15 Unique Things to Do in Mumbai for an Unforgettable Experience
Planning a trip to the big city? There are so many things to do in Mumbai aside from the typical tourist spots! Make your trip unique by watching migrating flamingos, attending a sound healing session, joining in a midnight bike ride, celebrating at a local festival, and more!
With millions of people in a city that never sleeps, there are so many things to do in Mumbai, India. It’s fun to enjoy the typical tourist experiences, but going beyond will give you a better sense of what the city is really like.
After living there for 6 years, I have found a lot of unique things to do in Mumbai, India! These are not on every tourist’s itinerary but will make for a fun and unforgettable experience. Don’t forget to also check out these tips for traveling to Mumbai!
Go off the beaten path and make memories by exploring your adventurous side, connecting with your spirituality, or letting loose and having fun! This list will give you ideas that won’t lead you to the usual tourist traps.
This post is all about unique things to do in Mumbai.
Unique Things to Do in Mumbai
#1 Attend a movie at a vintage theater
Of course Mumbai is the home of Bollywood! While strolling around the city, you might be lucky enough to see film crew or productions happening, especially if you are hanging out in Bandra West.
But one of the better ways to appreciate Bollywood is by attending a movie at a vintage theater! There are several around the city which you can visit depending on your locale. Grant Road also has multiple to choose from.
I recommend going to Maratha Mandir Theater which is one of the oldest theaters in Mumbai. It’s also famous for showing a legendary Bollywood movie, Diwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (DDLJ), which translates to The Big-Hearted Will Take the Bride. They have played the movie every day since it was released in 1995, except for the pandemic.
To see DDLJ, tickets are only 30-40 INR depending if you want lower or balcony seats, that’s literally less than 50 cents in USD! To see newly released movies there the price is around $2 per person.
#2 Rejuvenate with an Immersive Sound Experience
Sound healing is becoming more and more popular and it’s just taking off in Mumbai. With all the hustle and bustle of the city, this is surely a unique experience to feel refreshed.
It’s thought to promote relaxation, reduce stress, and enhance emotional well-being through the soothing vibrations and frequencies. It may also aid in improving sleep quality and supporting a balanced energy flow in the body.
I have done several sessions with the Immersive Sound Experience team and would highly recommend them. They have over 30 instruments and studied sound healing in Auroville, India. Their sessions are really uniquely crafted and unlike other sessions I’ve attended.
They do group sessions or individual sessions all over Mumbai. You can check out their Instagram for upcoming events. The price is usually around $10-20 USD for a one hour session.
#3 Visit a rare geological phenomenon at Gilbert Hill
Gilbert Hill is a unique monolithic structure made of basalt rock. It’s believed to be over 65 million years old and is thought to have been formed from an ancient volcanic eruption.
It’s located in Andheri and offers a beautiful view of the city from its height. Be prepared for a steep walk to get to the top where there is also a temple. I’m not really sure how or why, but Gilbert Hill is still not super well known or overly-touristy, so enjoy the unique stop!
#4 Enjoy go karts, bowling, arcade games and more at SMAAASH
This is a fun place for families, friends and couples alike! They really have so much to do at SMAAASH, which is basically like a giant arcade or mini amusement park.
As mentioned, this is a place you can go bowling, race on their go-kart track or drive bumper cars. They also have a ropes course or obstacle course type of area which is fun and loads of arcade games. The food and drinks are also pretty good.
SMAAASH is in south Mumbai and is open from 1pm-midnight on weekdays or 12-midnight on weekends. The pricing really depends on what all you want to do and how much time you plan to stay there. Expect to spend between $10-30 USD.
#5 Participate in a local festival like the The Lil Flea, Mount Mary Fair, or Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
All of these festivals feature some amazing stalls for shopping, activities, and food. They are all a bit unique and but worth checking out if you will be in the city while they are happening.
The Lil Flea – January
The Lil Flea happens in BKC and is my top choice as it’s got a very hippy and artsy vibe. There’s a lot of different things to shop for made by local artists. They also have different events and live music.
Mount Mary Fair – September
This fair happens in Bandra West and is always super busy but fun! My favorite part of the fair is all of the different kinds of food pop up and are available. Honestly there’s so many delicious options.
Khala Ghoda Arts Festival – February
Khala Ghoda takes place in South Mumbai near a lot of common tourist places. They also have a lot of neat crafts and food, but their main focus is on all different types of art. They have stalls connecting to dance, music, theater, cinema, crafts and more. They also offer workshops and have a lot of options for activities for kids.
#6 View the coastline from the Arabian Sea with a boat ride
One of the best views of the city scape that includes the Taj Hotel and Gateway is from the Arabian Sea! Enjoy watching the sunset as you relax and hang out on a boat off the coast.
There are a ton of companies that offer boat rides for a few hours to see the sunset depending on what you’d like. You can also go out for an afternoon if you’re looking for more of a hang out daytime activity.
Boats are docked in South Mumbai by the Gateway. The company you book with will tell you where to go exactly.
You’ll have to go through a small security to get to the boats. Alcohol is technically not allowed, but you can talk to the company if you want to find a way around that. I’ve never had any issues.
I would highly recommend Blue Bay Marine if you’re looking for a company to go with!
#7 Cool off from the heat with ice skating
Ice skating is definitely not what you would think of when you think of things to do in Mumbai, but it’s there and it’s fun! Take a break from the heat and enjoy cooling off as you try to balance on skates.
