Things to Do in Kanpur

Also known as the Allen Forest Zoo, this 76.56-hectare zoo in Kanpur is the largest in all Northern India. Created in a natural forest, this zoo keeps its animals in open or moated enclosures, giving them enough space for expressing their innate biological and physical expressions.

The attractions inside the zoo include a diversified botanical garden, a large lake, aviary featuring colorful avifauna, a night house, aquarium, life-size dinosaur sculptures, and a toy train. Among mammals, the zoo has leopard, hyena, black bear, grizzly bear, sloth, rhinoceros, hippopotamus, monkeys, langur, baboons, musk deer, zebra, and antelope. There are also a host of chimpanzees and orangutans here. Beside that, the reptiles at the zoo include the Indian Gharial and Comodo Dragon.

Location: Hastings Ave, Azad Nagar, Nawabganj, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh 208002.

Timings: The park remains closed on Monday. On other days of the week, from Tuesday to Sunday - from 8:00 am to 5:30 pm.

Price:
-For Indian adults- 30 INR | for children - 15 INR.
-For foreign adults - 150 INR | for children - 75 INR.
-On special holidays, Indian adults - 40 INR | children - 20 INR.
-For foreigners - 150 INR for adults | for children - 75 INR.

Best Time to Visit: October to March is a good time to visit the zoo. Visit in the morning from 8 am to 11 am to avoid the harsh noontime sun.

Nana Rao Park located near the Phool Bagh area of Kanpur district is a daily haunt for fitness enthusiasts in the city and among the top tourist places in Kanpur. The place is frequented for morning and evening walks, swimming, badminton, and yoga. Built to commemorate the heroics of Nana Sahib in the Indian war of independence, the park also houses the statues of famous luminaries of the Indian freedom struggle, like-- Rani Lakshmi Bai, Lala Lajpat Rai, Tatya Tope, and the others.

Location: This park is located in Pool Bagh Chauraha, Mall Road, Phool Bagh, Civil Lines, Kanpur. Uttar Pradesh- 208001.

Timings: Every day| 5:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Price: 20 INR per person.

Best Time to Visit: Try to visit early morning when the sun is mellow for a refreshing walk amidst history.

A top vacation destination among places to visit in Kanpur, the Blue World Theme Park is packed with a number of entertainment choices. Adventure rides, spectacular shows, photogenic fountains and water pools, toy train rides, laser shows and other attractions within a vast 25 acres enclosure make the Blue World Theme Park a superbly enjoyable day-long getaway with friends and family.

Location: The park is located on Mandhana-Bithoor Road, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh- 209217.

Timings: Every day| Gazetted holidays included| 10:00 am to 8: 00 pm.

Price:
-People with height between 90 cm to 110 cm for Full Park tour-- 350 INR (weekdays), 400 INR (weekends) | For Dry Park and Fairy Land Water World visit- 250 INR (weekdays), 300 INR (weekends)
-People with a height above 110 cm for Full Park visit-- 650 INR (weekdays) 750 INR (weekends),Dry Park along with Fairy Land Water World-- 500 INR (weekdays), 600 INR (weekends).

Best Time to Visit: The best months to visit are from June to September, when the water remains mildly warm. It is ideal to visit from 12 pm to 7 pm complete the water activities during the day and watch the light and shade musical water shows after dark.

Constructed during the British colonial rule, Moti Jheel surrounded by the Moti Park is a cherished recreational spot among the places to visit in Kanpur. The banks of the ‘jheel‘ or the lake have been redesigned to serve as a reservoir as well as a scenic outing spot. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of urbanscapes, this quiet spot in nature is chosen for picnics and family get-togethers on weekends and holidays.

Location: The scenic lake and the verdant park surrounding it is located in Harsh Nagar, Kanpur. Uttar Pradesh- 208001.

Timings: Every day 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.

Best Time to Visit: October to March, being the most pleasant time to be in Kanpur, are the months to take a tour of Moti Jheel. Arrive early in the morning, preferably between 5 to 7 to soak in the early morning blissfulness of the lake and its surrounding greenery.

J K Temple, more popularly known as the Radhakrishna Temple in Kanpur, is noted for its unique architecture, blending a number of ancient Indian and modern traits. Built in the year 1953 under the sponsorship of the Singhania family who owns J K Trust, this temple today is one of the top places to visit in Kanpur. Visit here to witness the beautiful Radhakrishna statue at the center of the temple and the sublime surroundings of lush green lawns and a small lake with lotus flowers.

