Nainital is a hill station in the Kumaon hills of Uttarakhand, built around a crescent-shaped lake at about 2,000 metres. It was developed as a summer retreat by the British in the 1840s and still has that hill-station character — colonial-era buildings, a promenade along the lake, and cool air even when the plains below are baking. It serves as the judicial capital of Uttarakhand, where the High Court and the Governor's residence (Raj Bhavan) are located.
The town is a popular weekend escape from Delhi, about six hours away by road. Naini Lake is the centrepiece — a crescent-shaped body of water ringed by forested hills and busy with rowing boats. The Naina Devi Temple on the northern shore is one of 51 sacred Shakti Peethas; the St. John in the Wilderness Church just uphill dates from 1846 and has a graveyard full of British-era inscriptions.
For views, the Snow View Point cable car climbs to 2,270 metres on the Sher-ka-Danda ridge, where on clear days you can see Nanda Devi and the Panchachuli peaks across the ranges. Tiffin Top on Ayarpatta hill is a quieter alternative, reached by a forested 4-kilometre walk rather than a cable car.
Beyond Nainital, the Kumaon lake district includes Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, and Sattal — quieter alternatives that make good day trips.