From a quaint village to a wonderful summer resort, the hill station of Mussoorie owes its credit to Captain Young, a British Army Officer, who developed it in 1827. He may not have been aware of the fact that in the years to come the place will become an unrivalled tourist paradise. Famously known as the 'Queen of Hills', this fairyland destination with its verdant hills and snow covered mountain peaks is always flocked by tourists.

The city boasts of numerous tourist attractions and also acts as the gateway to the much known holy Hindu shrines of Gangotri and Yamunotri. And if you are stuck in the extreme summer heat of the plains then Mussoorie is just where you need to go. The place comes to life with the onset of summer season when tourists from all over the country start to gather in this pleasant heaven.

Major Tourist Attractions in Mussoorie
The hill station of Mussoorie in Uttaranchal has a number of tourist attractions in store for you. The hill station has wonderful vantagepoints, falls, lakes and gardens. Given below are some of the most visited tourist attractions in Mussoorie.

Gunhill:
The second highest mountain peak in Mussoorie, Gun Hill affords a panoramic view of the surrounding valley and the snow covered Himalayan peaks. It is said that during British rule, a gun placed on the hill was used to be fired to alert people. Since the time, the place came to be known as Gun Hill. Aninteresting way to reach the place is via the ropeway.

Mussoorie Lake:
The shimmering waters of the Mussoorie lake and the surrounding areas make a good picnic spot. Located just 6 km from the city on the Mussoorie-Dehradun Road, the lake offers row boat and pedal boat facility.

Municipal Gardens:
The lush Municipal gardens consists of numerous variety of flowering plants and trees. The place is an excellent spot for relaxation and a gentle walk on the green grass. The garden is situated at a distance of just 4 km from the city centre and can be accessed by cycle rickshaws or hired taxis.

Popular Excursions from Mussoorie
Dehradun: Situated 35 km from Mussoorie, Dehradun is a charming place nestled amidst thickly forested valleys, more famous for its tourist attractions and educational institutes. The place served as an important getaway for the British during the raj era and presently serves as the base of the IMA (Indian Military Academy). Tourist attractions in Dehradun include Dak Pathar, Forest Research Institute, Rajaji National Park, Robbers Cave and Tapkeshwar Temple.

Haridwar: Haridwar or the gates of heaven is a holy Hindu pilgrimage and a dip here in the holy waters of river Ganges is believed to lead one to salvation. Major attractions at Haridwar include Har ki Pauri, Chandi Devi temple, Mansa Devi temple, Sati Kund, Bhimgoda Tank and Piran Kaliar.

Rishikesh: One of the holiest Hindu pilgrimages, Rishikesh is situated on the banks of river Ganges, just 44 km from Mussoorie. Besides being an important pilgrimage, Rishikesh offers exciting opportunities for water and adventure sports. The place also serves as the starting point for the holy 'chardham' pilgrimage of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Badrinath and Kedarnath.

How to Reach There
By Air : Jolly grant airport is the most convenient air connection, situated just 24 km from Dehradun. Taxis are available for hire just outside the airport while state transport corporation buses also ply regularly from the front of the airport gate to Mussoorie. Air Deccan flies daily between Delhi and Jolly Grant.

By Rail : Dehradun is the nearest railhead connected with all the major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Amritsar, Kathgodam etc. Major trains between Delhi and Dehradun are the Mussoorie Exp and Dehradun Exp. The railway reservation centre is located near the State Bank of India. For online reservation, visit the official site of Indian Railways at http://www.indianrail.gov.in

By Road : Road journey is probably the most interesting way to reach the place with plenty of natural beauty and picturesque views for company through the entire route. Direct buses run by state transport corporation connects Mussoorie with all the major neighbouring cities. Buses can be boarded from four locations around Mussoorie, the Library Bus Stand, Masonic Bus Stand, Tehri Bus Stand and Kempty Bus Stand.