Tourist Places in Ooty

Ooty, popularly known as the Queen of Hills, is a picturesque tourist destination located in the Nilgiri Hills in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Udagamandalam is the full name of Ooty. It is located 86 kilometres north of Coimbatore and 128 kilometres south of Mysore. Several well-known tourist attractions in Ooty draw people from across the country and from abroad. It would be interesting for you to know that winters in Ooty are cooler than in the rest of South India. Thus travellers should bring basic winter clothing.

Ooty, the queen of hill stations, is known for its meadows, relaxing surroundings, peaceful weather, and diverse touring options. Every tourist destination in Ooty offers a distinct and vivid experience. However, if you're unsure what to do in Ooty or where to go, have a look at the list of attractions here. You may organise a wonderful Ooty vacation in addition to seeing these intriguing destinations.

1. Botanical Garden in Ooty

The Botanical Garden is located at Udhagamandalam, close to Coimbatore. The Garden is divided into sections and covers an area of approximately 55 hectares on the lower slopes of Doddabetta hill. Foreign and local visitors walk the Garden's beautiful green grass, enjoying the incredible diversity of flowers, ferns, and orchids. They are met by brilliantly colourful natural beauty through the gates.

The Ooty Botanical Garden was founded in 1848 to create a terrace area. Every year in May, the Ooty Botanical Garden has a flower display featuring numerous flowers and unusual plant species, which is a key attraction for visitors. Ooty Botanical Garden is 2.5 kilometres from Ooty Railway Station and is accessed via auto-rickshaw.

2. Government Rose Garden in Ooty

The Government Rose Garden is located at 2200 metres on the slopes of Elk Hill in Vizianagaram, Tamil Nadu's Ooty city. Jayalalitha Rose Garden is another name for it. It was opened in May 1995 to mark the centennial of the flower exhibition. When you stroll around the wonderfully landscaped garden, you will feel like you have entered another universe. This park is also one of the most well-known botanical gardens managed by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department.

The Rose Garden offers visitors a variety of flowers. The extensive collection comprises local, non-local, and hybrid rose types. Ramblers, Hybrid Tea Rose, Polythus, Green Rose, Black Rose, and Miniature Rose, are among the varieties received from throughout the world. Flower displays are the time of year when the country's most vivid and fragrant roses are produced. During the peak blossoming season, the Ooty Rose Garden may organise a spectacular show from March to June.

3. Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Ooty

The British built the 1,000 mm Nilgiri Mountain Railway in Tamil Nadu in 1908. Southern Railway operates the railway, which is India's sole rake railway. It is popularly known as Toy Train in Ooty, and is one of the primary attractions. The miniature train travels 46 kilometres in 5 hours and takes you on a magnificent ride loaded with breathtaking landscapes along the route.

Mettupalayam railway station, near Coimbatore, connects broad-gauge and toy trains. The journey begins in Mettupalayam, a tiny village on the Bhavani River. The first 5 miles are flat, but the engine propels the coaches uphill to a height of 4,363 feet during the next 12 miles. To get to your destination, you may hire taxis, tourist cabs, or auto-rickshaws from practically any place in the city.

4. Emerald Lake in Ooty

Emerald Lake is in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiris district, near Emerald village. It is around 25 kilometres from Ooty. The lake is a popular tourist and picnic destination in the area. The lake's numerous fish and local animals are well-known. It is especially well-known for its stunning sunrise and sunset views near the lake. Tourists may also go trekking or mountain biking near the lake to better understand the surroundings.

Ooty's Emerald Lake is ideal for nature enthusiasts. Tourists often visit for the stunning panoramic charm of the lake and the surrounding lush green Nilgiri hills and tea estates. Eucalyptus tea is well-known for its powerful flavour; the greatest items may be purchased here. Emerald Lake is accessible by vehicle on the way to the Avalanche Dam. There is no direct transport connection from Ooty or any other large city to the lake.

