places to visit in chennai omr

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14 Best Places Near OMR to Visit in Thoraipakkam, Chennai

Chennai offers numerous options for short vacays, yet this place holds a unique charm. OMR has a lot more to offer than bustling tech hubs and IT parks. Explore top attractions and places to visit in OMR with our comprehensive guide that reveals hidden gems, vibrant eateries, and gaming arenas, for a fun weekend trip with your friends and family. 

Seeking a hotel stay near OMR? Check out Upar Hotels in Thoraipakkam for a budget-friendly and comfortable hotel experience during your weekend.

1. Dakshinachitra Museum

Dakshinachitra is a Tamil word which literally means a picture of the south. A museum displaying traditional and cultural houses from the past is the best place to visit in OMR to know history better. A total of 18 different types of houses were purchased from landlords across India and renovated by artisans. As a memorial site, each house tells a different tale of how our previous generations lived in the houses decades ago. 

Get a true sense of what our ancestors lived like, by experiencing the things, vessels, and agricultural equipment displayed in the houses. This place offers entertaining activities like pot making, face sketching, and fabric painting.

2. Iskcon Temple

The world-renowned Iskcon temple located near OMR offers Lord Krishna's divine spirituality. The temple offers rejuvenation in the realm of Lord Krishna. Dravidian architecture can be seen in the temple shrines, interiors, and gopuras, captivating devotees.

Foreigners participate in religious seminars and cultural events held at the temple every year to spread the zenith and blessings of Lord Krishna. ISKCON Temple is the best place near OMR for tourists seeking a holy and divine place in the locality.

Temples hold a deep cultural significance. Explore the 6 oldest temples in Chennai with a rich heritage and history .

3. Madras Crocodile Park

Madras Crocodile Park is one of the top tourist places to visit in OMR for a fun and adventurous day with your loved ones. Expanding over 3.2 hectares, its a home to nearly 2000 reptiles. Also, a  research station where scientists aim to protect and preserve endangered reptiles including crocodiles, snakes, frogs, lizards and turtles. 

Witness all these slithering species in one place and participate in many entertaining activities, including guided tours, and feeding programs. Have a memorable time with your friends and family at this place.

4. Kovalam Beach 

A few kilometres from OMR, Kovalam Beach is a scenic spot offering stunning views of the blue bay. Spend some relaxing time on the shores. The warm waters make Kovalam beach, the best place in OMR to go for swimming and sunbathing. Clean sand and a peaceful atmosphere make the beach the perfect place to relax and unwind.

In addition to the beaches, there are many spots for rejuvenation of the mind and body around the area, like Ayurvedic spots, temples, and dargahs. Kovalam is just an hour's drive from Chennai, for a great weekend getaway.

Plan your stay close to your hotel to minimise long travel hours. Upar Hotels in Uthandi is conveniently located near the area. Make your reservation at Upar Hotels today!

5. MGM Dizzee World

MGM Dizzee World is a fantastic destination for a thrilling and enjoyable outing with both friends and family. Situated just a short distance from OMR, this amusement park is the perfect option for a summer getaway. With its array of water rides, theme parks, and various entertainment zones, it promises a truly unforgettable adventure. 

It also features a range of food outlets, souvenir shops and arcades for those looking for a more relaxed experience. MGM Dizzee World is sure to provide a day of fun and excitement for all. 

Check out our blog for the best travel tips for a hassle-free vacation to avoid last-minute rushes on your trip. 

6. Skatepark

The OMR skatepark boasts an array of ramps, rails, half-pipes, and obstacles that provide an ideal canvas offering a thrilling environment for skateboarders. This dynamic recreational space is one of the best places in OMR to experience a fun weekend as a unique niche in the heart of the city. 

Whether you're an adrenaline junkie or a skateboard lover or simply an admirer, the OMR Skatepark welcomes all with open arms. 

7. OMR Food Street

OMR Food Street – a food lover's paradise! Taste a world of flavours, from local threats to global favourites, all in one place. It has over 58 stalls from delicious fried chicken to spicy aromatic Dum biryanis and flavourful desserts. Enjoy a wide variety of mouthwatering dishes from Chinese, American, Thai, and Italian cuisines by visiting this best place in OMR. 

It's not just about eating – it's a fun place where people enjoy delicious food, hang out, and have fun together. Visit OMR Food Street and experience the joy of different tastes!

8. Cholamandalam Art Village

Cholamandalam is an artistic village of colours, textures, and stories. A walk through the village's galleries is like a kaleidoscope of artistic narratives. A diverse group of artists came together to sculpt, paint, and create this artistic village in OMR. 

With every brushstroke and chisel mark, the village becomes a living canvas. Visit this exciting place in OMR and immerse yourself in this oasis of creativity, at Cholamandal Artists' Village.

9. Lets Bowl

With six bowling tracks, three billiard tables, a cricket tent, and a rooftop turf dedicated to football, Let’s Bowl caters to every gaming preference. This hub of entertainment offers a variety of game arenas with diverse dining options ranging from multi-cuisine restaurants to cosy cafeterias and refreshing juice shops – perfect for hanging out with friends.

For families, there's a dedicated kid zone where parents can share joyful moments with their little ones while enjoying quality time together.

10. VGP Universal kingdom

VGP Universal Kingdom is an amusement park located on East Coast Road, a few kilometres from OMR. The park is built on 45 acres of land filled with roller coasters, water rides, scary houses, games and more. The VGP Universal Kingdom offers fun for the whole family, with an array of attractions that cater to all age groups. 

Enjoy a fun and exciting day at the VGP Universal Kingdom. If you have time, visit their snow kingdom, marine kingdom, and seashell museum, the best places in OMR to enjoy with your friends and family.

Feeling tired after a full day of fun at VGP? Recharge at the finest affordable hotel on ECR - Upar Hotels in Uthandi , ECR. Experience rejuvenation and comfort like never before. 

11. Live Art Museum

The World's first Live Art Museum of wax-replicated silicon figures of celebrities and popular personalities like Mother Theresa, Charlie Chaplin, Jackie Chan, Arnold and MS Dhoni. The idea of replicating famous personalities in silicone creates a spectacular experience for the public.

The statues look so realistic, leaving the audience in awe. There is a story behind each statue created by the artisans. For an unforgettable experience, this is a must-visit place in OMR.

12. Muttukadu Boat House

The Muttukadu Boat House is located just before Kovalam Beach. Muttukadu boasts a variety of boat rides, including rowboats, motorboats, pedal boats, speed boats, and water scooters at affordable prices. Boat rides reveal captivating sights, including fishermen at work, soaring water birds, and fish gliding through the water. The hour-long rides offer remarkable value, with picturesque backwaters and sunset – perfect for photos.

Upar Hotels in Uthandi ECR is located just 15 minutes away. Create lasting memories during your stay at Upar Hotels , and make the most of your trip.

13. The Pot Shop 

Situated along ECR, this garden shop captivates visitors with its collection of charming ceramic, terracotta, and plastic pots – perfect for nurturing a home garden. Renowned for its budget-friendly and diverse range of decorative and flowering plants, the store is a haven for plant enthusiasts.

The shop also sells cute little statues and gardening essentials including Buddha, dogs, and pigs, adding unique touches to your garden oasis. You'll find a delightful array of options to adorn your house.

14. Vivira Mall

Vivira Mall on OMR, Chennai is the best place in OMR for a modern shopping extravaganza. The mall houses a variety of international and local brands for fashion, technology, and home decor, accommodating different budgets. Entertainment includes a multiplex cinema and gaming zone, appealing to all ages. 

The food court offers a wide array of cuisines, from local to international favourites. Enjoy a relaxing and leisurely shopping experience at the mall.

For more informative and travelling blogs like this, check out our Upar blogs section. 

Conclusion 

OMR stands as a treasure trove of excitement, offering a plethora of delightful destinations for you to explore with your friends and family. OMR is the perfect destination for adventure seekers, explorers, or just those who crave quality time with their loved ones.

OMR's blend of modernity and nature ensures that everyone finds their slice of happiness. So, pack your bags and get ready to immerse yourself in the fun, joy, and togetherness to visit the best places on OMR have to offer.

Upar Hotels is truly one of the best budget hotels in India, with captivating properties in T Nagar , Nungambakkam , Kodambakkam , Ashok Nagar and Uthandi ECR in Chennai. We offer an unparalleled stay experience in these prime locations in Chennai that reflects the vibrant essence of the city. We also have a property encompassing the bustling Indiranagar in Bangalore . For all the party heads, we offer a budget hotel stay in Bambolim Beach, Goa, India and also in Sukhumvit Bangkok, Thailand . Book your stay now at one of the best budget hotels in India!

Book your stay at Upar Hotels for an unforgettable vacation, where luxury meets affordability. Upar Hotels provides superior services, top-tier amenities, and complimentary parking on the premises. Elevate your hotel experience with complimentary breakfast and 24-hour CCTV monitoring to ensure safety and security.

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1. Marina Beach

4 km from city center 1 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Marina Beach is a natural urban beach along the Bay of Bengal. The beach is stretched out to a distance of 13 kilometres making it the longest natural urban beach in the country, second largest in the world and also the most crowded beach in India with almost 30,000 visitors a day. 

2. Government Museum, Chennai

1 km from city center 2 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Government Museum was established in 1851 and is the second oldest museum in the country after the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Situated in Egmore suburb of Chennai, it is built in the Indo-Sarcenic style and houses a rich collection of the works of Raja Ravi Varma.

3. MGR Film City

8 km from city center 3 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Having been established in the year 1994, a considerably new structure, the MGR Film city is managed by the Government of Tamil Nadu in loving memory of MG Ramachandran who was not only a crowd-pleasing tamil actor but also a longtime CM of Tamil Nadu.

4. Breezy Beach

9 km from city center 4 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Breezy Beach lays in the remote and serene neighbourhood of Valmiki Nagar in Chennai. Being smaller and less polluted, its a perfect getaway for anyone looking for a peaceful evening.

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8 km from city center 5 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The magnificent Marundeeswarar Temple, in Tiruvanmiyur, near Chennai has the temple deity Shiva in the form of Marundeeswar or Aushadeeswarar, the God of Medicines. A fine specimen of Dravidian architecture, this temple is a must visit for anyone visiting Chennai or nearby cities.

6. Arignar Anna Zoological Park

27 km from city center 6 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Arignar Anna Zoological Park aka Vandalur Zoo, is a zoological garden located in Vandalur is spread over an area of 602 hectares, including a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The zoo shelters about 3000 species of flora and fauna across twelve hundred acres including 46 endangered species, in its 160 enclosures.

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7. Valluvar Kottam

1 km from city center 7 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Valluvar Kottam is an auditorium, with a gigantic capacity to hold 4,000 people, built in remembrance of the poet-saint, Tiruvalluvar. Verses of the poet Tiruvalluvar are embellished on the pillars in and around the auditorium.

8. Ashtalakshmi Temple

8 km from city center 8 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Chennai Ashtalakshmi temple is situated in Besant Nagar, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal. That stretch of beach is known as the Elliot's beach. The temple was constructed on the express wishes of Sri Mahaa Periyavaal of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Chandrasekara Saraswati Swamigal. (br) The temple's architecture is unique, with the deities installed in four levels. 

9. Connemara Public Library

1 km from city center 9 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Connemara Public Library at Chennai holds the prestigious status of being amongst one of the four deposit libraries in India which entitles them to a copy of every publication in India.

10. Kolli Hills

10 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

With an ominous name which means ‘Mountain of Death’, Kolli Hills or Kolli Malai are a mountain range located in the Namakkal district of Tamil Nadu. It is relatively untouched by commercial tourism and therefore has retained most of its natural magnificence.

11. Elliot's Beach

7 km from city center 11 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

A beach showcasing beauty, calmness, serenity and everything that signifies nature at its best, the Elliot's beach cannot be forgotten by anyone who has visited it once.

12. VGP Golden Beach

16 km from city center 12 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Considered as one of the cleanest and beautiful beaches in Chennai, VGP Golden beach is one of the most sought after destinations in the area by family and friends.

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13. ISKCON (Hare Rama Hare Krishna) Temple

17 km from city center 13 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

ISKCON Temple Chennai is a temple devoted to Lord Krishna. It is located on the East Coast Road at southern Chennai. Built on 1.5 acres of land, ISKCON, Chennai is the biggest Radha Krishna temple in Tamil Nadu. It was officially inaugurated on 26 April 2012. The deities revered in the temple include those of Radha Krishna and lord's family, including Sri Sri Nitai Gauranga.

14. Vivekananda House

4 km from city center 14 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Vivekananda House also popularly known as The Ice House, is a shrine and pilgrimage centre for the admirers and followers of Swami Vivekananda. It is in this house that Swami Vivekananda stayed for six weeks in 1900.

15. Akkarai Beach

18 km from city center 15 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The sandy coastline begins from Ennore in the north extending south into Uthandi, leaving one to choose from more than just Marina and Elliot's beach.

16. Dakshinachitra Museum

2 km from city center 16 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Dakshinachitra Museum is one of the living-history museums in India which stores in itself great works of architecture, crafts, performing arts, and lifestyles that belong to South India.

17. Santhome Cathedral Basilica

4 km from city center 17 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Santhome Cathedral is a historical and ancient pilgrim centre, which was built during the 14th to the 15th century A D by the then reigning, Portuguese.

18. Madras War Cemetery

8 km from city center 18 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Madras War Cemetery houses the last remains of around 855 martyrs who laid down their precious lives at the battlefronts in the devastating Second World War and also a Memorial stone for 1000 more who died fighting in the Great War before that.

