Ooty is popularly known as the “Queen of Hill Stations” because of its stunning and jaw dropping beauty. It’s an ideal honeymoon destination for couples with its verdant greenery, picturesque views and a serene ambiance. The things to do in Ooty are perfect for people from all walks of life. Therefore, people escape to this place for some peace and quiet, and some fun and lively activities to indulge in. It’s an excellent location to take a break from your busy schedule and reconnect with nature.
Top Things to Do in Ooty: A Unique Blend of Tranquility and Thrill
It’s no secret that Ooty is one of the most sought-after destinations for tourists. Even people in India travel to this place because of its alluring and charming atmosphere. This city has everything one needs to make a vacation successful; from serene lakes to scenic viewpoints. It’s even ahead when it comes to adventure activities, such as trekking, boating, camping, and much more. So, we shall give credit where it’s due and recommend some of the unique things to do in Ooty that would stun you.
- Travel in the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train
- Go Boating in the Ooty Lake
- Witness a Panoramic View from the Dolphin’s Nose
- Marvel at the St. Stephens Church
- Camp at Avalanche Lake
- Spend Time at Kalhatti Falls
- Explore the Thread Garden
- Go for Safari at Mudumalai National Park
- Stop By the Pine Tree Forests
- Enjoy the Kotagiri Trek
1. Travel in the Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train: One of the Top Attractions in Ooty
The Nilgiri Mountain Toy Train is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which travels 46 km. and offers the most magnificent views to the travelers. You’ll come across gorgeous hills, bridges, lush greenery, and a lot more that would make this experience worthwhile. Its major charm stems from seeing nature at its finest. It’s also a fun way to look over the city and its beauty. This Ooty toy train has been functional since 1899 and its latest X-class locomotive is 50 years old. Traveling on this train is among the most popular things to do in Ooty.
Timings:
From Mettupalayam to Ooty- 7:10 A.M to 12 P.M
From Ooty to Mettupalayam – 2 P.M to 5:35 P.M
Fee: Around INR 150
Duration: Approx. 5 to 6 hours
Start and End Point: Mettupalayam to Ooty
Distance from Ooty: Around 2 km.
Ideal for: Families, couples, group of travelers
Tips: Don’t litter the train, book your tickets in advance, use a washroom before boarding as there aren’t any washrooms in the train
Nearby hotels: Teanest, Gateway Coonoor, Orchid Square
Nearby restaurants: Rose Mary, Café Diem, Open Kitchen
How to reach: You can hire a taxi, cab, or auto rickshaw to reach this station
2. Go Boating in the Ooty Lake: A Fun-Filled Leisure Activity
Boating is quite a relaxing activity that one must indulge in wherever they go. There’s a soothing element in boating that you’ll understand only when you experience it. Surrounded by rich greenery on all sides, the calm blue water of the lake, and the local attractions of the city. They all add up to create a memorable experience for you and your loved ones. Photography enthusiasts would find several chances to click glorious pictures and nature lovers can indulge in bird watching. It's one of the things to do in Ooty in December for an enchanting feel.
Timings: 9 A.M to 6 P.M
Fee:
For Indians - Around INR 10
For Foreigners – Around INR 600
Duration: Approx. 3 to 4 hours
Distance from Ooty: Around 2 km.
Ideal for: Families, couples
Tips: Keep children away from the boat’s edge
Nearby hotels: Hotel Darshan, Savoy, Hotel Lakeview
Nearby restaurants: Bollywood Café, Trident Haveli Restaurant, Lazy Mongoose
How to reach: You can either take a bus or a cab to reach here
Suggested Read: Places to Travel in Bir Billing: Beauty That will Take Your Breath Away
3. Witness a Panoramic View from the Dolphin’s Nose: An Escape to the Soothing Hills
This romantic hilltop is named The Dolphin’s Nose because its peak resembles the nose of a Dolphin. It’s a major attraction and visiting the top of the hill is quite a thrilling adventure in Ooty. The panoramic view of the tea plantations and the misty hills covered with clouds would mesmerize you. This less crowded tourist spot is situated 1550 m. above sea level and gives you a break from the bustling city life. It’s truly a place where you can hear your thoughts and enjoy some peaceful downtime.
Timings: 9 A.M to 6 P.M
Fee: Around INR 15
Duration: Approx. 1 hour
Distance from Ooty: Around 30 km.
