Picture this – a charming hill station, bright rhododendrons, green hills and a fantastic view of the snow-clad Himalayas. Little wonder then that Mussoorie is known as the Queen of Hills. Though a much-visited tourist destination from Delhi, the air is still clean, the mountains as majestic and the plains below as green as ever. Walk along the Mall, relax in your hotels, drive out to Dhanaulti or walk to Kempty Falls. You can also get yourself photographed in a variety of costumes and stroll down Camel's Back Road. It might not be a long vacation destination, but it surely offers that much-needed weekend break.

• Kempty Falls: A must see spot, Kempty Falls 15 km away is just an hour’s drive away on the Mussoorie-Yamunotri route. It was once a picturesque spot, but now is ridden with evidence of tourist visits – plastic bags, empty bottles and other litters. It is particularly busy in May and June and we recommend you find a quiet spot on the Yamuna riverbank.

• The Mall: Mussoorie's lifeblood, the Mall stretches from Cloud's End in the west to Rockville (the "Haunted House") in the east. Officially though, the Mall starts at Gandhi Chowk and ends at the Clock Tower, where Landour Bazaar begins. Close to Library Bazaar is the Happy Valleywhich is home to the municipal gardens, the Tibetan School and Home and the National Academy of Administration. Also you’ll find here the road leading to Barlowganj, which has old and famous schools such as St George's and Oakgrove.

• Gun Hill: Accessible from the Mall by ropeway, Gun Hill derives its name from the guns that were kept atop the hill earlier and fired at mid-day to indicate the time. Gun Hill also provides scenic views of the Himalayan peaks and a bird's eye view of Mussoorie.

• Camel's Back Cemetery: It is the final resting place of most of the early settlers of the hills. Australian novelist John Lang, who worked as Charles Dickens' correspondent, Fredrick Wilson known for his marriage to a Harsil girl and Alfred Hindmarsh are some of the prominent people who are buried here.

• Lal Tibba: Literally meaning “top of the hill”, this is the highest point in Mussoorie. It offers marvelous views of the Himalayan ranges. The peaks of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Bandar Poonch, Sri Kantha and Nanda Devi can be seen from here on clear days.

Mussoorie has an enviable number of restaurants and quick eats ranging from a varied selection of cuisines. Out for a quick bite? Head out to the Meeting Point Café located on the Mall Road where you can grab a hot espresso along with some local treats. The Casa Mia Bakery also located on the Mall Road, is the best of the many bakeries in Mussoorie and has a wide selection of croissants, cakes and muffins. Whispering Windows in the Library Bazaar is the place to experiment with a vast range of multi-cuisine dishes. For some traditional fare, visit the Nabha Palace Restaurant, which serves Indian, Continental and Chinese specialties. The Tavern Restaurant provides a global range of cuisine, accompanied by amazing live music!

Shopping in Mussoorie is a delightful experience, though it surely doesn’t have the high-end malls of the metros! Nevertheless, the Mall Road is where you can lay your hands on wooden decorative items, souvenirs and local handicrafts. It has some good showrooms located on the Mall Road where one can look for wooden boxes, brass statues, and even Tibetan prayer wheels and vases. The hand carved Oakwood walking stick is a popular item among tourists. Visit the Chic-Chocolate shop selling homemade chocolates and ice creams which are a true delight.