10 Fun Things to Do in Ooty for a Delightful Stay In 2022

When the mountains are calling, wouldn't you want to go explore the 'Queen of the Hills'?

We are talking about Ooty, of course! After staying at home for months in lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ooty sounds like an ideal holiday destination. One of the best things about Ooty is that it enjoys pleasant weather all year round since it is situated at a peak. It was founded and developed as a British Raj resort since the heat and humidity was too intense for the Britishers.

Udhagamandalam (or Ooty) has always been a popular tourist destination and you can take a look around at its natural beauty to understand the appeal. There are many things to do in Ooty and here are some that you can consider while travelling with family:

Things to do in Ooty

#1 Ride the Nilgiri Mountain Railway

Some experiences can take your breath away and this is one of them. Built by the British in 1908, the Nilgiri Mountain Railways is one of the best places to visit in Ooty. As the name suggests, the railway journey takes you through the Nilgiri Mountains, starting from Mettupalayam and ending at Udhagamandalam (or Ooty). In July 2005, Nilgiri Mountain Railway was added as an extension to the World Heritage Site of Darjeeling Himalayan Railway. Together, they are known as Mountain Railways of India. The train ride is one of the top things to do in Ooty.

#2 Visit Ooty Rose Garden

With the sweet smell in the air and the pleasing sight of vibrantly-coloured roses sounds like something you wouldn't want to miss. Ooty Rose Garden also goes by the names Jayalalithaa Rose Garden, the Nootrandu Roja Poonga and the Centenary Rose Park. Whether you are young or old, the Ooty Rose Garden fascinates all age groups. The garden is situated on the Elk Hill slopes in Ooty and was established in 1995. The flowers are arranged in five curving terraces covering four hectares of the hill. The collection of roses includes Miniature Roses, Hybrid Tea Roses, Polyanthas, Papagena, Floribunda and many more roses of unusual colours such as green and black. If you are visiting sometime from March to June (peak flowering season), one may catch the flower show at the Ooty Rose Garden.

#3 Boat Ride on Ooty Lake

The Ooty Lake is an artificial lake built by John Sullivan in 1824. The water flowing down mountain streams in the Ooty valley is what fills up the lake. Boating facilities were added in 1973 and taking boat rides on the Ooty lake became one of the popular things to do in Ooty. There is an adjoining boathouse that offers boating facilities with paddle boats, rowboats and motorboats. There is also a garden, a mini train and an amusement park.

#4 Visit Botanical Garden

Another great addition to the places to visit in Ooty is the Botanical Garden. Ooty Botanical Gardens is situated on the lower slopes of the Doddabetta peak. Sprawled over 22 hectares, the garden is divided into multiple sections and planned in such a manner that guests are greeted with stunning colourful views from the moment they step inside the garden. For over 160 years, foreign and local travellers have been visiting the garden, admiring the incredible variety of flowers, ferns, and orchids grown here. Another highlight of the Botanical Garden is the Toda hill where visitors can learn about the Toda community.

#5 Tea Estate Visit

When in Ooty, a visit to the tea estates is a must. The sweet smell of the tea leaves elevates the entire experience of touring the tea estate. From tea-plucking to processing to packaging, you can learn all about the different tea leaves grown in the estate. There are some fascinating varieties of tea being produced and you can purchase some of them at the gift shop.

#6 Visit Wenlock Downs

If you are looking to escape the concrete structures and surround yourself with wilderness, you should include Wenlock Downs as one of the places to visit in Ooty. Wenlock Downs is a famous picnic spot situated on the outskirts of Ooty. It gets its name from a British Soldier and the third Baron Wenlock, Beilby Lawley. The place also served as a hunting ground for the Europeans and the British back in the time. Today, it is a famous tourist spot, best known for its dense, lush greenery, foggy atmosphere and cool climate. The place is also referred to as the 'Shooting Point' around Ooty as several blockbuster movies were shot here.

#7 Go Shopping

Ooty has some great shopping areas and markets that local and international travellers can explore. Since the weather is perpetually tilted on the cooler side, many stores will be selling winter wear, jumpers, scarves and other clothing items to keep you warm. There are also some shops and stalls selling handicrafts and locally produced items like tea, fruits cheese, essential oils and chocolates. Some of the popular places to go shopping in Ooty for shopping are Charring Cross Road, Tibetan Market and Upper Bazaar Road.

#8 Enjoy a Live Barbeque on the Lawn

Seated under the starry sky, the pleasant weather to keep you and your family company, the barbeque fired up with items on the grill - sounds like a beautiful evening, right? While staying at one of the Club Mahindra resorts in Ooty, dedicate an evening to enjoying a live barbeque on the lawn. It will be so much fun and will count as one of the unique things to do in Ooty!

#9 Fun Cooking with the Chef

Food plays an important role during the holidays. When travelling someplace new, it is a fun experience to try the local cuisine and maybe try your hand at cooking some dishes too. Club Mahindra resorts in Ooty offer special cooking classes with the chef where you can get hands-on experience and learn all about the local flavours and cooking techniques.

#10 Enjoy Traditional Theme Night

Another addition to the things to do in Ooty is witness traditional theme night. While the cooking class is about learning about the local cuisine of Ooty, traditional theme night is about understanding the culture of Ooty. Know more about the rich traditions and customs of Ooty, and shake a lake to the fun Baduga music!

Club Mahindra Resorts in Ooty

When in Ooty, you have two wonderful Club Mahindra resorts to pick from:

Club Mahindra Danish Villa: Cradled in the lap of serenity and lush greenery, Club Mahindra Danish Villa is far away from the hustle-bustle of the city. You will be escaping into another world and relaxing in colonial-style rooms.

Club Mahindra Derby Green: Not too far away from Club Mahindra Danish Villa is the Club Mahindra Derby Green Resort. Another great option to consider while looking up resorts in Ooty. Whether it is the racecourse or the meadows, every sight and experience is bound to take your breath away.

At Club Mahindra, resort safety is of primary importance. All safety guidelines are followed to ensure the guests have a #CMSafeStay and enjoy their time at Club Mahindra. For you to #TravelWithConfidence, Club Mahindra is maintaining superior level health and sanitization levels. With a Club Mahindra membership, you have access to 100+ Club Mahindra resorts and 1000+ experiences.

What is Club Mahindra Membership?

Club Mahindra Membership comes with some great offers! There are various membership plans so you can choose the one that suits you best. You can opt for EMI payments which start as low as Rs. 4,303. What's more, you will be gaining access to 100+ resorts and 500+ unique experiences. Now, doesn't that sound like something you would want to be a part of?

Indulge in several activities and experiences on your next stay at our Ooty resort, any of the other Club Mahindra resorts in Tamil Nadu. With several things to do at our resorts in Ooty, and nearby places to visit in Ooty, and other destinations in Tamil Nadu, a magical family holiday is assured.

About Mahindra Holidays

Mahindra Holidays & Resorts India Limited (MHRIL), India’s leading player in the leisure hospitality industry, offers quality family holidays as also stated by Club Mahindra Membership Reviews and Club Mahindra Reviews, primarily through vacation ownership memberships. While Club Mahindra is the flagship brand offering Club Mahindra Membership, other brands offered by the company are – Club Mahindra Resorts Fundays and Svaastha Spa. As of Mar 31, 2019, MHRIL has 61+ resorts across India and abroad and its subsidiary, Holiday Club Resorts Oy, Finland, a leading vacation ownership company in Europe has 33 resorts across Finland, Sweden and Spain. Visit us at https://www.clubmahindra.com/