Ooty, popularly known as the Queen of Hill stations, is nestled within the lap of the lush Nilgiris. Complete with spectacular valleys, winding roads, mesmerizing landscapes, and a chilly, soothing climate, it offers an array of tourist destinations. There are so many places to visit in this quaint abode, located in Tamil Nadu. Now, if you are a first-time traveler and need some help on Ooty places to visit and what to do there, below are some of the best spots that shall promise you the complete sightseeing experience.
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Avalanche Lake
Situated at a distance of around 28 km from Ooty, Avalanche lake is a must-inclusion on your list. Cocooned amidst the lush greenery and towering hills, it first came into existence, sometime in the 1800s when there was a huge landslide in the vicinity. Interesting activities that you can engage in while you are here include trout fishing after getting the necessary tools from the adjacent Trout hatchery. Of course, when you are here, you can also have a detailed view of the lake’s surrounding flora and fauna. Other notable activities in this area include camping, rafting, and trekking to other nearby places like Upper Bhavani.
Ooty Lake
One of the most popular places to visit in Ooty is the Ooty Lake, an artificial water body that was built mainly to cater to fishing. However, once you are here, you should not forget to take a leisurely boat ride in its sparkling waters. Simply hire a boat from the connected boathouse or rent a cycle and get your adrenaline rushing. If you are a collector, there are multiple little shops selling all kinds of trinkets and souvenirs, spread around the lake.
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Emerald Lake
The Emerald Lake derives its name since it graces the Emerald Village in the Nilgiri District. The serene water body is located in Silent Valley and it is some 25 km away from the main city. The banks of the lake form a lovely place for an outdoor picnic and allow you to spend quality time with friends and family, away from the buzz of the hectic city. You should also take some moments to admire the breathtaking view of sunrise and sunset and that of the plantations surrounding the lake.
Ooty Botanical Gardens
The Ooty Botanical Gardens is also one of the must-visit places in Ooty. It is under the care of the Horticultural Department of Tamil Nadu and spans over a massive 55 acres of land. You should know that the huge gardens are divided into sections, such as the Fern House, Lower Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory and Nurseries. If you visit the place in summer, mark your calendars and do not miss out on the flower show, which forms a major part of the Ooty Summer Festival. Another popular spot for tourists in the Botanical Garden is the Fossil Tree Trunk, which has been here for 20 million years!
Deer Park
Wildlife lovers should definitely take a stroll in the Deer Park that is at a distance of 2 km from Ooty Lake. You can easily reach this spot by road and admire the myriad of deer species here such as Sambhar and the Chitral. Of course, this region also houses several variations of plants and trees, covering an area of 22 acres. Built way back in 1986, Deer Park gives a unique opportunity to conserve endangered wildlife in India.
Doddabetta Peak
Doddabetta Peak is located at a height of 2623 meters above sea level and hence, is one of the highest peaks in the Nilgiri Hills. It’s a 10 km drive away from Ooty and lies where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. It is best known for its dense sholas and serves as a favorite spot for trekkers and adventure seekers. Once you reach the top, you have a bird-eye view of everything beyond. You can use the telescopes installed in the telescope house to enjoy this captivating sight.
Kalhatty Waterfalls
The Kalhatty Waterfalls are located around 13 km away from Ooty and is a famous spot on the Ooty-Mysore Road. A mesmerizing, steep fall, one can also reach its top after trekking for around 2 miles from Kalahatti village. According to belief, this used to serve as the abode of Hindu saint Agastya in ancient India. The destination is also a must-visit site for bird watchers.
Kamraj Sagar Dam
Yet another among the popular places to visit in Ooty is the Kamraj Sagar Dam, a much-frequented location for shooting and picnics. Located around 10 km from Ooty bus stand, it is also called the Sandynallah Reservoir and comes with a spectacular view of its lush surrounding greenery. Other popular activities while in this place include bird watching and fishing.
Mudumalai National Park
Mudumalai National Park is one of the best sites when you are a dedicated nature lover. It is at the junction of the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats and lies on the Ooty Mysore route. It is packed with a variety of flora and fauna, including many rare birds. Home to around 50 tigers, it is a conserved tiger reserve and is under the protection of the Forest Department.
