Places to Visit in Ooty – The Queen Of Hill Stations

What does this sound like to you: mysterious walkways, clouds that caress your hair, and serene, bright green slopes? With its abundant natural beauty and plethora of attractions, Ooty is sure to satisfy and delight any traveller. Ooty, one of the biggest hill stations in India, is thought to be the most well-liked among them. There are many of tourist places to visit in Ooty and so many tourist places near Ooty that might help you have an affordable, enjoyable vacation.

Ooty, one of the biggest hill stations in India, is thought to be the most well-liked among them. There are many of low-cost tourist places to visit in Ooty and many tourist places near Ooty that will make your trip unforgettable. If you want to take advantage of everything that the beautiful place has to offer, planning a trip might be a laborious effort! Fear not—we’ve compiled a list of the best places to visit in Ooty.

Best Ooty Tourist Places:

#1. Ooty Lake

If you enjoy cheerful lake rides, Ooty is the perfect destination for you. Renowned for its beautiful and sparkling lakes, Ooty is a heaven for water enthusiasts. The Ooty Lake, in particular, stands out as the most famous one. Shaped like an irregular ‘L,’ this artificial lake was created by Ooty’s founder, John Sullivan, who dammed the streams in the hill station. It is undeniably a highlight among Ooty tourist places, drawing tourists as one of the best places to visit in Ooty.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.
Required time to explore: 2 to 3 hours.
Entry fee: INR 13 for each one.

#2. Ooty Botanical Gardens: One of The Best Ooty Places to Visit

This botanical garden stands out as the most outstanding choice among Ooty tourist places. This offers a delightful experience for nature enthusiasts. It boasts a collection of amazing plants that draw gardening enthusiasts from across the country. Established in 1848 and meticulously maintained by the Tamil Nadu Horticulture Department, the botanical gardens showcase a rich array of breathtaking flowers, ferns, and orchids. With its diverse botanical wonders, this garden is a captivating destination. Also, this garden ranks among the best places to visit in Ooty for nature lovers.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 8 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening.
Required time to explore: 2 hours.
Entry fee: The entrance fee is INR 15 for children and INR 30 for adults.

#3. Ooty Rose Gardens

Ranked among best Ooty sightseeing places, this garden takes pride in hosting the premier flower show. Also, this garden boasts the highest rose production in the country. The cultivated roses are not only beautiful but also possess significant market value. This Ooty tourist place surely deserves a place on the list of the best places to visit in Ooty, and it’s the kind of place, where getting lost wouldn’t be a bad thing at all.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.
Entry fee: INR 30

#4. Toy Train

Referred to as the Nilgiri Mountain Railway Toy Train, this toy train stands out as the primary draw among all the best Ooty tourist places. Established in 1899, it continues to captivate visitors with breathtaking views of forests, tunnels, slopes, fog, and a variety of birds. Recognized as one of the best places to see in Ooty, taking a ride on this toy train is a must for every traveller.

Opening hours: Available every day.

#5. Thread Garden

Ooty’s thread garden showcases an exquisite assortment of artificial flowers and plants. These plants are meticulously crafted by skilled artists. They use only thread. The visionary behind this concept is Antony Joseph, who dedicated 12 years of continuous effort to bring his idea to fruition. This thread garden is undoubtedly among the best Ooty sightseeing places.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

#6. Doddabetta Peak

The Doddabetta peak is the highest in the Ooty hill station. It rises to an impressive altitude of 2,623 meters above sea level. It stands as one of the most remarkable options on the list of the best Ooty tourist places. Also, it offers a refreshing breeze that invigorates your entire being from the summit down.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 7 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

Entry fee: INR 6 per adult.

#7. Kalpetta

The charming scenery and lush green paddy fields render Kalpetta. Kalpetta is one of the best tourist places near Ooty. Positioned in proximity to both Ooty and Wayanad, it serves as an ideal destination for travellers. People who want to spend a day or two surrounded by nature’s tranquility must visit this place. Kalpetta is renowned for its ancient temples and holds significance as a major trading hub in the Wayanad region. So, don’t forget to explore this mesmerizing Ooty sightseeing place.

Distance from Ooty hill station: 3 kms.

#8. Dolphin’s Nose

A natural attraction, this prominent rock formation resembles the nose of a dolphin. It not only offers excellent trekking opportunities but also provides a prime location for capturing breathtaking shots. The tip of the Dolphin’s Nose is a must-visit for photographers and travellers. Dolphin’s Nose is one of the outstanding places to visit in Ooty.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

#9. Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake is situated in an area known as Silent Valley. This is a popular Ooty tourist place for picnics and fishing. Surrounded by numerous tea plantations that yield exceptional tea products, the lake is not only a scenic attraction but also offers a delightful experience. The Emerald Lake is the second best lake in the Ooty hill station.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.
Entry fee: No entry fee required.

#10. Tiger Hill: Famous Ooty Sightseeing place

Situated to the east of Ooty hill station, this hill is positioned towards the lower part of the Doddabetta peak. It is approximately 6 kilometers away from the main town and offers numerous trekking opportunities. Tiger Hill is an ideal Ooty place to visit for those who enjoy trekking and hiking.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 7 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

#11. Kotagiri

Kotagiri, the second-largest hill station following Ooty, stands out as one of the best places in Ooty to visit. Schools play a significant role in contributing to the local economy. Being one of the most visited tourist places near Ooty, Kotagiri is a captivating hill station that showcases the natural beauty of the region.

