The Diamond City of India as it is also called, is one of the major economic centers of trade in the country. It is located in the state of Gujarat, close to the Arabian Sea, on the banks of the Tapti river.
Surat is one of the richest cities in India and continues to grow at an exponential rate. It is also a major center for textiles and a hotspot for many attractions, natural and man-made. Along with Ahmedabad, Vadodara and Rajkot, Surat is one of the most visited cities in the state. The city is an exciting family destination if you want to spend a couple of days in solitude away from the busy life.
Let us take a look at some of the attractions that Surat has to offer, for families and kids :
AMUSEMENT PARKS AND ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATIONS
CHHAB CHHABA CHHAB WATER FUN PARK 
Located close to Suvali and Hazira Beach, the Chhab Chhaba Chhab Water Park can be easily reached via NH53, an approximately 30 kilometer drive from the city proper. The huge water park offers a great amenities and facilities for families and kids to enjoy their day out. Some exciting rides here are Free Fall, Aqua Disco, Cyclone Spin n Splash, Crazy Frog, Multi-Matt Racer, Lazy River, Tsunami, Zip Dip etc.
There are also adrenaline pumping activities provided here. Hotel rooms and restaurants are also present on site to help you relax. All in all, if you are looking for a place to go and have fun with your kids and family, this is it!
AMAAZIA WATER PARK 
Amaazia Water Park is a great place to go, whether on weekends or weekdays, because of its close proximity to the city center (only a few hundred meters away from the Parvat Patiya flyover). It was recently established and inaugurated in 2016 and has since been a popular outing destination for the residents of the city.
The rides at the park have been differentiated into three types – thrill, fun and kiddie rides. Amaazia is Cartoon Network’s first brand association for an amusement park in India. The thrill rides at offer are King Kobra, Twister, Kamikaze and Forest Jump. The fantastic range of services and amenities at offer make it a great place for a family day trip to have lots of fun!
SNOW PARK 
The Snow Park in Rahulraj Mall in Surat has been a popular place to have some amusing fun in the heart of the city. The family entertainment center provides an unique entertainment feature to chill (literally) and enjoy yourself amidst natural snow like conditions. In a city like Surat, where the summer temperatures can soar and make it unbearably hot Snow Park is a natural boon to the residents and visitors.
There are different activities at offer here, such as snow balling, igloos, play areas, ice slide, snow dancing and sledge snow car. Once you step foot in Snow Park, it is hard to leave because of the calm and cool environment which is maintained at sub-zero temperatures. It is one of the best olaces for fun and fun activities for families and kids in Surat.
BLUES ADVENTURES 
The Blues Adventure Park is a riverfront amusement park and is one of the best known in the city. The prominent holiday site is frequented by hundreds of families and kids who wish to enjoy some quality time with one another. The place was inaugurated in 2013 by then chief minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi.
There is no shortage of water based activities in Blues Adventures – from kayaking and boating to other adventure sports such as jet-skiing and bumper rides. It is a lovely destination to enjoy amazing time with your family and kids.
PARKS & OUTDOORS
HAZIRA BEACH 
At about an hour drive away from the Surat city center lies Hazira Beach, one of the most sought after trips from the city life. It is vast, beautiful and incredibly popular amongst the residents of Surat. Lines of tall verdant trees, sparkling blue water of the Arabian Sea, soft sandy shores and a calm tranquil environment make Hazira beach one of the places to go around Surat with your family and kids, who are sure to have a fun time relaxing here.
It is located at a prominent point of convergence, where the Tapi River meets the Arabian Sea. Make sure to visit around the time of sunrise or sunset as the horizon is meddled with orange red colors. You can easily spend a couple of hours relaxing on the beach.
DUMAS BEACH 
Dumas Beach is situated at a distance of nearly 20 kilometers from Surat, a drive of about 30 minutes. The scenic beauty of the beach attracts thousands of visitors on a regular basis and is a well-liked destination by the residents of the city. The beach stretches for nearly 2 kilometers and offers loads of enjoyable activities such as munching on local delicacies like Pav Bhai, Bhujiya, Sev Puri etc.
There are claims of it being haunted and it is frequently features in the list of the top most haunted sites in India. But, this should not throw you off from visiting fantastic black sand Dumas Beach. It is thronged by tourists throughout the day, as they take a dip in the cooling waters of the Arabian Sea and relax under the shining sun.
