Charming Places to Visit in Coonoor in 2024

Often overlooked by the famous and bustling hill station of Ooty, the humble neighbour Coonoor smilingly welcomes the discerning and makes the travellers yearn for more.

Sitting at 1860 metres above the sea levels of Southern India’s state of Tamil Nadu, Coonoor, or Kunnur, is a peaceful and historical hill town lying cosily on Nilgiri Hills. It is easy to reach Coonoor by the Road, Air, and Train routes. The town is well-connected with major cities like Banglore, Coimbatore, Ooty, and Mettupalayam. Reaching Coonoor by road is much preferred by travellers for its mesmerising journey through a winding route passing through Madhumalai Tiger Reserve.

Once you reach Coonoor, you will find a laid-back hill station shrouded in mist. There would be a nip in the air, and you might crave a steaming cuppa to go along. Your stay will be calming to your senses, whether you choose plantation stays or heritage bungalows, hotels, homestays, or resorts in Coonoor.

Top Places to Visit in Coonoor in 2024

Here are the places to visit in Coonoor that should be a part of your itinerary: -

• Lamb’s Rock
• The Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint
• Sim’s Park
• Law’s Falls
• All Saints Church
• Ketti Valley
• Lady Canning’s Seat
• Hidden Valley
• Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Lamb’s Rock

Start your day early and hike to Lamb’s Rock, 8 Km up from Coonoor railway station. Lamb’s Rock can be an ideal place to visit first in Coonoor due to its commanding views of the plains of Coimbatore and Nilgiri Hills. You will feel refreshed within 8 minutes of gazing at the breathtaking vistas in contrast to the 8 Km trek you conquered, albeit navigating beautiful forest greenery. Stop here for a while like many others, indulge in a picnic, capture the views with your camera if you wish, and take home these magical moments with you.

The Dolphin’s Nose Viewpoint

A humungous rock with a protruding tip, you will be in awe of this spot when you reach here. It is one of the idyllic places to visit in Coonoor. Imagine looking at the unobstructed greens and expanse of Nilgiri Hills at a 270-degree view and witnessing the famous Catherine Falls of Kotagiri, far deep in the forest. If you stay longer here, you will be gifted with an enchanting view of the sunset that may imprint on your memory for a lifetime.

For a more relaxed pace, consider these captivating places to visit in and around Coonoor:

Sim’s Park

Established in 1874 and serving since then to visitors, especially nature lovers and photographers, Sim’s Park is one of the must-visit places in Coonoor. This botanical garden is spread across 12 hectares of land, displaying over 1000 unique flora and faunas, including exotic species. At Sim’s Park, you can take a leisurely stroll along its pathways, and embrace the many ways of nature’s beauty while inhaling the crisp air of the mountains. Families with kids often enjoy this park, organised and managed by an empathic team of gardeners. If you visit Coonnor in May, you may as well witness the annual fruits and vegetables festival held at Sim’s Park.

Law’s Falls

In the Coonoor forest range, on the outskirts of the town, lays one of the most thrilling places to visit in Coonoor - Law’s Waterfalls, which is popular among locals and visitors. To reach Law’s Falls, you don’t need to trek or walk too much since it is close to the main road. Once there, you will feel the breezy spray on your face amid lush greenery. Spend a relaxing afternoon by the waterfall, have a picnic lunch, and enjoy the symphony of nature here. The entry to Law’s Falls is open from 6 AM to 6 PM with no entry fee.

All Saints Church

After witnessing Coonoor’s natural beauty, you can head to the human-made and God-blessed All Saints Church. It has been located at Kotagiri Road since 1854, right next to The Taj Garden Retreat Hotel. It is an architectural marvel where you can admire the magnificent Gothic architecture with dark wood roofs and interiors are adorned with intricate glass windows. The church is situated inside a peaceful surrounding with manicured gardens and many Juniper and Pine trees around, making it one of the places of interest in Coonoor.

