Ooty, known as the Queen of Hills station, is located amidst the Nilgiri hills of Tamil Nadu. Ooty is famous for its greenery and its stunning landscape. Ooty is surrounded by beautiful tea gardens and tall. mountains, making it a perfect tourist destination to relax and enjoy nature. Its scenic view attracts visitors from all over the country, making it one of the most popular hill stations in India. It is the perfect place for families, couples and solo travellers. If you are planning a trip to Ooty, here are some of the best places you must visit for an incredible experience.

10 places to visit in Ooty: Hidden Treasure to Explore

The 10 amazing places you must visit in Ooty will surely give you a chance to enjoy the cool weather, greenery, and stunning views. It doesn't matter whether you are visiting the beautiful parks, relaxing near the placid lakes, or taking a ride on the well-known toy train. Each place has its unique experience to offer. These 10 places will introduce you to the Ooty best while making your visit both memorable and unique.

  1. Ooty Lake
  2. Government Rose Garden
  3. Government Botanical Garden
  4. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve
  5. Wenlock Downs 9th mile shooting point
  6. Thunder World
  7. Catherine Waterfall
  8. Nilgiris TeA
  9. Tea Museum
  10. Pykara Lake

1. Ooty Lake

Ooty Lake is located in the Nilgiri Hills of Tamil Nadu, India. It is an artificial lake that was built by John Sullivan in 1824. It was created for the development of ooty. It is one of the best places to visit and experience the tranquil nature. The lake becomes more beautiful during the summer and monsoon seasons. The Ooty Lake is surrounded by hills and dense greenery, which offers a peaceful environment. The lake also has a small park and a beautiful houseboat, making it a perfect spot for lovers and the best picnic spot for families. A variety of flora can be seen around the lake, whether you are a nature lover or want to spend time with your special one. This place will always be at the top of the list

Location: Ooty, Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu

Things to do: 

  • Boating
  • Nature Walks
  • Horse Riding
  • Fun at amusement park
  • Toy Train Ride
  • Picnicking
  • Cycling
  • Photography

Nearby Hotels: 

  • The Fern Hill
  • Lake View Hotel
  • Gem Park Ooty
  • Cliff Top International

Nearby Restaurants:

  • Shinkows
  • The Royal Oak
  • Nahar's Sidewalk Cafe
  • Cafe Diem

Nearby Attractions:

  • Botanical Garden
  • Rose Garden
  • St. Stephen's Church
  • Ooty Boat House
  • Thread Garden

2. Government Rose Garden

If you are visiting Ooty, the fragrance of the government Ooty garden and the aroma of colourful roses will automatically draw you in. The government Ooty Garden was established in 1995 and is now the largest rose garden in India. It is a popular tourist attraction that is best for nature lovers and photographers. This garden has upto 20,000 rose plants of different varieties such as miniature roses, which are very small in size, hybrid tea roses, floribunda, rambles and also black and green roses and many other varieties which can be found in the garden. The variety of roses planted here were compiled from different origins around the world. The best time to visit the garden is March to June, when the roses are in full bloom.

Location: Elk Hill, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Things to do: 

  • Explore the Rose Varieties
  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Attend the Rose Exhibition
  • Bird Watching

Nearby Hotels:

  • Hotel Nilgiri Regency
  • The Zest
  • Sterling Ooty Elk Hill
  • Gem Park Ooty
  • Hilltop Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

  • Shinkows
  • Nahar's Sidewalk Cafe
  • The Royal Oak
  • Earthen Oven

Nearby Attractions:

  • Botanical Garden
  • Stone House
  • Doddabetta Peak
  • Ooty Lake

3. Government Botanical Garden

The government botanical garden is one of the most popular gardens in India. It was established in 1848 by the Britishers. It is well known for its flora, which consists of exotic plants, flowering plants, ferns, shrubs, a variety of roses, orchids and most importantly, fossil trunks, which are 20 million years old. This garden is well maintained in a terraced layout divided into various sections, mainly lower, new, Italian, and upper.

