Ooty, also known as Udhagamandalam, is a popular hill station in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, pleasant weather, and rich cultural heritage. Here are some of the best places to visit in Ooty. You might also enjoy our blog post about things to do near the hill station of Tamil Nadu.
The Best Places To Visit On Ooty:
1. Ooty Lake:
This man-made lake is a popular tourist spot, offering boat rides and other water activities. It is surrounded by eucalyptus trees and dollops of green bushes around its shorelines, which makes it one of the most beautiful places to visit on Ooty.
Although it was constructed for fishing, Ooty Lake has become an important tourist destination in Ooty. People from all over the world flock to it just to be mesmerized by its man-made beauty.
There are cycling rental places near the lake, so you can rent a bike and enjoy biking around the lake. In addition, many locals like to attend boat racing around the lake. There is a festival for boat racing and boat pageantry.
Finally, its beautiful landscapes make it a perfect spot for landscapes and wildlife photography, so bring your camera. You might want to capture the moment.
2. Government Botanical Gardens
Spread over 55 acres, this garden is home to various exotic plants and flowers, making it a must-visit for nature lovers. In fact, it is one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ooty and the entire Tamil Nadu.
The Government Botanical Garden is well organized, similar to the Japanese and Chinese Botanical Gardens. It is divided into 5 main sections, each with its own features.
The Lower Garden contains the Fern House, which has twenty-seven species of ferns, while the New Garden contains a rose garden with natural floral carpets and ponds. The Italian garden contains Italian Prisoners from World War Two. The conservatory has a variety of flowering plants. The Nurseries contain glass houses and exotic plants.
3. Doddabetta Peak:
The Doddabetta Peak is the highest peak in the Nilgiri range, standing at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It offers breathtaking views of the surrounding hills and valleys.
It is located at the summit of the Blue Mountains range, where the Kurinji blue flowers grow. If you trek to the summit of the Blue Mountains, you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the sweeping forests of Bandipur National Park, another place that you should visit if you are in Ooty.
On the lower slope of Doddabetta Peak, there is the government tee garden, where you can see how tea is prepared and served.
4. Pykara Falls:
Pykara Falls is about 20 km from Ooty. It is a popular picnic spot and offers a serene and peaceful environment. The falls are located on the peak of Mukurthi, where the Pykara River flows. They are one of the most beautiful and majestic places in Otty, which is why they are one of the most beautiful places to visit in Ooty.
You can also visit Pykara Lake and enjoy its activities, such as hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and water sports. At Pykara Falls, there is a taste for everyone.
5. Ooty Rose Garden:
Spread over 10 acres, this garden is home to over 2,500 roses varieties and is a delight for flower enthusiasts. It won the Garden of Excellence Award for South Asia from the World Federation of Rose Societies.
Therefore, you do not want to miss the chance to visit it. It is one of the most beautiful and well-organized gardens in the entire country and one of the must-visit places in Ooty.
It contains more than twenty thousand varieties of roses that are well-put together and carefully structured into a variety of forms and shapes. Plus, the chilly season and enough monsoon make it possible for the flower to bloom for a long time.
6. Tea Museum:
This museum provides an insight into the history and process of tea production in the region and is a must-visit for tea lovers. This tea factor offers some tours you would love if you enjoyed drinking tea. You can drink fresh tea and try other products produced from tea. There is also a shop that sells crafted tea souvenirs.
7. Otty Government Museum:
This museum houses a collection of tribal artifacts, sculptures, paintings, and other historical artifacts. It is the kind of place where you can enjoy the true culture of Ooty. There are around 18 trips to Ooty, where the museum has served for decades. The most fascinating trips are the “Todas’ tribes.
The museum shows you how those tribes lived back in the day and lets you dig deeper into their culture and traditions. It is free for everyone without admission fees, making it one of the top places to visit in Ooty.
8. Avalanche Lake:
Located about 28 km from Ooty, this lake is surrounded by lush greenery and is a popular spot for trekking and camping. The Avalanche Lake is one of the most popular places on Ooty. Here is why.
It is surrounded by mountains and covered by beautiful flowers, such as magnolias and rhododendrons. The surrounding area is shola forests, and many waterfalls drain into it, creating a beautiful picture, which is why it is a perfect spot for nature photography.
9. St. Stephen’s Church:
This colonial-era church is known for its beautiful stained-glass windows and Gothic architecture. St. Stephen’s Church is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris district, dating back to the 19th century.
The large main beam and other timber in the church are taken from the Tipu Sultan’s palace on the island of Srirangapatna. It is quite fancy and looks like a castle. You might enjoy roaming around the church and learning interesting stories about it.
10. Nilgiri Mountain Railway:
This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a popular tourist attraction. Since 1908, it has offered a scenic train ride through the stunning Nilgiri hills. Enjoy the ride that you will relish for a lifetime. It will take you through tunnels and curves from Mettupalayam to Ooty.
I hope you enjoy visiting the Queen of hill stations. It is an opportunity to explore other worlds that are not yours and learn about their cultures and traditions. Ooty is beautiful, and you will not regret visiting this amazing city. This is why we are preparing the best places for you to visit in Ooty.
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