It  is one of the most educated cities in India with a literacy rate of about 82.5%. Besides being a major market & trading city of Northern India, it is also an emerging hub for producers of goods and services. Lucknow is   now one of the many booming sectors of the economy. There are several shopping malls, residential complexes (view list of upcoming flats and apartments for sale in Lucknow) and business complexes throughout the city.

Lucknow has been a mandi town for mangoes, melons, and grains grown in the surrounding areas. Sugarcane-growing plantations and sugar industries are also in close proximity. The city is also famous for its chikan clothes, zardozi, pottery in addition to kite making, handicrafts, Kivam and bone carving products. Lucknow is famous for its small scale industries that are based on unique styles of embroidery, namely, Chikan and Lakhnawi Zardozi, both of which are significant foreign exchange earners. Chikan clothes style has caught the fancy of fashion designers in Bollywood and abroad. Lucknow is in fact famous for Chikan clothes and tourists coming to Lucknow, take with them at least one piece of Chikan clothes. 

Lucknow, with its excellent educational, commercial, banking and legal infrastructure, is witnessing fast  growth in information technology, banking, retailing, bio-technology, construction and other service sectors. Private coaching institutions for preparing aspirants of competitive exams and services, hailing from UP and nearby cities, is another business that is flourishing in Lucknow. 

Lucknow is a Historical Place. A number of monuments are main attractions for tourists here. Great Bara Imambara, Chhota Imambara, Residency, and Shah Najaf Imambara, The Constantia, are some of the great  monuments of architectural importance at Lucknow that are still in good shape. The famous 'Bhul Bhulaiyan' (Labyrinth) is part of Asafi Imambara complex. Some other places of interest are the Picture Gallery, Chattar Manzil, State Museum / Lucknow Zoo, Shaheed Smarak, Dilkusha, Ambedkar Memorial, Planetarium, Baradari and Ram Krishna Math, Residency, and so on. Beautiful Vidhan Sabha (State Legislative Assembly), the Clock Tower and the Charbagh Railway Station, are some of the most splended buildings of the city with its distinctive domes, arches and pillars. In Hazratganj area, St Joseph's Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lucknow. Some of the oldest schools in India are also situated in Lucknow: La Martiniere Lucknow,  Loreto Convent Lucknow and the Colvin Taluqdar's College.Amiruddaula Islamia Inter collge is about 100 years old.

Lucknow has several well-kept parks that attract the citizenry in large numbers of evenings, holidays and weekends. The bigger parks are Lohia park in Gomti Nagar, Swarn Jayanti park and , Dilkusha Park, Begum Hazrat Mahal Park, Globe Park, Mukherjee Phuhaar, Haathi Park, Buddha park, and Neebu Park  and Botanical Garden (You can view and read all about them here). The sprawling National Botanical Garden at Sikandarbagh on the banks of Gomti river is also worth visiting. Kukrail Picnic spot is another most beautiful place that is also known as Reserve Forest, Kukrail Crocodile Park besides   Moosa Bagh.  Nearby areas of interest are the  Katarnia Ghat, Dudhwa National Park, Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Unnao)and Samaspur Bird Sanctuary. You can have more information about these here.

Lucknow is a  city famous worldwide for its  manners and etiquette, culture and crafts, for its splendid historical buildings and for the beautiful gardens. But like all other places, some kind of care is required in view of changed environment and place.
Dress:  Please put on normal kind of clothing. At least for ladies, short skirts, particularly in religious places and the main markets of Lucknow, are not advisable. There are now modern Malls, like Saharaganj, Fun Republic, Wave East end Mall and Hajratganj, where one can put on any type of clothing. People in the  crowded places of old city  are in fact not used to such type of culture.

Roads :  Be careful when you cross the roads. There are rarely zebra crossings on the road. Onething more, in Lucknow left turn is allowed for vehicles even without signals. Hence be careful while crossing the roads.

Care : During Festivals, like Moharram, Id, Bara Mangal  and other Melas (बड़ा मंगल मेला  -हनुमान जी की विशेष आराधना), a portion of roads may be closed. Please take guidance from the Guide or Hotel people before visiting any place during festiv season.

Bara Imambara is one of the most amaziung Monuments in Lucknow. While visiting Bara Imambara (Bhool Bhlaiyan) keep a torch with you. Remember, most staris go upwards. So dont be alarmed of inside Imambara. Go straight upwards and there you will find roof where you will get direct down stairs.You may have to remove your shoes before going inside Imambaras or other Religious places  like temples. Please keep them in trusted hands before leaving.

Beggars :  Very little numbers of beggers are in the city. They  may follow politely  but do not encourage them by providing money. Keep yourself in groups. If you are alone avoid lonely places. People in Lucknow are kind and soft spoken with full of manners and courtesy but still there may be  some avoidable unpleasant moments.

Toilets and Wash Rooms:  A number of toilets and wash rooms in almost all localities are available with a very nominal fee of Re.1 or 2.  These are called SULABH Shauchalaya. The facility is also available in Residency and other Imambaras. The toilets may be little dirty but at least they are availale.

Conveyance :  It is advisable to take pre-paid taxi or autos from government sponsored counters at Airport and railway station. They will provide you proper receipt. Other modes like three wheelers, Tempos, private taxi, Rickshaw walas and the old Ekka, Tanga (with horse) are also available.If you are staying in a Hotel, please ask them to provide you proper taxi.