Established in 1952, the Jehangir Art Gallery is a prime exhibition space that houses many art masterpieces. An important centre for contemporary artists, this modern art gallery takes pride in discovering new talent in India. It is located in the Kala Ghoda neighbourhood of south Mumbai, which is the throbbing nerve centre of the art scene in the city. Over the years, the Jehangir Art Gallery has been closely associated with the development of contemporary Indian art. A prestigious venue for aspiring Indian artists in the city, the gallery conducts regular lectures, workshops and discussions on the various forms of art. All this makes it an excellent platform for aspiring artists, art critics as well as art patrons to come together and engage with each other. Over the years, the Jehangir Art Gallery has exhibited works of eminent artists like MF Hussain, SH Raza, Akbar Padamsee, Ram Kumar, Anjolie Ela Menon and KK Hebbar. The displays in this art gallery change regularly and almost 300 art shows are held here annually.  

This historic building, a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi, chronicles the story of India’s independence from British rule. Today, Mani Bhavan is a museum and a research centre that houses a library, a picture gallery and memorabilia related to the freedom movement. But between 1917 and 1934, it was the focal point of the political activities of Mahatma Gandhi. It witnessed a historic four-day fast conducted by Gandhiji back in 1921, to restore peace in Mumbai. It was in Mani Bhavan that Gandhiji started his association with the charkha or the spinning wheel. Interestingly, the initiations of noted agitations like the Civil Disobedience, Satyagraha, Swadeshi, Khadi and Khilafat movements took place in this historical building. A walk through its exalted corridors takes us back to the political struggles held during the Indian freedom movement. The photo section in the museum has a lot of information and can be an invaluable guide for those interested in revisiting the history of India.

Located on the coastline of Maharashtra, overlooking the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea, Mumbai has many lovely beaches. Many prefer to take some time out of their busy schedule to sit on the beaches in and around the city while sipping coconut water and indulging in some sea-gazing during sunset. The Juhu and Chowpatty beaches are the more popular ones. Located in the western suburbs of Mumbai, Juhu has metamorphosed from a narrow strip of sand off the coast of Salcette Island in the 19th century to one of the most elite suburbs of the city. Visitors to Juhu come not only for the beach, but also to see the imposing bungalows of the many film stars who live here. The Chowpatty Beach is more crowded because it is more accessible and has a row of shops selling delectable street snacks like chaat (savoury snack), bhelpuri (a snack made of puffed rice, tangy tamarind sauce and vegetables), pav bhaji (soft bread roll served with a thick vegetable curry), kulfis (frozen dessert) and ice creams. With its clean and sea-shell studded sand, Aksa Beach is about an hour’s drive from Mumbai. It is a quieter and more serene option than Juhu Chowpatty. Far from the maddening crowd, this beach is perfect for a weekend or even a day trip.

Mumbai is a city of beguiling contrasts and its heart beats either in its financial district or in its film world. Colloquially known as Bollywood, home to almost the entire Hindi movie industry in the country, Mumbai is the best place to get yourself a film experience. For anyone who comes to Mumbai, Bollywood is usually high on the sightseeing itinerary. From mansions of movie icons and big film stars to locations where most shoots take place, Mumbai’s cab and auto-rickshaw drivers are full of stories and anecdotes. For those who want a more hands-on cinema experience but are unsure about how to get inside a film studio, a Bollywood Tour is the best option. It provides the perfect opportunity to see what happens behind the scenes on sets of big and small productions. Lucky visitors might just see some of the country’s biggest actors in action as well as get an insight into all the creative pain and effort that goes into the making of entertainment. The Dadasaheb Phalke Chitranagri, in Goregaon’s Film City, offers many studio and film city tours organised by the Government of Maharashtra. Here cinema aficionados can watch television shoots, film shoots or even become an extra (background actor in a scene) for a day and understand the nuances of filmmaking. 

Its proximity to the sea gives Mumbai an edge over many other Indian cities when it comes to water sports. Thrill-seekers can experience some serious adrenaline rush and satiate their excitement with plenty of activities like sea kayaking in Mandwa and scuba diving and snorkelling in Malvan. Trekking and camping in Sahyadri, which is a haven for nature and wildlife enthusiasts is also a must-have experience. There is something for everyone in the city. For those looking for a more tranquil experience, there is an option of a leisurely boat ride to enjoy the beauty of nature. For budding ornithologists, a flamingo safari at the Coastal Marine Biodiversity Centre in Airoli, near Thane, is a good opportunity. The hour-long tour takes visitors in a speed boat across the mangroves of Mumbai. There are several sea forts along the coastline of Maharashtra, which are accessible by boat during high tide and touring them can be a unique experience. Murud Janjira, one such fort is a few hours drive from Mumbai. One can trek through a maze of old walls, gates, mosques, tombs, palace quarters and 60-ft-deep freshwater lakes inside the fort.  

Mumbai is a shopper’s paradise. The Linking Road in Bandra is known best for accessories, clothes and shoes for both men and women. The Hill Road in Bandra has some exquisite variety of hardware, woodwork and textile shops. Colaba has a good variety of books, jewellery, clothes, shoes and handicraft items. The well-known Fashion Street on MG Road sells trendy and high-end street fashion at reasonable prices. This huge market has over 300 shops with an endless array of fashion items that can take an entire day of shopping. Hindmata Market in Parel has an exclusive variety of traditional and Indo-western clothes for weddings. For people wanting to shop for high-end and designer apparels, there are many options in this glamorous city of nationally and internationally renowned designers displaying the best seasonal trends. They even customise according to one's requirement. Handloom textiles and sarees from all over the country are available at Colaba and the Central Cottage Emporium.

A walk down the beautiful sea facing promenade, Marine Drive, is a must-do, when in Mumbai. This road has been given the nickname Queen's necklace because at night, the street lights along this curving three and a half kilometre long road create the illusion of a string of pearls around a neck. The sight of sparkling waters of the Arabian Sea combined with the cool, fresh breeze that blows in, makes this area one of the most exclusive and expensive real estate hubs in Mumbai. An array of restaurants offering a diverse range of cuisine can also be found here. Marine Drive with its glittering skyscrapers, paved walkways and the sea as a backdrop, make for a picture-perfect postcard and are an ideal hang-out spot for all age groups. A fun thing to do here is to hire one of the colourfully decorated horse chariots and ride along the wide road, much like the stars do in the movies.