New Delhi is one of the best places in the country in terms of children-friendliness. It is one of the greenest capitals in the world, with lots of gardens and parks in which children can play and run around with other children. Additionally, there are plenty of theme and amusement parks that are good fun for the whole family.

Appu Ghar
This is India’s first amusement park. Opened in 1984, it is found in the city’s area known as Pragati Maidan. It is a top family destination in New Delhi with its 22 rides, newly opened waterpark named OYSTERS, food centres and shops. Known as India’s Disneyland, Appu Ghar attracts visitors from around the world and is a big hit with children.

Children's Park
Located close to India Gate, this park has a unique policy of refusing entry to adults attempting to enjoy its facilities without children. It is full of swings, slides, and even boasts a small aquarium. Truly a place for kids, the children’s park is a great spot for them to play with one another.

Buddha Jayanti Park
If you are looking for a good picnic spot, then this part of the city is ideal with its beautiful flowers and gardens. The park was founded on the eve of 2,500 years of the Buddha’s enlightenment and the highlight here is a plant of Bodhi-Briksha brought from Sri Lanka – a cutting of the original plant under which the Buddha found enlightenment.

Mughal Garden
The Mughal Garden is part of the grounds on which the presidential palace is built. Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens, the garden is open to public from February to March.

Musical Fountain at Ajmal Khan Park
Popular with children who are delighted by the spectacular show of a fountain is programmed to display lights, music, and water in a coordinated fashion, Ajmal Khan Park welcomes more visitors during the dusk hours during which the fountain is switched on. The park is open everyday, but the fountain display is good for only 2 hours after sunset, and is not available on Tuesday.

National Rose Garden
A tribute to the rose – the National Rose Garden of India is filled with an incredible array of roses from around the world. During December and January when the roses are in full bloom, the garden sees the most number of visitors enjoying the beautiful sight. Another popular spot with rose lovers is Hauz Khas opposite Safdarjang’s tomb.

National Science Museum
Located adjacent to the Pragati Maidan, the National Science Museum is ideal for a fun and educational day out. Adults and kids alike will delight in learning about science and unravelling some of the world’s more intriguing scientific mysteries.

National Zoological Park
Also called the Delhi Zoo, this park was opened in 1959 and is widely known as one of the best zoos in Asia. The animals here are housed in compounds designed to bear a close resemblance to their natural habitats. The zoo is home to more than 2,000 animals and bird species from around the world.

Rail Transport Museum
The British brought the rail service to India, and the Indians have embraced it with much love, to the extent of erecting a museum to commemorate the train and educate the public on its history of development and its role in history. The exhibits include a regal dining car dating from 1889 and the Prince of Wales’ saloon from 1876.

Shalimar Garden
Enjoying a special place in history, Shalimar Garden was where Aurangzeb the Mughal king was crowned emperor in 1658. The charming pavilion in the centre, called Shish Mahal, was built by Shah Jahan and some of the original painting is still visible.

Shankar's International Dolls Museum
Opened in 1954, this doll museum houses more than 6,000 dolls from 85 countries. It also contains an impressive collection of Japanese dolls. Approximately a third of the dolls here are from India and they are created by the best craftsmen of the country. Also here are the BC Roy Children's Library and a children's play corner.

India is one of the world’s oldest civilisations. Nowhere else do the remains of the Old World blend in more perfectly with modernity; the many ruins and monuments of the past are still intact today, and visiting them gives you a good insight into a way of life that shaped India’s modern day existence.

Chattarpur Mandir
Dedicated to the goddess Durga, this temple is found just past Qutab Minar in Mehrauli. It is a good example of the South Indian architectural style and beautiful lawns and gardens surround the temple. During the Navarathri festival, devotees come from all over to pay tribute to the goddess.

Indira Memorial Museum
A memorial to Indira Gandhi, the museum is noted for its glass cage covering the spot where her body fell when she was assassinated. Rooms are filled with her personal belongings and photos of Indira, as well as her bloodstained sari from the day she was killed.

National Gallery of Modern Art
This gallery has paintings from as far back as 150 years ago, beautifully presented in the residence of Jaipur's former maharajas. You’ll find works of famous local artists like Rabindranath Tagore, Jamini Roy and Amrita SherGil; and sometimes there are special exhibitions.

National Museum on Janpath
Those interested in historical artefacts will find one of the finest collection in this museum, which dates from 1960. It houses artefacts from pre-historic times to the present. Among the most interesting are the largest collection of miniature paintings in the world and relics of the Buddha from Piprahwa.

