Udhagamandalam, or Ooty, is a heavenly town in Tamil Nadu nestled cosily in the Nilgiri Hills at 7,500 feet above sea level. Encompassed by various mountain peaks, Ooty makes for a marvellous sight and is a favourite travel destination of many during the scorching summer months. People from all over the country come to witness its beauty and experience its splendour. It can be further explored by visiting the offbeat places in Ooty. These places are yet to be discovered by the leisure soul in you. So, let your itinerary stretch a little and add these gems to your list that await your exploration.
9 Offbeat Places In Ooty
From evergreen gardens to thrilling national parks, there are bountiful offbeat places in Ooty that await your exploration. Let’s unfold the charm of these gems one by one.
1. Thread Garden
Image Credit: Neyakkoo for Wikimedia Commons
The must-visit place that you must not let slide away from your itinerary is the Thread Garden. The flowers and plants in this garden are all handmade using threads, wires, and canvases. If you are travelling with your children, it will be one of the most memorable and offbeat places in Ooty. The names of the various plants are displayed for clarity making it an enriching and fulfilling experience for adults and kids alike. The detailing portrayed, the use of vibrant colours, and the intricacy make this garden quite artistic.
Distance from Ooty: 1.6 km
Location: CM4Q+Q86, N Lake Rd, opp. Boat House, Kathadimattam, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643001
Timings: 9 am to 7 pm
Entry Fee: INR 30
Suggested Read: Mughal Garden
2. Emerald Lake
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Part of the Silent Valley National Park, the lake is known for its immaculate waters, peaceful surroundings, and relaxing vibe. Laying amongst the backdrop of jade tea plantations, it is among the top best offbeat places in Ooty. The lake provides a picturesque sight coupled with the quietness of nature. Birdwatchers rejoice! Many rare bird species can be spotted here. Trekkers and canoeing are other activities at this beautiful lake.
Distance from Ooty: 19.6 km
Location: Emerald Lake, Tamil Nadu
Timings: 8 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: Free
3. The Tea Factory And The Tea Museum
The tea factory cum tea museum has various tours that offer valuable insights into tea making and processing. A haven for tea lovers, it is among the best offbeat places in Ooty for weekend. You can deeply dive into how freshly picked tea leaves are made into Nilgiri tea. The manufacturing process is shown in an amazing way. Amazing is you can sample the tea, which just elevates the experience! Visit the adventure club for some adventure sports like free fall.
Distance from Ooty: 5.4 km
Location: Dodabetta Road, Mel Koddapmund, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643002
Timing: 10 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: INR 20
Suggested Read: Tea Plantations In Kerala
4. Needle Rock View Point
This point, also known as Soochimalai, will give you the majestic views of the nearby places of Nilgiris and the mountainous area below your feet. It is one of the top offbeat places in Ooty for photographers and wanderlust travellers. The walk to the viewpoint is short, but you will come across Eucalyptus trees that look like works of art straight out of a painting if you stay in Orememberorget to watch the sunrise and sunset because it will be spectacular beyond belief.
Distance from Ooty: 40.5 km
Location: FGXC+M8X, Ooty Main Road, NH67, Tamil Nadu 643212
Timings: 7 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee: NA
5. Lovedale
Lovedale is an excellent opportunity for history buffs to learn about Ooty’s intriguing history. You can still witness the churches, cottages, mansions, and scattered country, showing British architecture. It is a great weekend getaway as you can quickly cover many attractions near Lovedale. Take the toy train from here to other places to make your visit to the offbeat places in Ooty exciting, interesting, and awe-inspiring.
Distance from Ooty: 7.2 km
Location: Lovedale, Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Timings: NA
Entry Fee: NA
Suggested Read: Historical Places In India
6. Toda Village
The original natives of the place are the Toda tribes. You can go to the Toda Village with a guide to interact with them and understand their way of life while witnessing the huts they used to live in. It is one of the best offbeat places in Ooty for people who love to learn about new cultures. The Toda tribes have extensive knowledge of the forests and nearby regions and engage in pastoral activities. Visit the Ooty Tribal Research Centre for interesting artefacts, stuffed animals, and a library.
Distance from Ooty: 5.3 km
Location: CPC8+27G, Vannarapettai, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643002
Timings: 7 am to 5 pm
Entry Fee: Free
7. Mukurthi National Park
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Among the lesser-known national parks, this one is best for people who want to indulge in trekking trails, jungle adventures, and fascinating wildlife. It is among the top offbeat places in Ooty for the weekend with the entire family. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is spread across 78.46 sq km and preserves various endangered species. These include wild dogs, Nilgiri Tahr, leopards, panthers, jackals, and barking deers. You can find an array of bird species here.
Distance from Ooty: 81.9 km
Location: NA
Timings: 9 am to 5:30 pm, Wednesday to Monday
Entry fee: INR 30, extra charges for camera and parking
Suggested Read: Best National Parks In India
8. Doddabetta
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Perched at over 2,600 meters above sea level, it is the highest peak in Tamil Nadu. It gives you a breathtaking view of the Nilgiri Hills vistas. Doddabetta is perfectly placed at the Eastern and Western Ghats junctions and is surrounded by dense tropical forests. It is one of the top offbeat places in Ooty for nature enthusiasts; you can admire the entire district from here. The cherry on top is the Telescope House, managed by TTDC.
Distance from Ooty: 8.7 km
Location: Udagamandalam, Nilgiri District, Tamil Nadu, India
Timings: 7 am to 6 pm
Entry Fee: NA
9. Cairn Hills
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Developed as an eco-tourism site, the Cairn Hills are best for trekkers in the Western Ghats spanning 168 hectares. You will come across the oldest Cyprus trees here, and walking to the top of the hanging bridge will be an adventurous experience. It is among the top offbeat places in Ooty as it is also a birdwatcher’s paradise. You will find exotic tree species, shola forests, and agricultural lands. Make sure you go to the watch tower to get a 360-degree view.
Distance from Ooty: 5.2 km
Location: Cairn Hill Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu
Timing: 6 am to 6 pm
Entry fee: INR 20 for adults, INR 10 for children, INR 350 for trekking
Further Read: Best Hill Stations In India
Plan your trip to Tamil Nadu and add these wonderful offbeat places in Ooty for a comforting, relaxing, and fun vacation. It will be an exhilarating experience that you will never forget. Take your entire family along because these places in Ooty will be best for people of all ages. When are you planning a tour to Ooty?
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Frequently Asked Questions About Offbeat Places In Ooty
How to reach Ooty?
The nearest railway station is Coimbatore (92 km), the closest bus stand is Udhagamandalam Central (3 km), and the nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (89 km).
When is the best time to visit Ooty?
Ooty’s weather remains pleasant at all times of the year but the best time is from March to June.
What is the official language spoken in Ooty?
Tamil is the official language but people of Nilgris also speak native languages such as Irula, Badaga, Kurumba, and Paniya. As Ooty is located close to Karnataka and Kerala, they can understand English, Malayalam, and Kannada.
Is there an alternate option to Ooty?
Kotagiri is an option that is cheaper than Ooty and offers mesmerising sights.
Are 3 days enough for visiting Ooty?
If you want to cover all the major attractions, 3 to 4 days are enough. But if you want to immerse in Ooty’s culture and cover the offbeat places, spend a week or more in Ooty.
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