Our First Family Trip with Baby: A Chandigarh Escape

I honestly couldn’t remember the last time we took a family vacation. My work calendar was fuller than my fridge, and then came the thought — never too late! This was going to be my eight-month-old son’s first ever trip. The stakes were high. My wife had a million questions — “Will he sleep? Will he scream? Will he allow us to breathe?” Meanwhile, I was confident. He’s the son of a traveler, I thought, adventure must be in his genes. But, like every good husband, I nodded at all her concerns, and we settled on Chandigarh — safe, clean, planned, and with my aunt’s home to provide that much-needed “homely feeling” for the baby.

Since our little explorer feels claustrophobic in cars, we went with India’s most trusted way of traveling — by train.

The Train Adventure Begins

Planning and booking were my wife’s department. With bags packed, diapers stocked, and snacks secured, we headed to New Delhi Railway Station. This was my first time at NDLS and honestly, it felt like entering an independent city. There were enough people to qualify for a Lok Sabha constituency. We wove through the crowd like contestants on a reality show and finally reached our platform where our train waited.

Seats located, luggage stuffed overhead, and baby settled with his grandparents, I did what any new-age traveler does — explored the station to buy snacks and water bottles. Our five-hour journey became surprisingly pleasant: our son alternated between playing with his grandparents, sleeping, and throwing curious looks at co-passengers, while my wife and I enjoyed all the delicacies that Indian trains and stations have to offer.

At 7 PM sharp, we rolled into Chandigarh. One short cab ride later, we were at my aunt’s warm and welcoming home. After a hearty dinner and a quick round of family chatter, we went to bed early — tomorrow was going to be a big day.

Day One: Chandigarh Diaries Begin

Morning tea in Chandigarh hits different — maybe it’s the crisp air, maybe it’s the nostalgia. My cousin’s 10-year-old son demanded a cricket match, and as an elder who loves fake stories, I had already convinced him I was a retired Ranji player. A few overs later, reality was restored but his smile was worth it. Post our morning rituals, we geared up for our first stop — the iconic Rock Garden.

Rock Garden

Stop 1: Rock Garden

Only a few kilometers from my aunt’s house, The Rock Garden of Chandigarh is a monument to imagination. Created secretly by Nek Chand (who passed away in 2015), this garden features over 2,000 sculptures made from waste — stones, broken tiles, plugs, switches — you name it. Officially inaugurated in 1976, it’s now one of India’s most unique art installations.

We spent nearly three hours here, marveling at statues, pathways, waterfalls, and courtyards. The craftsmanship was so detailed it made me question my own DIY skills.

Pro tip: Wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water. The garden’s labyrinth-like sections make it easy to lose track of time (and steps).

Stop 2: Sukhna Lake

After Rock Garden, it was a short, pleasant walk to Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh’s favorite hangout spot. Imagine pedal boats on calm waters, kids running around with cotton candy, and food stalls tempting you at every corner. We were hungry and exhausted, but the place had such a lively vibe we stayed for a while before heading back home.

This is when technology became our savior. While returning, I opened food delivery app on my phone and, with a few taps, ordered Chinese food for everyone. The food arrived just as we reached home — hot, on time, and delicious. Baby fed, adults fed, everyone happy.

Day Two: Scooty Adventures & Mughal Gardens

The next morning, my wife and I borrowed my cousin’s trusty scooty and headed to Pinjore Garden (Yadavindra Gardens) on the Ambala-Shimla road. The ride itself was worth the trip — hills, fresh air, and that unmistakable road-trip freedom. An hour later, we reached the gates of the garden.

Pinjore Garden

Stop 3: Pinjore Garden (Yadavindra Gardens)

This 17th-century Mughal-style garden was originally designed by Nawab Fidai Khan. Renamed in honor of Maharaja Yadavindra Singh, it’s a sprawling complex laid out in seven terraces — each one offering a different view and vibe. Highlights include:

• Sheesh Mahal (Palace of Glass) and Hawa Mahal (Airy Palace) in the first terrace.
• Rang Mahal (Painted Palace) in the second terrace.
• Cypress trees, orchards, and fountains across the third and fourth terraces.
• Jal Mahal (Palace of Water) for that serene reflective moment.
• An open-air theater at the lowest terrace designed like a disc.

Despite being centuries old, the gardens are impressively maintained. We spent hours exploring, clicking photos (especially my wife with every flower in sight), and imagining Mughal nobles strolling the same paths.

By the time we were done, it was already late afternoon — and our return train was waiting. We scooted back, packed our bags, and left for Chandigarh station to catch our train home to Delhi.

Things to Do in Chandigarh & Around

• Rock Garden: A must-see art installation built from recycled materials.
• Sukhna Lake: Boating, eating, and people-watching (if that's your thing)
• Pinjore Garden: Day trip for Mughal architecture lovers.
• Shopping: Sector 17 Market for clothes, trinkets, and souvenirs.
• Food Trails: Try the legendary butter chicken and lassi at local dhabas.

Best Time to Visit

October to March is ideal — pleasant weather, perfect for outdoor exploration. Summers can be hot, but early mornings and evenings are manageable.

How to Reach

• By Train: Shatabdi Express from New Delhi is the most comfortable.
• By Air: Chandigarh Airport connects to major Indian cities.
• By Road: Excellent highways from Delhi, about 4.5 hours by car (if your baby allows).

Food Recommendations

Pal Dhaba (Sector 28): Classic North Indian flavors.

Indian Coffee House (Sector 17): Old-school charm with great coffee.

Sindhi Sweets: For chaat and sweets.

Boating-side snacks at Sukhna Lake: Momos, chaat, and corn on the cob.

Wrapping Up

Our son’s first trip was a success. Chandigarh turned out to be the perfect destination — clean, green, and family-friendly. From Mughal gardens to modern art installations, from scooty rides to lakeside snacks, it had everything. As our train chugged back to Delhi, I couldn’t help but feel proud — proud of our baby traveler and proud of us for finally taking that long-overdue family trip.

In three words? Clean. Green. Serene.