Garima

Beauty Industry | Sales Professional | Exploring the world, one trip at a time
Passion for beauty | Love for travel

Okay, so here’s the thing we were totally going to skip Dehradun. Our plan was simple: fly into Delhi, drive straight to Mussoorie, done. But then my colleague Priya (who has three kids herself) pulled me aside at work and said, “Listen, just give Dehradun two days. I promise you won’t regret it.”

I thought she was being dramatic. How wrong I was.

We ended up spending four days there, and my kids are already asking when we can go back. That never happens with family trips usually they’re ready to come home by day two!

The Cave That Wasn’t Scary at All

Our first stop was Robber’s Cave, which sounds terrifying when you have a 9-year-old who’s scared of the dark. But it’s actually this incredible natural formation where you walk through knee-deep water between these massive rock walls.

My daughter Ananya immediately started her rock collection (she does this everywhere we go), while my son Arjun became obsessed with figuring out where the water was coming from and going to. I spent half the time taking photos and the other half trying not to slip on the smooth rocks. Pro tip: wear proper grip shoes, not flip-flops like I did!

The best part? It stays cool even on hot days, so it’s perfect for midday when everywhere else is sweltering.

Where Bambi Actually Lives

Malsi Deer Park was Ananya’s absolute favourite. She’s been obsessed with animals since she was three, so watching spotted deer just casually wandering around while peacocks showed off nearby was like Disney World for her.

What struck me was how natural everything felt. The animals aren’t caged or performing – they’re just living their lives in this beautiful, well-maintained space. We sat on a bench for nearly an hour just watching a family of deer graze while the kids quietly pointed out different behaviours they noticed.

It’s also refreshingly affordable compared to most tourist attractions. We spent maybe 200 rupees total for entry and snacks.

The Museum That Actually Kept My Kids Interested

I was dreading the Forest Research Institute. Museums with kids? Usually a recipe for “Mom, can we leave now?” every five minutes. But this place is different.

First, the building is stunning like something from a movie set in colonial India, with these sweeping arches and manicured lawns that go on forever. The kids were fascinated by the wood collection inside (who knew there were so many different types of trees?), but honestly, we spent most of our time exploring the grounds.

There are these tree-lined paths perfect for letting kids run ahead while parents actually have a conversation. We found several quiet spots to sit and share the samosas we’d picked up earlier. Sometimes the best part of sightseeing is just finding a beautiful place to rest.

Natural Hot Tubs in the Hills

Sahastradhara was my personal highlight. After three days of chasing kids around various attractions, the idea of soaking in natural sulphur springs sounded like heaven.

The kids treated it like a giant outdoor bathtub, splashing between different pools and trying to figure out which ones were the warmest. Meanwhile, I got to actually relax for the first time in months. The setting is gorgeous too – surrounded by green hills with the sound of flowing water everywhere.

Whether the healing properties are real or not, I definitely felt refreshed. And watching my usually energetic kids actually sit still in the warm water for more than five minutes was worth the trip alone.

The Best Day We Didn’t Plan

Sometimes the best travel experiences happen when you throw the itinerary out the window. We had one afternoon with nothing scheduled, so we just started driving into the hills with no particular destination.

We stopped at tiny roadside chai stalls where the kids tried different snacks, pulled over at random viewpoints for photos, and spent ages watching my son try to identify different birds with the field guide we’d bought. The winding roads through forests felt like a preview of the Himalayas without any of the altitude or motion sickness.

These unplanned drives reminded me why I love traveling with family those spontaneous moments when everyone’s happy and relaxed, just enjoying each other’s company.

Why Sterling Marbella Was Worth Every Rupee

I chose Sterling Marbella mainly because of location and decent online reviews, but they really went above and beyond for families. The staff seemed to genuinely enjoy having kids around, which isn’t always the case at hotels.

They helped us plan realistic itineraries (accounting for nap times and snack breaks), packed lunches for our day trips, and even arranged a small celebration when they found out it was Arjun’s birthday week. The rooms were spacious enough that we weren’t constantly bumping into each other – crucial when traveling with kids.

But my favourite part was the garden area in the evenings. After long days of sightseeing, we’d sit outside with our tea while the kids played on the lawn, watching the hills change colour as the sun set. It felt like the perfect end to each day, and honestly, those quiet family moments are what I remember most from our trip.

The Verdict: Dehradun Surprised Us All

Would I recommend Dehradun for families? Without question. It hits that sweet spot of having enough activities to keep everyone engaged without being overwhelming or touristy.

It’s also incredibly practical – easy drive from Delhi, reasonable prices, and everything is pretty close together so you’re not spending half your vacation in the car. We’re already planning to return next winter to see how different everything looks in cooler weather.

My advice? Don’t just use Dehradun as a stopover on your way somewhere else. Give it at least two full days, stay somewhere comfortable like Sterling Marbella, and be prepared to add it to your list of favourite family destinations. Sometimes the best discoveries are the ones you weren’t even looking for.

https://www.sterlingholidays.com/resorts-hotels/marbella-dehradun