Mysore

The lookout provides an aerial view of Mysore, allowing you to see the entire white city and surrounding forest in all its glory. There are a few binoculars at the lookout point, though you would need to pay to use them.

Founded in 1968 and located in the University of Mysore campus, the museum has over 6500 folk art and folklore articles on display and exhibits arts and crafts from all over the state of Karnataka. It is housed in Jayalakhmi Mansion situated at Manasa Gangotri. The museum has detailed exhibits of "Yakshagana" and "Puppet art".

A former palace that has been converted into an art gallery and function hall. The palace for some time was home to the Wodeyar dynasty. The art gallery features paintings of many styles, including Mughlai, Mysorean and European. The most prominent works are those of Raja Ravi Varma, which are over 100 years old. A big part of the exhibition is comprised of very similar portraits of members of the Royal family.

A museum with sculptures made of seashell and conch by Radha Mallappa, including the sculptures of Ganesha, Shiva, the Taj Mahal and St. Philomena's Church.

Established in October 2010, this unique wax museum is based on musicians and musical instruments from all over the World. Exhibits a collection of over 100 life-size wax statues and over 1,500 types of musical instruments.

150 sand sculptures on display. It is not worth visiting unless it is on your way to another location.

Formerly known as the oriental library, it was started in 1891 and contains over 33,000 palm leaf manuscripts.

Exhibits vintage locomotives as they were in use. The second of such museums was set up after the Rail Museum in Delhi. The major attraction of the museum is the wagon used by the Queen of Mysore. There is a small toy train. The museum is a small one and can be visited while arriving or leaving Mysore during working hours.

Has exhibits on plants, animals, and geology of the southern region of India. They conduct a show at intervals. They also have a cute watch tower for bird watching. The museum is situated in a beautiful garden. You can even visit the place just sit to in the gardens in the lush green surroundings. This facility is run by the central government of India.

An ashram in Mysore. It has beautiful gardens with bonsais among other plants. You can buy some herbal tea for an infusion, grown in the gardens.

Two golden Buddhas, ten red little Buddhas and one statue of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Cute and photogenic circular building. A very good place to meditate.

The Venugopala Swamy Temple is an example of Hoysala architecture. It was built in the 12th century around the same time as the Chennakesava Temple at Somanathapura. It is surrounded by water, a pleasant sight.

Anjali Ashram has a unique architectural design. The entrance to the ashram is marked by an outer mandapa. On both sides of this mandapa, there are two footpaths in a curved fashion, taking you to the inner area directly. If you walk directly through the mandapa, you reach another structure used for meditations and prayer meetings. Then comes the hostel for inmates. Then comes the sanctum. The last building is the sanctum sanctorum, containing the chapel and the residential arrangements for the inmates. The small cottages for the inmates are built on either side of the sanctum sanctorum. There is a footpath that takes you directly to the other gate from the sanctum sanctorum.

A beautiful cathedral, reminiscent of medieval architectural style, is one of the largest churches in the country. Built in the Gothic style, the church is an imposing structure with stained glass windows and lofty towers. It gives a kitsch style 'à la Disneyland', especially from the exterior.

An Anglican church built for the East India Company troops stationed at Mysore. It was consecrated on 29 November 1830 by Bishop Turner of Calcutta, and the building was completed in 1832.

Beautiful modern township. Ideal for evening walks. This surprisingly spacious location has become the target residential area of the rich and famous. Their interior alleys are as wide as highways.

Only for fitness freaks. Start early in the morning to get a good view of the city as it rises from slumber while getting good exercise at the same time. Bus 94 or 204 from city bus stand will bring you to the crossing to NH766. It is then only 800 m to the first step, just follow the signs.

Yoga classes, meditation practice and free food. Many beautiful buildings set in a lush green surroundings. The Mysore facility is the south India headquarters of the Brahmakumaris.

Take any bus going to Bengaluru side and get down at St. Philomena's college. You can walk inside the Banni Mantap grounds which is extremely spacious.

Hardinge Circle has been renovated with marble seats on three sides and cement seats on three sides. It is very pleasant to sit in this intersection watching the traffic of six roads merge without signal and other types of control. The seats on the southern side are more sylvan and shady. The seats on the northern sides are modern and with a background of manicured lawns. The eastern side is only for people awaiting a bus to Bannur village.

