Places to Visit Near the Queen of Hills, Ooty

Imagine this; bright green soothing slopes, sparkling rivers, misty mountains and clouds that pass through your hair. Sounds unreal, but the Queen of Hills Ooty is replete with such immense beauty, located in the southern Indian part of Tamil Nadu. The quaint hill station of Ooty is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South India. Traditionally known as Udhaganandalam or Ootacamund, the small town of Ooty is the headquarters of the Nilgiri district, with Doddabetta as the highest mountain peak.

Let’s go a little back in the history of Ooty; until the 18th century, Ooty was inhabited by the native ethnic Toda and Bagada people. After the colonisation period, the town became a part of the Madras Presidency and the summer capital of the East India Company. From hills, waterfalls, and valleys to lakes, there’s no dearth of things to do in Ooty and places to visit and explore. Take a gander at some of the best places to visit near Ooty within 100 km for the most delightful vacation experience. Before that, here are some of the best places to visit in Ooty that truly bring out the charm of the town.

Ooty Lake

One of the most important and picturesque places on your trip to Ooty is Ooty Lake, which was built almost 200 years ago. Situated approximately 2 km from the city, Ooty Lake is spread across an area of 65 acres with Eucalyptus trees and greenery spread all around the periphery of the lake. Besides being a famous picnic place near Ooty, the lake is also a hotspot for adventure enthusiasts. One can hire paddle, motor, or rowing boats from the boathouse there. Ooty Lake also houses an in-house amusement park with various games and activities.

Operating hours: 10 AM to 6:30 PM every day

Thread Garden

Thread Garden is another one of the popular places around Ooty, filled with some of the most beautiful artificial flowers and plant collections. The artefacts displayed in the Thread Garden are made by skilled artisans using only thread. The garden is the brainchild of Mr Anthony Joseph, who worked constantly for 12 years to bring his idea to execution with the Thread Garden.

Operating hours: 9 AM to 5 PM every day

Doddabetta Peak

Doddabetta Peak is the highest peak in the Nilgiri’s, meaning big mountain, located approximately 10 km from Ooty. The Doddabetta Peak is perched at a height of approximately 2,623 metres above sea level, an absolute treat to the eyes. Reaching Doddabetta Peak is easily accessible via road.

Tip: The Doddabetta Peak may remain closed during the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall and slippery roads. Always check with the locals or your tour guide before heading to the tourist attraction.

Deer Park

Located just 2 km away from Ooty Lake is Deer Park, which makes it an ideal tourist attraction with its wide varieties of deers, such as Sambhar and Chithal. The park also houses a wide variety of fauna as well. Deer Park was established in 1986, and today, the park is one of the known wildlife sanctuaries in Tamil Nadu and India.

Operating hours: 10 AM to 5 PM every day

Ooty Rose Garden

Ooty Rose Garden is another popular tourist attraction in Ooty, which is maintained by the Government of Tamil Nadu. The garden is spread across an area of 4 hectares of land and showcases over 20 thousand varieties of roses. Visiting the Rose Garden between March to June is highly recommended, the months being the peak flowering season.

Operating hours: 7:30 AM to 6:30 PM

Places to Visit Near Ooty Within 100 Km

The quaint and peaceful town of Ooty has many alluring places and attractions within 100 km that would make for a great trip from Ooty. Some of the must-visit places to visit near Ooty include:

Coonoor

Situated in Tamil Nadu near Ooty, Coonoor is another tourist place which is approximately 19 km from Ooty. Coonoor is an enchanting and serene place away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The town is perched at a height of 1,930 metres and is a perfect place to visit for one day trip from Ooty. If you wish to witness the panoramic views of the Nilgiri hills, then Coonoor is the perfect place to be in.

Distance from Ooty: 19 km

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Mettupalayam Railway Station

Scenic spots to see: Dolphin’s Nose, Sim’s Park, Lamb’s Rock and Catherine Falls

Bellikkal

Bellikkal is another serene hill station to visit near Ooty in the Southern segment of the Sigur Plateau, situated at a distance of approximately 14 km. The town is a paradise for bird watchers as a number of migratory birds flock to Bellikkal, adding to the beauty of the place. Some of the places to visit in Bellikkal include Bellikkal Lake, Nilgiri Peaks and various other tourist spots.