You must keep this temple on the top of your list of places to see in Kanpur especially in the month of August when the premises are beautifully decked up for the auspicious occasion of Janmashtami.

Location: J K Temple is located on the first street in Sarvodaya Nagar, Kanpur. Uttar Pradesh- 208001.

Timings: Every day. 5: 00 am i to 12:00 pm at noon|  4: 00 pm to 10:00 pm.

Best Time to Visit: October to March is an opportune time to visit the mandir when the weather is cool and the surrounding garden comes abloom. It is also a feat to watch the Janmashtami celebrations at the temple conducted in the month of August each year.

One of the much-cherished tourist places in Kanpur, the Kanpur Memorial Church is a historical Anglican Church built in the year 1875. Visit this site to note its ornate Gothic architecture, the verdant garden surroundings, and the brilliant sculpture of an Angel in the front by Carlo Marochetti. The church was erected to pay homage to British soldiers who laid down their lives at the battle of 1857.

Location: The church is located on Albert Lane, Kanpur Cantonment. Uttar Pradesh- 208004.

Timings: Every day| 9:00 am to 6:00 pm.

Best Time to Visit: Visit the church during the early morning hours to walk into a touchingly peaceful ambiance when prayers are being recited. It may also be interesting to attend the Sunday mass starting from 11:00 am.

A visit to the official museum of the city- Kanpur Sangrahalaya will be a rewarding place for history buffs and general tourists alike. Built by the British as King Edward Memorial Hall, this museum is a trove of important articles that tells about the storied past of the Kanpur City. You will find a number of exhibits here from the British colonial times, including handwritten books by freedom fighters, their pistols, dresses, and other personal belongings. Moreover, among the most treasured among the collections of Kanpur Museum is an old colonial-era artillery gun.

Location: The museum is located on Phool Bagh, Civil Lines, Kanpur. Uttar Pradesh- 208001.

Timings: Tuesday to Sunday| 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

Price:
-Adults- 15 INR
-Children below 12 years of age- Free
-Journalists- Free| School groups-1 INR per person
-Freedom fighters- 50 paise.

Best Time to Visit: Visit in the first hours after opening every day from 10: 30 am to 12: 30 pm when the rush is comparatively lower.

Massacre Ghat in the Kanpur Cantonment Area is located about 6.5 km away from the city. A cemented river bank on the River Ganga, the site is steeped in history, particularly to the Revolt of 1857, otherwise known as the Sepoy Mutiny- the first war of Indian Independence.

The place stands to tell the tale of 300 British men, women, and children getting butchered on these banks during the Siege of Cawnpore. Take some time out (approximately 1 hour will be needed) to walk by Massacre Ghat, in memoriam of the great rebellion of 1857 which had set India’s struggle for freedom in motion.

Location: This historical site among places to see in Kanpur is located on Massacre Ghat Avenue, Nathusingh Road, Sati Chaura, Kanpur Cantonment. Uttar Pradesh- 208004.

Timings: Open area.

Best Time to Visit: Visit in the morning from 6:00 am to 8:00 am to enjoy the beauty of the river at sunup. Coming in the evening will let you take part in the prayers at the temple.

Looking for picturesque places to see in Kanpur to admire ethereal sunset and sunrise views? Make your way to the Ganga Barrage and absorb all the beauty that this place has to offer. A 621 meter bridge built in 1995, it is still undergoing continuous development. The lush green expanses around the Ganga Barrage along with the constant water flow around make it an ideal spot for nature buffs.

During the monsoon season, the bridge remains closed due to the uncontrolled flow of water near the dam. However, if you happen to visit Kanpur in the winter months, don’t forget to explore this scenic bridge which is known for its picture-postcard beauty and surreal sunset scenes.  

Location: Ganga Barrage, Kanpur, UP 

The ISKON Temple, located at 15.5 km from the city center, is an international tourist attraction dedicated to Lord Krishna. The impressive marble structure of the temple is truly grand and inspiring. You can spend your day here, touring the temple complex, exploring the temple bookshop, meditating within the peaceful aura, and offering prayers to the deities Krishna and Radha. Visit to ISKCON Kanpur is recommended especially during the beautifully conducted, melodious evening prayer at 7:30 pm every day.