19. Madras Crocodile Bank Trust

35 km from city center 19 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Madras Crocodile Bank is not to be confused with a zoo. Yes, you can certainly take a look at the reptiles in captivity. But unlike a zoo, this has a much more in-depth operation through ex-situ and in-situ conservation. Right now, it is home to around 17 croc subspecies and some other reptiles like frogs, lizards, snakes and turtles as well.

20. MGM Dizzee World

26 km from city center 20 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

MGM Dizzee World is one of the largest and oldest amusement parks in India. It brought Jurong’s Bird Show from Singapore to India way back in 1999. There are extreme level thrill rides, but nice and enjoyable ones are there too. The park has something for every age group.

21. Shirdi Sai Baba Temple

3 km from city center 21 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Shirdi Sai Baba temple in Chennai is among the most visited and respected places of worship In Tamil Nadu as well as India. Sai Baba is recognised as one of those spiritual reformers who does not have ties to any particular god of any religion but is a figure of worship himself. So there are no religious restrictions imposed upon those who visit the temple.

22. Nettukuppam

21 km from city center 22 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Nettukuppam is the northernmost tip of Chennai and has a beach which is yet not tarnished by encroaching crowds. It is a solitary retreat for those who seek to enjoy the raging sea up close but in a peaceful environment. The place is an ideal place to spend quiet time as it is still not on the radar of the maddening tourist crowd.

23. Prakasam Salai

6 km from city center 23 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Built in 1795,a milestone in the history of Chennai, located Opposite Parry's Corner, Prakasam Salai is an impressive stylish building in Indo-Saracenic style with eminence in red bricks.

24. Thousand Lights Mosque

1 km from city center 24 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Thousand Lights Mosque of Royapettah, Chennai is among the most esteemed mosques of the city as well as the state of Tamil Nadu. Built in the early 19th century by the Wallajah family of the Carnatic rulers, it is till date a popular gathering place for the daily prayers and festive occasions like Muharram.

25. Fort St. George

5 km from city center 25 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The origin of the great white structure of Fort St. George is inextricable from the history of the city of Chennai itself. Popularly called the 'White Town', the sole purpose of establishing the massive fort compound was to build a British stronghold in the Coromandel Coast and the rest of south India.

26. Chennai Sangamam

5 km from city center 26 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The Chennai Sangamam, a large open Tamil festival, also coincides with the Pongal season. It is organized in various open locations like beaches, parks etc and showcase traditional folk events, martial arts and classical dance, to name a few. In addition the festival brings together the best that South Indian cuisine has to offer – from tasty panirayams to the traditional pongal.

27. Royapuram Fishing Harbour

9 km from city center 27 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Under the administration of Chennai Port Trust, Royapuram Fishing Harbour is one of the most popular fishing grounds in Chennai. Located in a region which is famous for seafood, this harbour surely has its name among the busiest fishing hubs of Tamil Nadu.

28. Santhome Church

4 km from city center 28 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

San Thome Church is among the only three in the world that house the tombs of one of Christ's original disciples. If you visit this church, you will be stepping into a historical tale that will take you back a couple of centuries. The museum inside displays souvenirs of the great saint and his legend.

29. Kapaleeswarar Temple

4 km from city center 29 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Kapaleeswarar Temple is a holy shrine of Shiva in Mylapore, Chennai. A visit to this temple will be an experience enriched with a glimpse into Tamil religious culture and the lovely architectural combination of the two styles – Dravidian and Vijaynagari, complete with towering Gopurams.

30. Mylapore

3 km from city center 30 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Mylapore is one of the oldest and culturally enriched neighbourhoods, located in the southern part of Chennai. It is very much traditionalist to its core and boasts many temples, churches and historical monuments.

31. Express Avenue

2 km from city center 31 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Express Avenue is a mall in Royapettah of Chennai owned, developed and promoted by Express Infrastructure. The premise includes commercial and hospitality sectors as well. E Hotel is the name of the 4-star boutique luxury-lodging, which caters to the guests all year long with its 44 room capacity. But the mall is the main attraction of the place.

32. Vadapalani Murugan Temple

4 km from city center 32 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Vadapalani Murugan Temple is one of the most popular temples dedicated to Lord Murugan. Located in Vadapalani, Chennai, the temple is known for helping devotees finding solutions to life's problems. It is also believed that worshipping Lord Murugan here is as pious as praying to him at the original Palani temple.

33. T Nagar

3 km from city center 33 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

T Nagar is one of the busiest neighbourhoods in Chennai, and also the most crowded one. It serves as a commercial and economic hub, as well as a residential area. It does not have many attractions, but you will come across a plethora of retail shops lined up on every main road and arterial streets.

34. Parthasarathy Temple

3 km from city center 34 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Parthasarathy Temple, located in Triplicane area of Chennai, is a structure more than 1000 years old, standing in the heart of the bustling city. Dedicated to different avatars of Lord Vishnu within the many shrines of the temple, it attracts thousands of Vaishanvite followers from all across the country.

35. Parasailing in Chennai

19 km from city center 35 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

If you think the city of Chennai is all about glitzy temples and serene beaches, look deeper cause the uber city is home to one of the most adventurous sports of all times - Parasailing. Unlike several other water sports, this one is not for the faint hearted. It allows you to sail above the water with a safely harnessed parachute tied to your back.

36. Scuba Diving in Chennai

6 km from city center 36 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Chennai could get quite hot in the summer and beating the heat would be the top priority in summers. Then why not dive into the Bay of Bengal somewhere off the coast of Chennai. Discovering a totally different world under the surface of the sea and cooling yourself at the same time is the best deal about Chennai.

37. Camping in Chennai

9 km from city center 37 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Surrounded by a number of hills around it, Chennai neighbours to some amazing places that offer nearness to Nature. Every soul in any metro city craves for something new every now and then, and Chennai doesn’t lack in fulfilling this need for its people. There are a number of places to camp in Chennai for a twist out of the normal. One can never run out of places to get closer to something natural.

38. Paragliding In Chennai

11 km from city center 38 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

It is commonly misunderstood about Chennai that it is only about glitzy temples, serene beaches and conservative people, but that's not completely true, look deeper. The people here have the provision of getting in the sky and sailing smoothly over the hills like Eagles.

39. Surfing In Chennai

29 km from city center 39 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Getting in the water and riding the waves on a surfboard is not a thing that everyone can do. But some hours of practice can make that joy possible. There are a number of surfing schools that offer courses and help you tame the waves under your feet.

40. Paintball In Chennai

10 km from city center 40 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

If you are into playing combat games but all the games lack the touch of reality and the feeling of getting hit, then Paintball is for you. Chennai has a bunch of such Arenas to help you get in action. Get outdoors, get some Paintball Guns in your hand and challenge your friends to some real action. Keep your skills on the check and your friends in sight; you never know when you might get hit.

41. Rock climbing In Chennai

16 km from city center 41 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The fitness aspect for the people of Chennai has been taken up by Rock Climbing and Bouldering, rather than regular gyms. Climbing is the coolest way of being fit as well as getting a regular dose of adrenaline. But Rock Climbing doesn’t mean you put yourself under the raging sun all the time! You can opt for Indoor Climbing too and get into the daily chores after the session.

42. Jungle Safari In Chennai

3 km from city center 42 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The tropical climate of Chennai has blessed the land with ample amount of lush greenery and equally rich wildlife. Safari in Chennai’s wildlife parks award the visitors with some amazing experiences around our neighbours of nature. Interacting with the wild animals makes us realize the true nature of wilderness. There’s a lot to learn and understand from animals.

43. Boating in Chennai

6 km from city center 43 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Having the advantage of being a coastal city, Chennai also has a number of lakes and thus opening up the waters for water sports. Boating in Chennai was not so well flourished earlier, but recently the bay of Chennai has been witnessing a decent increase in the number of yachts and boats. Sailing has a charm that can fit any occasion, let that be a romantic boathouse date or a casual hangout with friends on a yacht, an exciting racing event of sails and rowboats or just a fun race of pedal boats between family and friends. Boating is for everyone.

44. Anjaneyar Temple Nanganallur

10 km from city center 44 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Viswaroopa Adhivyadhihara Sri Bhaktha Anjaneyaswami Temple is located around 10 kilometres away from the heart of the city, in a locality called Nanganallur. Commonly called the Anjaneya Temple in short, it gets its name from its principal deity, Lord Hanuman. The most important aspect of the temple is its 32 feet idol.

45. Fishing In Chennai

9 km from city center 45 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Fishing was a way of survival until it got challenging and adventurous. Fishing has become a common way of bonding with friends and family. The sport seems easy but takes a lot of dedication and patience to lure and catch the biggest of all the fishes. As the Aquatic Adventure has gained popularity many Sport Fishing Facilities have opened up and are busy providing the experiences.

46. Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers & Ashram

10 km from city center 46 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers is named after Swami Sivananda, one of the most influential spiritual teachers of the 20th century and founded by his disciple Swami Vishnudevananda. The Non-Profit organisation has centres in Thiruvananthapuram, Chennai, Madurai and Delhi and all over the world. The Organisation has dedicated programmes like the Sadhana Intensive, Kids Camp, Work/Study Programme, Prison Project and Teachers Training courses and also Yoga Vacations.

47. Thiruvanmiyur Beach

10 km from city center 47 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Located in the neighbourhood of Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, Thiruvanmiyur Beach is one of the isolated and peaceful beaches of the city. Popular for beautiful sunrise and sunset views, the beach is mostly frequented by nature lovers, romantic couples or solitude seekers.

48. Neelankarai Beach

12 km from city center 48 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Neelankarai Beach is an untouched gorgeous beach located in the small locality of Neelankarai in South Chennai. The highlight of the beach are the innumerous turtles that can be found on the shores. People usually visit it to watch the turtles or to walk along the lengthy coastline touching the beautiful blue waters of the sea.

49. Santhome Beach

4 km from city center 49 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

The southern part of the Marina Beach is known as the Santhome Beach. With immaculate clean sands, azure blue waters and gorgeous sweeping views of the sea, Santhome Beach is a one among the most visited beaches of the sea. You can also find several eateries and sports activities at the beach.

50. Pebble Beach

17 km from city center 50 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Situated at a distance of 1 km from Thiruvanmiyur in Chennai, Pebble Beach is a comparatively smaller beach. Due to its location, it receives relatively lesser number of visitors. However, the beach offers extremely peaceful and serene and you can visit it to spend some time in solitude.

51. Palavakkam Beach

11 km from city center 51 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Located at the southern tip of Chennai in Palavakkam, Palavakkam Beach is a wonderful beach boasting of mesmerising sunrise and sunset views. The highlight of the beach is an age-old temple situated on the beach. The beach has vast expanse of shores, with stunning views of the horizon merging in the sea.

52. Kasimedu Beach

10 km from city center 52 out of 90 Places To Visit in Chennai

Kaismedu Beach is a comparatively lesser known beach of Chennai. It is not just a recreation spot but also an important fishing harbour. With vast expanse of the blue sea and brown sandy shores, you can also find several fishermen at work with their huge fishing nets and boats. Besides, the fisherfolks also sell their spoils at the shores; you can buy fresh fish here. Volleyball is another popular activity at the beach.

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Places in and around OMR, Chennai with a Self-Drive Car

Book a Self-Drive Car and get hassle-free premium car rental services, 24x7 support and roadside assistance anywhere you are. IndusGo offers affordable rental car services in Kochi, Chennai and all major cities of Kerala.

Must-visit Places in and around OMR, Chennai with a Self-Drive Car

Looking for places to visit this weekend for fun, food and frolic? 

Want to find out a place where you can enjoy long drives and delicious food?

If the answer is yes, then OMR is undoubtedly one of the best options.

OMR or the Old Mahabalipuram Road is also known as Rajiv Gandhi Salai or Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway. The 45 km stretch of road is lined by many BPOs, IT and ITES Companies; and the famous TIDEL Park. This road also offers excellent opportunities for gastronomic tours and is also the location of many technical and educational institutions of repute. In fact, the OMR food street is one of the most favourite hanging points for the foodies and a must-visit stop on the list of all the tourists. It is also a perfect place to enjoy weekends with your friends and families. Apart from the food street, there are many other must-visit places in and around OMR that you can visit and explore for a quick escapade.   

Find out more about the must-visit places in and around OMR and the activities that you can enjoy there in the following section. But before we proceed, we suggest that you explore the OMR via a  self-driven car rental  to make the most of your experience. The car rentals are flexible and offer a lot of other benefits as well. Check out all this information in the following article on must-visit places in and around OMR with a self-drive car. 

So, here we go!

Places in and around OMR – Perfect for solo explorers, friends and families:

The East Coast Road is fondly called the ECR by the locals in Chennai and is home to an excellent coastline and beach. The beach is a perfect spot for a relaxing day or enjoying fun-filled picnics with families. Water sports, romantic walks, witnessing the stunning sunsets, and swimming – there is no dearth of activities to be enjoyed here.

ECR beach is also famous for local shopping, food hopping tours, local sightseeing and relaxing beach activities. 

Iskcon Temple:

Iskcon Temple lies on the way to the ECR Beach and is a must-visit place. The temple has an impressive facade and architecture. You can also visit the temple during the night to experience the amazing aura in the twinkling lights. 

Janmashtami and Rath Yatra are the two famous festivals that are celebrated with full vigour here. 

