In This Post
– Lahore Zoo Safari
– Shalimar Gardens
– Jallo Park
– Sozo Water Park
–Jinnah Garden
– Rana Safari and Luxury Resort
There is no shortage of fun things to do in Lahore over the weekend. Being the cultural hub of Pakistan, the bustling metropolis offers its residents a wide range of recreation options to choose from. So, whether you are interested in trying out new restaurants, going shopping, exploring historical places or simply enjoying nature, the City of Gardens has it all. Therefore, for your convenience, we’ve put together a list of top picnic places in Lahore where you can spend some quality time with your friends and family.
Top Picnic Places in Lahore
Here’s our pick of the top places to visit in Lahore for a fun-filled picnic.
- Lahore Zoo Safari
- Shalimar Gardens
- Jallo Park
- Sozo Water Park
- Jinnah Garden
- Rana Safari and Luxury Resort
Let’s discuss each of these picnic spots in Lahore along with their location and timings.
Lahore Zoo Safari
Lahore Zoo Safari, formerly known as the Woodland Wildlife Park, is considered one of the most popular recreational spots in the city. It is also one of the best places for kids in Lahore as it allows them to learn more about local wildlife and experience nature at its best while being in a secure environment.
Located on Safari Road, the zoo covers about 242 acres of land and draws a large number of visitors every day. It is also one of the only few places in Pakistan where you can see exotic animals like Bengal tigers, jaguars, lions and blue bulls in their natural habitat. In case you are more interested in birds, you can also find a few outlandish ones at this park, including silver pheasants, mute swans, Indian peafowls, ostriches and emus, who happen to be the last surviving members of the Dromaius species.
Apart from safari tracks and large walkthrough aviary, Lahore Zoo Safari also boasts an impressive amusement park on its premises, which is extremely popular among children. The lake inside the park also offers visitors to enjoy the boating and fishing facilities.
Moreover, to ensure the safety of everyone visiting this popular picnic place in Lahore as well as its animals, the administration has also established a first aid centre and a vet dispensary within the park.
Address: Safari Road, Lahore
Timings: 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: PKR 50 for adults | PKR 20 for children
Additional Entry Fee for Vehicles: PKR 250
Shalimar Gardens
Being one of the six UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Pakistan, Shalimar Gardens are among the most renowned tourist attractions in entire Punjab. Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan built it in the 17th century after being inspired by the stunning Shalimar Gardens in Kashmir that were constructed by his father, Emperor Jahangir.
Now, hundreds of years later, Shalimar Gardens are one of the only surviving gardens from that era. They are located a short distance from the Walled City of Lahore and are known for their well-landscaped lawns and beautiful fountains. Families from all over the city make their way to these imperial gardens over the weekends to enjoy a serene and peaceful environment. In fact, they are easily one of the most popular places to visit in Lahore during weekends.
The gardens, one of the most popular picnic places in Lahore, are spread over 16 hectares of land and boast three levels, each of them about 13 to 15 feet higher than the other. The top terrace, which is shaped like a square, and is known as Bagh-e-Farah Baksh, while the other two are collectively known as the Bagh-e-Faiz Baksh. The uppermost terrace has 105 fountains, the second level has 152 fountains, while the third comprises 153 fountains.
Address: Shalimar Chowk, G. T. Road, Shalimar Town, Lahore.
Timings: 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: PKR 20
Jallo Park
Jallo Park is easily one of the must-visit parks in Lahore, especially if you have young children who like to run and play around. This sprawling recreational spot was established in 1978 and covers an area of approximately 460 acres. After the man-made Changa Manga forest and Lahore Zoo Safari, Jallo Park is considered one of the largest wildlife parks in the city. Also, it is one of the best places in Lahore for photography.
The picturesque park offers a wide variety of activities to its visitors. Some of the main attractions of this popular picnic spot include the breathtakingly mesmerizing botanical garden with a large aquarium, a beautiful lake with boating and fishing facilities, a spacious sports complex with tennis and basketball courts, theme park for people of all ages, public swimming pool and a cycling track. Jallo Park also houses Wildlife Breeding Center, Forest Research Center Zen Garden, Japanese Rock Garden and a first-of-its-kind Butterfly House, which houses thousands of colourful butterflies. There are also a few eateries and cafes located on the premises.
