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Mumbai is truly a City of Dreams, known for its glitz and glamour as well as its underworld. Home to Bollywood and the commercial capital of India, it is hard to capture the essence of this city in words. However, here are some of the most authentic things to do in Mumbai for an unforgettable experience.
Meet the Mumbai Dabbawallas-Take a look into the work of those without whom lunchtime in Mumbai would be unimaginable – the Dabbawallas. You can spot many of them in crowded local trains and double-deckers, dressed in white uniforms and Gandhi caps, working with Six Sigma efficiency. They deliver hundreds of lunch boxes daily and contribute significantly to the city’s culinary culture.
If you wish to meet them, the footpath outside Churchgate Station serves as an important sorting and coordination point.
Watch a play in Prithvi Theatre- Get an insight into Mumbai’s thriving theatre culture at Prithvi Theatre, which has served as a launch pad for many prominent Indian actors. Plays are staged throughout the year, except on Mondays.
The theatre also hosts the annual Prithvi Festival, where renowned theatre personalities come together to promote and celebrate the art form. A small café within the premises makes for a pleasant spot to relax over coffee.
Take a Bollywood tour- Mumbai is the home to Bollywood (Indian Film Industry) and no visit to this city is complete without experiencing the feel of being inside the premier functional studio. Get a close-in glimpse of live shooting, see the production room, understand the nitty-gritty of film-making process and get to see the technical works like dubbing, animation and editing. You can also choose to attend a live entertainment show and the movie screenings in this ‘City of Dreams’.
Tour the Dharavi Slum Area- Explore one of the world’s largest slum dwellings in Mumbai’s colourful Dharavi neighbourhood. No matter what others think about it, it is undoubtedly Mumbai’s beating heart. The residential areas here houses millions of different people and diversity is quite visible in the temples, pagodas, mosques and churches, which stand side-by-side here. Many NGOs have now come up to help the people in Dharavi by making them be a part of various small-scale industries such as pottery making, leather tanning, soap-making, papad-making, etc.
Discover the lip-smacking Mumbai Street Food- Tantalize your taste buds with some incredibly flavourful street foods in Mumbai. You can always spot many locals here stopping by the rickety carts for a glass of local cutting chai and the widely available grab-and-go snack Vada Pav (veg patty packed into a fluffy bun). You can also try visiting the food trail around the Chowpatty beach to taste Paav Bhaji, Bhelpuri, Paani poori, Bombay Duck Fry and Kebabs.
Take a stroll along Mumbai’s Marine Drive- This place beautifully reveals the glorious coastline of Mumbai. Located at a distance of 500 metres from Church Gate Station, this place is frequented by all sorts; from health-conscious joggers to romantic couples. Marvel at the beautiful view while sitting by the concrete promenade with a constant gush of waves breaking against the shore. Try coconut water or peanuts from local street vendors and watch the world pass by.
Shopping in Mumbai- The shopping experience in Mumbai is like no other place in India. Go meander along the sidewalks and explore the dilapidated buildings full of riches, which serves as the shopping spots. If you are a bargain hunter, then you can find great options in the street stalls here. Go to Linking Road in Bandra to buy Indian-style chappals, Hill road for stylish dresses, Colaba Causeway for trinkets, Crawford market for bags and the very interesting Chor Bazaar for antique and rare finds.
Take the local train for commuting- Mumbai’s local train network is the lifeline of the city. Travelling by local train offers a raw and authentic experience of daily life in Mumbai. While boarding and alighting can be challenging during peak hours, it remains one of the most memorable ways to understand the city’s rhythm.
Sailing experience in Mumbai- Sailing along Mumbai’s coastline offers a refreshing perspective of the city. Most sailing experiences begin near the Gateway of India and head into the Arabian Sea. Options range from sailboats to luxury yachts, making it ideal for a relaxed and private outing.
Take an early morning cycling tour- An early morning cycling tour is one of the best ways to explore Mumbai. Ride through quiet streets, admire colonial-era architecture, and stop to photograph landmarks without crowds. The cool weather and relaxed pace make it a rewarding experience.