Some cities are loud about their charm. Lucknow? Lucknow glides in with grace, hands you a kebab, and says:
We spent 3 days in this royal yet grounded city. We came for the history, stayed for the Chikankari, and left with our hearts strangely full (and our suitcases strangely tighter). But this isn’t just about our family trip. It’s also a ready-to-steal itinerary if you’re planning a Lucknow escape, with or without relatives, toddlers, or a questionable sense of direction inside historical mazes.
Day 1: Relatives, River Walks & Retail Air-Conditioning
Our Day:
We began our Lucknow story the most Indian way possible: with relatives. Hugs, chai, and full plates by 10 AM. My daughter was quickly co-opted by my aunt who insisted she needed to eat more, while my husband nodded along to stories from his senior colleague, my uncle, sharing business anecdotes that was interesting only to them.
After a scrumptious lunch and a quick nap, by late afternoon, we slipped away and headed to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Samajik Parivartan Prateek Sthal or Hathi Park, a revered, slightly retro space full of elephant statues. Built in 2008, this piece of history honors Ambedhkar and his lifelong promotion of equality and social fairness. Our daughter slightly intimidated by the 124 elephants, but after a bit of storytelling and letting her be the queen of the elephants, she declared it the best place ever. It was clean, open, and had just the right mix of energy and nostalgia.
From there, we wandered over to the Gomti Riverfront. The sun dipped, the fountains danced, and the city felt like it had paused just for us. It’s one of Lucknow’s modern marvels—landscaped, peaceful, and perfect for family selfies or moody sky shots. The play area added the perfect mix of revelry and relaxation.
As the sky turned sherbet orange, we headed to LuLu Mall, where parenting became outsourcing: play zone for the kid, coffee zone for the adults. Dinner was Tunday Kababi—the mall branch, because comfort—and those galawati kebabs lived up to the hype. Imagine velvet, but edible.
What You Can Do Instead:
Morning:
- Visit the British Residency for lush colonial ruins and 1857 echoes.
- Explore State Museum or Lucknow Zoo (especially great with younger kids).
Afternoon to Evening:
- Chill at Hathi Park or Janeshwar Mishra Park.
- Walk along the Gomti Riverfront.
- Unwind at LuLu Mall (with play area, shopping, and food court).
- Dinner at Tunday Kababi (Aminabad or Mall outlet).
Day 1 Vibe: Easy, exploratory, and great for easing into the Nawabi rhythm.
Day 2: Lost in History, Found in Fabric
Our Day:
Day 2 was our “be tourists unapologetically” day. We headed straight to the heart of Old Lucknow and began with the mighty Bara Imambara, an 18th-century masterpiece built by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. It’s gorgeous, imposing, and surprisingly unpretentious.
Inside, we bravely entered the Bhool Bhulaiya, the architectural maze that’s famous for losing visitors. My husband, in his usual “I’ve seen a YouTube video” confidence, tried leading us. Ten wrong turns later, we caved and got a guide.
The guide also led us to the underrated gem: the Shahi Baoli, an ancient stepwell where you can see the reflection of anyone entering the gate from deep inside the well. It blew our minds (and slightly scared our daughter).
Post-Imambara, we hopped on a tanga (horse cart), which trotted us through the dusty elegance of Rumi Darwaza, Husainabad Clock Tower, and echoes of old royalty. Our daughter named the horse “Jalebi” and talked to him the entire ride. Our ride ended at the Chhota Imambara, where we lost ourselves in the history a bit.
After a full-blown touristic day, lunch was at the famed Royal Café at Hazratganj, where we finally met the Basket Chaat, a crunch-sweet-spice-burst of a dish that should probably have a fan club. We took the Lucknow Metro to commute back, and it met us with such a great surprise… clean, air-conditioned, and surprisingly efficient.
After some downtime, the evening was reserved for Chikan shopping. At Changamal, we almost went broke, but the husband suddenly turned the romance on and gifted a pure white chikankari saree (a long wish of his wife) AND some kurta suits for his girls! We also stopped at:
- Nazrana Chikan for timeless, no-fuss styles.
- Ada Designer Chikan Studio for those with a little drama in their soul.
Dinner was at Dastarkhwan, where the mutton was tender, the rotis were thin, and the silence at our table spoke volumes.
What You Can Do Instead:
Morning:
- Explore Bara Imambara, Bhool Bhulaiya, Shahi Baoli, and Asafi Mosque.
- Visit nearby Chhota Imambara for mirrored grandeur.
Afternoon:
- Ride a tanga around Rumi Darwaza, Clock Tower, Picture Gallery, and Jama Masjid.
- Lunch at Royal Café, or try Rahim’s Nihari if you’re adventurous.
Evening:
- Chikankari shopping in Chowk or Hazratganj.
- Dinner at Dastarkhwan, Falaknuma (Clarks Awadh), or Naushijaan.
Day 2 Vibe: Culture-heavy, history-rich, and gloriously fabric-filled.
Day 3: Morning Rides & Soft Goodbyes
Our Day:
It was our last morning, and we weren’t ready to say goodbye just yet.
So we took an early morning drive through the beautiful, serene Cantonment area. Wide, tree-lined roads, colonial bungalows, clean air, and a sense of calm you don’t usually associate with Indian cities. It was like seeing Lucknow whisper.
We cruised past Dilkusha Kothi, an eighteenth-century house built in the English baroque style, where we saw locals walking sleepy dogs, and made mental notes to come back with more time.
We flew out in sometime… tired, happy, and officially in love with Lucknow. Before heading to the terminal, we took a moment to explore the Basant Bahar installation—a vibrant glass garden inspired by the colors of Basant Panchami. Crafted by artisans from Firozabad, this multi-sensory display of blown glass flowers added a cheerful touch to our departure experience.
What You Can Do Instead:
Morning:
- Take a peaceful drive through Cantonment, or an early walk through Hazratganj.
- Visit Ambedkar Memorial Park if missed earlier.
- If you’re staying the whole day, you can take a day trip to Ayodhya Dham. We didn’t have that much time, and only promised to return soon!
Before Departure:
- Shop for last-minute souvenirs or sweets (Ram Asrey or Gulab for mithai).
- Indulge in some Lucknowi Dasheri mangoes.
- Have breakfast at Rovers Café or Vintage Machine near Gomti Nagar.
Day 3 Vibe: Calm, reflective, and the perfect soft landing before you take off.
So, Why Lucknow?
Because it doesn’t scream… it sings.
It hums through history and weaves itself into kurtas.
It melts in your mouth and lingers in your heart.
It gives you space to explore, but also a place to belong.
You don’t just visit Lucknow.
You let it slowly unfold.
Budget Notes for Every Kind of Traveller:
- Backpackers: Stay in homestays/hostels in Hazratganj or Gomti Nagar (~₹800–1,200/night). Use autos & local buses. Street food is a blessing here.
- Comfort Travellers: Boutique hotels or 3-star stays in Aliganj, Gomti Nagar (~₹2,000–4,000/night). Cabs (Uber/Ola) are easy and affordable.
- Luxury Lovers: Book into Taj Mahal Lucknow or Lebua Lucknow (~₹10,000–15,000+/night). Get a personal guide and car for heritage tours.
Read up our top tips and tricks to plan a kid-friendly itinerary.
Coming up next: A full blog on what (and where) to eat in Lucknow—from royal feasts to roadside chaat.
Until then, take the trip. Take the guide inside Bhool Bhulaiya. And yes, buy the kurta—even if you already have five. Happy Travels!
