Best Places to Visit in and around Ooty

Tamil Nadu experiences quite some heat in the Summer, though the state gets rainfall during October – November, most of the time during a year, it reels under a wave of heat.

No wonder, people love to escape to the hill stations during sizzling summers months – April to July. Let us see one of the most favourite holiday destination in Tamil Nadu. The place attracts people not only from the state but also from all over the world like a powerful magnet.

Tall hills, placid lakes, thick forests, large grasslands, tea gardens and lush plantations and trekking trails, make Ooty, one of the top hill stations of the world.

There are many wonderful places to visit in Ooty . Few of them are listed below.

Botanical Garden 

Think of Ooty, the very first thing that comes to our mind is botanical garden. This garden was laid out in the year, 1847, and is the most famous tourist spot of Ooty. Exquisite fossils, manicured lawns, large variety of ferns, orchids, extremely rare flowering plants, different types of roses and several other types of plants adorn this place.

Rose Garden

Next popular destination is the lovely rose garden. Around 3600 mindboggling varieties of roses are found in this stunning garden. It just transports you to a different dream world.  It has won accolades world-wide and is considered one of the fifteen most popular rose gardens of the world. Don’t ever miss this place.

Ooty Lake & Boat House 

This lake has been formed by diverting several mountain streams flowing in Ooty Valley. Tourists can go for boating in this lake and during summer boat races are conducted.  This serene lake is surrounded by mighty eucalyptus trees and shrubs. Children can have fun in a special toy train which is being operated in this area. You can also have a ride on the ‘Ponies’.

St.Stephen’s Church

One of the oldest churches from the bygone British era, this charming place has exquisite wooden architecture and beautiful painting of ‘The Last Supper’. Many tourists are impressed with the unusual ‘hammer’ like structures present in the church, which produce musical sound on pulling. You can also find ancient stained glass windows here. Read more about Stephen’s Church here : St.Stephen’s Church – Ooty, A Wooden Wonder

Doddabetta Peak 

The highest point on the Nilgiris, at an altitude of 2,623 metres, Doddabetta offers amazing views of the vast Valley. Acknowledged as the best place to shoot videos and photographs this place is a delight to shutter-bugs. On a clear day, you will be able to see the plains of Coimbatore from here. So don’t miss to take snaps on this majestic peak.

Pykara Lake and Pykara falls 

This serene lake is surrounded by lush green forests and is one of the secluded peaceful tourist spots. You can also find a small rest House, a boat house and Pykara Dam here. The scenic Pykara falls is another picturesque attraction found nearby. A trip to Ooty is incomplete without a visit to Pykara Lake.

Apart from the above, there are numerous attractions like Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, St. Catherine Water Falls, Dolphin’s Nose, Kodanad View Point, The Mukkurthi Peak and National Park, Emerald Lake, 9th Mile (a popular shooting spot), Kalhatty waterfalls etc,.

Each spot in Ooty is unique in its own way. So next time you plan a trip to Ooty, pay a visit to every spot possible and cherish those evergreen memories.

Also, read our blog on the hill stations in North India you must visit.

Note: Ooty is a plastic-free destination. The city does not encourage usage of plastic. Shop-keepers hand over cloth bags or wrap products in paper. Say ‘NO’ to plastics today!