The Queen of Hills, Ooty is a stunning hill station in the state of Tamil Nadu that boasts lush greenery, a mystical, romantic environment, and some great sites for trekking and picnics. If you’re planning to visit this quiet hill station, be prepared to be blown away by its scenic natural beauty and vast tea estates. And if you’re wondering where all you should visit on a short weekend stay, these places to visit in Ooty are what you need to check out! By Anushka Goel
Places to visit in Ooty
Government Botanical Gardens
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A great place for nature lovers, the garden boasts some stunning green trees, beautiful flowers, and more. The place will definitely warm up your heart and bring you peace, and the surrounding views are sure to make your travel experience even better!
Ooty Lake
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The serene spot is among the must-visit places in Ooty, especially if you’re there only for a single day (or weekend). The artificial lake is surrounded by the ghats all around, contrasting the stunning vast waters with lush greenery and scenic views. The place is great as a picnic spot or just to spend a couple of hours at leisure.
Ooty Toy Train
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Among the best experiences to have in Ooty is a ride on the toy train – part of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The stunning journey takes one through the ghats, allowing you to soak in the cool fresh breeze fragrant with the scent of the forests and misty skies and fill you up with a sense of calm.
Dolphin’s Nose
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Among the must-visit places in Ooty is Dolphin’s Nose, named after its unique structure. The destination makes a great spot to view one of the major attractions in the hill station, i.e. the Catherine Waterfalls. The roads leading to the place are filled with some stunning hairpin bends that will make for a great adventure, and the panoramic views of the Western Ghats all around will make your visit worth the while.
Kalhatty Waterfalls
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About 13 kilometres from Ooty, on the Ooty-Mysore road, lie the stunning Kalhatty waterfalls. If you’re into adventure, this is a destination you’ll definitely like, as it involves the opportunity to go for a two-kilometre trek. And the roads that led to this place in Ooty are filled with some of the most picturesque views that you will ever find!
Needle Rock View Point
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Needle Rock View Point offers some of the most stunning 360 degree views of the surrounding hills and valleys, that are sure to mesmerise you with their beauty and the gentle calm they exude. The place is great for a picnic or just to unwind, and will allow you to spend hours introspecting.
Ooty Stone House
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The Stone House in Ooty was built by John Sullivan in 1822. The beautiful structure is among the great places to visit in Ooty and makes for some stunning pictures as well. The place serves as the residence of the Principal of the Government Arts College.
St Stephens Church
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Among the oldest churches in the Nilgiris, St Stephens Church boasts extremely beautiful interiors and stunningly calm exteriors. The church is surrounded by beautiful views, and the cloudy, foggy skies make for the perfect romantic backdrop for a proposal, or for some calm.
Hero and Featured Image: Courtesy of sudheer meduri/Unsplash
Related: Did You Know Ooty Has A Chocolate Museum With Cocoa Sculptures?
Written By
Anushka Goel
Anushka has previously worked with publications such as the Times of India and Being Indian. A graduate from Xavier Institute of Communications, she specialises in entertainment, food and travel. She also likes to write about sustainability and beauty. When not working, you can catch her reading a book, tending to her plants, cooking or playing an instrument.
