5 hill stations in India that bring back 90s family vacation vibes

Places where time stands still, and so do the antennas on Doordarshan. Before Instagram filters, airport selfies, and resort buffets with innovative names of dishes mentioned, there was the real vacation: the 90s family hill station trip. You know the one, where you had to catch 6 AM trains, suitcases tied with nylon rope and a sticker that carries your name, thermos flasks of tea, and some snacks to munch on.

If you're also feeling nostalgic, these five hill stations still carry that unmistakable old-world charm. These five charming hill stations in India revive the nostalgic magic of 90s family vacations with their timeless appeal.

These hill stations may now have WiFi and fancy resorts, but if you walk a little, eat at that old canteen, and sit on a bench just watching clouds roll in, you'll find that familiar 90s feeling of time slowing down, families sticking together, and holidays that didn’t need hashtags. (Canva)

Back in the day, Nainital was the poster child for summer holidays. That emerald lake, those bobbing boats, and the iconic cable car to Snow View, it’s all still there, largely unchanged. You can still feed ducks, eat roasted corn by the mall road, and rent paddle boats shaped like swans. And yes, the telescope guy near the top still swears he can show you Tibet (he can’t). (Canva)

Ooty is the kind of place where the clock seems to tick at half-speed, and that’s a compliment. The Nilgiri Mountain Railway still chugs along like it has all the time. The botanical gardens still attract picnickers with homemade sandwiches. And the chocolate shops? Still packed with rose-flavoured treats. Then there is always a horse ride waiting around the corner, complete with a photo in a fake cowboy hat. (Canva)

Shimla in the 90s was where you went if you wanted a blend of cool weather and colonial vibes. That ridge walk, the church in the middle of town, the hand-knitted sweater stalls, all still stand proudly. Add the joy of being chased by monkeys near Jakhoo Temple, and you’ve got yourself a full retro experience. Just remember, never open your chips packet near a macaque. (Canva)

Matheran is what happens when a hill station ignores to be in the 21st century. It’s one of the few places in India with no vehicle allowed . Which means you either walk, ride a horse, or take the ancient toy train. With its red mud paths, British-era bungalows, and view points named like chapters from a mystery novel (Sunset Point, Echo Point, etc.), Matheran is delightfully stuck in time.

Kodaikanal was, and still is, the more underrated cousin of Ooty. It’s quieter, moodier, and wrapped in mist like a hill station poet. You’ll still find couples pedalling away in the lake, kids throwing tantrums for homemade fudge, and moms bargaining over eucalyptus oil. And that Coaker’s Walk? Still the most dramatic promenade this side of the Deccan.