Ooty is a picturesque hill station located in Western Tamil Nadu. It sits at 7,350 feet in the Nilgiri Hills of the Western Ghats. Blessed with abundant natural beauty, Ooty makes a perfect peaceful getaway to simply relax and rejuvenate. From beautiful lakes to charming gardens and tea estates, there is no shortage of places to visit in Ooty in 1 day.
This hill town was discovered by the British in the early 1800s. It was originally named Ootacamund which got shortened over time to Ooty.
In 1972, it was officially renamed Udhagamandalam. However, the place is still known by its popular name ‘Ooty’.
Are you planning to visit Ooty on a short one-day trip? In this post, we will take you on a journey through the various places to visit in Ooty in 1 day.
A Quick Glance Through
- How To Reach Ooty
- Places To Visit in 1 Day
- Where To Stay
- Other Places To Visit Close By
- Best Time To Visit
- Where To Eat
How To Reach Ooty
Ooty is well connected by road to nearby cities like Coimbatore (85 km), Mysore (218 km), and Kodaikanal (250 km). You can easily get to Ooty by car from these cities.
You can take a bus as well to reach there. Several buses ply to Ooty from Coimbatore and Mysore.
The closest train station is located in Mettupalayam, about 50 km away. From Mettupalayam, you may take a road trip to Ooty or take a ride on the Nilgiris Mountain train.
The Nilgiris Mountain Railway is one of India’s heritage mountain railways that connects Mettupalayam to Ooty via Coonoor.
For those who want to fly to Ooty, Coimbatore Airport serves as the nearest airport. It is approximately 88 km drive to Ooty from the airport.
Places To Visit in Ooty in 1 Day
1. Doddabetta Peak
Start your sightseeing trip with Doddabetta Peak, the highest peak in the Nilgiri Mountains. It lies at 8,652 feet above sea level.
Doddabetta Peak viewpoint is located on the Ooty-Kotagiri Road, about 9 km from the town of Ooty.
The summit is easily accessible by car. You need to hike up a bit from the parking lot to get to the viewpoint. From the top, you can enjoy astounding views of the Nilgiri Hills and Ooty’s lush green landscapes.
In addition, there is a Telescope House for visitors. You can see vistas far beyond Ooty through the telescopes mounted up there.
On a clear day, the forests of Bandipur National Park and some parts of Mysore can also be seen.
Time required to visit: 0.5 to 1 hour.
2. The Tea Factory And The Tea Museum
Head to The Tea Factory and The Tea Museum next. It is situated on the road to Doddabetta Peak, hardly a 15-minute drive from there.
If you have been wondering how tea is made from raw tea leaves, then this is the place you must visit.
You get to see the entire process of tea manufacturing from crushing tea leaves to drying and packaging. It also features a small museum that depicts the history of tea-making.
Apart from these, there is a tea shop on the premises where you can buy freshly processed tea. You can choose from a wide variety of tea flavours like cardamom, mint, ginger, and masala tea.
It also has a chocolate shop within the premises. You can check out if you are interested in buying chocolates.
Time required to visit: 1.5 to 2 hours.
3. Government Botanical Garden
Your next stop is the Government Botanical Garden which is about 4 km away from the Tea Factory.
Sprawling 55 acres in the heart of Ooty, the Government Botanical Garden is an excellently laid out terraced garden.
The history of this garden dates back to the mid-1800s when Ooty was under British control.
There are six main sections of the Botanical Garden: Lower Garden, Italian Garden, New Garden, Conservatory, Fountain Terrace, and Nurseries.
In the Lower Garden, a major draw for visitors is the map of the Indian Union created with various plants.
The Italian Garden features a variety of perennial flowering plants such as delphinium, dahlia, and salvia. Within the New Garden, a must-visit spot is the Rose Garden. It has around 300 different types of rose plants on display.
Furthermore, you can visit glass houses where exotic plants are grown. There are ferns, cacti, and orchids in this section.
The Government Botanical Garden is one of the best places to visit in Ooty in 1 day and you should surely not miss this attraction.
Time required to visit: 2 to 2.5 hours.
Also Read: 15 Most Beautiful Gardens in India.
4. St. Stephen’s Church
After visiting the Botanical Garden, treat yourself to a delicious lunch. Check out the where to eat section for recommendations on Ooty’s best eateries.
Your next stop for the day is St. Stephens Church, one of Ooty’s oldest churches. It is approximately 1.5 km from the Botanical Garden.
It was built in 1830 by Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the erstwhile Governor of Madras. Several timbers used in this structure were taken from the palace of Tipu Sultan.
The church is famous for its Gothic-style architecture and beautiful interiors. One of the striking features is its stained-glass windows that depict the Last Supper and mother Mary with baby Jesus.
Time required to visit: 30 minutes
5. Mariamman Temple
Located right in the middle of the town, the Mariamman Temple is one of the best places to see the spiritual side of Ooty.
The temple lies in the Upper Bazaar area of Ooty, roughly 1.5 km from the St. Stephens Church. It is dedicated to the local deity Mariamman who is revered as the goddess of rain.