The state festival of Karnataka, carried over from when it was celebrated by the Wodeyars in grand style. On all ten days of the festival (celebrated in September and October), the Mysore Palace is illuminated with over 100,000 lights. Music and dance events are held during the period too. On the final day, a procession of the state's guards led the Goddess "Chamundi" seated on a golden "howdah" mounted on an elephant. The procession is followed by various tableaux, a visual treat rarely seen anywhere else in the world.

Gardens and musical fountain at the Krishna Raja Sagara Dam. At 25 km from the city, the garden has seen better days. The garden has a variety of flower beds and water fountains running the length of the garden. More than half the fountains aren't working. On the left side of the river is the garden, and on the right is the musical fountain area. One can take a motor boat to cross the river at ₹20 per head one way or walk across the pathway. At 7PM the "musical fountain" light and music show begins. This is in a swimming pool-sized pond, the dance of the fountains has no coordination to the music being played. There is stadium-style seating to watch the fountains. If you want to go here via bus, the bus stop’s name is Main Bus Stand, KR Circle. Bus number 303 leaves approximately every 5 minutes and takes 45 minutes to the end of the line where the gardens are situated. Late October to early February sees a lot of school picnics. Bus loads of school children descend on the garden during this time.

The Happy Man Park near Kamakshi Hospital, some three kilometres from the Railway Station, is a very popular hangout for children and parents. The park is quite compact but contains a mini zoo and many hens and ducks roam around the lawns freely. The park is landscaped with a little stream and ‘wooden’ bridges. Music is played through loudspeakers scattered around the park. The park is open from 4:30PM to 9PM and the crowd are quite big around 6PM. It is also open for a while in the morning for the benefit of joggers. The main attraction of the park is a statue of a ‘Happy Man’ with a potbelly. The statue resembles Maitreya or Laughing Buddha, quite popular in Southeast Asian countries.

Not to be confused with the one in Bengaluru, this one is cleaner.

Take Bus No. 13 to J.P.Nagar and get down at Police Booth stop. Turn left and walk for 100 m. There is a jogging track near the library. It is more than 700 m long. This park is near the J.S.S. School. There is a Brahmakumari temple in the same locality. Chamundi Hill looks like a sleeping woman from this ground.

A small lake inside the city. This is a favourite spot for romantic couples. You can go for a small trip of boating. The lake is surrounded by green trees and you can also see the various variety of birds like pelicans and painted storks on the island in Karanji Kere. In the local language, Kere means Lake and thus a Lake by the name of Karanji is called Karanji Kere. The park has an aviary, which hosts peacocks and other species of colourful birds. A Little inside, there is a tall watchtower, from where one can see the entire lake and birds on tree tops. On the periphery of the lake, there is a walkway of around 2.6 km. At the end of the walkway, there is a butterfly park.

The perimeter is 3.6 km. There are many birds to see and the footpath is well maintained with small gardens around it.

Have a nice walk on the embankment of Lingambudhi Lake. It will refresh you beyond description. This is a one-hour walk and ends up in Lingam Budhi village near the ring road. The famous University Layout is a residential suburb of this area. You can proceed another 300 meters, cross the ring road and visit the majestic Rabindranath Tagore Layout. An easier option is to visit Lingambudhi Park on the other side of the park which can be accessed by bus number 62 or 61 which are more frequently available from the city bus station. Alight at the last stop and walk to the park gate some hundred meters away. This park has a 1.3-kilometre-long perimeter and there is a lush green growth of bamboo trees all over the park. Birds of Lingambudhi Lake can be more easily spotted from this side.

The court park or what is officially called 'Manuvana Park' is a twin park with a lot of photo opportunities. There is more maintenance and so the park is more beautiful. Water sprinkling is very effective to the level that you have to shift your seating quite effectively. There are swings and other kid attractions also. Another thing the availability of vendors who give fruits in potpourri for ₹20. Lunch or 'Ootta' is also offered at the same rate even though the average rate is ₹60 in Mysore.

Children's garden, huge stadium, playgrounds, etc. The toy train service here is not very good. They run the train only when there are enough children to ride it.

Visitors can take a pleasant morning or evening stroll at the University Lake, Kukkarahalli. The perimeter is 3 km long.

A horse-racing venue. The Mysore Derby season is from November to February and again from May to July. There's a golf course at the middle.