Mahabalipuram:

A few kilometres ahead you can visit the world-famous temples and shores of Mahabalipuram. The rocky and green terrain, wonderful culture and stunning architecture of the shore temple – there are many attractions and experiences to visit and explore here. The place is full of historic legacy and is also listed under UNESCO world heritage sites. The beautiful and scenic beaches are full of beauty and charm as well. So, book a car rental and explore the scenic landscapes of Mahabalipuram – one of the must-visit places in and around OMR. 

OMR Food Street:

Filled with shops selling lip-smacking dishes drenched in delicious flavours, OMR Food Street is a must-visit place. From desserts to snacks and regional to national – you can enjoy a wide variety of foods here. No matter whether you are a vegetarian or non-vegetarian, you can enjoy really good food here. 

We suggest coming with ample space in your stomach to make the most of a food-hopping tour here.

Vandalur Zoo:

If you have kids, then visit the Vandalur Zoo to enjoy a light family outing here. The shady trees, different species of animals and nature – the Zoo offers a perfect day-out recipe. The zoo is home to more than 2600 animals and more than 170 species. It is spread over a very large area and is perfect for young adults as well. 

There are electric cars and buses for lion safari as well to make the journey easier on your feet. 

Kapaleeshwar Temple:

Kapaleeshwar Temple is one of the most famous temples here which is of immense religious importance as well. Its ambience, local shops and rituals etc are the main experiences you can enjoy.

Marina Beach:

It is a natural beach in Chennai which runs along the  Bay of Bengal  and has many landmarks on its shores. Foreshore Estate and Fort St. George are the starting and ending points of the beach. From beach activities to food and local shopping – you can enjoy a splendid outing here alone as well as in a group.

Besant Nagar Beach:

Besant Nagar Beach or the Edward Elliot’s Beach is yet another one of the must-visit places in and around OMR. Loaded with attractions and experiences, the beach is teeming with beauty and stunning waterfront. There are many impressive attractions here such as  Velankanni Church  and Ashtalakshmi Kovil etc. 

This completes our list of the places in and around OMR that you can explore via a car rental.

Now, let us find out what how hiring a self drive car rental from IndusGo is the best choice for exploring the places in and around OMR. 

Safe and secure travel

Opportunities to enjoy as many stops as you want

Going anywhere without having to worry about the stranger driver or timetables of public transport

Flexible timings

Easy pick-up and drop-off of the car 

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We offer a large fleet of all kinds of cars and an impressive service portfolio. You can also book our self drive cars on an hourly, monthly and yearly basis. We also offer points and offers for regular and new customers. 

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Tourist Places in Chennai

Marina beach, Mahabalipuram, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Birla Planetarium, San Thome Church, Kapaleeshwar Temple, Thousand Lights Mosque, Fort St. George, Connemara Public Library , Guindy National park, ancient and divine temples of Gods and Goddesses and this metropolitan city never stops with a small list.  From old to contemporary and from nature to architecture, Chennai possesses an impressive variety of places to impress and entertain tourists.  With an old name of Madras in mind, one can explore multiple tourist places in Chennai where Eliot’s beach and Marina beach welcomes everyone to experience fresh air and soothing winds. Magnificent carved temples of Sri Parthasarathy and Kapaleeshwar temples that catch the eye because of colours and tip tallness from far, Fort of British rule, experience grandeur of Connemara library, Royapuram fishing harbour to have ultimacy of catching fishes and that’s still not all. Chennai is also offering exciting camping experience for a getaway where a good bonfire with some music and dance can turn on the routine life. Some surfing and trekking in the nearby zones of the camp will totally let anyone be in awe. So, don’t stop!! Get out of the cave and start exploring!

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Must Visit Places in Chennai

Marina beach.

India's largest beach is right around the corner when one is in Chennai. With an extent from Fort St. George to Besant Nagar, the beach is lined with up palm trees. A view when sky and water meet at both the ends is just visible right in front of the eyes when one stands at the shores.

Attractions : An old lighthouse stands on the southern end of Marina along with several other structures like an aquarium, a swimming pool and a park nearby. The sunrise here is a classy example of breathtaking beauty.

Activities: Entertaining activities are lined up when you are taking a stroll on the sands. The food stalls serve delicious seafood at optimum prices. At the same time, pony rides, beach games, and kite flying activities are also present to make your evening relaxing.

Location : Within the city of Chennai

Best time to visi t : November to March Check Out:  Best Weekend Getaways from Chennai to have amazing weekends Also Checkout & Book:  Bali Safari And Marine Park Tickets

Fort St. George

History of India with the British is a fact that can't be changed. And the live example standing in front is Fort St. George. During British rule, it was made as a centre point for official purposes but now encompasses St. George museum with paintings, coins, silverware, arms, porcelain, and documents.

Attraction: It has given space to historic monuments of St. Mary's church under its cloud. The Flagstaff at the Fort is one of the tallest structure in the country. 

Timings: 9 am to 5 pm (except Friday)

Entry Fee : INR 100 for foreign tourists and INR 5 for Indian visitors (only the museum) Location:  Rajaji Rd, Near Legislature and Secretariat, Fort St George, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600009 Distance:   25 km from Chennai Airport

Thousand Lights Mosque

Since the architecture has a special corner in the heart of Chennai, Thousand Lights Mosque stands tall in this list. The place has got its name because of a special feature i.e. a total of 1000 oil lamps light up the hall of the mosque. Imagine the beauty!!! Also, it is one of the biggest mosques in the country.

Attraction: These magnificent domes give a home to a large space used to offer prayer to God. Along with this, a separate hall is made for women also to pray in this calm and serene space.

Timing s: 5:30 am to 9 pm

Entry Fee : None Location:  Royapettah, Peters Rd, Peters Colony, Thousand Lights, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600086 Distance: 18 km from city centre Check Out:  Adventure Sports in Chennai for thrill-seekers Click Here to Book Now:  99 Wonderland Park Tickets

Elliot’s Beach

Though a less crowded beach than Marina, Eliot has its own catch. Now named at Besant Nagar Beach, it attracts people because of the serene beauty and clean brown sands.

Attractions : The Schmidt Memorial is a huge draw of Elliott Beach which was built in remembrance of a Dutch sailor, Karl Schmidt. This white built-up has given an extra tip to the beach for recognition.

Apart from that, on the southern side, the famed AshtaLakshmi Temple and Velankanni Church are present, popular among the residents of Chennai.

Distance : 10-15 km from Chennai

Location : South of Chennai

Best time to visi t : November to March Also Checkout & Book:  Tower Bridge Tickets  

Ashtalaxmi Temple

Lying on the gorgeous expanse of the Besant Beach, this is the only temple dedicated to Goddess Mahalakshmi on Tamil Nadu’s east coast. You can see the idols of Dashavatara, Ganesha, and Guruvayoorappan. The magnificence of the architecture lies in its ‘OM’ shaped design, making it one of the most enchanting places to visit in Chennai. Visit during festivals like Navaratri, Diwali, and Pongal to see the temple in its full splendour. Don’t miss to attend the evening puja, a beautifully serene experience accentuated by the enveloping cool sea breeze.  Location: Elliots Beach, 6/21 Paindi Amman Kovil, Besant Nagar, Chennai. Timings : Every day 6:30 am- 12:00 pm (1:00 pm on Fridays & Sundays), and 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm. Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.

Best of Goa

Vellankani Shrine

This grand monument stands off the Elliot's Beach and gives a totally different aura to the whole zone. The pristine white structure of the church having tall towers stands overlooking the Bay of Bengal and is visited by thousands of solace-seekers every day.

One can also attend the mass prayer conducted both in Tamil and English. Annai Vailankanni Shrine has a charm unparalleled amongst the surroundings.

Timings :  5 am to 9 pm

Entry Fee: None Location:  Velankanni, Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu You Can Checkout Great Discounts On:  Ripley's Believe It Or Not Pattaya Tickets

Dakshina Chitra

Also known by the term ‘Living-history museum', the museum is built in order to explain the historical aspects of Tamil culture to the present generation. Built in an area of 10 acres, DakshinaChitra is a small village has been recreated using replicas of traditional South Indian houses dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. The exhibition has a plethora of living beliefs of art, folk performing arts, craft, and architecture of India and in particular of South Indian traditions. From a typical Tamil house to basic utensils, a fisherman's life to various fabrics is all depicted in the museum. Regular events of classical dances and musical concerts also take place to attract the tourists.   Location:  SH 49, Muttukadu, Tamil Nadu Timings : 10 am to 6 pm (except Tuesday)

Entry Fee :  INR 100 for adults INR 30 for children between 5-12 and INR 250 for foreign visitors Also Checkout & Book:  Moulin Rouge Tickets

Guindy National Park and Snake Park

The city life has a special edition of a variety of species and is the only national park situated in the middle a city. Guindy has many birds, animals, and reptiles as its residents. The visitors can treat their eyes with the presence of blackbucks, spotted deer, jackals, tortoise etc.

Attractions: The snake park is home to cobras and pythons, while the birds found here include partridge, quail, flycatcher, and buzzards. This place is surely one of the best places to visit in Chennai that make anyone forget the regular city life.

Timings : 9 am to 5:30 pm

Entry Fee: INR 20 for adults, INR 5 for children Location:    Rangeguindy, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 60002 Distance:  12 km from Chennai Airport Check Out:  25 Popular Team Outing Places in Chennai

The exotic destination with a distinct culture in the neighbourhood of Chennai is Mylapore. Known for tree-lined avenues, Kapaleeswarar temple, and Ramakrishnan Math as famous attractions, the zone has a combination of thousands of temples, churches, and mosques on its land. San Thomas Basilica and Adi Kesava Perumal Temple have their prominence stand tall. Known as the oldest residential area this place is historically known as Vedapuri. Apart from the Architecture, the major cultural addition here is music sabha and the musicians. In the month of December, many sabhas are organized to revive the age-old culture of playing music in a group. Also, Mylapore food has its own smell and fragrance of its delicious cuisines. Location: Mylapore is located south of the British built city Chennai. Timings:  6:00 A.M to 1:00 P.M 4:00 P.M to 8:00 P.M Entry Fee:  No entry fee

Royapuram Fishing Harbour

This harbour attracts many people to spend some time in leisure while shopping in one of the biggest fish markets. This amazing harbour can accommodate about 575 fishing boats and one can view fishermen catching for their daily needs even bustling in the nights.

The place offers one of the best photographic locations while fishermen throw their nets, pile up the fishes and organize them in local markets. The best thing about this place are the people who shout at the top of their voice trying to be the best bidder. Location : The harbor is located at the north of the Chennai Port and is under the administrative control of the Chennai Port Trust. Entry Fee:  No entry fee Timings: Always Open

Best of Bangalore

San Thome Church

The sparkling vast white structure of San Thome stands on the tomb of St Thomas. This place is definitely an important one in religious terms but doesn’t fail to attract travellers from all over Chennai. This monument is one of the best places to visit in Chennai as it reminds us of the colonial past relations that Indians had.

Attractions: A nostalgia will arise within when this church is viewed from inside out. From stained glass panels of the windows, a sitting statue of St Thomas, museum, library, shops that sell candles and flowers are one of the classy additions in the monument. The highest tip embarked with Cross and the sloping red roof is totally catchy when viewed from outside.

Timings: 6 am to 8 pm

Location:  38, Santhome High Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004 Distance: 1 7.5  km from Chennai Airport Also, Read:  35 Best Resorts in ECR Chennai for Team Outing

Birla Planetarium

Want to be on the moon and stars at an affordable cost? Well, Chennai has Birla Planetarium, situated near Anna University waiting to generate the gist of Science amongst the young minds.

Attractions: The planetarium runs regular audio-visual programs on astronomy that amazes its visitors. Apart from this, it also exhibits programs on Solar System, Cycle of Stars, Sky and Seasons, Comets and Man on the Moon.

Also, Science Park, Traffic Park, and Science on Wheels are the special highlights of the Science Centre which are of special interest for young visitors and hence, it is one of the best things to do in Chennai.

Timings: 10 am to 5:45 pm

Entry Fee : INR 40 for adults, INR 25 for children Location:  Gandhi Mandapam Road in Kotturpuram, Chennai Distance:  12.3 km from Chennai Airport

Nettukuppam

An age-old rusty bridge with its head pointing in the sea is what Nettukuppam is all about. The feeling of self-placement in high waves could be felt at this bridge where one can sit with their legs hanging down. The bridge piers are not advised to explore in the morning due to high tides.

For the photography enthusiast, this is like a double treat where one can click some memorable pictures. This is one of the most famous beaches in Chennai which is visited by a huge number of people all around the year.

Distance : 24 km from Chennai

Location : Northernmost tip of Chennai Timings:  6 am to 11 pm Entry Fee:  No entry Fee

Kapaleeshwar Temple

The unique architectural style, in-depth detail of gopuram and temple head and the magnificent height of around 37 meters are what makes this temple best place to visit in Chennai. The Dravidian style of temple construction is most famous in cities of South India and Kapaleeshwar temple is a live example of the same. 

Attractions : The temple is home of deities Shiva and Karpagambal, holds a festival in the months of March and April while attracting thousands of devotees in its premises. Asl, a huge tank filled with water is another catchy place having a religious value as well as was used as a store of water in historical times.

Location : Within Chennai city

Timings: 5:30 am to 12 pm, 5-9 pm

Entry Fee : None

Distance: 17 km from Chennai Airport.