Location: The temple is located on the Mainawati Marg, Bithoor Road, Kanpur. Uttar Pradesh- 208002.

Timings: Every day| 4: 30 am to 1: 00 pm and 4:00 pm to 8: 30 pm.

Price: No visiting fee. You have to select from different price packages to offer puja or prayer at this temple.

Best Time to Visit: Visit from 4: 30 am to 5: 00 am to watch beautiful aarti performances. You can also visit from 6:00 pm to 7: 00 pm to catch the evening aarti. The best months for visiting are August and September for the Krishna Janmashtami and Radhashtami festivals.

The Jain Glass Temple of Kanpur, a regally beautiful structure, was built by the Jain community in reverence to the 24 Tirthankaras of the Jain tradition. Inside the ornate temple, you can find the statues embodying Bhagwan Mahavir and the Tirthankaras under a massive canopy on a marble platform. Just 4 km away from the city center, this temple among places to visit in Kanpur is an astonishing architectural masterpiece, made entirely from glass and enamel!

Location: The temple is located in Khas Bazar, General Ganj, Kanpur. Uttar Pradesh- 208001.

Timings: Every day| 8:00 am to 11:00 and 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm.

Best Time to Visit: The morning hours are the best time to visit the temple when the glass structure catches the falling sunlight, dazzling beautifully. You will require an hour at the maximum to spend at this site.

An influential Indian business family- the Sighanias, own this private estate here. Located 7 km away from the city, the Kamla retreat can be visited to spend time amidst the bliss of nature. The place’s lush green expanses, picturesque bridges over canals, pretty park sides, royal fountains, and vibrant flower beds make this estate so enchanting. You can come here to picnic, spend time in the swimming pool, take a tour of the in-house zoo and gather information on Kanpur from the museum located inside the Kamla Retreat grounds.

Location: The retreat is located near HBTI, East Campus, Nawabgan,  Kanpur. UP- 208002.

Timings: Everyday| 7:00 am to 7:00 pm.

Best Time to Visit: October to December is the best window for picnicking in the resplendent nature surroundings of the Kamla Retreat. You can come early from 7 in the morning to make the most of this place.

The fort of Jajamou is the excavation site located on the east end on the Kanpur-Lucknow Highway. The high mound under the excavation is believed to be the site of King Yayati’s Fort - a puranic King from the Mahabharata. Moreover, The region of Jajmau is known most famously as an industrial leather district. Located on the banks of the river Ganga, Jajmau is around 8 km away from Kanpur city. It has a handful of temples like the ancient Durga Mandir of Jajmau, a few tombs of Sufi saints, and an old bazaar called Lal Bangla which tourists might find interesting to visit.

Location: It is located on National Highway 25, Tannery Town, J K Puri, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.

Timings: Every day| 7 am to 6 pm.

Price-: No prices are charged on the visit to the excavation site.

Best Time to Visit: The time between October to March is the best time to make this visit, with pleasurably arm day time temperatures.
You can wrap up within 2-3 hours, preferably in the morning from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm and reach Kanpur by afternoon.

About 4 km away from the city center, the Japanese Garden or Japani Garden of Kanpur is another of the city’s beautifully landscaped attractions. You can visit here to take leisurely walks amidst nature, appreciate the artfully manicured greenery, the Japanese-stye horticulture, the Feng Shui statues, and the lake with swan boats. You can reserve 2-3 hours to spend at this park.

The Brahmavart Ghat is 26.5 km away from Kanpur city, located along the banks of the Ganga in Bithoor town of Kanpur, one of the most notable places to visit in Kanpur owing to its significance among the Brahma devotees where the worshippers of the deity come to offer prayers at the altar after taking a purifying dip in the river. Additionally, visitors can go for a boat cruise on the river in the twilight when the sunset sky is streaked beautifully with hues of vermillion. Don’t miss the horseshoe pinned on the steps of the ghat, believed to have originated from Lord Brahma’s horse!

Location: The holy riverbank is located on Fort Road Bithoor, Kanpur. Uttar Pradesh- 209201.

Timings: Open Area.

Best Time to Visit: October to March are the best months for making outdoor trips like Brahmavart Ghat visit in Kanpur.
You can enjoy pleasant day time temperatures and clear weather. Avoid visiting at night since the place is not thoroughly lighted.