Opening hours: 24/7.

#12. Kamraj Sagar Lake

Kamraj Sagar Lake is in the outskirts of Ooty hill station. This is a dam surrounded by a diverse range of herbs and shrubs. The picturesque surroundings have made it a popular Ooty sightseeing place. Also, Kamraj Sagar Lake is an ideal destination for movie shooting. This outstanding place is one of the best places to see in Ooty.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

#13. Pykara Waterfalls

Located on the Ooty hill station, this waterfall is approximately 20 kilometers from Ooty. This is an ideal picnic spot. Pykara Waterfalls provides an ideal setting to unwind while appreciating the picturesque waterfall and the surrounding greenery. A boat house and a restaurant are near the waterfall. While visiting Ooty must visit this waterfalls. This among ideal tourist places near Ooty.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 8:30 in the morning to 5 in the evening.
Required time to explore: 2 hours.
INR 175 per person for boating.

#14. Annamalai Temple

The Annamalai Temple is located approximately 20 kilometers from Ooty hill station. This temple features an observatory at the hill’s summit. It provides the visitors with panoramic views. This sacred site in Ooty appeals to religious individuals undertaking a journey to this hill station. Annamalai Temple is one of the must-see places and one of the best places in Ooty to visit.

Opening hours: From 5:00 am to 12:00 pm and 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm.

#15. Lamb’s Rock

Lamb’s Rock in Coonoor stands out as a premier destination to explore in Ooty. Positioned on the slopes of the Nilgiri Hills, it offers a captivating vista of the Coimbatore Plains. Also, you can catch a glimpse of the Coonoor stream from nearly 5000 feet below. This relatively undiscovered gem in the list of Ooty tourist places is a must-visit for all nature enthusiasts.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

#16. Droog Fort

Ooty is not just endowed with natural beauty but also boasts historical monuments. A prime example is the Droog Fort. Among the oldest attractions in Ooty sightseeing places, the Droog Fort is an ancient and weathered fortress situated at an elevation of about 6000 feet above the plains. History reveals that Tippu Sultan utilized this fort as an outpost due to its strategic location and panoramic views. This Droog Fort is listed among the best places to visit in Ooty.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 6 in the morning to 6 in the evening.

#17. Catherine Falls

Imagine a massive waterfall cascading from a great height, creating tiny water droplets that scatter in all directions around the stream. That vividly captures the beauty of Catherine Falls. It’s one of the most stunning places to visit in Ooty. These waterfalls are plunging from a height of 250 feet! You can drive to the top of the falls. Looking at the rushing water from such a height really gives you a unique perspective on life. Must add Catherine falls in your bucket list of Ooty tourist places.

Opening hours: Opening hours are from 9 in the morning to 6:30 in the evening.

18. Stephen’s Church:

One of the renowned tourist places near Ooty is this St. Stephen’s Church. This church was established in 1829.This is one of the oldest churches in Nilgiris. It showcases religious scenes through intricate wooden works and glass paintings. This cathedral stands out among the other best places in Ooty to visit in terms of beauty and grandeur. The stained glass and wooden beams are truly captivating!

Opening hours of the church: From 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm every day.

Best Time for Ooty Visit:

The best time for Ooty visit is from April to June and from September to November. These are the best month to visit Ooty and explore this mesmerising hill station. However, your choice of the best time to visit Ooty depends on the activities you plan to engage in, and you can consider the following seasons:

Ooty in Summer: Escape the summer heat and enjoy the delightful weather of Ooty from March to June.This time is considered as the best time to visit Ooty. Explore attractions like Avalanche Lake, Botanical Garden, and Ooty Lake. The temperature during this period ranges from 20°C to 25°C. Opt for a clear night to indulge in star-gazing. The summer is ideal for camping and enjoying the mesmerizing night sky in Ooty hill station.

Ooty in Monsoon: If you have a fondness for rainy weather, then the monsoon se is the best time to visit Ooty. Ooty experiences substantial rainfall from July to September. Nature enthusiasts can appreciate the beauty of Dodabetta, Glenmorgan, and Pykara Lake during this season. For monsoon lovers July, August and September are the best month to visit Ooty.

Ooty in Winter: The winter season spans from October to February, and any month within this period offers the best time to visit Ooty.The daytime temperatures are generally cool, creating ideal conditions for sightseeing. Whether you prefer a ride on the toy train or a visit to Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, the winter months are the most suitable.

Conclusion

Many of the above mentioned places have either no entrance fee or a minimal one. This makes Ooty an affordable destination. Beyond these mentioned places, Ooty has numerous other attractions that truly capture the town’s charm. If you aim to explore the renowned locations, this curated list of the best places to visit in Ooty is the perfect guide for your journey.

FAQs:

Q. What adventurous activities are available in Ooty?

There are a good number of hills and waterfalls on the list of Ooty places to visit. Thus, you can engage in hiking, mountain climbing, trekking, and a variety of other adventure sports in Ooty.

Q. How many days does a Ooty visit generally take?

If you want to explore Ooty, you need 3 to 4 days so that you can see the best Ooty sightseeing places.

Q. Which month is the best to visit in Ooty?

April to June and from September to November are the best months to visit Ooty. Although Ooty is such a lovely place that you can visit anytime of the year.