If there’s one thing Chennai has an abundance of, it’s amusement parks. There are water parks, theme parks, and indoor amusement parks in all ranges of quality and degrees of fun. Then there’s the world’s second longest beach, Marina beach, which is always a whirlwind of activity. Cultural venues such as ancient palaces and temples can usually fascinate a child, and Chennai has a couple of masterpieces outside of the city.

Dash-n-Splash
South India’s most exclusive water park is the hottest place to cool off in Chennai. Free-fall slides and water flumes topping out at 35ft are the highlights, mixing well with the spiral wave pool and other high-tech thrills.

Kishkinta
Claiming to be India’s number one theme park, Kishkinta has a full range of high-tech rides, a wave pool and several other water rides. Just 30kms south of Chennai at Tambaram, it’s a great place to mingle with other local kids.

MGM Dizzee World
If you’re heading towards the impressive site of Mamallapuram, consider stopping off at this newer amusement park in Muttukadu. The rides here are some of most modern and exciting around, and will surely impress the kids.

Prime-time
Chennai’s premier indoor amusement park in Annanagar is the place to go if the monsoon rains set in. Younger children will probably be more entertained here, as the rides and games cater to a slower pace.

VGP Golden Beach
Within spacious and well-landscaped grounds along the coast, this comprehensive amusement park has a little of everything. Water rides, theme rides and other thrills compete with entertaining shows for the attention of the kids. VGP Universal Kingdom is the newest addition to the park, offering the latest amusement games.

While Chennai may not have as many historic attractions as some of the more popular Indian destinations, it does offer a significant selection of monuments and interesting attractions. Georgetown, and the various churches that dot the old city, is a must-see, as is Marina beach, which is particularly pleasant at dawn as the fishing boats head out.

Basilica of San Tome
Supposedly the final resting place of St Thomas, this neon attraction is one of the most popular sites in Chennai. A strange mix of modern kitsch and 16^th century Portuguese architecture, the bizarre atmosphere is one of the things that makes this particular church worth a visit. It is located at 24 San Thome high road, Mylapore; Phone: +91 44 2498 5455.

Dakshinachitra
Along the road to Mamallapuram is this impressive culture and arts centre which depicts traditional South Indian life using recreated homes from Tamil Nadu, Karnatake and Kerala. Craftsmen ply their trade in open workshops and put on nice exhibitions of their art. Street performances and a wealth of information on local history and culture make this one of the best educational experiences around Chennai. Located near Muttukadu; Phone: +91 4114 272 603.

Government Museum
Several important cultural venues are located within this complex, such as the National Art Gallery, Connemara Public Library and the Government Museum. Not only are the art and artefact collections of the Government Museum well worth a look, but the structure which houses them is one of the finest examples of colonial architecture in India. A number of excellent Buddhist sculptures round off the collection. The recently renovated Museum Theatre is a great place to catch a local dance or song performance. The museum complex is located on Pantheon road; Phone: +91 44 2819 3238; website: www.chennaimuseum.org

Kalakshetra
The ‘temple of art’ as it’s known can be found just past pleasant Elliot’s beach. Built in 1936 to train dancers and preserve the traditional classic dance form of bharatanatyam, which is famous in this region, this venue in arguably the finest of its kind in India. Performances are put on throughout the year at the temple and other sites around Chennai.

Kapaleshvara Temple
This is the place to come to witness the fervour of Tamil Nadu’s devout worshippers. Throngs of devotees come everyday to absorb the power of the 63 Saivaite saints in the courtyard. The temple is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture, with an impressive 36m gateway. During March’s Arupathumoovar Festival, the place really comes alive. The temple is located off Kutchery road, Mylapore; Phone: +91 44 2464 1670.

Marina Beach
The world’s second longest beach is undoubtedly one of the highlights in Chennai. Buzzing with activity from the fishermen at dawn to the snack vendors at sunset, this is the place to go for relaxation, recreation and great people-watching all within minutes of the city centre. The beach is refreshingly clean, kids play cricket in the evenings and the quaint old buildings next to the marina remind you of the British colonial days.

Parthasarathy Temple
This 8th century masterpiece near Georgetown is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is believed to be the oldest temple in Chennai. The South Indian architecture is among the finest in the region, and if you’re really lucky you may catch sight of an elephant participating in the temple’s daily rituals. It is located off Triplicane high road; Phone: +91 44 2844 2462.

One thing Chennai is well known for is its Tamil cuisine, which has been brought to the city over the decades by immigrants from all over Tamil Nadu. Unique in style and flavour, South Indian cuisine comes in a bewildering array of both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, with the unique Chettinad region fare ranking among everyone’s favourites. The traditional multi-course thali meal is a great way to sample many of the highlights in one setting.