Her sister, goddess Kaliamman, is also worshipped in this temple. A festival is celebrated each year in the month of April to honour the deities.
Time required to visit: 30 minutes
6. Ooty Lake
Ooty Lake is the last stop on this list ‘the best places to visit in Ooty in 1 day‘.
From the Mariamman Temple, the Ooty Boat House is just about 2 km away. Outlined by lush Eucalyptus groves, the Ooty Lake is spread over an area of 65 acres.
The lake was created in 1824 by John Sullivan, the then Collector of Coimbatore.
It was developed as a tourist spot by Tamil Nadu Tourism Department in 1973. Boating, horse-riding, and cycling are popular activities here.
There are different types of boats available for hire. You can choose from pedal boats, row boats, and motor boats. It also features a mini-train which is a special attraction for kids.
Time required to visit: 1.5 to 2 hours
Where To Stay
Ooty offers a variety of accommodation options. Among the mid-range hotels, Sterling Ooty Fern Hill and Sinclairs Retreat Ooty are excellent choices.
Sterling Ooty Fern Hill is just 5 km away from the Ooty Boat House. The resort is beautiful and nicely maintained.
You can enjoy gorgeous vistas of the Nilgiri Hills from the resort. They also arrange nature walks and birdwatching trips on request.
Sterling Ooty Fern Hill: Check Prices And Availability.
Another great option is Sinclairs Retreat Ooty. It is right next to the Tea Factory. The resort provides a serene ambience to unwind and relax.
There are standard rooms and suite rooms to choose from. The resort features a gym, a garden, a kids play area, and several other amenities to make your stay comfortable.
Sinclairs Retreat Ooty: Check Prices And Availability.
If you are looking for something more affordable, check out Meadows Residency. The rooms are cosy and well-appointed plus the location is superb, located right in the city center. It is a good base for families and couples to explore Ooty.
For more accommodation options, please read: 7 Best Nature Resorts in Ooty For A Getaway.
Other Places To Visit Close By
Rose Garden
Spanning roughly 10 acres, the Ooty Rose Garden boasts an impressive collection of roses. It is a short 3 km drive from the Ooty Boat House.
You can easily spend 1.5 to 2 hours soaking in the natural beauty of this garden.
Elk Hill Murugan Temple
Perched on the scenic Elk Hill, the Murugan Temple is hardly a kilometer away from the Rose Garden.
The temple is set against the scenic backdrop of verdant green forests. A huge, 40 feet statue of Lord Murugan, is the temple’s main allure for visitors.
Pykara Lake
It is situated on the outskirts of Ooty, approximately 22 km away from the city center. Pykara Lake was formed after the construction of a dam on the Pykara River.
You can take a boat ride in the lake to appreciate its spectacular surroundings.
Emerald Lake
Hidden away in the dense wooded forests, Emerald Lake is around a 20-km drive from Ooty. The fresh waters are visibly emerald blue.
It is an untouched beauty where you can spend some quiet, uninterrupted time with your loved ones.
Best Time To Visit Ooty
Ooty is a year-round destination and the best time to visit really depends on things you want to do there.
Most tourists visit here during the summer season, from March to June. These months are perfect for sightseeing. However, all major tourist spots are crowded because this is the peak tourist season in Ooty,
If you are looking to spend some peaceful moments amid nature in solitude, then the winter season (November to February) is the best for you.
In winters, the daytime temperature hovers around 18 to 20 degrees Celsius. But, nights are much colder and the temperature can drop to as low as 5 degrees.
From July to October, it’s the rainy season in Ooty. The entire hill station turns into a lush green monsoon wonderland.
If you simply want to relax in the hotel and enjoy the weather, then this is the ideal time to visit. In addition, you may get some of the best deals and discounts during the off-season.
Where To Eat
- Hyderabad Biryani House: Speciality – veg and non-veg biryani, kababs.
- Adyar Ananda Bhavan: Known for vegetarian South Indian cuisine.
- Hotel Blue Hills Restaurant: Speciality – Indian Cuisine, like parathas and tandoori dishes.
- Earl’s Secret: Famous for continental cuisine.
Further Reading
For more inspiration and tips for your South India vacations, check out our posts:
- 12 Best Tourist Places in Kodaikanal – 3 Day Itinerary.
- 10 Best Resorts For Memorable Stay in Kodaikanal.
- Top 10 Tourist Places To Visit in Mysore in 2 Days.
- Best Heritage Hotels in Mysore.
- 6 Best Places To Visit in Coorg in 1 Day.
- 12 Amazing Two-Day Trips From Bangalore For A Quick Getaway.
- 8 Most Amazing Forest Resorts in Munnar For A Blissful Stay.
- Top 12 Tourist Places To Visit in Munnar in 2 Days.
- 10 Most Amazing Forest Resorts in Wayanad.
Over To You Now…
So, this was our overview of the best places to visit in Ooty in 1 day. Which places would you include in your Ooty itinerary? Let us know in the comment below.