Madras War Memorial

One of the most famous places in Chennai, the war memorial is a tribute to the martyrs during the Second World War. It is a beautiful structure carved out of white marble with inscriptions detailing the names of people who gave up their lives.  Activities: Take a walk in this surreal place and its well-maintained gardens. See the Stone of Remembrance and Cross-of the Sacrifice. Visit on days like Army Day and Vijay Diwas to see special homages paid by the forces.  Distance: 5 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: Inside Madras War Cemetery, Mount Poonamalle High Road, Poonthottam Colony, Nandambakkam, Chennai. Timings: Every day 8:00 am-6:00 pm Entry Fee : There is no entry fee.

Best of Ooty

Parthasarathy Temple

Dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his various avatars, this 100-year-old temple gets devotees from all over the country.  It is one of the special attractions in Chennai because it is one of the 108 Divya Desams existing in the country. The architecture is beautiful and has Dravidian influences.  Activities: See the beautiful idols of Rukmini, Balaram, Satyaki, Prathymnan, and Anirudhan along with those of Parthasarathy. See the 8 th -century Dantivarma Pallava inscriptions.  Distance: 20.4 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai. Timings : Every day 6:00 am- 12:30 pm, and 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm. Entry Fee: There is no entry fee. Also, Check:   10 Best Resorts and Places to Stay in Chennai

Valluvar Kottam

Chennai’s love for literature & culture is evident in this monument dedicated to the great Tamil saint, philosopher, and writer Tiruvalluvar. This monument, created by 3000 stone blocks, is in the shape of a chariot. The auditorium inside is considered to be the largest in Asia and is one of the most interesting places to visit in Chennai. Activities: See the 133 chapters of Tiruvalluvar’s work Thirukkural inscribed in the monument. See exhibitions on handicrafts held regularly. Don’t miss to see the plants planted by Mother Teresa in 1984.  Distance: 15.5 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: 34, Valluvar Kottam High Road, Nungambakkam, Chennai.  Timings: Every day 8:30 am- 5:30 pm. Entry Fee: Adults INR 3.00, Children INR 2.00.

Connemara Public Library

Libraries are definitely storehouse of books but Connemara library has its unique style of placement of books and flanked broad arches which makes it stands apart from others. Constructed in the late The 19th century, Connemara library is a treasure house of centuries-old publications.

Attraction: With a collection of over 600,000 books, it is one of Asia’s largest libraries. Be it avid readers or scholars doing research work, one could easily get lost in this enchanting world of books as they immerse themselves in their favourite activity.

Timings : 9 AM to 7.30 PM

Entry Fee : None Location:  Museum Compound, Pantheon Road, Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600008 Distance:  20 Km from Chennai Airport Recommended Read:  15 Best Places for Trekking near Chennai

Vadapalani Murugan Temple

This 125-year-old Hindu Temple is one of the most important worship places in Chennai. Dedicated to Lord Murugan, the architecture of the temple is traditional South Indian with lots of colours and carvings. The Murugan idol is shown to be wearing footwear, which is not a common sight.  Activities: Visit the samadhis of Annasamy Thambiran and Bagyalinga Thambiran inside the temple. See the legends of Skanda Purana at the Gopuram located at the entrance.   Distance: 12 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: Palani Andavar Koil Street, Vadapalani, Chennai.  Timings: Every day 5:00 am- 12:30 pm, and 4:00 pm- 9:00 pm. Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.  Must Read:  20 Best Resorts in Chennai for Team Outing

Beaches to Visit in Chennai

Breezy beach.

Lying in the quiet suburbs of Valmiki Nagar, this charming beach provides the perfect seaside escape away from the other busier beaches. This is one of the cleanest beaches in Chennai and is great for a family day out.  Attractions: Enjoy the beautiful sunrise and sunset at the beach. Go for long walks amidst soothing sounds of the waters. Try street snacks like sundal and idlis from the restaurants & shacks on the beach. Shop at the nearby Thiruvanmiyur market. Distance: 10 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: Valmiki Nagar, Chennai.  Best Time to visit:  Early morning to enjoy amazing sunrise and breakfast.

Best of Alleppey

Covelong Beach

Golden Beach

This pristine beach is famous for the vast expanses of golden sands framed by the striking blue waters. It is a private beach belonging to the VGP Universal Kingdom and one of the cleanest in Chennai. It is one of the best places in Chennai to keep the whole family engaged with its attractions.  Activities: Visit the VGP Amusement Park’s Universal Kingdom, Aqua Kingdom, and the Snow Kingdom for exciting rides & games. Visit the VGP 2000 Millennium Tower and Statue Man. There are facilities for surfing here.  Distance: 20 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: East Coast Road, Injambakkam, Chennai.  Best Time to visit:  November to March

Akkarai Beach

An enthralling seafront in Chennai, Akkarai Beach is famous for its luxuriant greenery and serene expanses. The beach is less crowded therefore very clean and tranquil.  Activities: Take a long walk on the beach enveloped in the cool sea breeze and soothing sounds of the water. Children can spend time in the play area. Visit the beach house for a family getaway. Distance: 23 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: Injambakkam, Chennai.  Timings: Accessible throughout the day.  Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.

Historical Tourist Places in Chennai

Prakasam salai.

One of the most iconic places to visit in Chennai is this magnificent structure which was built in 1795. It is an archaeologically important site and a major tourist attraction. This huge redbrick structure and its impressive Roman-style architecture can be seen from a distance  Location: 88 Prakasam Road, Mahdushkhan Garden, Manadi Police Colony, George Town, Chennai.  Timings : Monday-Friday: 10:00 am-5:00 pm, Saturdays till 2:00 pm, Sunday closed.  Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.

Ripon Building

Amongst the most famous tourist places in Chennai, Ripon building is a behemoth government building. The beauty of Ripon building, built-in 1913, lies in its stark white colour and Roman-style architecture. It is named after Lord Ripon, the Governor-General of British India.  Location: 53, Raja Muthiah Road, Kannappar Tidal, Periyamet, Chennai. Timings: Every day 10:00 am- 6:00 pm. Entry Fee: Restricted entry. 

Best of Pondicherry

Madras High Court

When in Chennai, one can't miss an opportunity to visit Madras High Court. Madras High court is one of the highest courts in India. The court exercise original jurisdiction over the whole city. While you are at the court, get amazed by the majestic architecture of the building.

The red built-up under the blue sky is very catchy. And decorated ceilings in the interior with the stained glasses are in itself a masterpiece here. The tallest tower in the center of the building gives a gist of Dravidian Architecture which was used in ancient temples of South India.

Distance :  2.9 km from Chennai

Timings:  10 AM- 5:45 PM

Location:  The court is located at N Fort Rd, Parrys, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Vivekanandar House

A place to get inspired and relish a totally the new knowledgeable experience will bring any individual to Vivekananda House where they can get a good tour of Swami Vivekananda's life. His utmost significant teachings can be received by visiting the gallery, meditation room, and Vivekananda Park. This historic place houses a permanent exhibition on Indian Culture and Swami Vivekananda’s life and will give a positive vibe when one is on its tour.

This place is one of the best places to visit in Chennai as Swami Vivekananda spent a few days at this place after his return from West. Location :  Vivekanandar House is located at Kamaraj Salai(Marina beach road), Neelam Basha Durgapuram, Near Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Timings: 10:00 AM- 12:30 PM, 3:00 PM- 7:30 PM Entry Fee: Rs.10 per adult and Rs.5 per child

Located on the East Coast of Bay of Bengal and bounded by Thiruvanmiyur to the South lies this amazing place Besant.  On vacation or a day out, this option can be kept high on the list because of attractions like Elliot’s beach in the basket. For those, who love to visit religious places, this is a double treat as they can visit the Annai Velankanni Church and the Ashtalakshmi Temple along the shore which is very famous among the people of Chennai. Named after the famous personality Annie Besant this place is best known for its serene and tranquil setting which attracts visitors from all over the world. Location : Besant is located on the east coast of Bay of Bengal. Timings:  Always Open Entry Fee:  No entry fee

Sri Parthasarathy Temple

The temple is an old sculpture dedicated to Lord Krishna and is placed comfortably in the city of Chennai. Known for its historic presence, Sri Parthasarathy temple has its own charm with gopuram rising high and studded with carved sculptures in beautiful and bright colours topped with ‘amalkas’.

Attraction: The temple is easily noticeable from distance and hence attracts hundreds of devotees and tourists at the same time. Location:  Narayana Krishnaraja Puram, Triplicane, Chennai Timings : 4 am to 11:30 pm

Entry Fee :  None Distance: 20 km from Chennai Airport

Places to Visit in Chennai with Family & Kids

Arignar anna zoological park.

A little away from the city centre, Arignar The zoological park is home to more than 500 species of wild beings were some of which are endangered. An aviary, lion safari, deer safari, and an elephant safari form the most popular sections of the zoo. Apart from this, a separate section for nocturnal animals could be reached too. An aquarium, butterfly house, reptile house, amphibian house, crocodile enclosure are part of the premises which makes it one of the best places to visit in Chennai. Location:  GST Road, Vandalur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Timings : 9 am to 5 pm (except Tuesdays)

Entry Fee : INR 30 for adults and INR 10 for children between 5-12 years

Best of Kodaikanal

Semmozhi Poonga

Semmozhi Poonga Park is a botanical garden in the Chennai city covering an area of over 20 acres. With family and friends, this place can be visited to explore the exotic and rare flora and fauna. Not just this, medicinal herbs are also found here and we know, how much they matter to all of us.

Visitors can relax on the park grounds that are subdivided into the rock garden, butterfly garden, fern garden, sunken garden and many more themed gardens on its laps. The sights of natural beauty with ducks swimming in ponds, dancing lights, and well-maintained tree lines energize anyone with fresh air and breath of flowers.  Location:  Cathedral Rd, Ellaiamman Colony, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Timings : 10 am to 8 pm (except Tuesday)

Entry Fee : INR 15 for Adults, INR 10 for Children(Below 10 yrs)

Express Avenue

One of the top shopping destinations in Chennai, Express Avenue features some of the best brands in apparel, footwear, electronics, automobiles, and departmental stores.   Explore the huge range of fine dining options like Elixir- the Lounge Bar, Kapila Dosa, Orange Wok, etc. Catch a movie at Escape and Pix 5D Cinema. Explore the Fun City gaming zone.  Location: 2, Club House Road, Near Clock Tower, Express Estate, Royapettah, Chennai. Timings: Weekdays: 10:30 am- 9:30 pm, Weekends: 10:00 am-10:00 pm. Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.

Marundeeshwar Temple

One of the most revered places in Chennai, this temple dates back to the times of the 11th century Chola kings. It is dedicated to Lord Marundeeshwar and his knowledge of medicinal properties of herbs. Locals have a belief that the prasadam here comprising of ash and milk can cure any disease. There is a shivalinga inside along with statutes of Lord Muruga & Vinayaka. Spend tranquil time amidst the beautiful architecture with Dravidian & Chola influences and the 36 intricately carved pillars. Visit during Shivratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Panguni Brahmmotsavam.  Location: 8, W Tank Street, Lalitha Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai.  Timings : Every day 5:30 am- 12:00 pm, and 4:00 pm- 8:30 pm. Entry Fee: There is no entry fee. 

VGP Universal Kingdom

This award-winning amusement and theme park is one of the first ones in Chennai. Some consider this massive 45-acre park with a private beach to be the largest amusement park in India. Loved by children and adults alike, the park is one of the most interesting places to visit in Chennai.  Get up and close with goats, ponies, and sheep at Petting Zoo. Interact with the Statue Man dressed in the traditional Chola empire dress. Try thrilling rides like Tornado, Viking, and Wave Swinger.  Location: East Coast Road, Chennai. Timings: Every 11:00 am- 7:30 pm. Entry Fee: Adults INR 600, Children INR 500.

Crocodile Bank

Started as a research station and conservation centre, the bank is first in Asia for crocodile breeding. The Crocodile Bank even houses alligators, gharials, muggers,  snakes, sea turtles and water birds in its premises.

In all, there are around 2500 creatures within the boundaries of the Bank and one can spot crocs as well as gharials basking themselves on the edge of the water body during the day. There is also a souvenir shop where one can purchase books and memorabilia related to these reptiles including the famous research and awards. Location:  Post Bag No 4, Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu Timings : 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (except Monday)

Entry Fee : INR 35 for adults, INR10 for children below 10

Best of Kovalam

Chennai Sangamam

Immerse yourself in folk storytelling, theatre, dance, films, and reverberating sounds of traditional musical instruments at this week-long open festival. One of the most popular symbols of Tamil art & culture, the festival welcomes everybody to enjoy the performances.  Enjoy regional cuisines at the festival. Meet renowned artists, craftsmen, and even traditional botanists. See rare and ancient visual art forms, and performances.   Location : Open locations like beaches, parks, public promenades, etc.   Timings: Performances take place throughout the day.  Entry Fee: There is no entry fee.

MGM Dizzee World

Dizzee World is an amusement located in the city with a themed style to attract its visitors, from young to old. With several thrilling rides like spider spin, roller coaster, the funny mountain, the place also has an amphitheatre for performances. The water park in the premises has a wave pool apart from many other rides and slides and magnetizes hundreds every day. Location:  1/74, SH 49, Muttukadu, Chennai, Tamil Nadu

Timings : 9:30 am to 5:30 pm on weekdays, 10:30 am to 7:30 pm on weekends and holidays

Entry Fee : INR 799 for adults (with food), INR 577 for kids (food included), INR 550 for adults, INR 450 for kids.