One of the highlights of dining in Chennai are the myriad restaurants serving tiffin, traditional Tamil light meals, which consist of rice-based dishes such as pongal, dosai or vadai served with a hot cup of filtered coffee, another of the city’s specialties. Vegetarian dishes dominate most Chennai menus due to the popularity of Hinduism in the city. Rice, legumes and lentils are used as the base and then enhanced with wonderful aromatic spices, and often coconut cream, resulting in curries and other treats.

The traditional Tamil way to eat involves sitting on the floor and eating your food off a fresh banana leaf with your right hand (never the left). However, with the increase of modern lifestyles in the city, most restaurants and even families now use a more Western-style system of dining with seats, cutlery and the like. Thankfully, the food hasn’t changed, and still retains its spicy, fresh and aromatic character.

Chennai has some decent shopping options if you’re keen on taking home a souvenir or two. Legendary Madras cotton products are big sellers, and you can find a qualified tailor on every corner to stitch you up a quality garment at an incredible price. Ethnic furnishings, handicrafts, silks and saris are popular items as well. The local Tamil artwork comes in an amazing array of styles, and offers some of the most interesting items to take home. Specialised art shops are scattered around, but the government outlets such as Victoria Technical Institute stock the widest range of crafts under one roof.

Georgetown is the wholesale centre for buying in Chennai. However, there are plenty of small shops selling individual items as well. From decorations and paper products to fabrics of all kinds, you can find it in Georgetown. The smaller streets of this colonial town are a real pleasure to wander, with its authentic atmosphere and interesting array of shops. Marina beach is another busy spot for street vendors hawking their souvenirs.

For a colourful and vibrant street-side scene, head over to Pondy Bazaar, along Sir Theagara Nagar road, where the dozens of small shops and stalls sell fresh products alongside souvenirs, jewellery and cheap clothes. On the other end of the spectrum is Nalli Chinnasami Chetty, Chennai’s premier silk shop, and an institution in its own right. Even if you don’t plan to buy a sari, the sheer selection and quality is worth experiencing. Shop hours vary widely but most places tend to open between 09:00 and 21:00.

Chennai isn’t one of those urban environments that are surrounded by a wealth of natural or outdoor recreation venues. However, there are a number of public lakes, bird sanctuaries, and of course, the 12kms stretch of sand known as Marina beach to provide enough outdoor activity to keep most visitors satisfied. Cricket is the single most popular team sport in Chennai, and if you’re a fan or just interested, one of India’s oldest cricket stadiums is located here and there’s always a massive scene surrounding any match.

Covelong
Once an ancient coastal fort, this picturesque complex has been converted into a beach resort well worth a visit. The ruins of the fort, along with an old mosque and Catholic church add some culture to the outdoor excursion. A number of water sport facilities are available at the resort such as windsurfing, swimming and other activities.

Cricket
Chennai’s most popular sport is cricket, and the locals go crazy whenever there’s a big match taking place at their impressive cricket grounds, the MA Chidabaram Stadium (MAC). One of the oldest cricket grounds in the country, the MAC was established in 1916, seats more than 50,000 spectators, and is the home of the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association. The crowds and the atmosphere at the MAC are renowned throughout India, so if you want to experience something really exciting, check out a match.

Crocodile Bank
If you are a fan of these man-eating reptiles, you may want to take the drive out to this breeding and research centre dedicated to both Indian and African crocodiles, near Mamallapuram. Adding to the thrill is a poisonous snake centre, where visitors can watch venomous snakes being milked for their venom.

Lake Pulicat
This large backwater lake is a natural habitat for waterfowl, migratory birds and other local native creatures. The lake is located an hour or so north of Chennai near the quiet fishing village of Annamalai Cheri. At this village, you can find a boatman to take you out onto the lake, where you can really unwind and soak in the natural habitat of Tamil Nadu.

Vandalur Zoo
Also known as Anna Zoological Park, this massive wildlife preserve is the largest of its kind in South India, encompassing more than 1,265 acres. The main drawing point is that all the animals are enclosed in natural habitats and are allowed to roam freely within those boundaries. The zoo also offers bike rentals, adding a nice way to explore the huge grounds at your leisure.

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary
About an hour north of Chennai near Chengalpet is one of South India’s best bird sanctuaries. This marshy 76-acre park with a sizable lake is one of the largest in India, attracting more than 100,000 migratory birds in dozens of species each year. November and December are the premier viewing months, but any time of the year this wildlife preserve is a beautiful and relaxing place to visit.