Long and wide roads lined with trees, greenery-swathed concrete jungles, chirpy avifauna that glide above sky-kissing buildings, express highways, flyways, botanical gardens, parks, and sanctuaries – does this description sound as if it is pulled straight from Netflix’s latest sci-fi or dystopian series? Nah! This is exactly what you’ll see in the systematically planned Indian city called New Okhla Industrial Development Authority. And yes, we all know this city by its more popular acronym – NOIDA!
The city and its headquarters Greater Noida are patently one of India’s technologically-driven hubs with a plenitude of employment opportunities, outsourcing capabilities, technological emulation, and infrastructural debonair. Yet, when it comes to the fun part of life, the city never fails anyone, ever! Let us cut to the chase, shall we friends? Holidaying in Noida is like standing at a buffet counter, with everything looking so irresistible and riveting. From food and shopping to fun activities and gardens and markets, Noida has it all.
Here’s a sneak peek of the top five places to visit in Greater Noida, where you can savor some endless fun under the sun and embrace the high life.
1. Worlds of Wonder (W.O.W.) – Spelling 10 Acres of Magic
Among the fun places in Noida that would make you gallivant like a five-year-old, W.O.W. stands tall. Merging two worlds into a sanctum of R and R and adrenalin gratification, this cutting-edge amusement and water park is apt for children aged between seven and seventy years, wink wink!
Adventure mongers, quest junkies, fun riders, foodies, racing aficionados, and daredevils find a delighting haven in W.O.W. with over twenty-three attractions that leave visitors spellbound, to say the least. Rides include Rockin Roller, Big Beat, Chart Smashers, Dizzy Diana, Bird’s Nest, Download, Fast Forward, and Hippti Hop. The ‘La Fiesta’ zone caters to the fun yearnings of kids, senior citizens, and people who need special attention, which is very thoughtful.
We suggest that paintballers, Go Kart lovers, air hockey players, and VR arcade gamers head straight to the arena of endless fun. You could shake a leg with your loved ones on the rain dance floor which will drench you in sheer excitement of the artificial rain pouring in from all ends while you dance like a gracious peacock during the monsoons. No wonder, this is one of those special places to visit in Noida with your girlfriend.
The water rides at W.O.W. are maintained with the highest standards of hygiene and safety. The action-packed slides, splash rides, hydro-venture themes, and manmade giant waves will get you reminiscing about your childhood days. Rides like the Rapid Racer, Turbo Tunnel, Giant Wave Pool, etc. help de-stress your body and mind. Lifeguards have been delegated at every corner with necessary aid to monitor and ensure your safety. Don’t forget to dig into a gamut of finger food, fast food, drinks, ice creams, and local delicacies at the food counters across W.O.W.
- Location: Entertainment City, Sector-38A
- Timings: 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
- Entry Fee:
- Amusement Park
- Adults (130cm and above) – ₹599 per person
- Children (90cm -129cm) – ₹499 per person
- Senior Citizens – ₹199 per person
- Water Park
- General Ticket: ₹1450 per person
- Children (90cm -129cm) – ₹999 per person
- Senior Citizens – ₹999 per person
- Amusement Park
- Nearest Metro Station: Noida Sector 18 Metro Station
Note: Go Karting costs an additional amount of ₹400 per head beside the entrance ticket
2. The Grand Venice Mall – Bringing Venice to Greater Noida
Water around tunnels and bridges, gondolas, Venetian windows, pillars, and facades, plus the dandy gondoliers singing a barcarolle, a typical folk tune of the Venetian coast! No, we are not in Venice, but in one of the most beautiful malls of Greater Noida, aptly named the Grand Venice Mall.
Set in a plush ambiance, which you could call the doppelganger of the famous honeymoon spot in Italy, the gothic architecture surrounding the canal could indeed set the tone for a romantic evening ahead. No wonder, people consider this as one of those dreamy places to visit in Noida for couples. The gondolier paddles his way under the bridges to give you a glimpse of the Leaning Tower of Pisa (the smaller replica, of course) that has stark a resemblance to the real tower. This Venice and Rome themed mall has the replica of the famous Trevi fountain welcoming the visitors along with the glitteringly large chandelier overlooking the baroque painting.
Here, you can merge a street boutique style shopping experience with great food at a European-inspired food court, and a gondola ride to complete the experience. Kids won’t be disappointed either with the trampoline park, bungee jumping, bowling arcade, mirror gazing, cricket lane, bumper cars, zip line ride, and many other fun activities. You could even catch a movie at Cinepolis with five screens, reclining seats, and service on call. From apparels, shoes, and jewelry to electronics, you can shop till you drop. The food court named Terrazzo, meaning terrace in Italian, has got a range of gastronomic treats to pump up your energy when you feel tired from all the fun and shopping!