SUVALI BEACH 
Previously known as Swally Beach (anglicized version), Suvali Beach is known primarily for its cleanliness. It is sometimes called the cleanest beach in the country and does not disappoint with its beautiful coastline views extending over the horizon, fiery red sunsets and sunrises and shallow waters.
Suvali Beach is 30 kilometers from Surat and takes about 40 minutes to drive here The peaceful and calm beach is not as populated as the other two major ones (mentioned above) and serves as one of the best places around Surat for a quiet blissful fun time with your family and loved ones. It has a huge historical significance since it is claimed to be the port of entry for the British East India Company to pave its way inland to India. Pack your bags and head to Suvali Beach for a memorable getaway with your kids and family.
SARTHANA NATURE PARK AND ZOO 
Run by the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC), the Sartana Zoological Park was established in 1984 as one of the foremost hotspots for flora and fauna in the state.
The vast park spreads for over 81 acres and is home to various animals and aviary such as the Asiatic Lion, peacocks, antelope, deer, pelican, flamingo etc. As it is bordered by Surat – Kamraj road on one side and the Tapi river on another side, boating activities are also conducted here. The park is an wonderful place to familiarize your kids with the abundance of wildlife and also to have fun!
JAGDISH CHANDRA BOSE AQUARIUM 
The Surat Municipal Aquarium or Jagdish Chandra Bose Aquarium is one of the best places to visit in Surat. It is situated in the Pal area of Surat and is a well-known landmark in the city. The one of a kind aquarium hosts various species of fish, including indigenous and exotic fresh water fishes.
An eco-friendly environment is to be maintained at the aquarium and strict maintenance is done. There are plans to have a large 40×30 feet, two floor high shark tank, with a nearly 700,000 liter capacity – large enough to hold the two full sized predators. A dolphin and jellyfish habitat is also planned during further renovations. This aquarium is definitely a spectacle for kids and adults alike.
MUSEUMS AND HISTORICAL PLACES
DUTCH GARDEN 
The Dutch Garden in Surat is a place with a rich historical and cultural importance. It is located in Nanpura, few hundred meters away from the Post Office and the Sales Tax Bhavan. The beautifully landscaped gardens holds the mausoleums and tombs of English and Dutch officers who were stationed here in Surat pre-independence.
A majestic mausoleum is dedicated to Hendrik Adrian Van Reede, who was the colonial administrator of the Dutch East India Company. He died in the region in 1691. The garden is a place of great history and is a great place for a day outing for families and kids.
SCIENCE CENTER 
The Science Center in Surat is an educational and informative center that has become the city’s go-to destination for science and technology enthusiasts. The Planetarium of the Science Center is a no miss when you are here, especially with your kids as they are going to love the display of the solar system and the planets! Other than the planetarium, it also has an amphitheater, an art gallery, an auditorium and a museum. The Sardar Vallabhai Patel Museum possesses about 900 artifacts of sculptures, numismatics, bronze, ivory, copper, textiles and even paintings. There is also a souvenir center situated on the ground floor of the complex which sells handmade articles, planets, zodiac signs, artifacts, post cards, photo frames, mugs etc. Do not miss the Science Center. You can have an amazing, fun and educational trip with family and kids.
BARDOLI 
If you are an avid history enthusiast with a special taste for Indian history, this will be one of the most important locations you visit in your lifetime. Bardoli is at a one hour drive, east of Surat This is the place where major reforms were made to the Indian Independence movement and the site where Sardar Vallabhai Patel first gained major prominence as the leader of the civil disobedience movement.
The famous Bardoli Satyagrah movement was started from here. Bardoli is a popular and frequented tourist attraction from Surat and must be visited along with your family and kids, to learn more about pre-independence India.
SURAT FORT/CASTLE 
The 16th century Surat Castle was built in the mid 1500’s on the orders of Sultan Mahmood III, who was the king of the Ahmedabad region. The fort is one of the oldest monuments in Surat. It was primarily built to protect the city of Surat from attacks and invasions – which were thought to be frequent because of its closeness to the sea.
The responsibility of the fortification’s construction was entrusted with Safi Agha, who was a Turkish soldier entitled the name of Khudawand Khan. The large fortification now lies in ruins but is a popular tourist site among people who visit Surat. Visit Surat Fort with your family and kids as it is a fantastic place to spend fun and quality time with them.
All in all, Surat is a wonderful destination with amazing attractions to keep you engaged throughout your trip. It caters to the needs of all ages, whether you are an adult looking for some relaxation time or a kid looking for some fun time!