Cholamandal Artist Village

This artists’ commune is a platform for the resident painters and sculptors to showcase their creations to the visiting guests. This place is actually famous for bringing modernity in the artistic creation. The well-decorated interiors are embarked with interesting art and craft with two galleries, an open-air theatre, a bookstore and a craft shop in the premises. For people interested in aesthetics, they can enjoy the work of artists in a serene ambience surrounded by optimum vegetation around the village. Location:   2/147A, Cholamandal Artists Village, Injambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu Timings : 9 am to 6:30 pm

Entry Fee : INR 20 for adults and INR 5 for children

Places to Visit near Chennai

• Mahabalipuram

Also known as Mamallapuram, it is one of the best places to visit near Chennai. Mahabalipuram is an ancient place known for rock-cut built-up architecture with extensive carvings that will just awestruck anyone. The iconic Shore Temple, among the oldest temples of South India, is carved out of a large block of granite. A short distance from this place of worship is ‘Descent of the Ganges’ or‘ Arjuna's Penance’. Among the world's biggest bas-reliefs, it depicts the story of the descent of the River Ganges from Heaven to Earth.

‘Pancha Rathas’ or the five chariots are again carved out of a single rock and are dedicated to the Pandavas along with one dedicated to their wife. Don’t forget to notice Krishna’s Butterball as this rock is hanging on a sloping floor and won’t fall even if anyone wants it to.

Attractions: Explore and observe the fine sculptures of the various monuments standing in Mahabalipuram. The drive from Chennai to Mahabalipuram along the seashore is quite an experience too. The beach at this tourist place near Chennai is also ideal for spending a day just lounging on the sand, relaxing and clicking perfect shots with friends and families.  A perfect getaway is right next to Chennai at this royal place. Location:  Sea Temple Mahabalipuram Timings:  6 am to 6 pm Entry Fee:  10 INR for Indian and 340 for foreigner Distance: 60 km from Chennai Suggested Read:  15 Best Beach Resorts in Chennai for your vacation.

Top Experiences To Do in Mahabalipuram

Kolli Hills

One of the most interesting pilgrimages and religious places in Chennai is Kolli Hills or the ‘Mountain of Death’. Standing tall at 4265 ft. this picturesque mountain range, located in the Eastern Ghats, offers the perfect weekend escape.  Attractions:  Amazing scenes alongside rode make it an amazing place for drives Activities: See the magnificent 1st-century Arapaleeswarar Lord Shiva Temple. Visit the Tampcol Medicinal Farm to see the beautiful expanses of planted medicinal herbs. See the Agaya Gangai Waterfalls, boat ride at Vasalurpatty Boat House and visit the centuries-old Siddhar Caves.  Distance: 335 kilometres from Chennai Airport.  Location: Namakkal District, Tamil Nadu.  Best Time to Visit:  Throughout the year.

Best of Gokarna

Muttukadu is one of the tourist places near Chennai at the backwater of Bay of Bengal. This place offers a relaxing aura in nature with fun-filled activities for its visitors. The Boathouse in Muttukadu is where all the action is. Apart from this, the beach at Muttukadu draws a sizeable crowd during trips to this area. Get a glimpse of various species of birds at the backwaters during migratory season. Attractions : The Boathouse in Muttukadu is where all the action is. Apart from this, the beach at Muttukadu draws a sizeable crowd during trips to this area. Get a glimpse of various species of birds at the backwaters during migratory season. Activities : Rowing, water skiing, speed boat riding, windsurfing and paddle boating are exciting activities that can be availed at Muttukadu. Also, birdwatching is one of the passionate activity for the bird lovers here. Distance: 31 km Best time to visit:  November to March.

The coastal town of Sadras was once a Dutch fortress which was taken over by the British in later years. It is currently in ruins but a few structures within can still be viewed. Attractions:  The glorious Sadras Fort was constructed by the Dutch as a post for exporting goods. It has a vast compound which contains a large granary, stables, and structures used to mount elephants. Picturesque tombs, cannons and carved pieces of stones could be viewed here. A history buff would love to be a part of this place. Activities :  A picnic with family or friends could cheer anyone up after the fort tour. Distance :  71 km from Chennai Location:  Eastern coast, South of Mahabalipuram Best time to visit:  October to March

Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Kanchipuram

This bird sanctuary is inundated with thousands of birds of varied species during the migratory season. The lake within the sanctuary is the all-important source of water for these creatures, around which they build their nests and thrive.

Attractions : Birds of diverse origins are what you can see at this place to visit near Chennai. While some birds like cormorants, egrets, moorhens, and terns are found at other places in India, others like snake bird, ibis, stork, heron, and spoonbill come all the way from Europe to make Vedanthangal their home for a few months.

Activities : Bird watching and capturing the experience with your cameras is the major activity to be carried on here.

Distance: 78 km

Location: Close to Palar River, south of Chennai

Best time to Visit: November to February.

This small town is known for the temple dedicated to Murugan that stands on top of a hillock here. One can reach the temple by climbing up the 365 steps that take you to it. A few religious festivals are celebrated here during which many devotees visit the temple.

Attractions: This pilgrimage center has a number of temples located here apart from the famous Murugan temple. Some of them are Shivan temple, Bajan Kovil, Vinayagar Kovil, and Eswaran temple.

Activities : A trek to the temple hill to boost your energy high.

Distance: 90 km

Location: West of Chennai

Best time to visit: October to March

Pulicat Lake & Bird Sanctuary

Formed at the backwaters of the Bay of Bengal, Pulicat is the second largest lagoon in India that has brackish water. And the bird sanctuary stands on a piece of land in the middle of this lake.

Attractions: The spectacular sight of thousands of pink Flamingos flocked together can be viewed only at this place. Besides, you can also spot pelicans, herons, kingfishers, storks and many more at the sanctuary. There are quite a few fishing villages on the lake’s edge which one can visit if interested.

Activities: Boating in the lake where one can see birds splashing in the water. Photography by the birdwatchers can be done here and is a treat to the eyes of professionals.

Distance: 98 km from Chennai

Location: Eastern coast, North of Chennai

Best of Mahabalipuram

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Chennai has a lot to keep you engaged throughout the day and even surprise you at times! The best aspect of Chennai is that you have varied experiences all in a day- be it taking a nature trail, seeing ancient temples, or beach-hopping. Here is a list of some of these places: Marina Beach VGP Golden Beach Dakshinachitra Elliot’s Beach Express Avenue.

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Santhome Church is a standing testament to the belief of the Christian followers and is among the three wonders of this world that house the tombs of Christ’s original disciple. The other two are Santiago de Compostela in Spain and St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City. It was constructed in the memory of Saint Thomas who was an Apostle of Jesus Christ. Santhome Church is the greatest symbol of multi-culture and religious harmony as people from all religions visit this Church to seek solace and eternal peace.This church was built initially as a mausoleum, but it has now transversed into a Basilica owing to it’s gaining popularity and importance. Beneath the towering white embodiment of this basilica lies the body of Saint Thomas who came to India in 52 AD to preach about Christianity. He was successful in converting a large population of the locals residing in Tamil Nadu and Kerala with his wisdom and powerful preaching. He thereafter formed a community that is now known as Syrian Christians. This church also houses a museum that displays souvenirs of Saint Thomas and gives visitors an insight into the glorious past of this church during the historical times.

Located on the East Coast Road in the Sholinganallur locality of South-Chennai, ISKCON Temple is the spiritual and cultural hub of the city. This temple in Chennai is not only the biggest Radha Krishna temple in Tamilnadu but one of the biggest ISKCON temples in India. With the history of the ISKCON temple in Chennai dating back to the late 1970s, the construction of the temple began in the late 1990s and was completed in 2012 in many phases. The temple houses the deity of Lord Krishna, alongside Radharani and their friends Lalita, Lord Chaitanya, Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra inside three teak-wood alters which are one of a kind. These deities are sourced from Rajasthan and Orissa. Under the guidance of Sri Bhanu Swami, the beautiful architecture is inspired by the Kalinga and Pallava kingdoms’ architecture. At the entrance of the temple, one would see the wonderful design of various Hindu universes on the marble flooring. The various universes are circled a central pillar called Mount Meru. The design is implicated from the ancient Vedic Puranas where Mount Meru is described as the centre of all the universes. The temple is a blend of various cultures with modern scientific technology. To attract more and more people in the ISKCON movement, the authorities of the temples organize lectures and audio-visual programs about the Hindu philosophy. Spread over an area of 1.5 acres, the ISKCON temple or the Hare Rama Hare Krishna temple is built on five floors.

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05 April 2023

• Top Ten Must - Visit Places for Women in OMR & ECR, Chennai

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is a vibrant and bustling metropolis home to some of India's most exciting and interesting places.

The city is renowned for its rich history, culture, and traditions, and its many attractions draw visitors worldwide.

The OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) and ECR (East Coast Road) regions offer many enjoyable experiences for women visiting Chennai. Here are the top 10 must - visit places for women in OMR & ECR, Chennai.

Muttukadu Boat House

Located on the ECR, the Muttukadu Boat House is a popular attraction for women looking for a fun and relaxing day out. Here, you can rent a paddleboat, kayak or speed boat and explore the scenic Muttukadu Lake.

The boat house also has a restaurant, where you can enjoy delicious seafood and South Indian cuisine.

VGP Universal Kingdom

VGP Universal Kingdom is an amusement park located on the ECR and is a great place for women looking for some thrills and excitement. With rides, water parks, and an array of entertainment options, this park will surely provide a memorable experience.

DakshinaChitra

Located on the ECR, DakshinaChitra is a cultural centre that celebrates the art, craft, and culture of South India. Here, you can explore traditional homes and exhibits that showcase the region's rich history and heritage.

Mahabalipuram

Mahabalipuram, located on the ECR, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautiful rock-cut temples and monuments. This ancient town is a must-visit for women interested in history and architecture.

Crocodile Bank

Located on the ECR, the Crocodile Bank is a wildlife sanctuary home to various crocodiles, alligators, and other reptiles. Visitors can take a guided tour of the sanctuary and learn about these fascinating creatures.

MGM Dizzee World

MGM Dizzee World, located on the OMR, is another popular amusement park in Chennai. With rides, a water park, and other entertainment options, this park is perfect for women looking for fun and excitement.

Cholamandal Artists' Village

Located on the ECR, the Cholamandal Artists' Village is a unique community of artists that was established in the 1960s. You can explore art galleries and studios here and interact with some of the country's most talented artists.

ISKCON Temple

The ISKCON Temple, located on the OMR, is a beautiful temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. Women visiting the temple can participate in the daily puja rituals and enjoy the serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Covelong Beach

Covelong Beach, located on the ECR, is beautiful and tranquil, perfect for women looking for a peaceful day out. With its clear blue waters and scenic surroundings, this beach is a great place to relax and unwind.

Phoenix Market city

Phoenix Market City, located on Velachery Main Road near OMR, is a shopping mall that offers an extensive range of fashion, entertainment and dining options. Women can indulge in retail therapy, catch a movie or enjoy a meal with friends or family.

In conclusion, Chennai's OMR and ECR regions offer a wide variety of attractions for women of all ages and interests.

Whether you're interested in history, culture, or art or want to have fun, there's something for everyone in these vibrant and exciting areas. So, pack your bags and head to Chennai for an unforgettable experience!

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Best Time To Visit Chennai

Peak Season : Winters ( November to February ) are the best time to visit Chennai. The temperature during these months fluctuate between 20 to 25 degrees celsius, making the city perfect for sightseeing. Also, tourists can engage in the festive revelry during January when Pongal is celebrated across the city with much enthusiasm.

Shoulder Season : July to September usher in the monsoons to Chennai. And while the rainfall brings relief from the sweltering heat of the summers, there is frequent and heavy downpour in the city. But if you can brave the rains, Chennai is equally beautiful, if not more during this season.

Off-season: March to June is when the city is at his hottest. With temperature reaching as high as 40 degrees celsius, the hotel tariffs and flight rates drop during this season.

Budget For Chennai

For Budget Travellers: INR 600 - 1000 a day

• Accommodation in hostels and basic rooms in guesthouses: INR 200-500
• Food in local tiffin-houses and street eateries: INR 50-200
• Public Transport in buses: INR 10 - 100
• Sightseeing (Entry-tickets & shows): INR 10 - 100

For Mid-range Travellers: INR 1000 to INR 3000 a day

• Accommodation in mid-range hotels and homestays: INR 600 - 1500
• Food in mid-range cafes and restaurants: INR 250 - 600
• Local transport in auto-rickshaws, and local taxis: INR 150 - 400
• Sightseeing & Tours: INR 10 - 1000

For Luxury Travellers: INR 6000 and upwards

• Accommodation in 4* or 5* hotels: INR 3000 and upwards
• Food in upscale restaurants and bars: INR 900 and upwards
• Local transport in cabs: INR 400 and upwards
• Sightseeing, Guided Tours: INR 1000 and upwards

Top Resorts in OMR, Chennai

First things first, a big kudos to you for wanting to catch a break at the best resorts in OMR. After all, if you’re working in OMR, Chennai, you must have a pretty hectic daily routine.

List of 5 Best Resorts in OMR

So the fact that you wanna get some downtime is a step in the right direction. Now, in order to make your life even easier, we’ve saved you the trouble. And compiled a list of the top resorts in OMR, Chennai. 