Ketti Valley

Some say it is the Switzerland of South India; some tout it as the second-largest after the Grand Canyons of the USA; you must go and explore an astounding Ketti Valley. It is one of the most sought-after places to visit near Coonoor, which is located on Ooty-Coonoor Road. From cascading waterfalls to lush greenery to flourishing wildlife to tea plantations, you can witness everything in this valley and soak in nature like never before. With several cafes and shops to eat and relax, a World Wax Museum, a Telescope House, a Shiva Lingam temple, and enthralling views of sunrise and sunset, it makes Ketti Valley one of the best places to visit in Coonoor if you are in for 1 day.

Lady Canning’s Seat

Another picturesque spot and one of the places of interest in Coonoor, this vantage point is named after the wife of a former Viceroy of India. It offers awe-inspiring views of the lush greenery of Nilgiri hills, scenic landscapes, and emerald tea gardens. If you love quietness and solitude with a knack for photography, the serene environment of Lady Canning’s Seat will interest you a lot. Take an easy and short trek to this spot from the Dolphin’s Nose viewpoint.

Hidden Valley

One of the unexplored places to visit in Coonoor, as the name says, Hidden Valley offers stunning vistas and adventure trails. It is located beyond the Wellington Gold Course, near Sim’s Park. It is the best spot in Coonoor if you want to escape the crowded places yet want to enjoy Coonoor’s natural beauty. You can expect many gushing waterfalls, serene lakes, and natural caves in Hidden Valley. The place also offers mountaineering, trekking, and rock climbing adventures.

Nilgiri Mountain Railway

It is not a place to visit in Coonoor per se, but it is a medium to witness surreal places in Coonoor via a toy train ride and have an extraordinary experience. If you are short on time, you can take a slow trip to Ooty on this train, which takes about 90 minutes to navigate through steep inclines and hairpin bends, offering exquisite views. Popularly called the Ooty toy train, it covers 5 hours of hilly routes from Ooty to Mettupalayam at fixed times. So, it is recommended that you book your dreamy journey in advance.

Places to Visit in Coonoor for Shopping 

• Green Shop, Bedford Circle, Coonoor
• Tibetan Market, Neat Botonical Garden, Udhagamandalam
• Coonor Main Bazaar, Upper Bazaar Road, Coonoor

If you are in Coonoor for 1 day, the local markets are among the best places to visit. For shopping enthusiasts, Coonoor offers some unique and local treasures to take home. One of the best things to buy from Coonoor’s market and tea estates is the aromatic varieties of Nilgiri Tea. Besides this, you can find authentic tribal jewellery and handicrafts, hand embroidered shawls at many places within the market.

When it comes to local produce, Coonoor offers a cheesy affair. Here you can find some of the country’s best gourmet cheese and even learn a course on cheese making. Local vendors like Baker’s Junction and Nilgiris Store offer the most authentic varieties of cheese. You can also take home some freshly produced honey and fruit jams (pear, peach, passion fruit, mulberry) from the Green Shop area to remind you of your Coonoor escape

Places to Visit in Coonoor for Food 

Café Diem – One of the places of interest in Coonoor, this sweet little café has some Instagram-worthy ambience, lick-worthy food, and drool-worthy views of the outside.

The Culinarium – Situated between Coonoor and Ooty, next to the Pony Needle factory, sits an exquisite restaurant that offers a European menu with the most romantic surroundings.

Bevina in Kurumba Village Resort – It is an in-house restaurant of Kurumba Village Resort, located on Mettupalayam-Coonoor road that satiates your soul with its personalised and ghar-ka-khana needs in the most hearty and comfortable way.
Coonoor’s charm lies in its perfect mix of serenity, adventure, and historical significance. From verdant valleys, canyons, and ravines to cascading waterfalls, architectural marvels and aromatic tea plantations, this hill town has something for everyone. Start planning your trip by booking a Coonoor tour package today!