5. Ooty Lake in Ooty

Ooty Lake, also known as Ooty Boathouse, is in the Nilgiris area of Ooty. Ooty Lake is one of the most beautiful and interesting places to visit. Ooty Lake is 65 acres in size, and its foundation was established in 1824 by John Sullivan, the Collector of Coimbatore. It is great for those who are interested in photography. The lake is full of gorgeous water birds with the unique Nilgiri mountain ranges in the background.

The major feature of the lake is the boathouse, which offers paddle boats, motorboats, and boats, and many visitors come here to enjoy these boating experiences. A garden, a miniature railroad, and an amusement park are available. Horseback riding will undoubtedly spring to mind during your visit to Ooty. Horse riding in Ooty is enjoyable and provides a unique experience. Ooty Lake has ideal weather all year. The months of October and June are ideal for visiting Ooty.

6. Dolphin's Nose

Dolphin Nose Viewpoint is a tourist attraction located 15 kilometres from Ooty in the Tamil Nadu region of Nilgiris. The name is derived from the flat, raised rock that resembles the Nose of a dolphin. However, it is known for its magnificent beauty rather than its size. Dolphin Nose is more than 1,550 metres above sea level, 10 kilometres from Coonoor, and an excellent site to see. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Ooty.

A 3-kilometre difficult journey through the Palani Hills range is required to reach this location. Dolphin's Nose comes to an end at Echo Point. This Kodaikanal attraction is best visited between October and March. Because the weather will be clear, you can fully appreciate the beautiful view.

7. Tiger Hill

Tiger Hill is located near Ooty, 6 kilometres from the city centre, towards the lower end of Doddabetta Peak. Tiger Hill is one of the city's most beautiful and popular viewpoints. Watching the dawn and sunset from a high point is one of the most significant things to do here. An ancient scary yet magnificent cave at the summit of Tiger Hill with numerous stories and legends can also be experienced.

This hill is a haven for hikers and explorers, and it also features a freshwater reservoir. The region is littered with various British-era graves and sculptures made of marble and granite, drawing many tourists. Tiger Hill is also an excellent choice for anyone seeking peace in nature.

8. Doddabetta Peak

If you're seeking a spot to spend a beautiful weekend with family and friends in Ooty, a trip to Doddabetta Peak is the finest alternative. This vacation will let you participate in Trekking activities such as camping, exploring, and much more. Doddabetta Peak is South India's highest point, at approximately 8650 feet. Excellent photography points are awarded here. The telescope house is a tourist attraction from which you can observe the gorgeous valleys surrounding you. The best time to visit this peak is during the Ooty Tea and Tourism Festival.

9. Murugan Temple

Murugan Temple is a Hindu temple atop Elk Hill and one of Ooty's most prominent temples. This temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Murugan, the warrior deity. The major attraction of this location is the 40-foot-tall statue of Lord Murugan, which sits outside the temple. Aside from it, various idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Shakti, Nav Kanika, Navagraha, and others may be seen on the temple's premises, which are prominent. It is a fantastic spot, reflecting a wonderful combination of natural beauty and spirituality.

10. Avalanche Lake

Avalanche Lake is a popular tourist site in Ooty, located around 22 kilometres from the city. This lake, formed naturally due to a massive avalanche in 1823 AD, generally captivates everyone. This lake in the Nilgiri mountain range provides a beautiful view of nature. Around the lake are several vibrant blooms, rich greenery, and flowers such as rhododendron and magnolia. The lake is a nature lover's heaven, with its gorgeous surroundings and little waterfalls cascading down from the mountains creating a wonderful ambience.

11. Deer Park

Deer Park is one of Ooty's most popular attractions. It is around 2 kilometres from Ooty Lake. This park first opened its doors in 1986. This 22-acre park is home to a diverse range of species. The park is home to several deer species, including chital and sambal. Aside from that, the park is home to various natural animals, including rabbits and other birds. This park is one of the most well-known wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and India, and it offers an incredible opportunity to witness animals and rich flora up close.