Kaldan Samudra Palace – A Delightful Staycation

Kaldan Samudra Palace is known as the best OMR beach resort. So much so that if you Google ‘Chennai OMR beach resorts’, it’s most likely to pop up on top. After all, it is a premier resort located in the scenic backdrop of Kovalam Beach. Also, spread across an expansive area, the resort exudes a calm atmosphere with its lush greenery and stunning ocean views. Plus, the resort has 34 well-appointed rooms and suites decorated with contemporary and modern amenities. And the facilities the resort provides include a spa, a swimming pool, a multi-cuisine restaurant and bar, and a conference hall.

The corollary of activities, including indoor chess, foosball, carrom, pool table, and outdoor amenities such as beach volleyball, cricket, basketball, and kite flying, make it one of the best resorts in OMR, Chennai for families and groups. If you are planning a beach vacation in Chennai, Kaldan Samudra Palace is an excellent option for you.

Also check, Rent Ladies/Gents PG in OMR

Green Meadows Resort – A Perfect Family Getaway

Green Meadows Resort, located in Palavakkam, is arguably the best resort in OMR Chennai. The resort promises an exceptional staycation with state-of-the-art amenities, personalized services, and leisure activities. The resort provides 20 well-appointed guest rooms, including villas and suites. The rooms are fully furnished with modern amenities. And with its perfect location, the resort provides its guests with easy access to the famed Muttukadu Lake and Mahabalipuram rocks.

Chariot Beach Resort – A Perfect Blend of Comfort And Luxury

Chariot Beach Resort is the best resort in OMR, Chennai. Located in the fishing village of Injambakkam, the resort offers guests a unique blend of both luxury and comfort. The resort has 70 luxurious rooms and suites, all packed with modern amenities and safety features.

The resort’s standout feature is its location, as it is ideally situated in a fishing village that offers guests a chance to experience the vibrant and colorful life of the villagers. The facilities provided by the resort include a swimming pool, a spa, a multi-cuisine restaurant, and a conference hall. The resort’s distinct leisure activities include a private beach and a natural lagoon that provides guests with a tranquil and serene view.

MGM Beach Resort – An Oasis of Serenity

MGM Beach Resort, located on East Coast Road, is one of the most amazing and popular resorts in OMR Chennai. The resort is perfect for travelers seeking a blend of luxury with nature. The resort is spread across a vast acre, with 86 well-appointed rooms and suites.

The resort offers a range of relaxation and leisure activities like a spa, a swimming pool, a special play area for kids, and beach activities. But here’s the thing, the resort’s greatest attraction is its proximity to the famed Mahabalipuram rock-cut temples. So keep that in mind.

Also read, 10 Best Places to Visit in OMR, Chennai

Ideal Beach Resort – A Slice of Coastal Joy

Ideal Beach Resort is an exquisite resort located on the stunning shores of the Bay of Bengal. The resort has established itself as one of the best beach resorts in OMR Chennai. Ideal Beach Resort perfectly blends coastal charm, luxury, and comfort. The resort has 68 well-appointed rooms with private balconies, offering stunning views of the sea.

Ideal Beach Resort has all the facilities needed for a comfortable and enjoyable stay, including an outdoor pool, a spa, an indoor games room, and a multi-cuisine restaurant. The resort’s standout feature is its location, as it offers guests access to the Mahabalipuram shore temple and Krishna’s butterball.

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30 Famous Places To Visit In Chennai With Your Kids

The coastal city packs several surprises and awe-inspiring picturesque locations to explore.

Harshita is a graduate in commerce and holds a PG Diploma in Patent and Copyrights Law from NALSAR University. She has also pursued CA and has more than three years of internship experience in auditin... read full bio

Deepa Rachel Thomas holds a master’s degree in English from the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She has done a certification course in Child Development and worked as a mentor for... read full bio

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The largest library in South Asia, second longest beach in the world, the birthplace of South Indian cinema, Detroit of India, cultural capital of India – ring a bell?

You got it right! We are talking about the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, which stands among the top 50 largest urban centers in the world.

Chennai, also known as the “Gateway to South India,” is a city full of exciting places to visit for kids. From forts to zoos to art galleries and shopping centers, there’s something for every child to enjoy.

Nicknamed The Gateway to South India, Chennai plays the self-appointed keeper of the South Indian traditions and culture . The city has numerous temples, malls, amusement parks, museums, beaches, parks and historical monuments that make up the must-to-visit tourist attractions in Chennai.

MomJunction gives you a list of places to visit in Chennai with your children.

Beaches In Chennai

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The warm and friendly city of Chennai lies along the Coromandel coast, which makes it privy to some of the prettiest beaches in the region. A trip to one or more of these beaches is one such prior things to do in Chennai on your vacation.

1. Marina Beach

The Marina is perhaps the most visited beaches in Chennai. The world’s first natural urban beach, Marina promenade stretches to 6.5km or 4 miles . The total length of the beach is 13km, which makes it the second largest natural urban beach in the world. Approximately 30,000 people visit the beach every day.

Where: From Fort St. George to Foreshore Estate, Chennai

Attractions: An aquarium near the beach, walk along the beach, horseback riding, and water sports.

Hours: Recommended time of visit – 6am to 7pm

Entry fee: Nil

Amenities: Car parking, food stalls

Things to consider: The undercurrents of the Marina beach are pretty strong, so take extra care with kids. Do not leave them unattended in the water.

Prakalya Prakash, a blogger, shares his experience of staying in Chennai for three days for business reasons. He says, “I stayed in Nungampakkam which is very close to the iconic ‘Valluvar Kotam’. It is a historical monument honoring Thiruvalluvar, a Tamil poet who wrote Thirukural, a work of 1330 verses divided into 130 chapters. Mr. M. Karunanidhi constructed it in the 1970s. The place is known for its magnificent chariot which is 40m in height.I also made time to visit the ICF (Indian coach factory) museum set up by Indian Railways. Couple of other places I visited were — Besant nagar beach, Marina beach and the lighthouse. I would say the Besant nagar beach is a must visit if you are planning for Chennai ( i ).”

2. VGP Golden Beach

A private beach managed by the VGP Universal Kingdom amusement park, the VGP Golden Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Chennai. The beach has been one of the most preferred locations for movie shooting. It is a safe place to go swimming under the watchful eye of the guides. It is also one of the cleanest beaches in Chennai.

Where: Injambakkam, Chennai

Attractions: The private stretch of the marina is beautiful and clean. Rides in the Aqua Kingdom, Panneer fort, and statue man (see if you can move him), VGP 2000 millennium tower are other tourist attractions.

Hours: 11am to 7:30pm

Entry fee: Rs.350 for adults and Rs. 300 for kids for the VGP Universal Kingdom, Rs. 475 for adults and Rs. 375 for children for the Universal Kingdom and the Aqua Kingdom

Amenities: Car parking, food stalls, restrooms

Things to consider: If you are looking for an economical and comfortable way to spend the entire day at the beach, the VGP Golden Beach is it.

3. Covelong Beach

Covelong is a serene fishing village and another best place to visit in Chennai. The beach stretches along the Bay of Bengal, towards Mahabalipuram . The blue and white sea waters and the white, shiny sand make for a picturesque view on a bright, sunny day.

Where: 40km from Chennai

How to reach: Private vehicles, taxis, and buses

Attractions: Adventure sports, walk along the beach, ruins of a Dutch fort and fishing

Amenities: Parking, restaurants with restrooms

Things to consider: It is a quiet beach ideal for relaxing. You might want to consider visiting it only if you have time to spare.

4. Breezy Beach

An isolated beach in the vicinity of Chennai, Breezy Beach is a great spot for a quick swim or a quiet picnic with the family. If you do not want to spend too much time here, just be there at sunset to have a breathtaking view.

Where: Valmiki Nagar, Chennai

Attractions: Sunset point, boat rides are sometimes offered by local fishermen

Amenities: Parking on the roadside

Things to consider: While Breezy beach is one of the best beaches in the city, it may not be the most exciting beach to take your kids to in Chennai.

5. Elliot’s Beach

Elliot Beach is another quiet beach that people in Chennai visit to get away from the noisy city. The beach is beautiful and has several food stalls around, with ample parking space. If you visit the beach early in the morning, you can spot flamingos and pond herons.

Where: Besant Nagar, Chennai

Attractions: The beach is quiet and makes an ideal spot for a relaxing evening.

Amenities: Parking, food stalls

Things to consider: If your plan is to spend some time at the beach, Elliot’s Beach is a better and less-crowded alternative to the Marina beach.

Museums In Chennai

Does history intrigue you? Do you want to learn about the history of Chennai or Tamil Nadu? Then make sure you include one or more of these best places to visit in Chennai with family.

6. Government Museum

The second oldest museum in the country, the Government Museum or the Madras Museum has more than 40 galleries dedicated to archeology, numismatics, geology, botany, art, anthropology, and zoology. The museum complex, which is an architectural marvel in itself, opened in 1854 and has the largest collection of Roman antiques outside of Europe .

Where: Egmore, Chennai

Attractions: Children’s Museum and Dolls gallery are favorites among kids. The Roman antiques gallery, contemporary arts gallery that showcases art history of Tamil Nadu and Tanjore painting gallery are a must see.

Days open: All days except Fridays and National Holidays

Hours: 9:30am to 5pm

Entry fee: For Indians – Rs.15 per adult and Rs.10 per child, Rs. 5 for bonafide students, Foreign nationals – $5 per adult, $2.5 per child and $1.5 for bonafide students

Amenities: Parking and guide services

Things to consider: The museum is huge – it can take you over half-a-day to visit all the galleries.

7. Dakshinachitra

Image: IStock

For a thorough understanding of the culture and traditions of southern India, a visit to Dakshinachitra is a must. The living museum of performance arts, crafts and culture showcases the lifestyles of people in the four southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Where: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu

Attractions: Vernacular architecture – regional houses from the four states recreated for visitors; folk performances, glass blowing demo

Days open: All days, except Tuesdays and Diwali

Hours: 10am to 6pm

Entry fee: For Indians Rs. 100 per adult, Rs. 30 per child, Rs. 50 for students, Foreign nationals Rs. 250 for adults, Rs. 70 for students

Amenities: Parking, restaurant.

Things to consider: Dakshinachitra also organizes workshops for kids and adults. Check their calendar online to know more.

8. Railway Museum

Image: Chennai Rail Museum

Trains excite kids, which makes the Chennai Railway Museum one of the places you should visit with children. From running models to miniature rail networks and souvenirs, the museum features a variety of exhibits that appeal to kids. The museum also has a children’s park and vintage engine models on display.

Where: Villivakkam, Chennai

Attractions: Joyrides, AV shows, Fowler ploughing engine, and scaled models of several trains from India, before and after Independence.

Days open: All days, except Mondays

Entry fee: Rs. 10 per person

Amenities: Car Parking

Things to consider: Try and make it to one of the AV presentations that the museum has every hour.

9. National Art Gallery

The National Art Gallery is one of the museums in the Government Museum, Chennai. The gallery has a wide collection of arts and crafts, especially paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries. Children would love the rock and cave art showcased in this gallery. The museum also displays paintings of renowned painter Raja Ravi Varma.

Attractions: Thanjavur paintings, Ravi Varma paintings, Bronze sculptures, rock and cave art and ancient manuscripts

Days open: All days, except Friday

Hours: 10am to 5pm

Things to consider: This is purely for art and craft lovers. It could be an inspiration to aspiring artists.

10. Vivekananda House

Swami Vivekananda is a source of immense inspiration to the young. Visit the Vivekananda House, a landmark in Chennai, where Swami Vivekananda stayed for nine days after his return from the US . The house is now a museum that showcases the rich Indian culture and the life of Swami Vivekananda when he stayed there.

Where: Triplicane, Chennai

Attractions: Experience Vivekananda initiative, an excellent way to understand the man and what he stood for.

Days open: All days except Mondays

Hours: 10am to 12:15pm and 3pm to 7pm

Entry fee: Rs.10 per adult, Rs. 5 per child

Amenities: Limited parking

Things to consider: The museum is opposite Marina beach. You can club your visits to the beach and the museum to save time.

Historical Places In Chennai

The city’s rich history is evident from the many historical monuments it houses. Here are some of the Chennai’s tourist attractions you should visit with kids.

11. Fort St. George

St. George Fort is the first English fortress that was built in India, in 1644. The fort is an architectural marvel and currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. The fort also has a museum that showcases medallions, coins, paintings and letters belonging to the East India Company personnel who lived here.

Where: Rajaji Salai, Chennai

Attractions: St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India, and the St. George Museum

Hours: 9am to 5pm

Entry fee: Rs. 5 per person for Indian citizens and $2 for foreign nationals (entry free for children up to 15 years of age)

Amenities: Parking, restrooms, food stalls/canteens

Things to consider: The visit to the fort can be an educational trip for your kids. It can be an exciting experience but not a place to have fun or folly (the Tamil Nadu Assembly is in the same building!)

12. Alamparai Fort

The Alamparai Fort was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Empire, and is another good place to visit near Chennai. The French later seized the fort and then the British empire, when it was partly demolished. At present, you can only see the ruins of the fort with the beautiful backwaters of the Bay of Bengal on one side.

Where: 100km from Chennai

Attractions: Picturesque backwaters and the ruins, which have made it a favorite spot for filmmakers, bird-watching, photography, and boating.

Days open: All days

Hours: Recommended time of visit – 9am to 5pm

Amenities: Parking on roadside

Things to consider: The Alamparai Fort is in a secluded area that makes it less ideal for families and kids. Go there during daytime for a good view of the backwaters.