Mukurthi National Park
Rounding up our list of places to visit in Ooty is the Mukurthi National Park, a part of the Nilgiri Bio reserve. One of the most-frequented places by nature lovers, it covers an area of 80 sq.km and has so many streams and rivers bifurcating its span. Of course, if you are lucky, you can spot several varieties of birds and animals while here.
Rounding up our list of places to visit in Ooty is the Mukurthi National Park, a part of the Nilgiri Bio reserve. One of the most-frequented places by nature lovers, it covers an area of 80 sq.km and has so many streams and rivers bifurcating its span. Of course, if you are lucky, you can spot several varieties of birds and animals while here.
- Needle View Hillpoint/Needle Rock View-point
Soochimalai or needle viewpoint is not a famous or a crowded tourist place but is a must-visit to experience nature’s beauty and tranquillity. Located in the Ooty-Mysore route in a place called Gudalur, it is a great spot for trekkers. - Ooty stone house
Built by John Sullivan, Ooty stone house (also known as Kal Bangala in Tamil) is famous for being the first bungalow of town. John Sullivan was the first Collector of Udhagamandalam and the founder of the British Settlement in Ooty. In the 19th century, John Sullivan bought a piece of land from one of the Toda families (Tribe of Udhagamandalam) for the establishment of the British Settlement and built the house. Ever since the house has been a famous landmark and a site of historical heritage in Ooty. - Wax museum
Situated just a Km away from Ooty railway station, the wax museum was constructed and inaugurated by Sri. Santosh K. Mishra, Collector, Nilgiris district in March 2007. The museum houses magnificent wax statues of famous political leaders, leading personalities and Indian Freedom Fighters. Few of the popular idols in the Wax Museum include Mahatma Gandhi, Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Schwarzenegger and American president Obama; and social figures which include Mother Teresa and A. P. J. Abdul Kalam etc. It is a nice place to explore apart from nature-based tourist spots. - Wenlock Downs
Wenlock downs is a vast spread of lush green meadows over mountain slopes. It is a great picnic spot to get away from the city dust and pollution. - Pykara lake
Pykara lake is a beautiful place for every nature lover. It is must visit to enjoy the scenic beauty, peace and the ambiance. - Ooty rose garden
Also known as the Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, the Nootrandu Roja Poonga and the Centenary Rose Park, the Ooty rose garden is the mesmerizing garden in Ooty. A perfect spot for nature lovers. The garden is filled with rows of roses of all kinds and ages, which might interest a lot of botanists to visit. - Elk Hill Murugan temple
Situated amidst a picturesque view and calm setting, Elk hill temple is a Hindu place of worship dedicated to Lord Muruga. The temple houses a 40 feet tall statue of Lord Muruga which is made of stones and mortar. - Lamp’s rock
This place is a great picnic spot and tourist attraction because of the spectacular view it provides of the Coimbatore plains. It is possible to see the Coonoor stream some 5000 feet below. - Dolphin’s nose
This unique natural site is called the ‘dolphin’s nose’ due to a protruding rock shaped like the dolphin’s nose. It takes a bit of a trek to reach this site and still attracts huge number of tourists because of the breathtaking view from the peak. - Ooty toy train
Ooty Toy Train is an essential part of every Ooty Tour. The ride in this historical toy Train which runs from Mettupalayam to Ooty via Coonoor. is unmatched to any other train ride. Passing through lush green landscapes and mesmerizing beauty of Nilgiri mountains, this train runs on a track of 46 km.
The picturesque hill station of Ooty offers a seamless experience when you wish to reach here via air, rail, and road Ooty to Kodaikanal distance is 251 km and you can take a flight from Coimbatore International Airport, located at a distance of around 95 km. There are several buses and taxis near Ooty airport, which you can take to reach the main city. Ooty nearest railway station is the Ooty Railway Station, well connected to all the major cities in India. You may also choose to reach the town via bus by opting to book one from the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSRTC) or from the many private companies operating in the region.


