Tips to Enjoy New Year in Shimla
Shimla is perhaps the most popular hill station of Himachal Pradesh. Summer is the most popular time to visit Shimla because of the pleasant weather at that time of the year. It offers an escape from the sweltering heat of the plains to the cool air of the mountains. However, you will also find that Shimla is extremely overcrowded in the summers. There are long queues for all the attractions and everywhere you go, you are bound to find a lot of rush.
Shimla is a beautiful white wonderland in the winters. The pristine beauty of this hill station comes alive during the months of December and January. You will see a lot of crowds in Shimla during this time as well, especially on New Year’s Eve, as youngsters come out on the streets to celebrate the new year. The air of festivity and celebration is palpable as you feel the excitement of the crowds around you. To enjoy new year in Shimla, here is a list of some of the things you can do:
Take a walk on the Mall Road. The Mall road is the place to be on New Year’s Eve. Dress your best and join in with the crowds of revellers and party goers as they begin their celebrations to bring in the New Year.
Watch the crowds at Town Hall. If you are done walking on the Mall Road, grab a bench near Town Hall and watch the crowds enjoying themselves before the clock strikes 12, and you bring in the New Year. The air of celebration all around is contagious and you will find yourself as excited as the crowds around you.
Have a hot cup of coffee on Mall Road while you watch the crowds on the roads. There are many popular cafes which line the Mall Road, and you can grab a table at any of these and enjoy the air of festivity as well as good conversation with your travel partners. Indian Coffee House, Baljees, Wake & Bake, Café Sol are some of the popular cafes and bakeries here.
If you are lucky, you might just get to see snowfall in Shimla at this time of the year. Generally, it snows in early January, but the weather gods might just favour you and show you snowfall on the New Year. Remember to dress warmly or you might catch cold unawares.
You may also like to read about: 7 Amazing Things to Enjoy in Shimla in Winter.
It is never a bad time to shop. Lakkar Bazaar is a popular area to shop for souvenirs and knick-knacks to take home. Famous for hand-crafted wooden items such as walking sticks, clocks, toys, you might just get a good deal on the last day of the year. The Tibetan Market is another popular haunt for shoppers. In the excitement of the new year, you may just grab some great bargains.
Get some blessings for the new year. Visit the Kali Bari Temple dedicated to Goddess Kali and Goddess Shyamla. Located at one end of the Mall Road, a visit to this temple will revive your energies and you will leave feeling refreshed. This temple is beautifully constructed, and a few extra blessings never hurt anyone.
Party the night away. Apart from the free-for-all party happening on the Mall Road and the Ridge, which are the areas where all the action is happening, most hotels organise their own New Year’s Eve bash. You may have to pay extra for these parties or they may be a part of your package. With musical and dance performances by popular artists and food and drinks, these parties are a complete entertainment option. You can visit Discos & Clubs To Enjoy Nightlife In Shimla.
Try something different for new year in Shimla. Some travellers don’t like to bring in the New Year the way others do. For such people, Shimla has many options as well. You can go camping or trekking with your friends or enjoy around a bonfire without being jostled around by the crowds. Apart from music and dance, you can try your hand at outdoor activities like archery and other sports.
Spending your New Year’s Eve in Shimla is fun and exciting. The air of celebration and festivity here is superb and will be a wonderful experience. However, this is also a time when Shimla is very crowded. Parking spaces may be limited and hence you need to plan your stay accordingly. Most hotels are sold out at this time since a lot of people come in the hope of seeing snowfall and celebrating New Year’s Eve at the same time. Book your hotel in advance with Cleartrip and you are sure to get some excellent deals and discounts on the hotel of your choice. Some of the popular hotels in Shimla are Hotel Combermere, Snow Valley Resorts, Honeymoon Inn, Hotel Kapil and Hotel Willow Banks.