Distance from Ooty: 14 km

Nearest Airport: Mangalore Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Mettupalayam Railway Station

Scenic spots to see: Cardamom Forest, Bellikkal Lake and Niligir Peaks

Kotagiri

Just a stone's throw away from Ooty is another beautiful hill station, Kotagiri, situated at a distance of 29 km from Ooty. Surrounded by lush greenery, misty mountains and rugged nature trails, Kotagiri is a must-visit place near Ooty to visit on your trip. The scenic landscape of Kotagiri is spread across 115 hectares and is home to more than 80 species of exotic plants, birds and trees.

Distance from Ooty: 29 km

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Coimbatore Railway Station

Scenic spots to see: Elk Falls, Catherine Waterfalls, John Sullivan Memorial and Kodanad View Point

Bandipur

Home to lush green foliage, pleasant weather, and meandering trails, another tourist place near Ooty is Bandipur, approximately 40 km from Ooty. Being a National Reserve in Karnataka, one can easily spot elephants grazing and spot other wild animals and migratory birds. Bandipur also has an animal care centre, which cares for the animals’ health and breeding issues.

Distance from Ooty: 40 km

Nearest Airport: Bangalore International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Nanjangud Railway Station

Scenic spots to see: Bandipur National Park, Biligirirangan Hills and Malai Mahadeshwara Temple

Mudumalai

Nestled approximately 41 km away from Ooty is another abode for rare and endangered species, Mudumalai. When you search for tourist places near me while in Ooty, Mudumulai will top the list. The town connects the Western and Eastern Ghats, which share borders with Karnataka and Kerala. When in Mudumalai, visiting the Mudumalai National Park is a must-visit place. The national park is home to a wide variety of animals, including Indian Elephants, Gaur, Bengal Tiger and Indian Leopards. Bandipur National Park was also declared a Tiger Reserve by the Tamil Nadu state government in 2007.

Distance from Ooty: 41 km

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Coimbatore Railway Station

Scenic spots to see: Mudumalai National Park, Pykara Falls and Lake and Thepakkadu Elephant Camp

Nilambur

Another spectacular place in the spectrum of striking places to visit near Ooty is Nilambur, situated approximately 97 km from Ooty. The town is famous for its teak plantations and a unique combination of wildlife. Nilambur is situated on the banks of the Chaliyar River and is one of the most beautiful places to visit near Ooty.

Distance from Ooty: 97 km

Nearest Airport: Calicut International Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Nilambur Railway Station

Scenic spots to see: Teak Museum, Adyanpara Waterfall, Kannimara Tea and Conolly’s Plot Ecotourism Centre

Coimbatore

Situated approximately 85 km, the tourist place near Ooty enthrals tourists with its stunning mountains, pleasant weather and friendly locals. Coimbatore is fondly known as the ‘Manchester of India’ and is the largest city in Tamil Nadu and a major tourist destination. The place is known for its spectacular temples that you must not miss if you visit Coimbatore. If you are an adventure enthusiast, Coimbatore offers some of the best camping and trekking opportunities as well.

Distance from Ooty: 85 km

Nearest Airport: Coimbatore Airport

Nearest Railway Station: Coimbatore Railway Station

Scenic spots to see: Maha Shiva Adiyogi Statue, Perur Patteeshwar Temple, Siruvani Waterfall and Velliangiri Hills

The Queen of the Hills has abundant tourist places to visit near Ooty for those who come to visit it. And then there are places near Ooty which will make your visit to the town even more worth it. Whether you are a nature lover, adventure enthusiast or just prefer a holiday amidst nature, book an Ooty tour package for a perfect vacation. Explore some of the most booked Ooty tour packages listed on Veena World, which are tailor-made for every kind of traveller. Visit the Customised Holiday section if you want to plan a trip to Ooty and make your own itinerary your way.