Ooty is not really a sightseeing destination, it is much more a place for appreciating nature and the great outdoors it therefore should come as no surprise that many of the sights are nature-based. The town’s Botanical Garden is among the most popular attractions of this nature; it is however drawfed in terms of sheer size and variety of wildlife both flora and fauna by the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, which is definitely the place for nature lovers to visit.

Deer Park
Located about a kilometre from Ooty Lake, Deer Park is another one of the area’s pleasant nature spots where visitors can enjoy a rich collection of flora and fauna along with, of course, deer.

Dodabetta Peak
Located about 10 kilometres from Ooty, the Nilgiris district’s highest peak looms at an impressive height of 2,623 metres and provides one of the town’s most noticeable and recognisable natural landmarks.

Government Museum
A must for anyone with an interest in the history of the Nilgiris district, the Government Museum is home to a varied collection of artefacts, among which are sculptures and artworks from Tamil Nadu, and objects detailing the ecological features of the region and items of tribal origin.

Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park
Nature lovers get yet another chance to enjoy the great outdoors and wonderful flora and fauna specimens at this sanctuary situated where the Western Ghats meet the Eastern Ghats. A large variety of indigenous creatures roam freely in the park, some easy-to-spot and others taking some time and a degree of patience before a sighting can be secured.

Ooty Botanical Garden
Among the 650 different species of plants at this 22-hectare facility, are those of Japanese and Italian origin, as well as a large collection of indigenous specimens, including a variety of roses and rare flowering plants. The fossilised tree trunk, believed to be over 20 million years old, is the highlight for many visitors.

Ooty Lake
Some would say it is just a lake and nothing of particular importance; however, Ooty Lake is of interest in that it is actually a manmade construction. This work of John Sullivan, who played a major role in bringing large scale development and civilisation to the town, dates back to 1824 and is a stunning setting for a picnic.

Rose Garden
Situated between 3 and 4 kilometres from Charring Cross, these lovely scenic gardens cover an area of 20 hectares and are home to some 2,000 rose specimens. Take a pleasant afternoon stroll in the gardens, soaking in the rich natural sights along the way.

Stone House
Another of John Sullivan’s creations, this house has since been transformed to the offices of the Government Arts College. Its interiors are not open to public today, but its exteriors exemplify the grandeur of colonial architecture and offer a glimpse into the rich history of the area.

With so much stunning nature around, there are a lot of outdoor activities in Ooty to occupy your time and keep your blood pumping. Additionally, the slew of nature parks and tea plantations are ideal for those who prefer a tame day relaxing or walking slowly and taking in the temperate climate of Ooty and its surrounds. Traditional massage is another great way to unwind and of course, you should make time to sample the local cuisine.

Make an overnight excursion to the Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary. While you can explore the sanctuary in a day, it is much more fun to take it in at a leisurely pace, and even enjoy a night or two at one of the park’s guest houses. With 322 square kilometres to explore, you will find there is plenty to see.

Sample goods at the local bakeries. Ooty is home to some great little bakeries where visitors can sit down to enjoy some sweet treats alongside a cup of traditional frothy Indian coffee.

Sample the wonders of Ayurveda. The ancient approach to medicine and good health known as Ayurveda can be sampled at number of the top hotels in Ooty. Enjoy a complete system detox with a week of panchakarma, or opt for a single session of the relaxing shirodhara or an invigorating garshana massage.

Take a trip on the mountain train of Ooty. Offering some unique perspectives of the region, the Ooty mountain train begins its journey at Mettupalayam, some 46 kilometres southeast of Ooty, winding its way leisurely across the scenic landscape of the Nilgiris district. The unusual thing about the train is that its engine is at the back, effectively meaning it is pushed as opposed to being pulled.

Visit a tea plantation. The Nilgiris region is famous for its tea and many of the areas around Ooty are carpeted with the lush greenery of tea plantations. Tours are possible, some of which also include onsite tea factories with shops at which visitors can purchase some of the freshly processed teas.

Visit Coonoor and Wellington. Offering scenery that is as stunning as that of Ooty, Coonoor and Wellington are destinations visitable via a daytrip but are best enjoyed on an overnight excursion. There are plenty of tea plantations to visit in both of these places.

Visit Ketti Valley. Sometimes dubbed the 'Switzerland of Southern India' due to its temperate weather conditions it enjoys across the seasons, Ketti Valley is an exceedingly picturesque location offering plenty of opportunities for getting out and enjoying the authentic back-to-nature feeling. Additionally, the valley is home to the famous Needle Industries India, makers of the internationally-known 'Pony Needles'.