Ooty, this popular hill station is the kind of pleasant place that one visits when they are in a need of taking a break away from the rut of life. It's really hard to leave an impression on people when they first visit the place, but Ooty excels in this task effortlessly.
Tourists do not seem to take their eyes off from the panoramic views at the Doddabetta Peak, or the nearby Pykara Lake and its summoning peace. And all this is only a sneak peek inside the world that this beautiful hill city of Tamil Nadu holds within. The mesmerizing beauty of this place ensures that everyone does see the place once in his lifetime.
A trip to this amazing hill station can be truly fulfilling as the hill heaven has everything a tourist can ask for. From enjoying a leisurely boat ride on famous Ooty Lake, trekking to Doddabetta Peak, taking a ride on the Nilgiri Mountain Railway also known as Toy Train, along with other mandatory things to do when in the Queen of Hills.
There are multiple places to visit in Ooty that are supposed to be on everyone’s itinerary such as Mariamman Temple, Pykara Falls, Kamraj Sagar Dam, and Tribal Museum are among the top tourist attractions in Ooty. Try not to miss out on the historical places such as St. Stephen’s Church and Stone House, and Droog Fort all are located near Ooty.
Enough about the places, let's talk about food. You can enjoy the best dining experience in Ooty at cafes and restaurants like Ooty Coffee House, Shinkows, Sidewalk, Angara, Earl’s Secret, and other tourist favorites.
Top Attractions-
St. Stephen's church- It is indeed a marvelous and amazing architectural marvel built in colonial times. It is one of the prettiest places to visit in Ooty. This church is not only an architectural marvel but also one of the earliest churches that you will find in the Nilgiris district.
Wax Museum- Located only 1 km from the Ooty Railway Station, it is one of the top places to visit. This museum is housed in a 130 years old colonial mansion. You will find statues of various famous personalities during your visit.
Kandal Cross Shrine- located on the outskirts of Ooty, it is a beautiful church popularly known as the Jerusalem of the East. A life-size bronze crucifix and a relic in a small glass case are housed here, it is popularly believed to be from the original cross that Jesus Christ carried.
Government Museum Ooty- It was built in 1989 to maintain and promote the culture of Ooty in the form of exhibits and information. It houses an extensive collection of the culture, history, tribes, tribal objects, sculptures, paintings, and handicrafts.
Ooty Lake- Being one of the most refreshing and beautiful places to visit in Ooty, it lies only 2 km from Ooty city in the lush green hills of the Nilgiris district. It is spread over an area of 65 acres, and the foundation of this stunning lake was laid down by John Sullivan, the then collector of Coimbatore in 1824.
Government Botanical Garden- It lies on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak, it is a beautiful garden in Udhagamandalam, near Coimbatore. Divided into several sections that are trimmed beautifully, it is sprawled over an area of 22 hectares to present an endearing sight.
Government Rose Garden Ooty- This mesmerizing garden is located in the heart of the town of Ooty, Tamil Nadu. Popularly known as the Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, and the Centenary Rose Park. Nature lovers are drawn to the Rose Garden throughout the day.
Mountain Rail- Also known as Toy Train in Ooty, is one of the top attractions of the hill station Ooty. It was declared as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2005, due to the train's popularity and history.
Stone House- It is largely famous for being the first bungalow in the town. This beautiful structure was built in the early 19th century by John Sullivan, an Englishman. This famous attraction is also known as Kal Bangala in Tamil.
Annamalai Murugan temple- This not-so-famous destination for travelers list is situated 20 km away from Ooty. The dedication to building this temple came from Lord Murugan and now it is famously known as the 7th Hill House of the Lord.