Home to the Bollywood film industry, the city previously known as Bombay also serves as India’s financial powerhouse while containing Asia’s largest forest in an urban space. Amid extremes of rich and poor, the community comes to life during the annual Kala Ghoda Arts Festival, a nine-day event commencing February 6 and showcasing a display of art, music, theater, and literature in venues across South Mumbai. SEELocated in the city’s cultural hub, the Jehangir Art Gallery is globally recognized as a center for contemporary Indian art. The gallery sponsors the Monsoon Art Show, which takes place between July and August, to promote the work of emerging artists across India. Look for “The Scape and Scope,” a group show of paintings, sculptures, and installations at Jehangir and the Tao Art Gallery, February 9 through 15. 161 KALAGHODA 91-22-2284-3989 jehangirartgallery.comThe National Gallery of Modern Art, Mumbai exhibits an eclectic mix of works by M.F. Husain, Raja Ravi Varma, and Pablo Picasso, among others. Housed in a historic building, the venue was a prominent location for concerts and meetings through the 1950s. However, it suffered from years of neglect until an extensive restoration saw it reopen in 1996 as a gallery intended to promote evolving trends in Indian culture. MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD 91-22-2288-1969 ngmaindia.gov.inThe Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya is a museum that appeals to both art and history enthusiasts, situated across from the National Gallery of Modern Art at the city’s southern edge. The building, designed in the Indo-Saracenic style, is home to a collection of more than 60,000 art objects and is always abuzz with activity. Ancient Indian art is on display in the Stone Sculpture Gallery, which includes works from the nearby Elephanta Caves. Pieces from Nepal and Tibet are also on show. 159-161 MAHATMA GANDHI ROAD 91-22-2284-4484 csmvs.in.STAYSet in the city’s heritage precinct, the Residency Hotel is less than a mile from the Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus station and a short walk from attractions like the Colaba Causeway. The hotel’s façade evokes an old-world charm with its triumphal stone architecture. The on-site restaurant has a colonial feel with wooden seating and arched openings to the street; inside, vintage photographs decorate the walls. 26, CORNER OF D.N. ROAD AND RUSTOM SIDHWA MARG 91-22-6667-0555 residencyhotel.comThe 35-story Trident, Nariman Point provides panoramic views of Marine Drive (or the “queen’s necklace,” as the promenade is popularly known). The hotel offers spacious rooms, impeccable service, and the awardwinning restaurants Frangipani and India Jones. Guests can pamper sore muscles at the spa. NARIMAN POINT 91-22-6632-4343 tridenthotels.comNext door to the Trident, the Oberoi, Mumbai is a luxe hotel that enjoys similar Marine Drive views. The property’s centrepiece is a white marble- wrapped lobby featuring floor-to-ceiling windows, and the hotel’s rooms, restaurants, and spa, with their emphasis on sleek surfaces and natural light, follow the same stylish aesthetic. NARIMAN POINT 91-22-6632-5757 oberoihotels.com.EATThe Kala Ghoda Café is a quaint coffee shop located in the heart of Mumbai’s cultural district. Its cozy, art-lined interiors create a gallery-like setting. On offer are a range of coffees, teas, and small bites, along with a breakfast menu that includes both traditional Indian cuisine and Continental options. 10 ROPEWALK LANE 91-22-2263-3866 kgcafe.in After a long day walking through galleries, head to the Irish House, located in a charming heritage building in Mumbai’s cultural center, for a refreshing respite. Choose from fresh draft beers straight out of wooden kegs and sample fare like fish and chips while watching local and international sports on the big screen. RAMPART ROW LEVEL 2, 30K DUBASH MARG 91-22-4915-0000 theirishhouse.inDon’t miss the chance to take a culinary tour around the historic fort area to discover the host of Persian-style cafés tucked along the narrow lanes. Serving distinct and intricate Parsi cuisine, these vintage establishments were the first to introduce Irani chai and bun maska. As Bombay expanded under British rule, so did the cafés, but today the legacy is fast disappearing. Britannia and Company Restaurant offers the opportunity to indulge in classics such as patrani machi and berry pulav. BALLARD ESTATE, OPPOSITE NEW CUSTOM HOUSE 91-22-2261-5264No visit to South Mumbai is complete without seeing the Gateway of India, a monument overlooking the Arabian Sea, and when there, it’s almost impossible to miss the nearby Taj Mahal Palace hotel. The iconic property exudes opulence, and houses some of the finest restaurants in the city. One such spot is Masala Kraft, known for exquisite North Indian cuisine with a modern twist. The fusion of Western ingredients and traditional Indian flavors makes this a must-visit. THE TAJ MAHAL PALACE APOLLO BUNDER 91-22-6665-3366 tajhotels.com Read more