When it comes to recreational spaces in Karachi, you will come across many spots like Do Darya, Churna Island, Turtle Beach, PAF Museum and a few more.
These places are quite old but still hold a valuable place in the hearts of Karachiites. For family outings, these places are not to miss.
Here we will specifically talk about one of the most beautiful family places in Karachi i.e. Port Grand and will help you decide whether it’s worth your time or not.
Karachi
Karachi is known for its cultural diversification, nightlife, foodies club and many other hang out spots. Since its formation, Karachi holds a major place in the history of Pakistan. It’s the biggest metropolitan city and has over 14M population. Things that make Karachi beautiful are its recreational places where families can visit and celebrate together. Port Grand is one of these beautiful places.
It’s built along the waterfront of the famous Native Jetty Bridge that connects Karachi Port Trust to Kemari. The Grand is all in one spot for shopping, food, celebrations, music, and other recreational activities.
People from all cultural backgrounds love visiting this place to enjoy its essence.
Background Story of Port Grand Karachi
In 1854, Charles Napier gave the idea of constructing a bridge that can connect Karachi port to Kemari. After that, a bridge was constructed with wood and rocks which was 20 ft wide. On that bridge, people used camel carts to move the luggage from air rides to the city and vice versa. This was called Native Jetty Bridge.
With time, the bridge evolved and became the busiest port in Karachi. Later, the authorities realized the need for a new flyover that can share the load of the Native Jetty Bridge. And then comes the Jinnah Flyover in 1996. The government decided to shut down the Native Jetty Bridge to improve the road capacity for people. But then the president of Port Grand came forward and asked the PPP government leader Benazir Bhutto not to let down the heritage of the city.
Later in 2005, on the same bridge, the story of Port Grand started. The authorities searched the international architects to design the port. The idea was inspired by the famous ports of the world. The whole place is constructed keeping the history and ecology of Karachi in mind. It reflects our cultural heritage and also the history of British rule in Karachi. The project is a combined effort of Karachi Port Trust and a private company Grand Leisure Corporation. Mr Shahid Firoz is the president of this cultural hub.
It was formally opened to the public in 2011 and was inaugurated by Governor Dr Eshrat Ul Ebad. To that day, it hosts around 3000-4000 visitors daily.
When you visit Port Grand, you’d feel that this place doesn’t belong to Karachi. Instead, it gives an international vibe. And that was the sole purpose of this beautiful family place Port Grand Karachi.
What’s in Port Grand?
As said above, the complex is a blend of art, music, food, festivals, shopping, and fun-filled activities. Soon as you enter the place, you’ll see a shop where you can find beautiful artwork of all kinds.
Next, there’s a spot for drink lovers. And if you go on, you will find a variety of stalls and shops selling their handmade food, art and pottery work.
Other than this, there are train rides for children, buggy rides for everyone, and small remote cars for kids.
There’s also a haunted house where you can experience the horror and get amused or frightened for a small token of money.
Then there’s a 6D cinema where you can experience a 10 minutes movie with a wholesome view.
At the entrance, there’s always a concert going on. On the back of the singer, you can also see puppets, jokers, and mickey mouse juggling and dancing to the beat of the music.
Then to amaze you more there’s a circus show where you can spot amusers showing you the fire show. The amusers risk their lives to display a powerful show and I must say it’s worth attending and will surprise you to the core.
Port Grand Food Street
Apart from all these fun activities, you can explore a food street where you can find all cultural cuisines. There’s a complete food street to accompany food lovers. Ranging from Chinese, Fast Food, Chocolate bars, Ice creams, sweets, and any other thing you want. At Afridi Inn, you can have a complete dining experience along side the serene view of the sea.
For fish lovers, there’s a seafood restaurant Rashid Seafood where you can enjoy sea cuisines on a wooden comfortable seating covered with a red traditional carpet and pillows. Likewise, there are other attractive food spots for everyone.