Lower garden: consists of entrance, lower lawns and fossil tree ( 20 million years old). The key attraction is its carpet bet design on the Indian map, which has different plants

New garden: It comprises a Rose garden, exotic plants, and scenic paths made from plants that lead to different sections of the garden

Italian garden: Garden beds are structured in Italian patterns with a variety of annuals and crescent-shaped lily ponds

Upper garden: This section consists of glass houses presenting different exotic plants and orchid houses

Location : Vannarapetta, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Things to do: 

  • Explore Flower Beds
  • Visit the Italian Garden
  • Photography
  • See the Fossil Tree
  • Visit the Glass House
  • Attend the Flower Show

Nearby Hotels:

  • Hotel Nilgiri Regency
  • Gem Park Ooty
  • Sterling Ooty Elk Hill
  • Hilltop Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

  • Nahar's Sidewalk Café
  • The Royal Oak
  • Earthen Oven
  • Shinkows

Nearby Attractions:

  • Ooty Tea Factory and Museum
  • Nilgiri Mountain Railway
  • Ooty Lake
  • Thread Garden

4. Mudumalai Tiger reserve

If you love exploring wildlife, then Mudumalai National Park is going to be a thrilling biodiversity experience. Mudumalai National Park has been part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, and later, in 1986, it was declared a Tiger Reserve. It is located on the borders of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. It.  is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Endangered wildlife species, including tigers, Asian elephants, leopards, sloth bears, sambar dears, wild boar, and famous flora comprising teak, sandalwood, bamboo and rosewood, are the major attractions of this park. Visitors can take safari rides to explore the park with guides. The best month to visit Mudumalai National Park is during the winter months, November to March. It is the best place for wildlife photographers and enthusiasts

Location: Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu

Things to do:

  • Jeep Safari
  • Elephant Safari
  • Photography
  • Wildlife Spotting
  • Explore Pykara Lake

Nearby Hotels:

  • Tuskers Hill by Auriya
  • The Wilds at Northern Hill
  • Vardy's Wild View Resort

Nearby Restaurants:

  • The Wilds at Northern Hill Restaurant
  • The Tea Terrace
  • The Cliff Top Restaurant
  • Vardy's Wild View Resort Restaurant

Nearby Attractions:

  • Pykara Lake
  • Theppakadu Elephant Camp
  • Moyar River
  • Kalhatty Waterfalls

5. Wenlock Downs 9th Mile Shooting

Wenlock Downs, 9th-mile shooting, is a popular destination in Ooty for tourists, where you can spend peaceful time amidst nature, where time seems to stop, and you are away from daily bustling life. The rolling grassland hills surrounded by Nilgiri hills are the best place for photography and nature lovers. The 9th Mile shooting point earned fame due to its appearance in popular Bollywood movies such as Deewana, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Raja Hindustani, and others. Visitors can enjoy horse riding across the meadows. However, the best time to visit Wenlock Downs is during the Winter, when the weather is pleasant and perfect for outdoor activities

Location: 9th Mile, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Things To do:

  • Scenic Drive
  • Horse Riding
  • Photography
  • Nature Walks
  • Picnics

Nearby Hotels:

  • Vaidy’s Wild View Resort
  • The Wilds at Northern Hill
  • Zest Danish Villa
  • Ooty Gateway Resort

Nearby Restaurants:

  • The Cliff Top Restaurant
  • Vaidy’s Wild View Resort Restaurant
  • The Wilds at Northern Hill Restaurant

Nearby Attractions:

  • Ooty Lake
  • Theppakadu Elephant Camp
  • Kalhatty Waterfalls
  • Ooty Botanical Gardens

6. Thunder World

Thunder World Park is an amazing amusement park, which is located in Ooty. It is also known as the Dinosaur Park. No matter whether you are young or old, Thunder World Park is the best place to have fun and enjoy exciting activities. Amusement Park has various thrilling rides and games for kids and adults, leaving you amazed. The major attraction of this park is the wax museum, where you can see the statues of famous actors, politicians and historical figures. The most exciting part is 3d and 5d shows where the seats move, and you will feel like you are part of the movie; water sprays and blowing on visitors add a realistic touch. It also has an animal park, kids zone, ice cream parlour and cafes.

Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Things to do: 

  • Enjoy the Thrilling Rides
  • Visit the Wax Museum
  • Watch a 3D/5D Movie
  • Explore the Prehistoric Animal Park
  • Play in the Kids' Zone

Nearby hotels:

  • Sinclairs Retreat Ooty
  • Gem Park Ooty
  • Hotel Lakeview
  • Sterling Ooty Elk Hill
  • The Willow Hill

Nearby restaurants:

  • Earl’s Secret
  • The Culinarium
  • Hyderabad Biryani House
  • Nahar’s Sidewalk Cafe

Nearby Attractions:

  • Ooty Lake
  • Ooty Botanical Gardens
  • Rose Garden
  • Lake View Point

7. Catherine Waterfalls

Catherine Waterfall is one of the major tourist attractions in Kotagiri, Ooty. It is located amidst the hills and tea estates. The Catherine waterfall was named after the wife of MD Cockburn, who introduced a Coffee plantation in Kotagiri. Catherine Fall has a height of 76 meters, which makes it one of the highest waterfalls in the Nilgiri. It is surrounded by dense green forests and hills, which makes it a more stunning and perfect place for nature lovers and photographers. The best time to visit Catherine Falls is monsoon season (June to September) when the waterfall is at its full flow

Location: Kotagiri, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Things to do:

  • Trek to the Waterfall
  • Photography
  • Picnicking
  • Viewpoint Visit
  • Wildlife Spotting
  • Tea Estate Visit

Nearby Hotels:

  • The Gateway Hotel Church Road
  • Nestlewood Cottage
  • Taj Savoy Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

  • The Tea Nest
  • The Culinarium
  • Earl's Secret
  • Shinkows

Nearby Attraction:

  • Kotagiri
  • Dolphin's Nose
  • Kodanad View Point
  • Tea Gardens 
  • Ooty Lake

8. Nilgiris Tea

Nilgiri Tea Garden is located in Nilgiri Hills, Tamil Nadu. It is famous for the plantation of some of the finest tea in India. The Nilgiri is often called as the 'blue mountains', and its tea is renowned for its unique flavour and aroma. Some famous teas produced at Nilgiri are green, white, and black. Some popular tea estates are Glenmorgan, Coonoor, Ooty and Kotagiri. Some estates also have tea factories where you can observe the steps of tea making and even taste the fresh Nilgiri tea.

Location: Nilgiri, Tamil Nadu

Things to do:

  • Take a Tea Estate Tour
  • Tea Tasting
  • Tea Plucking Experience
  • Photography
  • Nature Walks

Nearby Hotels:

  • Hotel Lakeview
  • Sinclairs Retreat Ooty
  • The Gateway Hotel Church Road 
  • Nestlewood Cottage
  • The Willow Hill

Nearby Restaurants:

  • The Culinarium
  • Earl's Secret
  • The Tea Nest 
  • Hyderabad Biryani House

Nearby Attractions:

  • Dolphin's Nose Viewpoint
  • Ooty Lake 
  • Catherine Falls
  • Kodanad Viewpoint

9. Tea Museum

The tea museum is located in Hosur, Ooty. It is an interesting and informative tourist destination that gives visitors deep insight into the history, culture and process of tea production in the Nilgiri. The museum showcases the process of tea plantation and cultivation in the Nilgiri hills; the museum has various tea-making tools used in tea production during the 19th century, as well as artefacts and historical photographs related to tea cultivation. The museum displays the journey of tea from raw leaf to packaged products. The museum also has ancient tea-plucking baskets, processing machines and antique teapots. The museum is the best place for tea enthusiasts.

