Lucknow is celebrated for its tehzeeb, mouth‑watering kebabs, and Nawabi charm — but there’s another side to the city that history lovers will instantly fall for. Tucked between bustling bazaars and heritage monuments are museums that bring the past to life — telling stories of empires, revolutions, folk art, dance traditions, and more.
From prehistoric tools and Jain sculptures to Awadhi paintings and even an Egyptian mummy, this museum holds artefacts that span continents and centuries.
Where: Banarasi Bagh, within Nawab Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Gardens.
If you’re fascinated by handcrafted art and traditional stories, the Lok Kala Sangrahalaya is a gem.
Where: RXW4+676, Narhi, Hazratganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001.
The Residency is one of Lucknow’s most important historical sites, and within its grounds lies the 1857 Memorial Museum.
Where: VW6G+H5G, River Bank Colony, Kaiser Bagh, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226018.
Hidden inside Lucknow’s stately General Post Office, the Philatelic Museum showcases stamps from around the world, each telling a tiny story.
Where: RWVW+V8V, Raj Bhavan Colony, The Mall Avenue, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001.
Lucknow’s classical dance form, Kathak, has its own dedicated museum — set in the former home of the legendary Pandit Birju Maharaj.
Where: 176/13, Bharironji Rd, Maulviganj, Wazirganj, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226018.