7 Surprisingly Fun Things to Do in Ranikhet for First-Time Visitors

I’ll be honest—when I first heard of Ranikhet, I thought it’d be like any other small hill station. Quiet, sleepy, pretty... and forgettable.

But the place surprised me. Not with grand monuments or adventure sports, but with its stillness, raw charm, and little everyday moments. A local kid racing a kite by the orchards. Monkeys watching the sunset from rooftops. The way chai tastes better when you're 6,000 feet above sea level.

If you're visiting Ranikhet for the first time and wondering what’s actually worth doing, this guide is for you. No overhyped tourist traps—just real, memorable experiences and practical tips.

✅ What You’ll Find in This Guide:

• The top 7 fun things to do in Ranikhet that aren’t boring

• How much time & money each activity takes

• Easy planning tips, so your first visit doesn’t feel like guesswork

• A local-inspired travel table at the end

• Some bonus insights only seasoned travelers or locals know

  
  

  

  
  

1. Visit Jhula Devi Temple — and Hear the Forest Breathe

🕒 Time needed: 1 hour

💰 Cost: Free

📍 3.5 km from Ranikhet town centre

More than 700 bells hang here, each one tied by someone who made a wish. Some locals say the goddess here protects them from leopards. Others just come to sit in peace under the deodar trees.

But for you, the first-time visitor, this is where you stop rushing. You feel the silence. You hear the wind in the pines. And you start to realize—this is why you came.

🔗 Travel tip: Early morning or twilight gives the best views and quiet.

2. Walk Through Chaubatia Gardens — Not Just for Flowers

🕒 Time needed: 2 hours

💰 Entry fee: ₹50

📍 10 km from Ranikhet via taxi or auto

Sure, they call it a garden, but Chaubatia is more like a mini-forest with a view. You’ll find apple orchards, peach trees, forest trails, and a panoramic view of Nanda Devi, Trishul, and Nanda Ghunti—if the skies are clear.

Don’t skip the Fruit Research Centre run by the government—it’s where they grow Himalayan saplings that supply orchards all over North India.

🥾 Bonus Tip: Wear decent walking shoes. The trails are long and uneven—but totally worth it.

3. Eat Like the Locals at Sadar Bazaar

🕒 Time needed: 1.5 hours

💰 Budget: ₹300 per person

📍 Heart of Ranikhet town

Food here isn't fancy, but it's real. Step into a dhaba and try:

• Bhatt ki Churkani (local black soybean curry)

• Aloo ke Gutke (spiced pahadi potatoes)

• Mandua Roti (gluten-free millet bread)

• And the game-changer: Chai in copper kettles

  
  

You’ll also find sweet shops with fresh bal mithai and singhauri (wrapped in malu leaves).

📸 Instagram moment alert: The fog rolling in through the bazaar while you sip tea and people-watch.

4. Stay a Night in a Colonial-Era Homestay

🕒 Time needed: Overnight

💰 Price: ₹1200–₹2500 per night

📍 Upper Mall Road or Majkhali village

Why stay in a concrete hotel when you can sleep inside history?

Book a heritage cottage with wooden floors, old fireplaces, and gardens full of birdsong. I stayed at one where the owner was a retired army officer who’d lived in Ranikhet for 40+ years. We had dinner under the stars and he told stories of how the British almost made this their summer capital.

🏡 Where to book: Try KMVN for government-run guesthouses, or Airbnbs labeled “heritage stay.”

5. Feel Goosebumps at the Kumaon Regimental Centre Museum

🕒 Time needed: 1 hour

💰 Entry fee: ₹30

📍 Near Ranikhet Cantonment, 1.5 km from town centre

This is one stop that’ll hit you hard—in a good way.

The Kumaon Regiment has a legacy dating back to the British era, and this museum houses original letters, medals, war diaries, even bullet-torn uniforms. It’s not fancy, but it’s powerful.

🇮🇳 Tip: Try to catch the regimental parade timings (ask at the gate). It’s something you won’t forget.

6. Sunset Picnic at Bhalu Dam

🕒 Time needed: 2.5 hrs round-trip

💰 Taxi: ₹500 (round trip), entry is free

📍 3 km trek from Chaubatia Gardens

No crowds. No noise. Just water, forest, and sky.

Bhalu Dam is a hidden reservoir built by the British in 1903. Most tourists skip it because it’s a short uphill walk. But if you’re okay with a bit of a hike, the reward is all yours.

🌄 What to bring: Picnic mat, snacks, and a thermos of hot tea. Trust me.

7. Watch the Nanda Devi Sunrise at Majkhali Viewpoint

🕒 Time needed: 30 minutes

💰 Cost: Free

📍 Majkhali, 12 km from Ranikhet town

This is not a “tourist spot.” There’s no entry gate or souvenir shop. Just a bench. A cold breeze. And the tallest mountain you’ve ever seen, glowing orange as the sun rises behind it.

Bring a shawl or jacket—it gets chilly even in summer.

📷 Photographers: Go just before dawn. Use manual mode for better light control.

📍Quick Planning Table for Things to Do in Ranikhet

🎒 Budget-Friendly Travel Tip:

Plan a 2-day Ranikhet itinerary like this:

Day 1: Jhula Devi → Chaubatia + Bhalu Dam → Dinner in a colonial homestay

Day 2: Sunrise at Majkhali → Regimental Museum → Lunch at Sadar Bazaar → Head back

✅ Planning to visit soon?

📌 Save this post or share it with a friend who’s craving some peace + pahadi air.🧭 Need help building a custom Ranikhet itinerary or comparing it with Nainital? Just ask—I've got your back.