Location: Hosur, Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Things to do:

  • Explore the History of Tea
  • See Vintage Equipment
  • Shop for Tea
  • Learn About the History of Tea
  • Visit the Plantation

Nearby Hotels:

  • Hotel Lakeview
  • Sinclairs Retreat Ooty
  • The Willow Hill Ooty
  • Sterling Ooty Fern Hill 

Nearby Restaurants:

  • The Earl's Secret
  • Adayar Ananda Bhavan (AAB)
  • Coakers Walk Restaurant
  • Sree Annapoorna
  • The Place - Tandoor House

Nearby Attractions:

  • Ooty Lake
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Ooty Market
  • Nilgiri Mountain Railway
  • Rose Garden

10. Pykara Lake

Pykara Lake is one of the top attractions in Ooty. Pykara Lake is surrounded by dense green forests and Nilgiri hills, making it more beautiful. The waterfalls are a popular spot for nature lovers and photographers. The area around the lake is rich in a variety of flora and fauna, making it an excellent place to explore nature and bird-watching. The best time to visit Pykara Lake is between March and June and September to November when the weather is pleasant and the region is vibrant and green, especially after the monsoon season.

Location: Ooty, Tamil Nadu

Things to do:

  • Boating
  • Visit Pykara Waterfalls
  • Trekking and Nature Walks
  • Enjoy Local Snacks
  • Photograph

Nearby Hotels:

  • Sinclairs Retreat Ooty
  • The Willow Hill
  • Sterling Ooty Fern Hill
  • Ooty International Hotel
  • Savoy Hotel

Nearby Restaurants:

  • Adayar Ananda Bhavan
  • Coakers Walk Restaurant
  • Sree Annapoorna
  • Hyderabad Biryani House

Nearby Attractions:

  • Nilgiri Mountain Railway
  • Botanical Gardens
  • Ooty Lake
  • Pykara Waterfalls

Places To Visit In Ooty- FAQs

1. What is Ooty best known for?

Ooty is best known for its beautiful hill station, lush tea gardens, Nilgiri Mountain Railway (Toy Train) and Botanical Gardens.

2. What is famous to eat in Ooty?

Some famous dishes in Ooty include Varkey, Nilgiri tea, South Indian food like dosa, idli, and sambhar, and local chocolates.

3. Which month is best for Ooty?

The best months to visit Ooty are April to June and September to November. The weather is pleasant for outdoor activities.

4. Which tea garden is famous in Ooty?

The most famous tea garden is the Glenmorgan Tea Estate, which is famous for its high-quality tea production.

5. How many spots are in Ooty?

Ooty has over 30 tourist spots, including lakes, gardens, viewpoints, trekking trails, tea plantations, and historical landmarks.

6. Does Ooty have snowfall?

Snowfall in Ooty is rare but can happen during winter, from December to February.

7. What is Ooty famous for?

Ooty is famous for its tea gardens, Botanical Gardens, Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, and Nilgiri Mountain Railway. It is also known as the Queen of Hill Stations.

8. Which is the coldest place in Ooty?

The coldest places in Ooty are Doddabetta Peak and Ketti Valley, which experience lower temperatures due to their higher elevation.

9. What are the best shopping spots in Ooty?

Some of the best shopping spots in Ooty are Ooty Market, which is famous for handicrafts and spices; Charing Cross, which is renowned for wollen clothes and tea; and Main Bazaar, known for Ooty chocolates, tea and handmade artefacts.

10. What are the best things to do in Ooty?

Ooty is uniquely known for its Nilgiri Tea, hill stations, beautiful gardens and tea plantations.

11. What are the top 5 attractions in Ooty?

The top 5 attractions in Ooty are Ooty Lake, Botanical Gardens, Nilgiri Mountain Railway, rose garden and tea estates.

12. What activities can we enjoy in Ooty?

In Ooty, you can enjoy activities like boating, trekking, exploring botanical gardens, visiting tea plantations, and taking the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.

13. What is the most beautiful part of Ooty?

The most beautiful parts of Ooty are the Ooty Lake, Pykara Lake and the waterfalls.

14. Which market is best in Ooty?

The Ooty Main Bazaar is the best market, known for its local products, souvenirs, and homemade chocolates.

15. What are the special places in Ooty?

Special places in Ooty include Ooty Lake, Doddabetta Peak, the Botanical Garden, the Rose Garden, and the Nilgiri Mountain Railway.