To put it simply, if you are looking for family entertainment places to visit in Lahore, planning a trip to Jallo Park is one of your best options.
Address: Bhagwanpura, Jallo Road, Lahore
Timings: 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: PKR 50 (Children below 5 and adults above 60 years of age can enter the park free of charge)
Sozo Water Park
Who doesn’t love waterparks?
Since summers in Lahore can be a little harsh, Sozo Waterpark is one of the best places to beat the heat while enjoying quality time with your family. Considered the best waterpark in Lahore, Sozo is located on the Canal Bank Road and boasts all the facilities and attractions that one can think of. It is also one of the only waterparks in Pakistan that have a separate area for women and children.
Some of the most popular attractions at this state-of-the-art waterpark include a lazy river, bullet slide, racer slide, free-fall slide, speed slide and wave pool, among others. To ensure the safety of the visitors, the experts from the University of Engineering and Technology (UET) have checked and certified all of the rides present inside Sozo Waterpark.
Sozo Water Park, a famous activity place for kids in Lahore, also has its own water filtration and chemical treatment plant to ensure the pools remain hygienic and germ-free.
Address: Canal Bank Road near Jallo Park, Lahore.
Timings: 10:30 AM to 5:00 PM
Entry Fee: PKR 350 for adults | PKR 250 for children
Jinnah Garden aka Bagh-e-Jinnah
Jinnah Garden, more commonly known as Bagh-e-Jinnah, is one of the best picnic places in Lahore. Formerly called the Lawrence Garden, it is one of the oldest parks in the City of Gardens and presents the perfect blend of nature, culture, heritage, education and entertainment.
Situated on the Mall Road, Bagh-e-Jinnah was constructed in the late 1800s and was named John Lawrence, who served as the Viceroy of India between 1864 and 1869. However, the beautiful park was renamed after Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Khan following the creation of Pakistan. It now houses the Victorian-style Quaid-e-Azam Library as well as the magnificent Dar-ul-Islam Library which is located inside a mosque.
Jinnah Garden also features about 150 types of trees and 140 varieties of shrubs in its botanical garden along with a century-old cricket ground, walking track, tennis courts, picnic area, bicycling tracks, children’s playground, open-air theatre and a restaurant for refreshment.
So, if you want to have a picnic with your loved ones in a serene and peaceful environment while being surrounded by nature, you should consider heading over to Bagh-e-Jinnah for a wholesome experience.
Address: Mall Road, Jubilee Town Lahore.
Timings: 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Entry Fee: None
Rana Safari and Luxury Resort
Rana Safari and Luxury Resort is located on the periphery of the city. However, owing to its popularity among the residents, it can be included in the list of top picnic places in Lahore.
One of the most renowned day trip destinations near Lahore, this resort and wildlife sanctuary draws a large number of visitors all throughout the year and is particularly famous among families, as it provides them with a secure environment to relax, explore nature and indulge in a wide range of fun activities. More commonly referred to as Rana Resort, this picnic spot was established in 2007 and comprises about 200 acres of bamboo forest along with 14 acres of lush green lawns.
If you’re wondering what makes Rana Resort one of the best places to visit in Lahore, the answer is that it offers its visitors all the latest amenities and facilities while providing them with an opportunity to spend time with deer, peacocks and ostriches, among other species, present in the sanctuary.
Rana Safari and Luxury Resort also boasts swimming pools, bonfire area, barbecue area, train ride as well as boating and horse-riding facilities. You can also book a room in the resort for an overnight stay, which makes it the perfect weekend getaway in Lahore.
Address: Bhai Pheru, Head Balloki Road, Lahore.
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee: PKR 200
So, which of these picnic places in Lahore will you be visiting next? Let us know your thoughts and comments by dropping an email on blog@zameen.com.
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