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One of the most well-known hill stations in South India is Ooty. Popular among honeymooners and young couples and even families, there are numerous places to visit in Ooty which have continued to enthrall people over the years. With its pleasant climate, weaving and curving steep roads, beautiful sights and lush greenery everywhere, it’s no wonder that Ooty tourist places continue to be so popular, even today. Come summer, most people from even the neighbouring states come to Ooty to escape the heat of their cities and enjoy the blissful weather.
But what they’re mostly seeking are places to visit in Ooty like Kamraj Sagar, which make your vacation memorable. Speaking of places to visit in Ooty, the hill station is famous for several places which are thronged by tourists during the summer months. Whether it’s boating on the lakes or visiting the botanical gardens, there are several must visit places in Ooty. With the sunny skies, breezy weather, stunning views of the hills, Ooty is full of such sights that will inspire you to relax and enjoy an amazing vacation. Here are some of the popular places to go to, in Ooty.
One of the famous Ooty tourist places is Doddabetta Peak which is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills. Not too far from Ooty, this is a popular tourist spot which has some picturesque views and you’ll find lots of people here, taking photos. But beware of the many selfie sticks floating around! Once you reach the peak, there are gorgeous sights that will leave you amazed by the beauty of nature. Doddabetta is a popular tourist spot, so be prepared for crowds wherever you go.
This artificial forest is a famous eco-tourism site and nearby, there are several resorts and hotels which make this one of the most wonderful Ooty tourist places. People often go for treks here around the hillock and there is some lovely flora and fauna to see here. You can book safaris to take you through the eco-reserve for a sumptuous visual treat. The watchtower located within the reserve offers a 360° panorama and is worth the climb to the top.
Pykara Lake is one of the most serene Ooty tourist places. With its calm demeanour and picturesque beauty, it is one of the most visited Ooty tourist places. Complete your Ooty tour with a hike to Pykara Falls. Spend an afternoon by the lakeside or explore the surroundings with a leisurely boat ride. Make that a speedboat ride and up the thrill factor of your exploration.
The Thread Garden is a marvel of 4-dimensional embroidery and is one of the most beautiful Ooty places to visit. It is full of hand-woven flowers, plants, trees and lawns that create a beautiful world out of threads. The vibrant hues and the brilliant artwork add colour to your vacation. Do not miss this labour of love on your next Ooty tour.
Ooty’s Rose Garden is a part of an elite global club that has just 35 members! It is no wonder that it is one of the highly recommended places to visit in Ooty. It is a beautifully maintained work of art. Once you visit, a mere whiff of rose fragrance will take you back to Ooty.
Also known as Ooty Lake, Ooty Boat House is one of the most beautiful Ooty tourist places. It is one of the versatile tourist attractions that can be peaceful or full of energy. A day of fishing and an evening of cycling are beautiful contrasted by the bustling energy of boat races and pageantry during Ooty’s summer festival.
A rich chronicle of the region’s evolution, the Government Museum is a treasure trove of Ooty’s culture and history. Your Ooty trip package would be incomplete without a tour of the Government Museum. It showcases the cultural artefacts of Ooty’s 18 tribes which include sculptures, paintings and handicrafts. It is a comprehensive chronicle of the cultural evolution in the Nilgiris. This is one of the best places to visit in Ooty.
Thunder World is a place of fantasy that will entice children and adults alike with its collection of themed entertainment. With sections such as Jurassic Jungle, Haunted House and the Vortex, this is one of the most fun Ooty places to visit. Ensure that your Ooty travel package includes this bundle of fun.
Sitting towards the lower end of the Doddabetta Peak, Tiger Hill is a viewpoint to admire some of the most beautiful sights of Ooty. Catch a sunrise from the tiger hill for a memorable rendition of an everyday event. A stroll around the Tiger Hill is a wonderful way to explore the region. This oasis of calm is but a short trek away from the hustle and bustle of the city’s centre.
If you simply want to admire the best of views that Ooty has to offer, head to the Western Catchment. It is the perfect area for hiking and catching sight of some local wildlife like Sambar. Mongoose and Nilgiri Tahr. Take a picnic basket along when you visit and share a meal accompanied by some of the finest views in all of Ooty. Get a bird’s eye view of the Avalanche Lake and catch the spectacular sunset before you head back.
The wide green expanses at Karnataka Siri Horticulture Garden are accentuated by bursts of colour from a plethora of immaculate flowers beds. Most Ooty tour packages include this in the itinerary. Divided into a number of sections based on various themes, this is one of the most colourful Ooty tourist places.
The strangely named Elk Hill Temple is easily one of the most peaceful places to visit in Ooty. This temple dedicated to Lord Murugan is a highly revered shrine that attracts pilgrims from far and near. Perched amidst the lush green environs of the temple, the 40-foot-tall statue of Lord Muruga is one of the highlights here. But the thing that will hold your attention the most is the atmosphere that prevails in the temple complex. The serenity is a welcome change from the everyday chaos of life.
