Places to visit in Noida

[Shitaj]

I will be going Noida for a couple of days and would like just to know about places to visit there. Of course Delhi has a lot of places to visit which I have already seen, but the I am unaware of NCR region.

My dropping time at Noida would be 8 am and coming back to Delhi would be at 7 pm from Noida. My work would only last until 12pm which means I would have around 6 hours to spare.

 

[briannagodess]

Hello, @Shitaj! Welcome to the forum!

Noida, for the past few years, have progressed especially when it comes to their roads and infrastructures. Attractions-wise, they don't have much to offer, if you compare the city to Delhi. There are a few attractions here though, like malls and a theme park. So you only have a few options when it comes to sightseeing, which in your case, is a good thing since you only have a few hours to explore the city. Here are some of the places that you can visit in your spare time in Noida:

Places to Visit in Noida

Shopping/Malls

• The Great India Place - This is one of the oldest malls in Noida, located in Sector 38-A. This mall is a one-stop attraction, for it has many retail stores (both local and international), a food court, restaurants (Indian and international), fast food chains, entertainment centres and cinemas. Thus, it is a favourite amongst locals and you might find them just hanging out in the mall especially during weekends. The mall's entertainment centres are comprised of a bowling alley, discos and sports bar. They also have numerous spas and salons to cater for the needs of the females or even the males. It is also located just opposite the Noida Sector 18 Metro Station, so it is easily accessible.

• DLF Mall of India - Named as India's First Destination Mall, the DLF Mall of India is the largest mall in the country. It was just opened in 2016 and is home to a number of local and international brands. What sets the mall apart is that it has five zones, created to ease the shopping experience of the guests. So on the lower ground floor, they have the Market Place, for the household needs of the family. On the ground and first floors they have the International Boulevard where international brands like Aldo, Charles & Keith, Bobbi Brown, Forever 21 and many more can be found. On the second floor they have the High Street, where premier Indian brands can be found, like Ahuja Sons, Fab India, Kalpana Sarees and many more. The third floor is the Family World where kid's stores and casual dining stores can be found. And lastly, on the fourth and fifth floor, there's the Leisure Land, where there's a food court and several entertainment centres. Visiting the mall can easily take a half day since it's vast and has many stores to be explored.

• Atta Market - This is a street market where you can find all sorts of apparels, housewares, electronics and furnitures. Unlike the malls though, Atta Market has more affordable rates although you do need to look around and inspect well for quality. The market is divided into two sides, the older market has more affordable items and haggling is permitted here and the newer market has branded items and might be harder to haggle your way into. Thus, the market caters to both budget and luxury shoppers. The market area can get crowded during weekends though so you need to take care of your belongings and be aware of the surroundings. The market is located in Sector 27, just close to the Noida Sector 18 Metro.

• Spice World Mall - This is yet another mall but located on Sector 25-A in Noida. The main attraction here is its cinemas, located in the 3rd to 5th floors of the mall. It also has a variety of restaurants in the other floors like Subway and the Mix Noodle Zone. It also has a gaming zone called Amoeba, which has video games and a separate bowling alley. So if ever you're within Sector 25-A, a visit to the Spice World Mall would be a great idea.

Theme Park

• Worlds of Wonder - Just outside the Great India Place, the Worlds of Wonder is located. It has a water park, amusement park and even a go-karting area. The amusement park has about 20 dry rides like the Rockin Roller, Jumper, Mini Jet and many more. The water park has 26 attractions consisting of wave pools, slides and rafts. The theme park also has numerous food stalls and restaurants to keep the tummy of the guests full. The Worlds of Wonder is a great getaway and you can easily lose track of time in here.

Garden

• Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden - This park/garden was opened to the public in 2013, after several delays in its construction. The main attraction here is the memorial dedicated to the Dalit leaders of the region. The garden has three sections in which the Ambedkar Plaza and the Central Plaza have the statues of the Dalit leaders. The Column Plaza, on the other hand, has replicas of Ashoka Chakra with high pillars topped with four-headed elephants. The garden also has sitting areas and lush well-manicured lawns. If you just want to have a relaxing six hours on Noida, then the Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden would be a great choice for you.

Religious

• ISKCON Noida - From the outside, the ISKCON Noida has a simple facade with light pink exteriors and exquisite sculptures. Once you go in, the walls are also plastered with carvings, this time with important Hindu mythologies. The temple is visited by many devotees, both local and from other regions so do expect crowds. There's also a small shop within the temple from which you can buy some souvenirs and holy books. If ever you do get hungry, there's a pure vegetarian restaurant located within its premises as well.

Wildlife/Nature

• Okhla Bird Sanctuary - This is located in the Gautam Buddha Nagar district of Noida. It is located right where the Yamuna River enters the city of Noida. There are over 300 species of birds in the sanctuary, some are even listed as endangered and threatened. Some of the resident bird species that you can spot here are the less adjutant, spot-billed pelican, sarus crane, bristled grass bird and yellow weaver. The sanctuary is also home to several migratory birds like greater spotted eagles and sociable lapwings, seen during the winter season. It's best to view the entire sanctuary by hiring a bicycle as there are bicycle tracks within it.

• Nandan Kanan National Park - This national park is located on Sector 95 in Noida. You can tour the entire national park by riding the battery-operated vehicle. The surrounding greenery in the national park is a nice contrast from the buildings of the city. The main animal to be seen here is the white tiger although it does have other bird and mammal species as well. On the other side of the national park is the botanical garden, located just adjacent to the lake. So if you're someone who loves nature and wildlife, the Nandan Kanan National Park is a good option as entry fee here is very nominal.

There you go, I hope this helps you! Have an enjoyable trip in Noida!