- Location: Near Pari Chowk, Greater Noida
- Timings: 10.00 am to 10.00 pm; every day
- Nearest Metro Station: Noida City Center or Botanical Gardens Metro
3. Brahmaputra Market – Your Budget-Friendly Neighborhood
When it comes to crazy shopping and endless street chow at Brahmaputra Market, you just can’t stop loving Noida. This thriving downtown bazaar has many eateries, food stalls, and tarmac sheltered food hotspots selling parathas, shawarmas, momos, rolls, tikkas, shakes, biryani, pizzas, chuski, and other soul-stirring munchies to get you going gaga over Noida’s food spell. Never miss out on the delish line-up at JSB Evergreen Snacks and Sweets; the area of this establishment is larger than its name suggests while giving you 100% desi ghee-based comestibles including desserts. This is the best place to hyper drool y’all and even grub grab at late hours in the night.
If you are a fashionista with a pocket-friendly outlook and haggling skills, then look no further. Grab some economically-priced clothes, accessories, knick-knacks, jewelry, PJs, books, magazines, and other stuff that will make you smirk like a sinner during the exodus. This charmingly wild marketplace is sure to give you the uninhibited vibes of rustic Noida.
- Location: Maharishi Dayanand Marg, Sector 29
- Timings: 09.00 am to 11.00 pm; every day
- Known For: Budget Shopping and Street Food
- Price for Two at Food Joints: Under ₹500 (for eating to your hearts’ content)
- Must-try Items: Gol Gappas, Kebabs, Tikkis, Bhalla Papdi, Bengali Jhaal Muri, Bhel Puri, Sev Puri, Kathi Rolls, Dosas, Idlis, and other South Indian Fare
- Nearest Metro Station: Noida Sector 18 Metro Station
4. Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden – The Sanctum of Peace
If you plan to spend a peaceful afternoon in utter tranquility, then this place is just perfect. Rich with history and architectural nobility, Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal is a memorial that offers learning abundance with a sense of national pride. Built in the honor of dalits who struggled for social transformation with grit and determination, the venue is a national treasure covering an area of 82.5 acres, with a mini-museum spreading over 33 acres, and a green expanse covering the rest of the spread along the banks of river Yamuna.
The museum has idols ordained for dalit leaders who spent their lives fighting for social justice, humanity, and equality, including B.R Ambedkar. This monumental cenotaph is a paragon of bravery and conviction displayed by the dalits. Believe it or not, the monument and park were built at a budget of a whooping ₹685 crores.
- Location: Gautam Buddha Park, Sector 95
- Timings: 11.00 am to 05.00 am; every day
- Entry Fee: ₹ 10 per person; free entry for children below 5 years of age
- Nearest Metro Station: Noida sector 15 Metro Station
5. Ski India – Some Sci-Fi and Lots of Snow
Want to visit Switzerland in Noida? You heard us right! Ski India at the DLF Mall of India is an indoor hill station and Asia’s largest indoor snow park that spreads over 1 lakh sq. ft. Whether you are a skiing enthusiast, a sledding fan, a soulful skater, a snowfall junkie, a spinning star, a snow scooter lover or just enjoy snow fights, the -10 degrees Celsius is going to make your experience unforrrrgettable (while you go looking for cover).
The entry ticket covers Snow activities like Skiing, Sledding, Toboggan, Bob Sled, Snow Fall, Ice Skating, Snow Boarding, Caves Frozen Walk Through, Eskimo-life in an Igloo, Snow Carousel, and also snow gear like jackets, hood, gloves, boots, ice skating shoes, and skiing sticks. The Snowy Adventure Park has snow mascots D-FLY, BYNO, N-TINA, TUX, DR.KIT, ORRI, X-TIMO, Y-TIMO, Z-TIMO and WOMPY guiding you all the way. The adventure lasts for an hour roughly, with thirty minutes allocated additionally for gearing-up at the reception to enter the world of Cosmic Snow venture.
- Location: DLF Mall of India, Sector 18
- Timings: slots at 11.00 am, 01.00 pm, 03.00 pm, 05.00 pm, 07.00 pm, 08.00 pm, and 09.00 pm
- Entry Fee: ₹ 1000 per person
- Nearest Metro Station/Bus Stand: The Wave Noida Sector 18 Metro Station
Hope this list gives you enough reasons to visit this splendid city. With millions of tourists pouring in every year, the iconic hotels in Noida, prominent shopping promenades, entertainment avenues, nature parks, religious centers, eateries, museums, and other engagement centers await you with open arms. Happy Adventures!