10 Interesting Places To Visit Near Howrah Station Showcasing Culture, History, Nature, And Local Charm

Vidyasagar Setu over Hooghly River at dusk, one of the places to visit near Howrah Station.

Places to visit near Howrah Station offer a rich blend of culture, history, and natural beauty just a short distance away. Situated on the banks of the ancient Hooghly River, Howrah Station serves as the perfect starting point to explore peaceful gardens, heritage bridges, and vibrant bird sanctuaries. Whether you’re a history enthusiast fascinated by local heritage or an architecture lover eager to see marvels, these nearby attractions make for ideal day trips or weekend getaways. Conveniently accessible, they provide the perfect escape for travelers seeking both tranquility and adventure.

10 Places To Visit Near Howrah Station

Discover 10 must-visit places to visit near Howrah Station, from UNESCO-worthy gardens and spiritual temples to scenic riverbanks and engaging museums, all within walking distance.

1. Indian Botanic Garden

Tree-lined walkway at Indian Botanic Garden, one of the scenic places to visit near Howrah Station.

Photo: Annie Gavin / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

The most popular places to visit near Howrah Station, the Indian Botanic Garden, which is a huge green space. It was founded in 1787 and is one of India’s oldest and holiest botanic gardens. The garden, covering close to 285 acres, has more than 12,000 plant species collected from every corner of the world. The highlight of the garden is the Great Banyan Tree, considered to be the world’s largest, with its canopy covering a space of more than 4.6 acres. Tourists are able to stroll around serene lakeside promenades, palm-flanked roads, orchid conservatories, and tropical plant houses.

Distance From Howrah Station: 7.1 km
Main Attractions: Great Banyan Tree, orchid house, herbarium, landscaped walks

2. Kolkata Rail Museum

Colonial-style building of Kolkata Rail Museum with manicured lawns and trees.

Photo: Prasun Mishra / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

One of the most fascinating places to see near Howrah Station, the Kolkata Rail Museum, also very commonly known as Howrah Rail Museum, offers an interesting glimpse into the impressive railway heritage of East India. The museum, being practically adjacent to Howrah Station, is literally the most convenient place to visit for history enthusiasts, family travellers, and railway enthusiast fans too. The museum has extensive collections of vintage steam engines, broad-gauge electric locomotives, and even wartime memorabilia like the HPS‑32 steam engine. Among its vintage items is the WCM‑5, which was the first Indian broad-gauge electric locomotive.

Distance From Howrah Station: 1.9 km
Main Attractions: Vintage steam trains, interactive exhibits, toy train rides

3. Howrah Bridge

Howrah Bridge over Hooghly River at dusk, a top spot among places to visit near Howrah Station.

Photo: Paras Verma / Unsplash

The Howrah Bridge, or Rabindra Setu, is an engineering colossus that awes and inspires through its designer brilliance and historic proportion. The early 1940s saw the construction of the giant cantilever bridge crossing the Hooghly River, connecting the twin cities of Kolkata and Howrah seamlessly. The longest cantilever bridge in the world carries thousands of vehicles and pedestrian traffic daily, sans nuts and bolts, which is a wonder of construction and design. Traversing the bridge is the best way to view the Kolkata skyline and the pulsating life along the riverbanks.

Distance From Howrah Station: 1 km
Main Attractions: Panoramic river views, packed ferry traffic, lit structure

4. Vidyasagar Setu

Modern cable-stayed bridge stretches over a wide river under a sky with boats below.

Photo: Dassurojitsd / Wikimedia Commons

Vidyasagar Setu or Second Hooghly Bridge is a work of art in modern engineering and one of the most scenic tourist attractions near Howrah Station. Completed in 1992, Vidyasagar Setu is perhaps the most stunning cable-stayed bridge in India, at 458 meters and spanning the Hooghly River. Unlike the ancient Howrah Bridge, Vidyasagar Setu is a spanking new bridge held up by thin iron cables and four massive pylons. The bridge links Howrah with Kolkata’s upper-class locales, offering a vital transport route as well as a visual treat. Its beautiful lines and geometric simplicity invite photography enthusiasts as much as architecture enthusiasts.

Distance From Howrah Station: 7.2 km
Main Attractions: Swami Vivekananda’s engineering marvel, stunning Kolkata skyline view

5. Belur Math

Belur Math temple complex, one of the iconic places to visit near Howrah Station.

Photo: K.vishnupranay / Wikimedia Commons

Belur Math, the spiritual complex of Ramakrishna Mission, is a very serene and spiritually enriching place. Swami Vivekananda had envisioned Math at the end of the 19th century, whose architecture is a symbolic fusion of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist motifs, very much unlike the underlying ethos of universal concordance and religious concordance. Situated on the Hooghly River banks, this sprawling 40-acre property is as much a religious site as a calm retreat from the city mayhem. The complex accommodates several temples of Sri Ramakrishna, Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda, and a museum that depicts Vivekananda’s life and teachings.

Distance From Howrah Station: 6 km
Main Attractions: Riverfront view, wildlife sanctuary, birds

6. Santragachi Jheel

Serene view of Santragachi Jheel with calm water reflections and lush greenery.

