The queen of hills, Ooty is known for its blue mountains, lush green scenery, and breathtaking views. Nestled amidst the Nilgiris hills, Ooty is a popular tourist destination in Tamil Nadu and makes for a perfect short getaway to unwind and relax. Quarantine is for real, but you can still take a virtual tour of this mesmerizing hill station, add to your travel list, and visit post the lockdown is over. This article briefly covers places to visit in Ooty, Things to do in Ooty, popular eateries in Ooty, and some FAQs.

Places To Visit In OOTY

Dodabetta peak- Nature

One of the highest peaks in South India, Dodabetta, lies between the western and eastern ghats. The big mountain, Dodabetta, is one of the prime spots in Ooty with breathtaking views of the valleys, landscapes, and amazing exotic trees. The telescope house has two telescopes installed, which allows people to enjoy the view from the top.

Emerald lake-Backwaters

Situated 17 kms away from Ooty amidst dense forests, Emerald lake is a visual delight. Covered with lush green meadows and mesmerizing forests, it is a paradise with crystal clear blue water and a home to a variety of birds. This place is open for public visits from 8.30 AM to 6 PM.

Rose garden-Park

The rose garden in Ooty is one of the elite clubs rose gardens among 35 others in the world and has been awarded the Garden of Excellence Award for South Asia from the World Federation of Rose Societies. It houses around 20,000 varieties of roses and is one of the best rose gardens in the country. The public can visit from 8.30 AM to 6.00 PM by paying a nominal entry fee of Rs. 20 per person.

Mudumalai wildlife sanctuary- Wildlife

Mudumalai national park is home to numerous endangered species and has been declared as a Tiger Reserve by the Tamil Nadu government. Animal lovers will enjoy the high diversity of animal life in the park with about 50 species of fishes, 21 species of amphibians, 34 species of reptiles, 200 species of birds and 50 species of mammals.

Pykara Falls- Waterfall

Situated 20Kms from Ooty, this spot is worth visiting for the lake, pine trees, and of course, the waterfall. The speedboat rides available at the lake are sure to impress adventure junkies. This heritage site must be on your Ooty travel itinerary to bask in some summer sun by the lake and enjoy the majestic view.

Things to do in Ooty

Make the most of your Ooty trip by indulging in the below interesting things to do in Ooty. From spending time in botanical parks to experiencing the lush coffee estates, Ooty has some unique spots to visit.

Visit the Tibetan market

The Tibetan market in Vannarapettai, is a favorite shopping spot for the locals and the tourists. Get your hands on some woollen clothes, caps, necklaces, and bags for your loved ones.

Buy spices at the Upper Bazaar road

Get some homegrown organic spices from the local Nilgiri shops. Stock up on local spices such as jeera, nutmeg, chili powder, and more to cook some delicious meal.

Higginbothams- Book lover’s paradise

One of the oldest bookstores in Ooty has a wide selection of books, amazing postcards, stationery, etc. 

Kingstar Confectionery

Satisfy your sweet cravings with some fantastic homemade chocolates. Find a wide variety of chocolates and make sure to get some for your loved ones.

Buy Souvenirs- Artifacts

Buy interesting artifacts, pottery, and some statues from the local artisans of Ooty. This is a must-visit on your Ooty travel itinerary list.

Try the Toy train 

Enjoy a toy train ride and enjoy the lush greenery in the Nilgiri mountain for just Rs.250- Rs.500. UNESCO declared the Nilgiri mountain railway as a world heritage site in 2005.

Ooty coffee house

Get high on Ooty aromatic coffees at this famous old eatery house. Your trip to Ooty is incomplete without this experience. 

Things to eat in Ooty

Dig into some local deliciousness of Ooty by trying out the best places to eat in Ooty. Gorge on some aromatic coffees, roadside street food, chocolates, and more. Since it is a popular tourist place, you can find everything ranging from Chinese, Italian, south Indian to chat and more at these famous eateries in Ooty.

• Continental food at Earl’s secret
• Momo at mom house
• Chaat at mud pie
• Coffee at Ooty coffee house
• Chocolates at Kings confectionery
• Pizza at sidewalk
• Parathas at Hotel Sri Velmurugan
• South Indian fare at Nahar restaurant

FAQs

When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Ooty is from April to June and September to November as the weather is delightful.

Which is the best way to travel to Ooty?

The best way to travel to Ooty is a road trip to enjoy the scenery along the way. You can also opt for bus services.

How many days should I spend sightseeing in Ooty?

You can cover most of Ooty in 3 days at the most. You can also extend your trip by visiting nearby places like Mysore, Coorg, Wayanad, etc. by choosing tour packages.

What is the budget required to visit Ooty?

Your Ooty trip budget may increase or increase depending on your pick up point, hotel expense, and other miscellaneous expenses. Hotel stay expenses can start as low as Rs. 2,300, and more. For attractive Ooty tour packages, get in touch with the tour operators.

Feel like visiting Ooty? Plan your trip now and get amazing Ooty tour packages and deals from the best tour operators near you.