Ideal for: Couples, families
Local attractions: Nilgiri Hills, Catherine Waterfall, Tiger Hills, Lamb’s Rock, Kotagiri
Nearby hotels: Garuda Park Resort, Neemrana’s Wallwood Garden, Kurumba Village Resort
Nearby restaurants: The Culinarium, Café Diem, Silvertip Cafe
How to reach: A taxi or a bus is a convenient option to reach here
4. Marvel at the St. Stephen’s Church: Seek Blessings at the Oldest Church in Ooty
St. Stephen’s Church was built during the British rule, around 200 years ago, and it has maintained its grandeur and glory till today. People of all religions can visit this church and soak in the spiritual vibes and calm ambiance of the place that would put you at ease instantly. The splendid architecture with intricate designs and attention to detail makes this church one of the most appealing and charming places to visit in Ooty. The painting of the Last Supper is also one of the reasons for the huge tourist influx.
Timings: 10 A.M to 5 P.M
Fee: N/A
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from the city center: Around 1. 5 km
Ideal for: Families, group of travelers, couples
Tips: Respect the culture and tradition and dress decently
Nearby hotels: Bloomrooms, Maidens Hotel, Hotel Tara Palace
Nearby restaurants: Jagjit Restaurant, Max Grille and Restaurant, Kake di Hatti
How to reach: You can reach the church via a cab or an auto rickshaw
Suggested Read: Places to Visit in Jaipur: Land Where Majestic Architecture Meets Delicate Craftsmanship
5. Camp at Avalanche Lake: Stay amidst the Captivating Beauty of Nature
Camping is one of the adventure activities in Ooty that you cannot miss out on. This camping site is an ethereally gorgeous one with Nilgiri hills surrounding the place from all sides, the azure water of the lake and the cloudy sky. This lake was named Avalanche because of the landslide that occurred during 1823 and this lake was formed naturally. There are several adventure activities you can indulge in, such as trekking, rafting, trout fishing, and much more. The enchanting views from here are enough to make your stay here a wonderful one.
Timings: 9 A.M to 3 P.M
Fee:
Bus Safari – Around INR 200
Jeep Safari – Around INR 2000
Distance from Ooty: Approx. 20 km
Ideal for: Solo travelers, group travelers, couples
Tips: Confirm with the office for overnight stays and visit the Emerald Lake as well
Nearby hotels: Sterling Elk Hill, Club Mahindra Derby Green, Hotel Darshan
Nearby restaurants: Ascot Multi Cuisine Restaurant, The Periodic Table, Le Cafe
How to reach: You can travel via a car or a bus till the Avalanche Checkpoint only
6. Spend Time at Kalhatti Falls: Visit the Bird Watcher’s Paradise
If you’re an avid birdwatcher or if being in the middle of nature excites you, then you must add visiting the Kalhatti Falls as one of the things to do in Ooty for couples. The mystical beauty of this place is what attracts people towards it, and you’d even come across several endemic birds here that are rare and exotic. The water cascades from a height of 400 ft. and is an essential area for nature conservation and biodiversity. The locals also believe that the water here has medicinal and healing properties. Such gorgeous locations are what make this city an excellent honeymoon destination in Asia.
Timings: October to May
Fee: N/A
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Ooty: Approx. 20 km
Ideal for: Families, couples
Nearby hotels: Yloo Retreat, Glyngarth Resort, Greenyards Cottages
How to reach: You can take a cab to this location
Suggested Read: A Guide to Kerala: Visit One of the Ten Paradises in the World
7. Explore the Thread Garden: A Unique Attraction that is a Must Visit
As you might have guessed by the name, everything in this garden is made purely of thread. Can you imagine the amount of hard work put into every tiny detail. Fifty craftsmen work in this artificial garden, which is one of the best India tourist attractions that you’ll come across. From flowers to lawns, all the things are handmade and no machinery or a needle has been used to create the wonders. You’ll be visually delighted by all the things here, including the 150 varieties of flowers made from thread. Therefore, this place is also known as the “Millenium Miracle," and is among the things to do in Ooty.
Timings: 9 A.M to 5 P.M
Fee:
For Adults – Around INR 50
For Kids – Around INR 15
For Camera – Around INR 50
For Video Camera – Around INR 100
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Ooty: Approx. 1.5 km
Ideal for: Families, couples, group of travelers
Nearby hotels: Hotel Darshan, Savoy, Rosewood
Nearby restaurants: Bollywood Café, Lemon Grass Restaurant, Lazy Mongoose
How to reach: You can hire a cab or an auto rickshaw to reach here
8. Go for Safari at Mudumalai National Park: A Fascinating Trip to the Wildlife Reserve
You can’t imagine a vacation without a trip to the wildlife reserve there. The Mudumalai National Park in Ooty is an incredibly fun and adventurous location. You can choose between a jeep safari, bus safari or elephant safari and enjoy the views of the forest and the wildlife that you’ll encounter on the way. There are almost 500 endangered species here along with common animals, such as langurs, elephants, and so on. Its tiger population is also quite popular. This is one of the things to do in Ooty with family because this activity is best enjoyed with a group of people.
