The Queen of Hills, Ooty is beautifully tucked in the lap of verdant Western Ghats. Set at 2240 m above sea level, this serene hill station is one of the most beautiful places in South India with the Nilgiris shrouded in misty clouds. From tracing the remnants of the British colonial era to exploring the mountain trekking trails, we have curated a list of the top things to do in Ooty that will keep you engaged.
While we customize the Ooty tour package for you, have a look at the top 14 things that can be enjoyed at this marvelous hill station. Let us take care of your planning and booking part and you just think about enjoying your time.
Here are the Best 14 Things to Do in Ooty For a Fun Holiday.
- Visit the Botanical Gardens
- Enjoy the buffet of fragrances at Rose Garden
- Marvel at views from the Dolphin’s Nose
- Learn about the secrets of Tea at the Tea Museum
- Trek to Kalhatti Falls
- Attain divine blessings at Elk Hill Murugan Temple
- A fun Toy Train Ride in Nilgiri Mountain Railways
- Trekking and Camping at Avalanche Lake
- A revitalizing game of golf at the Golf Course
- Picnic at the Emerald Lake
- Pray at Nilgiris’ Oldest, St. Stephen’s Church
- Escape to the scenic Kamaraj Sagar Dam
- Learn about Nilgiris at the Government Museum
- Shopping in Ooty
Coonoor with Ooty 
Bandipur and Ooty Tour
Ooty Tour From Bangalore
Bangalore Mysore Ooty TourVisit the Botanical Gardens
One of the most popular gardens in Ooty, visiting the Botanical gardens is one of the top things to do in Ooty. Located at the lower slopes of Doddabetta Peak the gardens are a delight for nature lovers.
Built on a terraced layout, a precious collection of flowers along with other exotic species of plants are housed here. The establishment of the park dates back to British rule in 1848. The gardens are divided into 6 separate sections called Lower Garden, New Garden, Italian Garden, Conservatory, Fountain Terrace and Nurseries. Walking through the gardens, it is a soothing feeling.
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Enjoy the buffet of fragrances at Rose Garden
The Rose Garden is spread over 10 acres, is settled in the heart of the hill town and is one of the most popular attractions in Ooty. If you want to experience a myriad variety of blooms and the charming fragrances, checking out the garden is one of the top things to do in Ooty.
This is India’s largest collection of roses with over 3600 varieties. The miniature rose, hybrid tea rose, ramblers, floribunda, and roses in shades including green and black are the highlights.
Maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department, the garden has a fascinating layout. The World Federation of Rose Societies awarded the ‘Garden of Excellence’ title in the year 2006.
Couples Bangalore Mysore Ooty Tour
Bangalore Ooty Mysore Honeymoon TourMarvel at views from the Dolphin’s Nose
The Dolphin’s Nose is going to be your favorite spot. It is basically a gigantic rock that resembles the nose of a dolphin. The viewpoint situated in Ooty is settled at an altitude of 1000 feet. There are ravines on either side of the viewpoint, including St. Catherine Falls and Coonoor stream.
We would suggest that you revel in the natural beauty without any stress or hassle, by simply booking an Ooty tour. Sunset and Sunrise views from this point are wonderful.
The route towards Dolphin’s Nose from Ooty, is scenic with thrilling hairpin turns. Treat your eyes with the lovely views of the lush plantations. Lamb’s Nose on the way is also a good place to see.
Learn about the secrets of Tea at the Tea Museum
A visit to Ooty Tea Museum is one of the top things to do in Ooty. Not just tea lovers, every visitor has something of interest. Located adjacent to the Doddabetta Tea Factory, surrounded by tea plantations, the museum enjoys splendid views of the Nilgiris.
Learn all about the evolution of tea at the museum. Here you will find three broad sections on the history of tea, mainly Origins of World Tea, Tea History in India and Evolution of Tea in the Nilgiris. Do not miss the souvenir shop where you can buy a variety of tea leaves, cups, plates and more.
Also Read: 10 Best Tea Plantations in India
Trek to Kalhatti Falls
Kalhatti Water Falls is considered to be an ideal destination for trekking in Ooty. The water fall is located at around 2,000 metres above the sea level and falls from a height of 40 metres.
Situated on the slopes of Kalhatti Mountains, the water fall has varied rivulets and other water bodies. The site is famous for bird watching, picnics and nature treks. Since the trekking trails run through wildlife reserves, take permission from the concerned Forest Department. The best time to visit is during the months of September through November. You can spot rare birds and wildlife.
Also Read:10 must visit Waterfalls in India
Attain divine blessings at Elk Hill Murugan Temple
The Elk Hill Murugan Temple is set amidst pleasing settings atop the Elk hill. The temple is dedicated to Lord Murgan and a revered site in Ooty. The 40-feet statue of the warrior God in a standing pose is a spectacular sight. Idols of Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha, Goddess Shakti, Nava Kanikas and Navagraha sanithanams are also housed in the temple.
During January and February the temple celebrates their most important festival, Thaipusam festival. Devotees’ present brass vessels filled with milk, kavadi, (palanquins) decorated with flowers, peacock feathers and brass bells. The Kavadi Attam, a dance performed by the believers is the highlight of this event.
A fun Toy Train Ride in Nilgiri Mountain Railways
The Nilgiri Mountain Railways is a UNESCO World heritage site. The railway system is unique as it is one of the steepest tracks in Asia. The train crosses through the verdant beauty of Nilgiris hills. Built by the British in 1908, the Toy Train ride is also considered to be one of the top things to do in Ooty.