13. Tranquebar

Tranquebar, now known as Tharangambadi, is home to Dansborg, a 400-year-old fort built by the Danish invaders. An erstwhile port city for the rulers Cholas and Pandyas, the small port town is now a tourist hub with resorts and other facilities. In addition to the fort, there is a 300-year-old church and a museum that the kids may be interested in.

Where: 270km from Chennai

How to reach: Buses, private vehicles, and taxis

Attractions: The Dansborg Fort, the Town Gate, Zion Church and the Ziegenbalg Museum Complex

Hours: Overnight stay is necessary to cover all the sights in the region

Amenities: Accommodation, restaurants

Things to consider: It takes nearly eight hours to reach Tranquebar from Chennai. Unless you have that kind of time, this place should not be on the itinerary.

14. Valluvar Kottam

A favorite monument in Chennai, Valluvar Kottam is a memorial to a famous Tamil poet, philosopher and saint Thiruvallur. The monument is a 39-meter high chariot that houses a statue of the saint. It is a tribute to the poet’s work called Thirukkal, which has 133 chapters with ten verses each. There is also an auditorium that often hosts classical programs.

Where: Nungambakkam, Chennai

Attractions: The monument stands on a lake and was built without a pillar for a base. The magnificently carved stone chariot appeals to kids and adults alike.

Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm

Amenities: Parking, restrooms, food stalls

Things to consider: While the kids may be fascinated by the size of the stone chariot, they may not comprehend the importance of the monument or the poet’s works.

15. Kolli hills

Kolli Hills, also known as Kolli Malai, is a small mountain range situated in central Tamil Nadu, spanning across the Namakkal district and Tiruchirapalli District of India. The range derives its name, Kolli Malai, from the goddess Etukkai Amman (also referred to as Kollipavai), who is believed to guard the hills with her divine protection. The Kolli hills are prominently mentioned in various classical Tamil literary works, and the area was ruled by Valvil Ori, who is considered to be one of the seven great philanthropists of ancient Tamil Nadu in around 200 CE.

Where:  330 km from Chennai

How to reach: Trains (Salem is the nearest railway station), private vehicles and buses.

Attractions: Agaya Gangai waterfall, Arappaleeswarar temple, Masila falls, Namma Aruvi falls, Botanical garden

Days open:  All days

Hours: 6 am to 6 pm. Overnight stay at the resorts can give a better experience.

Amenities: Shops, resorts

Things to consider: You have to climb a total of 1302 steps up and down to see Agaya Gangai waterfall. So, the journey might be a little difficult and tiring as the steps are steep.

Malls And Entertainment Places In Chennai

There is no dearth of malls or amusement parks in this metropolitan city. Here are our picks for malls and amusement or entertainment places to see in Chennai.

16. Forum Vijaya Mall

A mall is a perfect place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing or traveling. Forum Vijaya Mall is huge and has a spacious food court that serves different cuisines to tickle your taste buds. The mall also has a play area for kids with mini slides, basketball, and cars. The play area and the food court are divided by a glass wall, allowing parents to watch over their children while they eat.

Where: Vadapalani, Chennai

Attractions: Play Zone has video games, mini rides for kids, crane and puzzle games and other redemption games. The mall also has a toy train ride for younger kids.

Hours: 10am to 10pm

Amenities: Parking, restrooms and restaurants

Things to consider: Kids will have a gala time playing in the Fun Zone, but there are only so many games you can play there.

17. Spencer Plaza

Image: flickr.com creativecommons.org

A modern mall that was built back in the days of the British Raj, Spencer Plaza is India’s oldest shopping mall and a landmark in Chennai. The old-fashioned mall is home to many brand stores, private banks and organizations, and restaurants. The mall also has over 15 Sri Lankan brand stores where you can get the finest Ceylon tea, spices, clothing, and footwear.

Where: Anna Salai, Chennai

Attractions: Good food for less, one place where you can bargain and get good stuff at lower prices.

Amenities: Parking, restrooms, restaurants

Things to consider: Spencer Plaza is the oldest mall in the country and was made purely for business. There may not be a lot of things that appeal to kids here.

18. Express Avenue Mall

The Express Avenue Mall is one your kids will love as it has the largest gaming arcade in South India. The mall has a play area called Fun City, which has more than the usual rides you find in a mall. Express Avenue also has a 5D movie theater that older kids may enjoy. Other than that, the restaurants are great, and there is so much to buy that you can shop till you drop.

Where: Roypettah, Chennai

Attractions: Fun City

Hours: 10:30am to 9:30pm

Amenities: Parking, restaurants and restrooms

Things to consider: If you have a day to spare between sightseeing and traveling around, use it to visit the Express Avenue. Your kids will love it.

19. Queens Land

Image: creativecommons.org

Queens Land is an amusement park in Chennai that has over 50 rides. In addition to the joy rides, the amusement park has all the amenities that make it an excellent place for a fun family time. Of the 50 rides, 18 are for kids, and that means your day at the park will have no wasted time!

Where: Chembarambakkam, 13.3 km from Chennai

Attractions: Cable Cars, Himalayan Water Ride, Wave Pool, Bumper Cars, Orchestra, Go Karting, Frog Slide and Thumbrole.

Hours: 9:30am to 6pm

Entry fee: Rs. 550 for adults, Rs. 450 for children

Things to consider: The amusement park is huge and spread over an area of 70 acres. You may not be able to complete all the rides in one day. So choose wisely.

20. MGM Dizzee World

MGM is a household name in Chennai. The Dizzee World is one of the largest amusement parks in Chennai and offers more than 35 fabulous joy rides for kids and adults. The park also has an amphitheater, and an exclusive children’s zone called Marryworld. The park also offers hot air balloon rides for the entire family!

Where: Muttukadu, Chennai

Attractions: Hot air balloon rides, boating, MGM express, wave pool, splash pool and a simulator ride called Imagine.

Hours: Weekdays – 10:30am to 6:30pm Weekends and public olidays – 10:30am to 7:30pm

Entry fee: Rs. 599 per adult, Rs. 499 per child (includes all rides and water park access)

Amenities: Parking, food court, restrooms, first aid

Things to consider: Avoid the adult rides for kids – they may be highly exhilarating for you, but scary for kids.

21. VGP Universal Kingdom

Once popular as VGP Gardens, the VGP Universal Kingdom is an amusement park along the Marina Beach. The proximity to the beach and a convenient location makes it an ideal hangout spot for locals and tourists alike. The park has a wide choice of joy rides for children, teens, adults and families. If you are lucky, you could spot a movie star or two in shooting a scene at the park.

Where: Injambakam, Chennai

Attractions: Statue Man, Dashing Car, Roller Coast, Water Chute, Jungle Car, and the Doll Kingdom. If you’re bored with the rides, you can go to the beach!

Hours: From 11am to 7.30pm on weekdays and till 8pm on weekends

Entry fee: Rs. 350 per adult and Rs.300 per child for the amusement park, Rs. 475 per adult and Rs. 375 per child for the amusement park and water park

Amenities: Parking, restaurant, restrooms, locker facility

Things to consider: Plan a visit to the VGP beach and the amusement park on the same day.

Lakes And Parks In Chennai

Lakes or parks – do they fascinate you? Look on for those beautiful visiting places in Chennai, which is a home to some rare birds and animals found in their natural habitats around the city or in the enclosed parks.

22. Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Chennai has a lot of firsts, including the first public zoo – the Arignar Anna Zoological Park or the Vandalur Zoo. The park is home to over 2000 species of plants and animals. It is also the largest zoo in India and has close to 50 species of mammals, 63 bird species, 31 reptile species, and a variety of fishes, amphibians and insects.

Where: Vandalur, Kanchipuram, 38.8km from Chennai

How to reach: Buses, private cars and taxis. Trains until Vandalur railway station

Attractions: Deer safari, Shark Aquarium, Nocturnal animal house, water birds habitat, lion safari, and serpentaria.

Days open: All days except Tuesdays

Entry fee: Rs. 30 per adult and Rs. 10 per child. Additional cost for safari vehicles

Amenities: Parking, food stalls, restrooms, and vehicle to tour the zoo

Things to consider: Touring the entire zoo will take at least four hours.

23. Semmozhi Poonga

Image: commons.wikimedia.org creativecommons.org

A relatively recent addition to Chennai’s list of parks, the Semmozhi Poonga is a botanical garden with over 300 species of plants. The park was developed around 80 trees that were in the area for years. Some of these trees are over 100 years old. Introduce your kids to a variety of plants including the cacti, bamboo and ficus varieties from China.

Where: Teynampet, Chennai

Attractions: The pond with ducks, the poonga at night, with colorful lights and the old trees that found a home in the garden.

Hours: 10am to 7pm

Entry fee: Rs. 5 per person

Amenities: Parking and restrooms; eatables or plastic bags are not allowed

Things to consider: This is a botanical garden, and may not be of appeal to all kids.

24. Pulicat Lake And Bird Sanctuary

The Pulicat Lake is the second largest saltwater lake in India. A significant portion of the lake lies in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with only 3% of it in Tamil Nadu. There is a bird sanctuary in the lake that attracts migratory birds like pelicans, painted stork, flamingos, and other birds every year.

Where: 93.3km from Chennai

Attractions: The scenic view of the lake combined with the variety of birds you can find there.

Hours: Recommended time of visit – 6am to 5pm. Best time to visit: November to February to see the migratory birds

Amenities: Parking

Things to consider: The Pulicat lake is under the threat of drying up completely in the next 100 years, due to pollution and silt. A trip to the lake can educate your kids about such ecological issues.

25. Muttukadu Lake

A picturesque lake in the city, Muttukadu Lake is known for its floating boat house. The facility is made of bamboo and is run by the Tamil Nadu tourism department and offers boating to explore the lake. You can also try speed boat rides and high-speed aqua scooter rides in the backwaters.

Attractions: Row boating, pedal boating and speed water biking, the TTDC sometimes conducts boat races here.

Entry fee: Nil; Visitors need to buy tickets for boat and scooter rides

Amenities: Parking, restaurant and restrooms

Things to consider: This is a great place for boating for families.

26. Odiyur Lake

The Odiyur Lake is enroute Mahabalipuram. The Mudaliarkuppam Boat House, established on the banks of the lake, is known for water-based activities like row boating, speed boating, kayaking and more. The facility is managed by the Tamil Nadu tourism department and has over 50 varieties of boats that you can try.

Where: 90km from Chennai

Attractions: Kayaking is a great option for adventurers. There are row boats, pedal boats and speed scooters for kids and families. Also, look for pretty pink flamingos, little grebe and different varieties of kingfishers.

Hours: 9am to 6pm

Entry fee: Nil; Tickets

Amenities: Parking, restaurants

Things to consider: The Mudaliarkuppam Boat House is farther than some of the other boat houses near Chennai. Carry binoculars to spot birds.

27. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

If bird watching and identifying is your favorite pastime, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is a place you’ll love. Developed around the Vedanthangal lake, the sanctuary is home to grebes, egrets, cormorants, pintails, pond herons and sandpipers. The sanctuary also hosts migratory birds like the Australian gray pelicans, the glossy ibises and snake birds from Sri Lanka, painted storks from Siberia, spoonbills from Burma, open-billed storks from Bangladesh and the spot-billed ducks.

Where: 75km from Chennai

How to reach: Buses, private vehicles and taxis; train till Chengalpattu (24.4km from the sanctuary)

Attractions: Excellent place for bird watching – an estimated 5,000 birds fly into the sanctuary throughout the year.

Hours: Recommended time to visit – during day, early morning and before dusk

Entry fee: Rs. 5

Amenities: Parking on roadside, guides

Things to consider: You can also spot mammals like the wild boar, jackal and jungle cat here. This place is for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers.

Other Kid-Friendly Places In Chennai

In addition to the ones mentioned above, these are a few other best places to visit in Chennai that will interest your kids.

28. Birla Planetarium

One of the few planetariums built by the Birla Foundation, the Birla Planetarium in Chennai is a great place to spend time with kids. It has eight galleries that are dedicated to physical science, innovation, transportation and energy among others. The planetarium also has two science shows frequently repeated during the day – one in English and the other in Tamil.

Where: Kotturpuram, Chennai

Attractions: The planetarium shows, rocket model in the science park

Days open: All days, except Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanthi

Hours: 10am to 5:45pm

Entry fee: Rs. 45 for adults and Rs.25 for children for complete planetarium package

Amenities: Parking, restrooms

Things to consider: If your kids have already been to a planetarium, they might not find this visit exciting.

29. The Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society in Chennai is an interesting place for kids . Consider a visit to the society as an educational tour. You can visit the many temples within the premises, the old banyan tree, and the library filled with knowledge by world teachers like Jiddu Krishnamurti.

Where: Adyar, Chennai

Attractions: The sprawling Huddleston gardens on the premises and the Great Banyan Tree that occupies 40,000sft and is 450 years old.

Days open: All days except Sundays and public holidays

Hours: 8:30am to 4pm

Amenities: Parking and restrooms

Things to consider: If you are taking your kids there, you might want to know about the society beforehand.

30. Tada Falls

Tada Falls is a weekend getaway for many Chennai residents. The place is ideal for a small trek or hike with the kids, and the waterfall is a beautiful sight. The path to the falls is well developed and easy for kids to walk. You can even take a dip in the final pool if you feel like.

Where: 95km from Chennai

How to reach: Local trains, private vehicles and buses

Attractions: The waterfall and the small hike can be fun for kids and adults. You can even camp there if you have the gear.