Photo: Anna Hamilton / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Santragachi Jheel is a hidden ecological treasure and one of the most peaceful attractions near Howrah Station, especially for bird watchers and nature lovers. This massive freshwater lake, located at a mere 10 km distance in Santragachi, turns into a thriving bird sanctuary in the winter months, generally from December to February. It welcomes over 4,000 migratory birds from far and near during this period. It offers a glimpse of the Northern Pintail, Swinhoe’s Snipe, Gadwalls, and other teals and ducks, and hence, it is a wildlife enthusiast’s paradise and a photographer’s dream come true.

Distance From Howrah Station: 8.5 km
Main Attractions: Lakeside promenades, migratory birds, peaceful environment

7. Garchumuk Deer Park & River Confluence

Brown spotted deer with antlers are on the lookout amidst thick green foliage and bushes, one of the places to visit near Howrah Station.

Photo: Divide By Zero / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Garchumuk is a quiet retreat and a picturesque spot is perhaps most famous for the peaceful confluence of the Hooghly and Damodar rivers, and offers a picturesque riverfront escape. One of the most popular tourist attractions here is the Garchumuk Deer Park, established in 1991 with a mission for wildlife conservation. The park is a breeding place for spotted deer and other small fauna. Nature trekkers, families, and photographers visit its peaceful surroundings regularly. Garchumuk- Clean walkways, boating zones, and riverbank picnic spots help to rescue people from the drudgery of city life.

Distance From Howrah Station: 57.2 km
Main Attractions: Riverbank picnic, boating, deer enclosure, natural scenery

8. Howrah Planetarium & Astronomical Research Centre

Modern single-storey building with vertical columns and a small garden in front.

Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons

Howrah Planetarium & Astronomical Research Centre is for science enthusiasts and inquiring minds. With the launch in late 2022, the modern complex hosts the nation’s first full 4K 3D planetarium, situated within a dome that accommodates a maximum of 96 observers. The planetarium has interactive 25-minute Bengali, Hindi, and English shows and thus comes within the reach of the masses. The shows range from topics in the Solar System and constellations to recent discoveries in astronomy. The narration and presentation keep children and adults curious about learning.

Distance From Howrah Station: 0.65 km
Main Attractions: Star learning, 3D star‑shows, educational experience

9. Andul Rajbari

Large weathered colonial-style building with tall pillars, one of the historical places to visit near Howrah Station.

Photo: Biswarup Ganguly / Wikimedia Commons

Tucked away in the serene town of Andul is the hidden architectural gem in the form of Andul Rajbari. Former abode of Andul zamindars, this stunning heritage house offers us a glimpse into the life of Bengali nobility during the 19th century, which is extremely rare. Not a regular tourist spot, Rajbari is special with the exquisitely chiselled wood, classical terracotta decor, and hand-painted frescoes, which reflect the unique cultural mix of colonial and native in Bengal. The antique charm of the mansion and serene ambiance make it a photographer’s, historian’s, and anyone who wants to discover offbeat heritage sites of West Bengal’s favourite haunt.

Distance From Howrah Station: 14.7 km
Main Attractions: Period palace architecture, period interiors, quiet local vibe

10. Gadiara

Peaceful riverside view at Gadiara with trees and calm waters at confluence point.

Photo: Lione Rosey / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

One of the most serene spots to visit near Howrah Station for people looking for mental peace from the city sounds. Positioned at the junction of the Hooghly, Damodar, and Rupnarayan rivers, Gadiara unfolds with extensive panoramic vistas, particularly in the evenings near sunset. History enthusiasts would love Fort Mornington, the ancient colonial fort constructed during Lord Clive’s rule. Though the fort is very old, there is much about the stone walls and their quaint setting near the river that brings to mind British military design. The nearby lighthouse gives one an open view of the nation, with mangrove-fringed riverbanks and leafy trees making it ideal as a picnic spot.

Distance From Howrah Station: 82.9 km
Main Attractions: River confluence, abandoned fort, lighthouse, fresh river fish food

The most exciting offbeat places to visit near Howrah Station, West Bengal, from riverbanks and ancient mansions to planetariums and village temples- the destination overflows with history, culture, and nature. From heritage, peace, scientific adventures, or offbeat photography spot hunting, there is something for every kind of traveller. With TripXL, go through these offbeat spots and create memorable day out trips packed with Bengal’s ageless magic.

Cover Photo: Ujjwal Jajoo / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only

Frequently Asked Questions

There are craft stores and local bazaars around Howrah Maidan, Andul, and the surrounding Shibpur. For real Bengali sarees or local products, go to government emporiums or shop at artisans' stores in old-style complexes like Andul or stroll around shops around pilgrim spots like Belur Math.
Although all the attractions are fairly well connected with local trains, buses, and auto-rickshaws, going by taxi or car is more relaxing and leisurely, especially if you do have a need to look at some of the farther-off attractions such as Andul Rajbari or Gadiara. It is also convenient for family vacations or visiting with children and the elderly.
All the places close to Howrah are secure and family-friendly. Howrah Planetarium, Botanical Garden, Belur Math, and Gadiara offer a peaceful atmosphere, learning material, green spaces, and picnic spots which are appropriately children-friendly, elderly-friendly, and family-friendly.
Yes, the Kolkata Rail Museum offers guided tours on request, which provide detailed insights into the history and significance of the railway exhibits, enhancing the visitor experience.
During winter, Santragachi Jheel attracts over 4,000 migratory birds, including Northern Pintails, Swinhoe’s Snipes, Gadwalls, and various species of ducks and teals.

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