Nehru Memorial Museum
Housed in Teen Murti House, this museum is the residence of Jawaharlal Nehru for 16 years until his death in 1964. Till today, the rooms are kept just as they were when the prime minister was living here.

Qutab Minar
This 73-metre-high tower was constructed in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak and consists of five storeys: the first three storeys are made of red sandstone, and the fourth and fifth storeys of marble and sandstone. At the base, you’ll find the Quwwat-ul-Islam Mosque. The first mosque in India was built using materials from 27 demolished Hindu temples. There’s a seven meter pillar in the courtyard, and legend has it that if you can stand with your back to the pillar and circle it , then your wish will come true.

Big cities like New Delhi are great for dining and shopping, there are incredible eateries where you can enjoy Indian delights as well as plenty of venues serving international cuisine. Mughali cuisine is, of course, the speciality of the city, but you are also sure to find anything else you might be looking for.

If you want to experience new flavours, try eating like the locals at some of the roadside stalls in Jama Masjid and Nizamuddin. Great finger foods like kebabs, rotis and biryani are delicious. Although it is recommended you keep an eye out for the cleanliness of the stall in order to avoid a case of Dehli Belly.

Five-star hotels are the best places to find clean food and they serve great Indian cuisine developed to suit the average tourist’s palette. Chinese, Thai, European and all other manner of foods can be found in hotel restaurants where an international audience form a big part of the clientale.

Some top recommendations are the Japanese restaurants at Tokyo in the Ashoka Hotel. For those wishing to sample a taste of Thailand while in India, Thai food at Baan Thai in the Oberoi is highly recommended. Tibetan food is another treat that can be found at the local restaurants around Chanakya Theatre.

There are also lots of food festivals in the city and if your visit coincides with one, you must surely go for a visit as they are one-stop shops for sampling the wonderful array of cuisine India has to offer. . If you are after value and would like to taste the best of Indian foods at the lowest prices, then spend an afternoon at the food stalls at Dilli Haat market. Here, you can find food from all over India and you must try New Delhi’s signature dishes like tandoori chicken and tandoori roti when it is served fresh and warm straight from the tandoor oven – it’s truly heavenly.

The latest trend in New Delhi are the ‘members’ only’ restaurants and the Western style cafés. Perhaps the popular of them all is the Café Turtle in Khan Market, where you can sip very good cappuccinos on the rooftop garden.

Shopping in New Delhi is an extensive affair. , There are modern shops offering designer clothing and goods as well as stalls and bazaars where good quality handicrafts can be bought at very affordable prices. Best buys include jewellery, leather goods, handicrafts, silk, cotton and carpets.

No New Delhi experience is complete without a visit to a market. The best one is Dilli Haat, where more there are more than 200 stalls competing for your attention. Here is a good place to practice the art of bargaining. No transaction is complete without a haggle. Bargain for souvenirs, jewellery, linens, furnishings and much more.

Fabindia is the ideal place to go if you are searching specifically for fabrics. This store has a couple of outlets in the city; phone: +91 2621 2183; website: www.fabindia.com.

Connaught Place is one of the most popular modern day malls in the city and is a great place to spend a whole day shopping and eating. The complex is often called CP for short, and is very popular with tourists.

Although the heat is exhausting during the summer months, winter can be ideal for outdoor pursuits in New Delhi. The best adventure sports can be found here, complete with instructors and equipment for hire. So, if you want to take to the skies by parasail or go rock climbing, this can be the ideal place. Although New Delhi is a big and busy city, there are many pretty areas for camping and other outdoor activities as well.

Adventure sports
Those interested in adventure sports like kayaking, canoeing, hovercrafts, motor boating, pedal boating and parasailing should contact the Adventure Tourism Division in Connaught Place. Phone: +91 2341 4011.

Bathing in sulphur springs
About an hour away, Sohna rests on the Aravalli hills and is best known for its sulphur springs. The springs are famous for their medicinal properties and there is a spa complex located here with sauna and steam bath facilities.

Boating
Some of the best boating can be done at Badhkal Lake, just 32 kilometres away . Here, there are plenty of boats for hire, as well as picnic grounds and campgrounds. You can choose from a collection of simple pedal boats and row boats, and even hire speed boats for the day.

Camping
Azad Hind Gram is the best place to go camping around New Delhi, and a local tour operator will be able to provide tents and other gear. Farther away, about a 5-hour drive from New Delhi, the Ganga Banks is perfect for river rafting, nature walks, and wildlife watching.

Rock climbing
Keep in mind that rock climbing is best done from October to March, although it is available all year round. Delhi Tourism offers 1- to 4-day packages at Dhauj and also provides a 1-day climbing course at Ladoo Sarai.