12. Pykara Waterfalls in Ooty

Pykara Falls is an excellent picnic site around 20 kilometres from Ooty. This location's natural beauty draws a considerable number of tourists. The Pykara Waterfalls are a group of beautiful Pykara Lake streams that flow downstream from the Pykara Dam. Aside from the waterfall's natural beauty, the stunning views of the flora all around make for a truly amazing sight. The Pykara Falls, especially during the monsoon season, develops into such beauty that people are enchanted by it.

13. Kotagiri Hill

Kotagiri Hill is located 28 kilometres from Ooty. You can experience the beauty of the nature in Kotagiri Hill. Visitors visit from all around the country to explore the tea gardens. It is the best known of the Nilgiris' three hill stations. Kotagiri is said to have decent weather. If you visit Ooty, don't forget to stop by Kotagiri Hills.

14. Mudumalai National Park

Mudumalai National Park, about 40 kilometres from Ooty, is located in the foothills of the Nilgiri peaks in Tamil Nadu and is one of the state's most notable wildlife reserves. Many endangered wild species live in this national park, including elephants, tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and deer. There are over 200 bird species in the park. It was only recently that it was declared a tiger reserve. Aside from that, several rare animal species may be found here, making it an essential destination for wildlife lovers.

15. Catherine Falls

Catherine Falls is a lovely and gorgeous waterfall in Tamil Nadu's Nilgiri area, approximately 38 kilometres from Ooty. Lush trees and stunning scenery surround this waterfall. The water dropping from a height of 250 feet is like a thin stream, giving this waterfall a unique appearance. This waterfall, located near Kotagiri, is a popular tourist destination and the second biggest waterfall in the Nilgiris. This waterfall is especially beautiful during the rainy season, and the panorama of the hills surrounding it is a magnificent sight that tourists marvel at.

How to Reach Ooty

Although there are other modes of transportation to Ooty, such as aeroplanes, trains, and buses, most people choose to go to Ooty by road since all of the routes to Ooty are extremely beautiful and scenic. However, you can go to Ooty in whatever manner that suits you.

• By Flight: Coimbatore Airport, about 85 kilometres away, is the closest airport to Ooty. This highland station is linked to the rest of the country by an extensive network of flights. Regular flights are operated by airlines, including Air India, Indigo, and SpiceJet, from New Delhi, Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad. Tourists travelling to Bangalore's Kempegowda International Airport may also visit Ooty. Ooty is 310 kilometres from Bangalore, and cabs and buses are readily available from both airports.
• By Bus: Ooty is well linked by state and national highways. Buses from the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and private vehicles go to Ooty from places such as Bangalore, Chennai, and Mysore. Aside from that, several luxury buses go from Bangalore to Ooty, which takes around 7 to 8 hours.
• By Train: Mettupalayam, 40 kilometres distant, is the nearest railway station to Ooty. Many trains arrive from adjacent cities such as Chennai, Coimbatore, Mysore, and Bangalore. After arriving at the train station, you can take a private cab or bus to Ooty. Aside from that, you may reach Ooty by toy train, which travels through the Nilgiri Mountains, lush forests, and dark tunnels. Although the travel is lengthy and time-consuming, the experience is amazing.

Local Food in Ooty

As a famous tourist destination, Ooty features various multi-cuisine restaurants such as North Indian, South Indian, Chinese, Italian, and so on, and Dosa, Pongal, Vada Chutney, and Idli can be found around every corner.

Best Time to Visit Ooty

Although people visit Ooty all year long, the best months to visit are April to June and September to November. While March to June is hot throughout India, the temperature in Ooty does not reach over 20 degrees Celsius; therefore, visiting Ooty during the day is not a problem. There is a lot of rain from July through September, which keeps tourists away. During the winter months of October to February, the temperature here is less than 5 °C.