The Kandall Cross Shrine is among the highly recommended Ooty places to visit. The church holds a tiny sliver of wood that is said to have come from the original cross on which the Christ was crucified. Also known as the Jerusalem of the East, this is one of the most unique places you can visit on the hill station.
The Holy Trinity Church is believed to be one of the oldest churches of the city. The place is worth a visit for its beautiful stained-glass windows set amidst the gothic and Tudor architecture. The walls inside are adorned with old plaques and paintings. You will find this a permanent fixture in most Ooty tour packages.
This 150-year-old church is a good example of colonial architecture. Easily one of the most iconic places to visit in Ooty, it has even featured in a Hollywood film. The red-roofed structure evokes a sense of nostalgia as you explore the green surroundings and spend a few moments of peace inside.
The abode of the Hindu Goddess of rain is a colourful structure that is a typical example of South Indian temple architecture. If you’re in Ooty in April, you can catch the temple festival which is a vibrant celebration of Goddess Mariamman. The temple is one of the most religious Ooty tourist places.
Counted among the most beautiful places to visit in Ooty, Emerald Lake is the epitome of nature’s serenity in Ooty. It soothes the eyes and nurtures the soul. Located in the upper Nilgiri district, the lake is home to a diverse range of bird species and aquatic life. It makes for a great weekend getaway and the idyllic surroundings make for a perfect picnic spot.
Sitting in the western catchment area of Ooty, the Avalanche Lake provides a break from the buzzing tourist beat of Ooty. The crystal-clear waters reflect the soul of the sky on a clear day. From trout fishing and forest safari to camping and trekking, you will find plenty of things to do around the lake. But the best thing to do here is to lay back and soak in some of the tranquility of the place.
One of the famous Ooty tourist places that everyone simply has to visit is the humongous Botanical Gardens. The huge garden is around 22 hectares and is divided into different sections, each of which have been trimmed perfectly. Visitors are enthralled by the colourful flowers and blossoms here, the trees and shrubs and the lush verdant lawns and can’t seem to get enough of it. Exploring the entire garden would take a long time but people are still quite eager to be on their way. What’s interesting about the Botanical Gardens is that there are several rare species of trees here, especially the cork tree which is the only one in India.
Several Bollywood films from the nineties have been shot at the Ooty Lake and once you come here, you’ll recognise it from those movies too. It’s one of the must visit places in Ooty and for good reason because it’s indeed quite lovely. Enjoy the rippling water as you get into the rowing boats or if you’re athletic enough, try the paddle boats and traverse the length of the lake. You can spot water birds alighting on the surface of the lake and with the views of the Nilgiris, it’s quite breath-taking. However, since it’s such a popular tourist spot, you will find lots of crowds here especially during the weekends. For children, there’s a mini-train which takes them around the lake.
Also known as Nilgiri Mountain Railway, the toy train is one of the most popular Ooty tourist places. More than a century old, the toy train covers 46kms in 5 hours and takes you on a journey that is picturesque and unforgettable. Declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, this toy train takes you through darkened tunnels, cleaving through mist and fog. This is indeed something that you should experience at least once in your lifetime. The rail system here is said to be the steepest in Asia and the trip begins from Mettupalayam and then crosses Coonoor, Wellington, Lovedale and Ooty.
One of the popular places to visit in Ooty is the Dolphin’s Nose. This is a natural site where a protruding rock resembles a dolphin’s nose can be found. People take the trouble to climb it even though it’s quite arduous because the views are spectacular. From here, there are fantastic views of Catherine Falls as well as the Coonoor stream meeting the Kotogiri stream.
One of the famous Ooty tourist places is Doddabetta Peak which is the highest peak in the Nilgiri Hills. Not too far from Ooty, this is a popular tourist spot which has some picturesque views and lots of people can be found taking photos. But beware of the many selfie sticks floating around! Once you reach the peak, there are gorgeous sights that will leave you amazed by the beauty of nature. Doddabetta is a popular tourist spot so be prepared for crowds wherever you go.
One of the places to visit in Ooty is St. Stephens Church. A religious monument from the times of the British, this dates back to the 19th century and is proof of the excellent British architecture of that era. If you happen to visit the church, do make a note to see the painting of ‘The Last Supper’ which is here. The church is serene and pretty with its stained glass windows and there are beautiful scenes of Mother Mary and Jesus that you can find here.
This artificial forest is a famous eco-tourism site and nearby, there are several resorts and hotels nearby which make this one of the wonderful Ooty tourist places. People often go for treks here around the hillock and there is some lovely flora and fauna to see here.
One of the places to visit in Ooty is the Ooty Tea Factory which is on the Doddabetta Road. While there are beautiful tea plantations around you, the tea factory is a museum of sorts, taking you on a tour of how tea has evolved over the years. It’s also fascinating to simply see the different processes involved in tea production and the souvenir shop adjoining the building has numerous sorts of tea leaves that you can buy.
If you would like to visit Ooty, then don’t hesitate to visit the SOTC website for offers and deals on Ooty Tourism Packages.
