Picnics are probably a great way to spend quality time with friends and family, away from the rut of life. If you agree with this thought and are looking for picnic spots in Chandigarh, you will be spoilt for choice as this planned city has innumerable delightful places to visit. All you need to do is zero in on the day outing options and choose one that everyone in your picnic squad likes. Once you take care of the place and time, you just have to pack a picnic lunch, a few board games and a camera to capture all the fun moments.
Here’s our pick of popular picnic spots in Chandigarh where you can spend a few relaxing hours with friends and family.
Picnic Spots in Chandigarh:
| Sukhna Lake | Leisure Valley |
| Fun City | Japanese Garden |
| Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary | Terraced Garden |
| Zakir Hussain Rose Garden |
1. Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
Sukhna Lake | #1 of 7 Best Picnic Spots in Chandigarh
Sukhna Lake is the heart of the city of Chandigarh that offers a mesmerising spot for picnickers. The beautiful lake was built in 1958 at the base of the Shivalik Hills by damming up the seasonal stream – Sukhna Choe.
The promenade in front of the lake is perfect for people watching wherein you can see individuals walking, jogging or busy in other wellness pursuits. You can go for lazy boating, trampoline jumping, solar cruise and even rowing in Sukhna Lake which is one of Asia’s longest rowing channels. If you are lucky, you might be able to enjoy the company of winged and aquatic creatures like cranes and Siberian ducks. While you are here, don’t miss to visit the famous Rock Garden which is a stone’s throw from the lake.
- Location: Sector 1, Chandigarh
- Timings: 5 am to 9 pm
Read Also: Things to Do in Chandigarh
2. Leisure Valley, Chandigarh
Leisure Valley | #2 of 7 Best Picnic Spots in Chandigarh
If you have an entire day to spend quality time with loved ones, you ought to plan a picnic outing at Leisure Valley, which is one of the top tourist attractions of Chandigarh. This 8-kilometre stretch of scenic landscape comprising of twelve beautiful parks and gardens was planned by the famous French architect Le Corbusier, who wanted to convert Chandigarh into a city of gardens.
Owing to the vast green expanse, the valley is referred to as the lungs of Chandigarh that serves as the perfect place to break free from the humdrum of the city and spend moments of quietude with special ones.
- Location: Sector 10B, Chandigarh
- Timings: 6 am to 8 pm
3. Fun City, Chandigarh
Fun City | #3 of 7 Best Picnic Spots in Chandigarh
Fun City is true to its name in offering endless fun and excitement to picnickers thronging this water amusement park, which at 43 acres is the biggest in North India. Whether you like dry rides, water rides or both, this place won’t disappoint anyone in your group because of its innumerable attractions, such as water slides, landing pools, hydraulic rides, etc.
It is an ideal place to spend a joyful day, but if one day is not enough for fun-seekers like you, then you can book a room at its resort to prolong the funtainment!
- Location: Barwala Road, Chandigarh
- Timings: 9:30 am to 6 pm
Also Read: Places to Visit in Punjab
4. Japanese Garden, Chandigarh
Japanese Garden | #4 of 7 Best Picnic Spots in Chandigarh
Japanese Garden is one of the most popular places to visit in Chandigarh that is preferred by picnickers for being unique in offering a Zen experience unlike anywhere else in the city. True to Japanese aesthetics and philosophy, the garden has many interesting attractions, such as the pagoda tower, an idol of Buddha, a meditation hut and sculptures of a dragon, golden fish, crocodiles, frog, Japanese couple, etc. The garden is also adorned with Japanese lanterns, lamps, rock gardens connected through an underground tunnel, waterbodies and waterfalls, which make for an ideal spot to unpack your picnic stuff.
If you don’t want to carry a picnic lunch, visit the in-house cafeteria or any of the other food joints to enjoy a delicious meal with your picnic buddies.
- Location: Sector 31, Chandigarh
- Timings: 4:30 am to 11 pm
5. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandigarh
Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary | #5 of 7 Best Picnic Spots in Chandigarh
Located in the foothills of the Shivalik Range, Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary is a haven of peace and tranquillity that attracts nature enthusiasts, photographers and picnickers. This protected area of rich flora and fauna is actually a part of Sukhna Lake catchment and spreads over 2600 hectare. Kansal Gate and Nepli Gate are the two entry points of this sanctuary, which boasts of India’s highest average sambar cluster.
The first thing that you need to do while planning a picnic at this sanctuary is to seek entry permit from Conservator of Forests & Chief Wildlife Warden of Chandigarh. Once this is sorted, you just have to pack your picnic lunch, camera, binoculars, water and other essentials for a fun day.
- Location: North-East of Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
- Timings: 9 am to 6 pm
6. Terraced Garden, Chandigarh
Terraced Garden | #6 of 7 Best Picnic Spots in Chandigarh
Terraced Garden is probably the first choice of picnickers in Chandigarh because of its vibrant landscape and cheerful environment. This garden was established over forty years ago in 1979 in an area of 10 acres that is dotted with hundreds of varieties of exquisite flowers displayed in attractive layouts. After finishing your picnic lunch, go for a stroll on the walkways around the well-manicured garden with a myriad of colourful flowers that definitely relieves you of all the stress.
Make sure you don’t miss the main attraction of this picnic spot, which is the illuminated musical fountain show in the evenings. Besides, the Terraced Garden also hosts the popular Chrysanthemums Show every year that attracts visitors to Chandigarh from across the country.
- Location: Sector 33, Chandigarh
- Timings: 6 am to 8 pm
7. Zakir Hussain Rose Garden, Chandigarh
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden | #7 of 7 Best Picnic Spots in Chandigarh
Zakir Hussain Rose Garden provides an escape cradled in the vibrancy of flower beds, making it the perfect picnic spot for weary souls seeking tranquillity. Sprawling over an area of over 30 acres, the garden with more than 1600 species of colourful and fragrant roses is considered to be the largest rose garden in Asia.
A brainchild of Dr. M.S. Randhawa – First Chief Commissioner – the garden with flowers, trees and medicinal plants was established in 1967 and was named after the then President of India Zakir Hussain. The blooming paradise is also the venue of the annual Rose Festival (held in February), so if you happen to be in Chandigarh at that time, make sure you don’t miss the colourful flower fest.
- Location: Sector 16, Chandigarh
- Timings: 6 am to 10 pm
Depending upon the preferences of your picnic buddies, you can choose a tranquil garden or a fun-filled water park for a day outing in the City Beautiful. Apart from picnicking, you can also plan an entire day of retail therapy with your besties at the malls in Chandigarh, which actually proves to be an effective stress buster for many of us!
This post was last modified on 08-Aug-2023
View Comments (1)
rock garden is no more a picnic site in chandigarh and circus ground even or odd