The Nilgiri Passenger train covers a distance of 46 km, navigating through the lush beauty of the hills. The thrilling ride navigates through 16 tunnels, 250 bridges and 208 curves. The charming journey is covered in a duration of around 4.5 hours. The Nilgiris toy train connects Ooty to Mettupalayam. So, give your senses a treat of a memorable train journey.
Trekking and Camping at Avalanche Lake
Avalanche Lake is an unmissable attraction in Ooty. Around 28 km from the main town, the lake is a good escapade for adventurers. The Avalanche lake was formed due to a huge landslide in the 1800s and therefore got its name from the incident. The lake and its surroundings are known for trekking. The trails fall in the easy trek category and any nature lover can easily do this adventure activity.
Avalanche Lake is surrounded by dense forest. Waterfalls stream the mountains to join the lake. During the monsoon months, trout fishing is allowed. Camping on the edges of the lake is a popular activity. But you will have to acquire permission from Ooty’s forest office, as the lake lies in the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
A revitalizing game of golf at the Golf Course
The Wellington Gymkhana Club is one of the oldest golf clubs in the country and not just the Nilgiris. The history of the club goes back a century. Set at an altitude of 7200 feet, the golf course extends over 193.56 acres and comprises 18 holes.
The major lure of visiting the golf club is its scenic surroundings. The Blue Mountains dominate the background, the lush stretch of rhododendron, oak, aromatic eucalyptus, and fir revitalizes your senses. Enjoy a game of golf as the thin mountain air lets the ball move farther. Major championships have been played here. There are also accommodations available for a golfing vacation.Read More about Golf Course in Ooty, click here!
Picnic at the Emerald Lake
The Emerald Lake is one of the best attractions of Ooty. The favorite spot for tourists, nature lovers and Ornithologists, spending time at the Emerald lake is one of the top things to do in Ooty. Emerald is a small village in Silent Valley of Ooty, which is about 23 kms from Ooty. It is a beautiful picnic spot one should not miss to visit.
Emerald lake is famous for a variety of fish and birds in the locale. Remarkable sunrise and sunset views mesmerize visitors. Mountain biking, bird watching, fishing and trekking are popular activities near the lake.
Also Read: 53 Most Spectacular Lakes in India
Pray at Nilgiris’ Oldest, St. Stephen’s Church
For folks visiting Ooty, a visit to the oldest church of the Nilgiris, St. Stephen’s Church will be a delight. St.Stephen’s Church dates back to the 19th century. The Governor of Madras, laid the foundation for the church late back in 1829. Captain John James Underwood was the architect in charge of the construction of the church. High quality wood looted from Tipu Sultans’ Palace was used here.
The painting of “Last Supper’ is a noteworthy sight . Marvel at the colored glass windows with scenes like the crucifixion of Christ and Mother Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. Revel in the blissful ambiance, it is one of the top things to do in Ooty.
Escape to the scenic Kamaraj Sagar Dam
Kamraj Sagar Dam also known as the Sandynallah Reservoir, it is a favorite for the tourists and a wonderful picnic spot. One of the top things to do in Ooty, spend time at the scenic shores. It is an ideal place to visit with your family. Pack a picnic to make the most of your outing.
The dam is frequented by a lot of bird watchers. Spot different species of birds that frequent the reservoir for water and also fish for food. There are also many different varieties of fish in the reservoir, but mainly found are the trouts. Fishing is a popular activity. Revel in the soothing environs.Read More about the Kamaraj Sagar Dam in Ooty
Learn about Nilgiris at the Government Museum
Fun while you learn can happen at the Government Museum in Ooty. Visitors can learn about the tribal legacy of Nilgiris with few hours in the museum. Located on Mysore Road, it is a treasure house of interesting relics of tribal art and culture.
The Government museum showcases the culture and the remnants of the aboriginals of Tamil Nadu and, Andaman and Nicobar Island. Check out the collection of some rare artifacts that belonged to the tribes in the Nilgiris. Houses of Kota, Toda, Paniya, Kurumba and Kanikaran tribes are also on display here. A comprehensive display of art, handicrafts, pottery, jewellery, huts and every aspect of tribal living can be seen here.More Details about Government Museum in Ooty, click here!
Shopping in Ooty
Ooty is a nice place to indulge in shopping. The hill town is popular for many things and you can bring home knick-knacks during your holiday. Tea leaves, fresh spices, tribal art, handmade chocolates, aromatic oils, and cheese products are popular things to shop for. There are shops where you can taste tea, chocolates and cheese before you buy them.
Commercial Road is one of the best places to shop in Ooty. Here you can peruse a number of government shops, Kashmiri shops and Khadi Gramodyog Bhavan. The co-operative Super Market and Municipal Market also have amazing bargains. Take home wonderful remembrances of Ooty.
Conclusion
On your next trip, make sure to pick out your favorite activities from the list above and indulge in fun things to do in Ooty. For maximum comfort and thrill, Indian Holiday offers customizable Ooty tour packages with meals, stays, and accommodation. Pick the tour, contact us and let our travel experts tailor-made the package as per your needs and budget.
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Debashree Chakraborty
A travel writer by profession and self-professed addict to literature and travelling. Go through her penned down travel experiences on indianholiday.com
Very nice, detailed.
Hey Shalini
Thank you for your kind words! Keep on following our blogs for more such posts in the future.