma Gandhi. The museum features numerous photos, newspaper clippings and other relevant artefacts and information related to the life of Patel and makes a fascinating side story for anyone interested in colonial India and the independence movement.

If you like your food spicy and vegetarian, then you are likely to thoroughly enjoy Ahmedabad’s local cuisine. As is the case in many Indian towns and cities, meat is hard to come by here. Commonly, beef and pork are unavailable due to Hindu and Islamic sensibilities respectively, but chicken and mutton can be found at some establishments.

Among the local favourites are paneer, or cheese; curries; vegetable samosas and a range of fried rice dishes. A popular restaurant format in Ahmedabad is where the customer pays a fixed price and is then permitted to go back to the buffet as many times as he or she wishes, a sure fire way to try out different dishes and leave feeling satisfied.

Aside from the usual assortment of curries and dhal, locals have a seemingly unquenchable appetite for sweet foods and typically eat a desert as part of a meal. The most popular sweets here are ice cream and other preserved, syrupy treats. Some restaurants and cafés in Ahmedabad only serve desserts.

Ahmedabad is not very big on international cuisine, although there are a few places that specialise in Chinese food and there is even a Pizza Hut, famously the first in the world not to serve any meat at all. If you’re looking for a break from the local Gujarati-style food, head to one of the smarter hotels in the city for something with a little more international flavour.

Traditional markets around Teen Darwaja, Ratan Pole, and Manek Chowk are good places to start, especially if you are on the lookout for textiles. The Gandhinagar highway and CG road areas have newer markets while new stores are constantly opening, many of them relatively modern by Ahmedabad standards.

Like almost all areas of India, doing anything outdoors largely depends on what season it is given that the monsoon can often be a washout and the hot season too sticky. However, there are numerous scenic areas outside the city that give visitors a chance to escape crowded central Ahmedabad in search of Gujarat’s flora and fauna, which in places is unique given the mix of swamp land and desert that surrounds the city.

Law Garden
Named after the nearby law college, Law Garden is a favourite outdoor hang out for locals in Ahmedabad. This area of greenery right in the heart of the city often features open-air performances and dance. For children, there are rides, and locals traders often set up stalls in the park to sell their wares which can include anything from traditional clothing to food.

Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary
Situated around Nal Sarovar, a lake 40 miles (65kms) from the centre of Ahmedabad, this bird sanctuary makes an excellent day out for nature lovers. Here the reeds and marshes are thick and relatively isolated, providing a home for a huge variety of birds including cormorants and sandpipers. In winter, this makes a great spot for bird watching, but it is often a washout during the monsoon. The area is particularly good for walking too.

Shanku’s Water Park
At 40 miles (60kms) outside of the centre of Ahmedabad, Shanku’s Water Park is about an hour’s drive away and makes for a welcome respite during the hot season. Onsite is a health club, various swimming pools, slides and a wave machine at what ranks as the largest park of its kind in India. The park is also surrounded by gardens perfect for picnics and a day of lounging around. Phone: +91 79 26568319; website: www.waterworldresort.com