Indian Botanic Garden

Spread across Shibpur in Howrah, the Indian Botanic Garden has been growing plants since 1787 and now holds more than 12,000 species. Its biggest draw is the Great Banyan Tree, thought to be around 250 years old, whose massive canopy of aerial roots makes it look like a small forest rather than one tree. The garden also has a large palm collection, a cactus house, and a lake with giant Amazon lily pads. Since it sits just across the Hooghly from Kolkata, it pairs well with a Howrah Bridge or Belur Math visit on the same day, and mornings before the heat sets in are the best time to walk around.