Best Places to Visit in Ooty That Every Traveler Must Visit
Born and brought up in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, it was always Ooty or Pondy that came on my radar when planning for a quick break. Every time I visited Ooty (also known as “Queen of Hills”) I thought it was drop-dead gorgeous. A trip to Pondicherry was amazing as well, but there is nothing compares to the scenic beauty our humble Ooty has. Ooty is the ideal place for the best hill station experience in the South of India. The dense forests, charming lakes, sparkling waterfalls, and vibrant culture will make you fall in love with this paradise. If you have been yearning for an escape to a hill station then Ooty awaits you. There are many places to explore in Ooty, but if you cannot explore all, here are some of the best places to visit in Ooty that are must-visit.
Table of Contents
Best Places to Visit in Ooty That Every Traveler Must Visit
1. Ooty Lake
If you travel to Ooty for pleasure or on work, one thing that one definitely does is go to the Ooty Lake. Take the timeout to go to this lake. As a tourist or a local, you can go boating on the beautiful ride. You can also cycle around the lake to get a glimpse of the amazing beauty. The breathtaking lake is certainly a place to visit and spend some time to relax.
2. Deer Park
When you go to the Ooty Lake do take a trip to the Deer Park close that is by. With over a space of 22 acres, this park is a place one should go if you are an enthusiast of wildlife. As a Deer Park, it is no surprise that you can spot multiple varieties of deer here. Including deers like Chithal, Sambhar, and more. There is also a lot of flora and fauna in this beautiful Deer Park. Get close to the various animals.
3. Ooty Botanical Garden
If you like flora and fauna, Ooty Botanical Garden will be a treat for your sore eyes. It is spread over 50 acres of land and maintained by the state’s Horticulture Department. This department does take the maintenance of the garden seriously. They have different kinds of gardens, nurseries, conservatories, old wonderful trees, and more. They also have festive events during the summers to showcase the garden.
4. Ooty Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is a must-visit when in Ooty. The World Federation of Rose Society awarded the garden with the Excellence Award for South Asia. It is huge and is believed to have over 20 thousand varieties of Roses. Ooty has the perfect weather and caregivers to give you a treat for your eyes. If you love roses and you want to see thousands of Roses, this is certainly a place you must spend some time in.
5. Doddabetta Peak
If you are a mountain person, Doddabetta Peak, located about 10 km away from Ooty, is a breathtaking peak. It is one of the highest peaks in the Nilgiris and is picturesque. A lot of people trek to the top and look at the entire view with telescopes. To see the settlements down below is really mesmerizing from this peak. You will experience that you are part of the world yet separated from it.
6. Kamraj Sagar Dam
If you take a look at the Kamaraj Sagar Dam and think ‘this looks familiar’, it is probably because you may have. This is one of those places that has appeared in films in the past. It is also called the Sandynallah Reservoir. This is an ideal place to find peace and tranquillity. Get yourself a small picnic with some sandwiches and beverages and head out there with your favorite people and have the time of your life.
7. Ooty Toy Train
Nilgiris hills are breathtaking. Mountains, in general, are beautiful. The Ooty Toy Train certainly does complete justice to the beauty that is these mountains. This Toy Train showcases the grandeur of the area and travels for about 46 km. The areas it covers are Ooty, Mettupalayam, and Coonoor. Do not be fooled by thinking it is just a train ride. The view is picturesque and worth every minute you spend on it. A trip you will remember for life.
8. Ooty Stone House
If you like history, this is a place you must lookup. This is one of those places you will be mesmerized by. It is believed that this beautiful construction or bungalow was built by John Sullivan way back in 1822. It is considered the first bungalow built in Ooty. It is believed that John Sullivan got it from the local or indigenous tribe called Toda. It is ancient architecture and comes packed with history and is also called Kal Bungalow.
9. Kalhatty Waterfalls
If you are ok to travel a little there are many places on the Ooty-Mysore Roads that are great to explore. One such place about 15 km from Ooty is the Kalhatty Waterfalls. The beauty takes a little bit of a walk to get to. However, it is certainly worth the effort. The view of the water falling on to the rocks with the perfect weather is something you will remember all of your life.
10. Ooty Wax World
Get a glimpse of the past by visiting a must-see Wax World in Ooty. It is one of the best places to visit in Ooty also because it is bang in the center of the city. Which means easier access. Go there to see almost real-life wax statues of some of the coolest people in history to walk our earth. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Bal Gangadhar Tilak, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam are just some of the statues you can see there. Be mesmerized and relive a bit of history.
With beautiful scenic landscapes and amazing places to visit, Ooty is full of surprises that will fill your heart with warmth. So go ahead, chase the clouds and explore the land and embrace a home away from home that Ooty becomes for you. Just don’t forget your camera!
FAQs – Best Places to Visit in Ooty
1) Can you suggest the best itinerary for Ooty?
– There are plenty of places to visit in Ooty, and the average itinerary spans around 2 days. One day for Ooty town attractions and the second day for the outer hikes.
2) Which is a must-visit attraction in Ooty?
– One of the best places to visit in Ooty is the Mountain Railway from Mettupalayam. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a thing of beauty!
3) Which is the best outdoor activity that one must try in Ooty?
– One simple yet enjoyable place to visit in Ooty is the hike to Doddabetta Peak. The view from there is truly breathtaking.
4) What is one must-have experience in Ooty with family?
– Pykara falls is one of the must-visit places in Ooty with family. The waters are pristine and offer a great retreat!
5) Can you suggest some good places to visit in Ooty at night?
– Ooty gets pretty chilly at night, so you could just hang by one of the parks or tea estates nearby!
About The Author
Gulshan Bafna
Gulshan Bafna is one of the luxury travelers in India. He, along with his wife, has traveled to many exotic places that one could dream. With their travel journey, they bring us the best face of those places. He compiles all of his travel journeys to give the taste of traveling to his readers. In his writing, he jots down the best things to do in all those places that he has visited. Reading these would help one know better about the place. He is also a seeker who loves exploring and discovering new places and share his experiences with everyone.