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For those who like to enjoy boat rides and fishing, a visit to the Ooty Lake is a must. Besides these, there are various view points like Lamb's Rock (8 km away from Coonoor), Kodanadu (16 km from Kotagiri), and Dodabetta Peak that offer fascinating views of the surrounding plains and hills.
Botanical Garden:
The Botanical Garden of Ooty was established in 1848. The beautiful gardens maintained by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu have wide variety of plants and include Italian and Japanese sections. Out here one can have a look at different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants, eucalyptus trees and several old trees. One of the main attractions here is the fossilized tree trunk, which is about 20 million years old. During the month of May every year, a Summer Festival is held here. The major attractions of the festival are flower shows, cultural programmes relating to classical arts, and adventure sports like trekking.
Ooty Lake:
Built in 1825, the 2.5-km-long Ooty Lake is a place worth visiting. You can go for boating and fishing in this lake. However, for fishing you need a prior permission. A racecourse is also located near the lake. A mini-train takes the visitors around the lake.
Dodabetta Peak:
At a height of 2,623 metres, Dodabetta Peak is the highest point in the district. Situated at about 10 km from the Ooty town, it is one of the most prominent view points around Ooty. The top of the peak remains covered by mist most of the time but on a clear day, you can have a look at the landscape as far as the plains of Coimbatore and the Mysore plateau.
Lamb's Rock:
About nine kilometres from Coonoor lies Lamb's Rock, a viewpoint on a high precipice. The point offers stunning views of the Coimbatore plains and the coffee and tea estates on the slopes.
Kodanadu View Point:
On the eastern edges of the Nilgiris, at about 16 km from Kotagiri, lies the Kodanadu View Point. You can get a panoramic view of the tea estates and the Moyar River from either side of the road. There is a watchtower from where you can view the Rangasamy peak and pillar.
Weekend Trips/Excursions:
There are several places to see and visit near Ooty too. Excursions around Ooty prove to be an equally interesting experience. A visit to the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary gives you an idea of the region's fauna and fauna. The trip to hill stations of Kotagiri and Coonor complement the visit to Ooty. Kalhatty Waterfalls apart from giving breathtaking views also offers rich flora and fauna in its surrounding area. Sim's Park has more than 1,000 plant species; some of them are very rare. Dolphin's Nose is a famous viewpoint not far from the city of Ooty. Mukurthi gives breathtaking sites of the Mukurthi peak and abounds in flora and fauna. Avalanche with its dam is a nature lover's paradise.
Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary:
One of the most important wildlife sanctuaries in South India, the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at about 67 km from Ooty. It is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere reserve along with Bandipur National Park in Karnataka and Wynad Sanctuary in Kerala.
Wildlife in Mudumalai is very similar to other sanctuaries in Nilgiris. The predominant species in this region are bonnet macaque and common langur. Tigers and leopards also reside here but are a rare sight. Other important species are giant squirrels, flying squirrels, elephants, gaurs, sambhar, chital, barking deer and mouse deer.
The birds in the sanctuary include racket-tailed drongo, black woodpecker, parakeets, barbets, mynas, cuckoos, Malabar trogon, Malabar grey hornbill, crested hawk eagle, and crested serpent eagle.
An elephant camp called Theppakkadu is located within the sanctuary where you can find a rest house. You can also find accommodation at Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation's Youth Hostel and rest houses in Masinagudi, Abhayaranayam and Kargudi and the Bamboo Banks Farm.
Kotagiri:
About 28 km east of Ooty lies the quiet village of Kotagiri, the oldest of the three Nilgiri hill stations. The hill station is relatively calmer than the neighbouring Ooty and Coonoor. Kotagiri is surrounded by tea estates and tribal Kota settlements.
Kalhatty Waterfalls:
About 100 feet in height, the Kalhatty falls are located on the Kalhatty slopes at about 13 km from Ooty. In addition to the enchanting view presented by the falls, you can also have a look at wildlife that exists in the Kalhatty-Masinagudi slopes. The wild species include panthers, bison, wild buffaloes, wild dogs, spotted deer, sambhar, and different types of hill birds.
Sim's Park:
Situated in Upper Coonoor, Sim's park is spread across 12 hectares on the slopes of a ravine and is a major tourist attraction. The park has over 1,000 plant species that include magnolia, tree ferns, pines and camellia. A fruit and vegetable show is held here in May.
Dolphin's Nose:
Dolphin's Nose viewpoint is situated at about 10 kilometres from Coonoor. On a clear day, you can get a splendid view of the valley and the surrounding areas from here. You can also have a look at the St. Catherine Falls from this point
Mukurthi:
While in Ooty one should not miss a visit to Mukurthi, which situated at a distance of 36 km from Ooty. Here you can have a look at the majestic Mukurthi Peak. The flora and fauna of this area bear similarity with that of Himalayas. It is believed by the local Todas here that the souls of the dead and the sacrificed buffaloes move on to the next world from this sacred place. The Mukurthi Lake, which is 6 km in circumference, lies in the vicinity.
Avalanche:
At about 28 km from Ooty lies Avalanche, a nature lover's paradise. Here you can find a beautiful lake that is home to a wide variety of birds.
Coonoor:
Located at a distance of 17 km from Udhagamandalam, Coonoor is the first of the three Nilgiri hill stations. Coonoor has an equable climate that makes this small town a popular hill resort.
Events and Festivals:
Tea and Tourism Festival:
Tea and Tourism Festival celebrated in the month of January is a festival worth a visit. This festival draws the attention of a good number of tourists every year.
Makar Pongal:
The festival of Makar Pongal is held in the month of January.
Flower Show:
A flower show is also organised in the botanical garden here.
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