The best place to find ice skating is at Snow World in Phoenix Marketcity Mall. It’s a huge indoor park where they also make artificial snow. Aside from ice skating, you can try out snowboarding, sledding, or just play in the snow!
It’s a great place to go if you’re traveling with kids, but ice skating is perfect for couples and friends too. Snow World is open from 11am-9:30pm. Tickets cost $9 USD (700 INR) to get in which includes all activities. You can just go or if you want, you can pre-book tickets on their website.
#8 Join a painting class or art workshop
There are literally a million different fun one-time workshops you can join! Learn how to make mandalas, ceramics, embroidery, or paint all types of different scenes with the help of the instructor.
While you can find things like these all over the city, I recommend checking out the event schedule at Doolally. Doolally is a brewery with multiple locations around the city and a fun, chilled-out vibe. You can enjoy good food and locally-crafted beer as you enjoy their workshops!
The workshops at Doolally might differ from locations and cost different amounts. Generally they are between $10-20. You can see their upcoming workshops here, but just double check the location before you show up!
#9 Witness the migrating flamingos
If you’re traveling to Mumbai in the winter, you might be in luck! Each year tens of thousands of flamingos migrate to Mumbai. Most come from states such as Gujarat and reach Mumbai after flying 300-400 miles!
It’s a fun experience to see the flamingos because you can take a boat out on the water to watch them. They are mostly found in Thane and Navi Mumbai. It’s a very relaxing trip and relatively quiet compared to the surrounding city.
I took my students on a field trip to see them and we all had a blast! If you’re planning a trip on your own, I recommend going to the Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary. The best time to spot them is in February.
#10 Act like a local and hangout at Oval Maidan
Oval Maidan is a huge open space in south Mumbai. It’s the perfect place for people-watching or taking a little stroll.
Many locals come to Oval Maidan to hang out and play sports. There are always several games of cricket going on which are fun to watch. It’s essentially a giant recreational area.
You can also have a picnic there or just relax. There’s a small pathway if you’re looking to walk around the area.
#11 Explore Mumbai with a Midnight Cycling group
This is one of the most fun and unique things to do in Mumbai, India! While traffic is always crazy during the day, biking at midnight is a sweet relief from all of the chaos.
There are many companies which lead midnight cycling tours throughout the year. They take routes that pass by a lot of the major and historical sites of south Mumbai. The architecture is really stunning, even in the dark!
Most companies have bikes and helmet rentals. Altogether, it generally costs around $10 USD for the gear and experience. Dress comfortably and bring some water and snacks. Most are about 20-30km (12-19 miles) long and they make stops along the way.
I have done it with a group called Treks and Trails and would highly recommend them. You can find more information or get tickets through their website here.
#12 Learn some history at the lesser-known RBI Monetary Museum
To be honest, for being such a huge city with a lot of history, the number of high quality museums is limited. That’s what makes the RBI Monetary Museum one of the most unique things to do in Mumbai, India!
It’s a small museum that’s well-maintained and features a great deal of historical currency and financial artifacts. Even if you’re not a major finance buff, you’re sure to learn some history while visiting the museum and it is interesting.
The Monetary Museum is open daily from 10:45am – 5:15pm. It’s free to visit and also has AC which is a plus.
#13 Get active by participating in a 5km walk/run
Maybe exercise isn’t the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of the word ‘fun,’ but joining a 5km race is an exciting way to see the city! You don’t have to be competitive, and like most races in the US, you can also participate by walking.
The great thing about participating in a race is that it’s the perfect way to sightsee and also get a glimpse at daily life in Mumbai. Most routes are scenic or pass by important landmarks.
Along with a t-shirt and medal, you’ll also get a free breakfast which is usually a simple local dish like poha. You can even try out your Bollywood dancing skills as most warm-ups include Zumba style exercises.
There are races for anything and you can find one depending on where you want to go. I usually check out this India Running website for upcoming races and to register.
My favorite race has been the Monsoon Marathon which happens along the coast in Bandra each year between August-October. The route is beautiful and there’s nothing like running in the pouring rain!
#14 Cheer on the Mumbai Indians during a cricket game
Cricket is definitely a popular sport in India! What better way to celebrate than cheering on a local team at the Wankhede Stadium in south Mumbai. This is the major cricket stadium which also hosts international teams for some seriously competitive games.
Even if you’re not a sports fan or don’t know a single thing about cricket (like me), it’s a fun and unique time. Be prepared that games are LONG, you can be there for over 5 hours watching a game.
Unlike American sports where drinking is a big part of the culture, there is no alcohol sold at the stadium. The culture isn’t the same and people are quite serious about the sport!
The stadium is huge and can accommodate over 30,000 people. Naturally this means the traffic around here can get crazy. It’s a lot of fun though and worth it!
#15 Attend a Horse Race at the Mahalaxmi Racecourse
Among a densely populated urban setting, the Mahalaxmi racecourse is a huge and beautiful green space to escape the city. If you’re not interested in watching the horses, the space is also open for visitors to walk or run, and they even offer yoga sessions.
If you’re traveling to Mumbai between November through April, then you’re just in time for horse racing season! It’s really cheap, just 30 INR (less than 40 cents in USD!) to enter. It’s a great place for entertainment and a unique experience.
This post was all about unique things to do in Mumbai, India.
I hope you get a chance to veer from the typical tourist trip and experience some of the unique things mentioned! They are sure to lead to some fun memories and help you understand Mumbai on a deeper level. Happy travels!