Timings: 6 A.M to 6 P.M
Fee: Around INR 30 and additional charges for safari
Duration: 4 to 5 hours
Distance from Ooty: Approx. 29 km
Ideal for: Families, group of travelers
Tips: Don’t disturb the wild animals and don’t wear bright colors
Nearby hotels: Safari Land Villa, InnTheWild, Avadale Masinagudi
Nearby restaurants: Navaruchi, Sara’s Kitchen Restaurant, Hotel Grand View
How to reach: You can board a bus to the park
Suggested Read: Best Places to Visit in Jaisalmer: Adorned in Shimmering Yellow Hue of Sand
9. Stop By the Pine Tree Forest: Revel in Bollywood Feels at this Forest
One of the major attractions in Ooty is this pine tree forest, which is the shooting location for several Bollywood movies, including Qayamat se Qayamat Tak, Dil Se, Sadma, and many more. Even if you aren’t a Bollywood buff, this location is quite surreal with tall pine trees and alluring Nilgiri hills surrounding it. You can spend some peaceful downtime here and reminisce in the Bollywood feels all around you. So include spending time here as one of the things to do in Ooty.
Timings: 8 A.M to 6 P.M
Fee: Around INR 5
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Ooty: Approx. 7.8 km
Ideal for: Families, group of travelers, couples
Nearby hotels: Mountain Retreat, Sterling Fern Hill, Sherlock Hotel
Nearby restaurants: Taj Savoy, Thalassery Restaurant, Hornbill Restaurant
How to reach: You can access this place via a taxi or a bus
10. Enjoy the Kotagiri Trek: An Adventure Junkie’s Favorite Activity
Trekking is an adventure in India, which is widely enjoyed by adventure lovers, and a trip to Ooty would be incomplete without a trek in the Kotagiri hills. This path is one of the most ideal paths for trekking covered with a bountiful of flora and fauna. The hill is at a height of 5,890 ft. and the mesmerizing view from the top would make it all worthwhile. It’s better to start the trek early in the morning to reach your end point on time. You’d fall in love with this city as you make your way to the top.
Best time to visit: Early in the morning
Start and End Point: Kotagiri to Kodanad View Point
Duration: 1 to 2 hours
Distance from Ooty: Approx. 29 km
Ideal for: Families, group of travelers
Tips: Wear comfortable clothes and shoes, carry woolen jackets, a torch with extra batteries, and a first aid kit for emergencies
Nearby hotels: Teanest Nightingale, Green Nest Forest, Garuda Park Resort
Nearby restaurants: Silver Tip Café, Tea County Restaurant, Café Diem
How to reach: You can hire a taxi to reach this location
Ooty is both a person’s solace and an adventurer’s paradise. The things to do in Ooty capture the essence of its strengths and you can get to see the best of both worlds. So, you can indulge in any activity for the thrill of it, but you’d also be rewarded with breathtaking views and surroundings. It’s difficult to find a better place than this, so without a beat, plan a vacation to this gorgeous destination with our Ooty tour packages.
FAQs
Ooty is known for its tea plantations, and you’ll come across plenty of them as you venture to the various attractions this city has and the adventures it has in store for you. The vast expanse of tea leaves and a variety of flavors, you’d never want to stop drinking tea in this city.
Ooty massive tourist influx is a result of the vistas of lush greenery, mist covered hills, rich biodiversity, and breathtaking scenic views. People come here to find refuge from the chaos of the cosmopolitan cities and to take a breather at this mesmerizing beauty.
This city is an excellent honeymoon destination because of its alluring and charming views and attractions. Couples can boat in the Ooty Lake, spend time in the Kalhatti Falls, camp at the Avalanche Lake, and much more.
There are several activities that and your family can indulge in, such as camping, boating, going for a safari ride, visiting the churches and temples, etc. These activities are best enjoyed with a group of people.
Ooty’s nightlife is as charming as the rest of the city. You can visit a few pubs, listen to a live band or dance to the beats of the music.
Here are a few adventure activities you can try in Ooty:
- Boating
- Trekking
- Safari Ride
- Camping
3 to 4 days are enough to explore this beauty in the South and feel satisfied with your vacation. You’ll have sufficient time to relax, enjoy the adventurous activities, and visit the tourist spots.
The ideal time to visit this city is from April to June or September to November. Even though Ooty is a year-round destination, you’ll still find this destination at its finest during these months.