Here’s the list of all eateries in Port Grand:
- Akbari nihari
- The Balcony
- Grab n Go
- Wall’s Happiness Station
- OPTP
- City Bistro
- Gardenia
- Chow Wow
- Angelini’s
- City bistro
- Grand ChaiKhana
- The Soda Fountain
- Turkish Icecream
- Kababjees Express
- Agha Yaseen
Amusement Activities
Next, you will also see a guitarist amusing people with a soothing melody that will refresh your mood and make you go musical as well.
Ship and Boat Rides
It doesn’t end here. There’s one thing that makes Port Grand Karachi special and that’s the ship and boat rides.
If you want to entertain yourself more, you can hail a ship or boat to get a sea experience. It will boost your mood and floating on the water is always a mesmerizing and refreshing experience.
Activities for Art Lovers
If you’re done with all that and want to take memories of PG along with you, you can make your name printed on rice, build pots of clay with your own hands or can even record your live concert.
The place is also a good platform to exhibit your talent. There’s a Karaoke studio where you can take part to show your singing talent.
Secondly, you can also arrange food festivals, get together or any other friends or family gathering there. Or if you don’t want to spare your money on any stall, you can simply walk there and enjoy the fresh and fun-filled environment.
Shopping Spree
If you visit Port Grand and leave without shopping then I must say you’re missing a great deal. Right at the entrance, there’s Rs,180 shop where you can shop for anything at the mentioned price.
Then there’s a clothing store for women. On the other hand, stalls on the street side have unique toys for children, jewellery for women, and artwork for buyers.
You can also buy special fashion, lifestyle or artistic gifts from there.
Port Grand Karachi Activities in Short:
- Live Music Concert
- Buggy Rides
- Children Train
- Karaoke
- Haunted House
- Fun Gulee (leisure zone that includes games like car racing, VR shooting, spin and win, games for children, and adults)
- Selfie Spots
- Boat and Ship rides
- Cricket Club
- 6D Cinema
- Food Stalls
- VR Games
Port Grand Entry Ticket
The entry ticket of PG Karachi is Rs.300 only of which Rs. 100 is redeemable meaning you can utilize the tickets in any play, stall or eateries.
Port Grand Security
CCTV cameras are installed all over the port grand to monitor the activities. In addition, the tickets are allowed to families only to avoid any type of harassment or adverse incidents. The maintenance and cleaning team keeps working during the opening hours to maintain its neat and clean atmosphere. Plus, the trash cans are installed at every step to help people maintain the tidiness of the venue.
Also, there’s a separate mother room to facilitate new mothers.
Port Grand Timings
The Grand is open to its visitors the whole week. Timings from Monday – Saturday is 4:00 p.m – 12:00 a.m. While on Sunday. timings are 8:30 a.m – 2:00 p.m and 4:00 p.m – 12:00 a.m
Should you visit it with your family?
Yes of course! It’s worth visiting with your family especially if you have children less than 18 years. However, for adults, there are fewer activities but they can enjoy the concert, circus show or food there. Also, adults can enjoy VR games. The haunted house isn’t worth it for adults.
Message to the Management to Make Port Grand More Attractive
Port Grand Karachi is already an exquisite place but for adults, it can be a little boring if you exclude the food street from there. In my opinion, here’s what Port Grand authorities can do to bring back the beauty of this place:
- Introduce rides for adults
- Work on their social channels to gather more crowd
- Invite emerging Pakistani singers or musicians for their live show
- Introduce a small literature corner so along with entertainment people also get to know about the vast Urdu literature in Pakistan.
- All the rides especially the buggy one seem quite old and outdated. Also, the authorities need to upgrade the games there as it’s all the same as it was 5 years ago.
Port Grand represents the history of Karachi. But gradually it’s becoming a bit old and out of the list for many people. It’s my dire request to upkeep the vibe of this place, enhance it and never let it become history. Karachi always needs a place like this. And there should be more family outing places in Karachi like Port Grand.
Have you ever been there? How was your experience?
The pictures for this blog are taken from Port Grand’s official website.
I prefer books and diaries more than phones and Facebook. Soulfully connected to Pakistan. And I passionately believe that I can change the world through blogging.
