Take a Hike Through History

One step out of Sterling Legacy Shimla will land you right on Shimla’s famous Mall Road. Spend the first day exploring the central nerve of Shimla, located in the heart of the town stretching for 7 km. Built by the British for the easy flow of trade and commerce, the bustling commercial promenade is a hub for shopping, dining, strolling, people-watching, and taking pictures.

The Ridge runs parallel to the Mall Road with a number of activities to partake in. Visit the Tudor-style Shimla State Library, explore the looming Neo-Gothic Christ Church, get photos clicked wearing traditional Himachali attire, or hone your photography skills at Scandal Point. A simple stroll down Mall Road and the Ridge, while admiring the natural beauty all around and the charming colonial architecture dotting the urbanscape, is enough to keep you engaged.

A Shopaholic’s Dream

The Mall Road is indeed a candy land for shopping enthusiasts with a wide array of choices and reasonable prices. Housed in Victorian buildings with colorful roofs, this commercial stretch has a large number of emporiums, shops, stores, and showrooms to buy from. Visit Himachal Emporium to shop for exquisite local items, such as pottery wares, jewelry, Tibetan carpets, Pashmina shawls, and all types of warm garments.

If you have more of a Western taste, there are retail outlets to cater to that as well. Shop for electronic gadgets and accessories; books, small souvenirs, and knick-knacks are also extensively available. Take a quick detour to the Tibetan and Lakkad Bazaar to find things at even cheaper rates. You will easily find ATMs on Mall Road if you are short on cash. However, most stores are integrated with UPI payments.

Snack, Dine, and Wine

The Mall Road and the Ridge spoil you with choices to pick from. The lanes are adorned with numerous restaurants, eateries, and cafes to last you weeks of eating out. Some of the best-reviewed cafes and eateries are Honey Hut Cafe, Wake & Bake, Chopsticks, Hide Out Cafe, Lord’s Cafe, Cafe Shimla Times, La Pino’z Pizza, Brewbakes Cafe, Cecil Restaurant, and Cafe Sol. You will find the best oven pizzas, freshest plates of pasta, delicious steaks, stacked burgers, a variety of beverages, and heart-melting desserts at all these locations.

If true-blue Indian cuisine is more up your alley, try Himachali Rasoi, Pakwan, Goofa Ashiana Restaurant, 45 The Central, Sher-E-Punjab, Hills Edge Restaurant, Eighteen71 Cookhouse & Bar, and Nazi’s Zayka. After nightfall, immerse yourself in a dazzling experience at the pubs and bars of Shimla. Rendezvous Bar and Restaurant, Scandal Delights Cafe Bar Dine, Skybar Cocktails and Shisha, Splash Restaurant and Bar, and Devicos Restaurant and D Lounge are some remarkable gastropubs.

The Mall Road also boasts some stellar breweries where you can enjoy chilled craft beer and a wide range of housemade cocktails with 360-degree views of the hills and magical DJ nights. Shimla Brewing Company and The Brew Estate are the two standout breweries located on Mall Road and the Ridge, respectively.

If none of these excite you, there are roadside street food stalls selling local-flavored momos, dim sums, noodles, chole bhature, jalebis, and other Himachali dishes.

Delights Within a Distance

Shimla boasts of several locations scattered across the slope upon which the town is perched. You can spend the second day of your trip visiting some of them. Shimla’s highest point, Jakhoo Hill, and the Hanuman Temple therein are must-visits. Dorje Drak Monastery, Summer Hill, Annandale, Viceregal Lodge, Chadwick Falls, Taradevi Temple, and Shimla State Museum are other spots you can visit. Hiring a car for the sightseeing tour would be ideal to save time and energy.

End the day with a 15 km drive to the snow-covered town of Kufri where you can enjoy winter sports activities such as skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding. There is an exciting go-kart track as well, specifically designed for adventure enthusiasts. You can stay overnight at Sterling Kufri, enjoy a scrumptious dinner, and drive back to Shimla the next morning to start your journey back home.

The Lounge by Sterling

If you want to give yourself a break and unwind from whirlwind traveling and walking, visit Sterling Legacy Shimla’s in-house establishment, ‘The Lounge’. Get yourself comfortable on the indoor and outdoor dining experiences with flight of cocktails, international and desi spirits, live music and small plates of mouth-watering flavours of the region. With the views of mesmerising Shimla in the background and quick connect to the popular Mall Road, The Lounge is that perfect dine-out experience in Shimla.

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re looking to shop, enjoy delectable cuisine, soak in the local culture, or simply unwind amidst scenic beauty, Shimla offers an unforgettable experience that captures the essence of this charming hill station. At Sterling Holidays, we perenially thrive to ensure that your stay in our city becomes a memorable one.

FAQs

  1. Which days of the week is the Shimla Mall Road closed?

Shimla Mall Road is open all days of the week from 9 am to 9 pm.

  1. Should I pack warm clothes for Shimla?

During summer, pack light clothes for the daytime and warm cardigans and pullovers for the night. Winters are cold and chilly and will require heavy woolens like jackets, gloves, woolen socks, mufflers, and caps.

  1. Does Shimla have any famous fruits?

Shimla is well known for its apples and apricots. There are a few orchards near Summer Hill that you can visit.

  1. Can I do a day trip to Kufri from Shimla?

Kufri is only 30 minutes away from Shimla and can certainly be covered in a day. You can choose to drive back after the visit or spend a day at Sterling Kufri.

  1. Can I see mountain peaks from Shimla’s Ridge?

The Ridge is known for its spectacular views of the Shivalik range to the south. You can also see Pir Panjal and Dhauladhar ranges cut through in the distance on clear-sky days.