Get away from the furious bustle of the city and revel in some quietude at the Hebbal Lake. Best viewed at the crack of dawn or when the sun sets on the horizon, this peaceful lake attracts several bird-watchers too. If you're lucky, you may spot a stray pelican or two. At other times, the numerous ducks clucking across the serene waters is a sight to behold as well.
Built by the Wodeyars, Bangalore Palace, with its Tudor towers, well-pruned palace gardens and a magnificent turreted facade, makes for a spectacular sight. Its opulent interiors hearken back to its heyday soon after its construction in the 19th Century. From curios and collectibles to rare artifacts and vintage photos of the royal family, there is grandeur displayed in every nook and corner. The king's and queen's courtyard is charming, as are their private chambers, ornamented with plush tapestries and chandeliers, overlooking well-maintained gardens. Flanked by groves of emerald trees, this palace was once a retreat for the Maharaja, away from his residence in Mysore, and today stands as a canvas of elegance and regalia. Complete with a treasury of exotic paintings, winding staircases and richly-decorated halls, the Bangalore Palace beautifully combines history and architectural finesse.
It's pure poetic justice that the National Gallery of Modern Art is set in a piece of art itself, the Manikyavelu Mansion which was home to the royalty in Mysore once upon a time. As mammoth as it is regal, the palace, which is now converted into the museum, holds some of the most prized and unique pieces of contemporary art in the country. It also includes a cafeteria and an open-air theater.