These 6 Indian Hill Stations Still Feel Like Your 90s Summer Holidays

Somewhere between the hum of an Ambassador car and the smell of wet pine after a summer drizzle, India learned what holidays truly meant. Before flight deals, itineraries, and social media posts, family trips were about piling into a van, packing stainless steel dabbas, and letting the hills decide the plan. It was never fancy, but it was always enough. Foggy mornings, Maggi by the lake, and the sound of laughter echoing down winding roads - those were the sounds of a summer well spent.

Today, travel feels slick, planned, and often too digital. Yet, a few Indian hill stations have quietly resisted change. They still hold the echoes of those old-school trips - toy trains, tea stalls, and that easy sense of time stretching just a little longer. Here's a journey through six such places that still feel like they belong to the 90s.

Also Read: 6 Hill Stations In India That Transform Into Foggy Wonders By 4 pm

Here Are 6 Indian Hill Stations That Still Hold 90s Charm:

1. Shimla, Himachal Pradesh

If nostalgia had an address, it would begin at Mall Road, Shimla. Families walked hand in hand, posing in woollen monkey caps even in May. The Kalka-Shimla toy train wasn't just transport; it was the start of the holiday itself - tunnels, laughter, and that familiar scent of pine. Even now, Shimla feels comfortably familiar. The bakeries still sell cream rolls, the Ridge still hums with chatter, and the old cottages remind you why summers here were never just about the cold, but the calm.

What to do: Ride the Kalka-Shimla toy train, walk through Glen Forest, and shop for wooden toys at Lakkar Bazaar.

Where to stay: Pick a colonial cottage or a family-run guest house near Mall Road for an authentic experience.

How to reach: Take the narrow-gauge toy train from Kalka or drive from Chandigarh, which is roughly four hours away.

Best time to visit: March to June for pleasant weather; December if you want snow-dusted hills.

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2. Ooty, Tamil Nadu

If Shimla was the North's summer capital, Ooty was its Southern twin - all mist and music. The drive up was half the fun, with eucalyptus-scented bends and kids counting monkeys out the window. Families spent their days boating on Ooty Lake, visiting flower shows, and buying homemade chocolates that never lasted the ride home. Evenings meant sweaters, tea, and long conversations. Ooty still carries that rhythm - quiet, cool, and comfortably slow.

What to do: Take the Nilgiri Mountain Railway from Mettupalayam, visit Doddabetta Peak, and buy chocolates from King Star.

Where to stay: A heritage cottage with a fireplace or a cosy homestay near the lake.

How to reach: Coimbatore Airport is about 90 km away; from there, drive up or take the scenic Nilgiri train.

Best time to visit: April to June for bright, misty mornings or October to February for foggy, romantic evenings.

Also Read: Why Hill Stations Make For The Best Solo Travel Companions

3. Darjeeling, West Bengal

Further east, Darjeeling was the family postcard that came alive. Mornings began with the rush to Tiger Hill for sunrise, where Kanchenjunga glowed pink. The smell of tea leaves lingered through the streets, and the toy train to Ghum puffed along like a memory on wheels. Even now, much of Darjeeling's charm lies in the small things - breakfast at Keventer's, pastries at Glenary's, and the soft hum of life in the tea gardens.

What to do: Ride the toy train to Ghum, walk through tea gardens, and have breakfast at Keventer's.

Where to stay: Choose a colonial inn or a homestay with mountain views for a true old-town feel.

How to reach: Fly to Bagdogra Airport (70 km away) or take the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway from New Jalpaiguri.

Best time to visit: March to May for blooming flowers and October to December for crystal-clear views of the Himalayas.

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4. Nainital, Uttarakhand

If Darjeeling felt cinematic, Nainital was personal - small, charming, and unhurried. Families rowed across Naini Lake, wandered through Tibetan Market, and shared roasted bhuttas on every corner. The cable car to Snow Viewpoint was the highlight, but the real magic was in the long evening walks by the lake - the hum of conversation mixing with the rustle of the trees. Time moves differently here, just as it did back then.

What to do: Boat on Naini Lake, visit the zoo, and enjoy momos at Sonam's Tibetan Restaurant.

Where to stay: Choose a heritage hotel overlooking the lake for postcard mornings.

How to reach: The nearest railway station is Kathgodam, 35 km away; from there, a taxi ride takes about an hour.

Best time to visit: March to June for sunny strolls and October to February for crisp, quiet mornings.

5. Matheran, Maharashtra

Then there is Matheran - the hill station that still refuses to let cars in. Families would arrive by toy train, stay in bungalows with creaky wooden floors, and sip tea on verandahs as clouds rolled through. That still happens. It remains India's most peaceful hill retreat, where even silence feels rich and monkeys still rule the snacks.

What to do: Ride the Neral-Matheran toy train, watch the sunset at Charlotte Lake, and enjoy local chikki from roadside stalls.

Where to stay: Pick a heritage villa with a wide verandah, perfect for evening tea and slow games.

How to reach: Take the toy train from Neral or drive up to Dasturi Naka (90 km from Mumbai) and walk or ride a pony to town.

Best time to visit: November to June for clear skies; monsoon months if you love misty trails.

Also Read: 5 Breathtaking Hill Stations In Northeast India You'll Want To Visit ASAP

6. Mount Abu, Rajasthan

Rajasthan's only hill station, Mount Abu, was - and still is - the state's cool escape. Families rowed boats on Nakki Lake, explored the marble brilliance of Dilwara Temples, and watched sunsets while eating ice cream. Even now, the bazaars buzz, the air stays crisp, and the hills echo with the chatter of families who come for the same reason their parents did - to slow down.

What to do: Visit the Dilwara Temples, boat on Nakki Lake, and watch the sunset at Honeymoon Point.

Where to stay: Stay near Nakki Lake or choose one of the colonial lodges for that old-school charm.

How to reach: Udaipur Airport is 165 km away; the nearest railway station, Abu Road, is about 28 km from the town.

Best time to visit: March to June for mild weather or November to February for winter charm.

Why Nostalgia Travel Is Finding Its Way Back?

As travel becomes faster and more performative, there's a quiet movement towards simplicity. Nostalgia tourism, where travellers return to familiar places to reconnect with childhood memories, is growing. Families are now choosing homestays over hotels, long drives over direct flights, and board games over screens.

Because sometimes, travel is not about where you go - but how it makes you feel. And in these hill stations, time hasn't changed that equation.

Also Read: 6 Winter Getaways Near Delhi Under Rupees 10,000 For A Cosy, Budget Escape

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How To Bring Back The 90s Family Holiday Spirit?

1. Stay Somewhere With Character

Skip large resorts. Choose heritage cottages or family-run homes that offer warmth and conversation.

2. Bring Back Old-School Fun

Carry Uno, Ludo, or play Antakshari in the car. Recreate the noise and laughter that once filled those drives.

3. Pack Snacks From Home

Nothing beats aloo parathas in foil or the sweetness of Rasna shared mid-journey.

4. Take The Scenic Route

Train rides turn travel into storytelling - with window snacks, chai, and chatter.

5. Go Tech-Free For A Day

Switch off the phones and just sit by the lake. The best memories never needed filters.

Also Read: 5 Hidden Hill Stations In South India That Deserve A Spot On Your Travel Radar

These hill stations are not just getaways. They are memories kept alive in fog, tea, and laughter. The kind of places that remind you - travel is best when it feels like coming home.