Spend your morning by the Ghats
Start your day at the colonial ghats situated along the Hooghly. Take a boat ride on the Hooghly passing barges, boats, and old warehouses towards the magnificent Howrah Bridge. Another attraction is the bank of Hooghly River. You will just love spending time over there. It is clean by the river side, you can go for lovely leisure walk or go for boating. At the backdrop is the new bridge which looks just scenic from there.
Skip the boring Hotel Breakfast & head to Flury’s
Head to Flury’s on Park Street for a traditional British morning revisit. This Kolkata institution has been serving iconic breakfasts and delicious teas since 1927 when it was owned by a Swedish family. The smell of fresh bread and pastries, Darjeeling tea, and an unhurried approach characterise Flury’s.
Take a peek into history at the Indian Museum
The Indian Museum at Kolkata has a very good collection of many historical items like coins, stone-woodwork. The entry fee for Indian tourists is just Rs. 10. Cameras are allowed for a fee of Rs. 50. You can go there between 10 am to 5 pm. A must visit if you are in Kolkata.
A bit of Bengali flavour- Cha & Jhal Muri
Walk to Nandan, a cultural complex, to soak in Bengali ‘aatel’ (intellectual) atmosphere. Have cha and jhal muri and join in a typical Bengali adda – the raison d’etre of Kolkata. Nandan is the cultural hub of Kolkata where exhibitions of various cultural programmes and art are held and there is a theatre to watch various plays and also digital movies. You should not miss the chai in the clay bhars.
Take a memorable ride on one of the oldest surviving tramways
Operating since 1902, the Kolkata tram is one of its kind in India and the oldest running electric tram system in Asia. The tram adds a certain charm pertaining to a bygone era to this city. A tram ride is a must when you are in Kolkata.
Spend the afternoon in Pathuriaghata
Once home to the Bengali rich, this place is replete with colonnaded mansions. Also, visit Jorasanko Thakurbari, Rabindranath Tagore’s ancestral house. A short walk away is Kumartulli, home to generations of idolmakers who sculpt idols for the city’s festivals.
Go street shopping at New Market
Shop at New Market. It is a ‘bargainer’s paradise’ offering accessories, clothes and other trinkets. And they are cheap ! A traditional Bengali saree is a must-buy. For good quality clothes at reasonable price, Adi Dhakeswari Bastralaya is the right place to go. Other recommended spots are Burra Bazaar, Satyanarayan AC market and Vardaan Market. Don’t miss to buy the famous Kolkata cotton saree for your mother from New Market (near Esplanade).
Explore the colorful Mullik Ghat Flower Market & walk across the Howrah Bridge
Near the southeast end of Howrah Bridge, the Flower Market is fascinatingly colourful virtually 24 hours a day. Many workers live in makeshift shacks, bathing in the river behind from a ghat with sunset views of Howrah Bridge. This market comprises a red, yellow and orange sea of marigolds that seemed to go on forever. It is a market like no other and the photographs speak for themselves.
Take a Baggi Ride at Victoria Memorial
Victoria Memorial is open from 10 am to 5 pm all days except Mondays. However note that entry is closed at 4.30 pm, so one will need to be sure that they enter before 4.30 pm. Also it is great to view the memorial from outside too, especially in the evenings when the monument is lighted. It is a beautiful sight. You can also take a baggi ride outside the memorial in the evenings.
Satisfy your sweet tooth at Balaram Mullick & Radharam Mullick
You can enjoy world’s best sweets in the Balaram Malik shop at Bhawanipore. Balaram Mallick sweet shop is a delight. Baked rasgulla available there will make you crave for more.
Go Retro at Park Street
Wrap up your day back at Park Street, which was the centre of Kolkata’s nightlife in the swinging ’60s. Park Street is the most happening street in Kolkata. Some of the oldest and most popular restaurants of Kolkata are located here. Kwality, Bar-B-Q, Shiraz are to name a few. The popular Flurrys are also located here. It is home to some of the top brand showrooms and hence is a shopper’s paradise.
Park Street is a must visit during Christmas when the street is decorated with beautiful lights, trees and lined with stalls selling Christmas goodies. This place is the most happening place of the town. This part of Kolkata never sleeps and it remains lively all throughout mainly due to some of the best restaurants and pubs over there.
Oblige those midnight hunger pangs at Jai Hind Dhaba
One of the city’s most favourite late night haunts is a little restaurant on Lansdowne Road titled Jai Hind. The food is so popular that it is difficult to get a table at any point during the day or night.
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