After working hard throughout the week, the mind and the body need some respite from the daily stress. To refresh yourself and plan a weekend getaway and spend some time with your loved ones. If you live in Pune or anywhere near the city, you have a lot of options to consider for a weekend vacation.

Here are a few of the best places for a family outing near Pune.

Della Adventure Park, Lonavala

If you’re fond of adventure, Della Adventure Park is ideal for you. Located in the small hill station of Lonavala, it is one of the biggest adventure parks in the country. It attracts thousands of visitors from Pune every year. There are more than 50 adventurous activities which you can indulge in, such as paragliding, scoop swing, zorbing of 5 different kinds, flying fox, dirt bike riding, archery, paintball, rappelling, and many more. This weekend, unleash the adventurous side in you at Della Adventure Park. If you’re worried that you cannot bring kids, do not be. This adventure park offers 8 kid-friendly rides so that everyone gets their share of adventure and fun.

Shaniwar Wada, Pune

If you are a history lover, visiting Shaniwar Wada will be a truly memorable experience for you. The fort was built in the early 18th century and was the seat of the Peshwa Empire until the early 19th century when the East India Company took over. However, later, parts of the fort were destroyed by a fire, and the remaining parts have been conserved as a tourist attraction today.

The fort has importance not only in history, for its acclaimed ancient architecture, but also in popular culture, as the legend of the love triangle between Kashibai, Bajirao and Mastaani began here. Interestingly, this fort has been rumoured to be a site for paranormal activity as well. Every evening a Light and Sound show is organized, both in English and Marathi, to portray the rich heritage and history of ancient India. Visiting this fort during the weekend will give you a taste of ancient India for sure.

Bund Garden, Pune (Mahatma Gandhi Udyan)

If you do not want to go anywhere outside Pune, you can visit the Bund Garden situated right inside the city. It is the ideal weekend getaway with your friends and family, if you guys love nature and if you’re fond of photography. This garden welcomes quite a large number of exotic migratory birds every year during winters. In this serene garden surrounded by small dams constructed over the river Mula, you can also avail horse riding sessions or go for a boating ride across the river. Sometimes magic shows are also hosted here, which is great if you are bringing children for the trip. This place has beautiful natural scenic beauty and a calm atmosphere, where you can relax and take a break from daily stress. It is an ideal family outing for a weekend and is best to visit in the evenings.