Hours: Recommended time of visit – during the day

Amenities: Parking near the falls, no restrooms or food stalls

Things to consider: The trek may be tiring for younger kids.

A Brief History Of Chennai

The city was first formed as a Portuguese colony in the 1500s. The Dutch later ruled it, followed by the British and the French invaders, before Independent India made it the capital of Tamil Nadu state in 1956. It is believed that the name Chennai was derived from the name Damarla Chennappa Nayakudu, a Telugu king. Some say it is derived from the name of Lord Chenna Kesava Perumal. The city was later called Madraspattinam, which was a fishing village near the first English Fort.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is famous in Chennai to eat?

Chennai is a metro city that has people from all over the country. While you can find several dishes from around the world to eat in Chennai, this popular city is famous for its traditional foods. Idli, Dosa, Sambhar, Vada, Uttapam, Paniyaram, Appam, and Puttu are some delicious foods one can relish when visiting Chennai.

2. Which sweet is famous in Chennai?

Payasam is the traditional Tamil dish famous in Chennai. It’s usually made with rice, milk, sugar, coconut, and sometimes dry fruit. However, this sweet can also be made with other ingredients like vermicelli and broken wheat. Some other sweets one can devour while staying in Chennai are Mysore pak and Kozhukkatta.

3. What are some popular shopping destinations in Chennai for traditional and modern items?

In Chennai, several shopping destinations cater to both traditional and modern items. Places like T. Nagar, Pondy Bazaar, and Mylapore are known for their traditional products, such as textiles, jewelry, and handicrafts. On the other hand, Phoenix MarketCity and Express Avenue are popular malls offering a diverse range of national and international brands for modern shopping.

These were some of the most loved places to visit in Chennai. To see most of these sites, you’ll have to stay for at least 15 days. However, if you only have a short stay, you might not be able to see all of these attractions. You can also consider visiting Chennai’s best attractions, such as beaches, animal sanctuaries, and amusement parks. Plan a trip to Chennai with your children and family; you will always cherish your time spent in the port city. Do not be surprised if it turns out to be one of your favorite destinations in India to visit.

Key Pointers

• Chennai is known as the cultural capital of India because of its deeply entrenched traditions.
• Chennai is famous for its beaches, museums, eateries, malls, and lakes.
• Kid-friendly places like Theosophical Society and Birla Planetarium teach children new things in a fun way.

Image: Stable Diffusion/MomJunction Design Team

Explore the best tourist places to visit in Chennai, India! From ancient temples to modern malls, there’s something for everyone. Come join us on this journey!

Personal Experience: Source

MomJunction articles include first-hand experiences to provide you with better insights through real-life narratives. Here are the sources of personal accounts referenced in this article.

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Explore 50+ Places in Chennai | ECR Gateways | Family | Kids | Things to Do

Also known as East-Coast Road, ECR in Chennai starts from Adyar and covers a long distance along the Bay of Bengal but the main attractions along this highway lie in the vicinity of Chennai. On the weekends, you can go on for cycling or biking and cover a lot of places with yourself or with family. In this blog, I am going to list more than 50 ECR gateways which lie along the east coast road from Chennai to Mahabalipuram.

Page Contents

St. Thomas basilica church, Santhome, Chennai

The church of St. Thomas is one of the only three churches built over the tomb of an apostle (one of the original 12 disciples chosen by Jesus Christ to preach his gospel). The other twos are Saint Peterâs Basilica over the tomb of st. Peter Rome and Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela built over the tomb of st. James in Spain.

• regular visiting hours are from 5:00 am to 9:00 pm.
• On weekdays: 5:30 am & 10:30 am: Rosary, Benediction, Holy mass
• Sundays: 6:15 am to noon: Holy mass begins in different languages
• Special days: 3rd of everything month is dedicated to St. Thomas. Adoration, Rosary, Novena, and Holy mass are organized at timings same as above.
• 2nd Saturday of every month is dedicated to Lady of Mylapore.

What to see there?

• The grand architectural and artistic beauty of the church
• The naive of the basilica
• Paintings of the Jesus depicting different events in his life
• Shrine of St. Thomas at the tomb chapel underground
• Wedding hall
• Neo-Gothic architecture

Ramakrishna Math, Mylapore Chennai

Rama Krishna Math, Chennai also called as “R K Math” is first of its kind in South India. This math induces spirituality in oneself by offering service to mankind in different forms. R K Math, full name Ramakrishna Mutt is situated near Mylapore railway station. This spiritual place is dedicated to Vivekananda and spiritual studies. It is a peaceful place. One of the recommended places for peace and spirituality.

How to reach there?

• Nearest Bus stand is Sanskrit College, Mylapore & Luz corner bus-stand.  Click here to find the bus route in Chennai
• Nearest Train stations: Thirumayilai (also called Mylapore) & MundaKanni Amman Kovil. These stations are located on Velachery-Chennai beach local train route.  Click here to find the local train routes.
• Visiting timings: (No Entry fee) 05:00-11:45 & 15:00-21:00

 St. Thomas Mount hillock & Church, Chennai

St. Thomas Mount is a small church located on a small hillock in Chennai near Chennai international airport and behind OTA (Officers Training Academy).

How to Reach there?

• There is a road which drives up to the top of the hill and using Auto or by car, one can reach the top easily.
• By Train: Nearest Railway station: St. Thomas Mount & Guindy (2 Kms) Auto can be hired from these stations (Fair around Rs. 40) for either till the church at the hill-top (Chances are lesser) or to the foothill of the hillock from where the stairs lead to the church.The walkway is easier to walk and only take 5-10 minutes to reach the top. Most of the Auto-Guys would drop you here. Click here to find the train connectivity and timings
• On Foot: If you love, It takes just 10 mins to walk to the foothill from St. Thomas Mount.
• By Bus: Nearest Bus stops are Mount bus stop, Kathipaara, Jyothi theatre & Butt road bus stops. From all these bus stops, foot-hill is at the walking distance. Click here to find the connectivity of the local bus
• Everyday: 06:30, 12:00 & 18:00- all in Tamil
• Sunday: 07:00 & 18:00 (in Tamil), 12:00 (in English)

Places to see from the top:

St. Thomas Mount Church, Small Belltower, Cross-pillar, Old Banyan tree & view of Chennai city and the airport.

Adyar estuary and water-front

Adyar Estuary is unique in itself. Finding such a natural habitat where a river barely meets the sea and creates a natural green world which is rare to find, even imagine, in a metropolitan city.

Adyar Estuary is formed by river Adyar and the bay of Bengal which leads to the formation of creek and mangroves around the meeting point. These mangroves are habitat to migratory birds; absence of pollution (industrial area) and the presence of religious and educational institutions, gardens and ecological park have essentially helped the area in preserving its beauty.

Broken Bridge at Adyar estuary is one of the favorite places of the photographers in Chennai to shoot the modernity with historic nature, the mud land, the green space and high rising buildings in the background. The peculiarity of this place is it offers sunrise as well as sunset view too.

Nearest Stop: Besant Nagar Bus stop (2Kms) local streets connect this place to Adyar bus depot (3.5 Kms)

Places to see around:

South side of the river (BesNagaragar side): Broken Bridge, Adyar river mangroves, small islands in the river, Bird-watching, Theosophical society, Northside (Across the river): Adyar creek and ecological garden

Dakshinchitra

A traditional and unique heritage village which is keeping the traditional lifestyles of south India alive and depicting them at a single place along the ECR spreading over acres. DakshinaChitra museum is a cross-cultural museum which represents art, architecture, lifestyles, crafts and performing arts from South India states of Tamilnadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The main purpose of DakshinChitra museum is to promote and preserve cultural aspects of these south Indian states with rich culture and bring them in the public’s eyes.

What can you do there?

• Take a tour of the past through traditional homes and explore the bygone cultures.
• Go through the exhibitions of the rich culture of south India.
• Make an authentic purchase of Indian crafts, jewelry, artworks etc.
• Play some traditional games of the past.
• Take a look at the live demonstration of the craftsmanship of the artists.
• Dakshinchitra Visiting Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
• Weekly Holiday: Tuesday (open on all national holidays except on Diwali Day)

Dakshinchitra Entrance fee (Indians):

• Indian Adult: Rs.100/-
• Indian Child: Rs.20/- (5-12yrs)
• Indian Student: Rs.30/- (13-18yrs)
• Teachers: Rs.50 ( or at the discretion of the management)
• School Students package: Rs.100/-

Dakshinchitra Entrance Tariff (Foreigners):

• Adults: Rs.200/-
• Students: Rs.70/-

Astha Laxmi Temple

The Astha Laxmi temple is dedicated to the Goddess Laxmi and her eight forms built over three floors. The beach view from the temple is also good. People often complain that the temple is not maintained properly. There is also a parking fee of around 20 rupees collected near the parking area. This is a nice place to spend weekends with your family.

Cholamandalam Artist’s village

The Cholamandal Artists’ Village, Chennai is situated on the  East-coast road  near Injambakkam.  Situated at a distance of 9 Km from Adyar and spread over around 10 acres of land, Cholamandalam artist’s village is India’s largest self-supporting artists’ village and one of the most successful in Asia.

This is a place where everyone can enjoy. If aesthetic and artistic things attract you then this place is a perfect destination for you. This is a place where you need not think twice before going there. It can be fun going there with family, with children, with co-workers or even with someone who appreciates artistic sense and aspire to be some kind of artist someday.

Art galleries, Open air theatre, dance performances, sculptures, museums, handicrafts, sand and clay art, photography and there is a thousand amazing stuff which can make you awe-struck. But if you want to enjoy more, you should plan your schedule in advance and according to your choice, you should go there.

• Cholamandalam village Timings:  9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
• Cholamandalam village Entry Fee: Rs 20 for adults and Rs 5 for kids

VGP Universal Kingdom:

The VGP entrance is not only bright, but also quite big and welcoming, so there is no way you could have drove down ECR and missed it. VGP was established at a time when there were no amusement parks in India, and it has since grown to be a mainstay of Chennai. You can stay at the resort VGP Golden Beach, which is right next door, while enjoying the park. They have a tonne of attractions, including the Snow Kingdom, the Balloon Racer, the Dashing Car, the Ferris Wheel, and entertaining water rides.

VGP Universal kingdom ticket rates

Rides type:.

• float slide
• typhoon tunnel
• family raft
• tiny tot express
• rock and roll and many many more

Tickets cost INR 450 for children to enter the Universal Kingdom and Aqua Kingdom, INR 550 for adults, and INR 795 for everyone else (for children – Snow Kingdom, Universal Kingdom & Aqua Kingdom). Here is the link for more details. Near Injamambakkam, VGP universal kingdom is the perfect family day outing place and one of the most recommended if you are looking for a weekend gateway

Isckon Temple, Chennai

Built over 1.5 acres, ISCKON temple is the largest temple in Tamilnadu dedicated to Radha and Krishna. The temple is open from 7:30 am to 1 pm and from 4 pm to 8:00 pm . However, the last A arati  (worship), called the A ayana arati , is at 9:00 pm , which lasts about 15 minutes. More details about the temple can be found here: Iskcon temple, Chennai

MGM Dizzier world

Dizzie World is another amusement park along the same stretch, and like any good amusement park, it offers rides for people of all ages. Cup Saucer, Dizzie Express, Rocket Tower, and Shoe House are available for children. For adults, there are rides like Tomb Raider, Revolution, and Kamikaze Ranger, among many more. The amphitheatre will also provide hours of entertainment! Here is the link to the MGM Dizzier World

Just like VGP universal kingdom, MGM Dizzier world also has a lot of rides and attractions along with restaurants and shops for the tourists. They also organize corporate event,

Muttukadu Boat House

Muttukadu Lake is the backwater between MGM & Kovalam beach and on the way to Mahabalipuram we can access it from the  East Coast Road . Muttukadu Lake is located around 30 KM from Chennai. You can enjoy rowing, windsurfing, water skiing, Aqua scooters, and explore all other watersports here. This boathouse was inaugurated in 1984 since then this place has been a lucky weekend getaway for locals as well as outsiders. If you plan to visit Muttukadu backwater and take a boat trip in the Lake of Muttukadu, then do plan your trip between October and February.

• 36 Kms from Chennai on East coast road aka ECR towards Mahabalipuram
• Open from 9 am to 5 pm & run by TTDC

A variety of boating choices:

• Row boating for Rs 130 for 30 minutes
• Speed boating for Rs. 450 for 10 minutes
• Powerboat for 8 members for Rs. 350
• Shared 30 minutes ride cost Rs. 50

Covelong or Kovalam Beach

Covelong Beach, also known as Kovalam beach, is near a fishing village called Covelong which is located 40 km from Chennai. Covelong Beach offers water sports like Surfing, Parasailing, Boating, and Fishing. You can also rent a motor boat to enjoy this beautiful beach. Visitors usually try to visit this place from November to February to avoid the summer heat.

What to do there?

• Walk along the clean shallow beach for miles and miles, turtle walk.
• Photograph the crescent-shaped beach filled with fishing boats and fishing nets
• Take a ride into the turquoise sea by negotiating with the fisherman, you can also go for a group outing, it is called sea-diving in that area. Fishermen provide the life-jackets and take the people a few km off the shore for around half an hour- Its a lifetime experience.
• Walk into the local fish market
• Try fish-fry on the open clean beach
• Do other activities like wind-surfing, turtle walk, midsea-diving etc.

Thiruvidandai

Thiruvidandai is a village located about 4 Km from Covelong on East Coast Road. The village derives its name from the Nithyakalyana Perumal temple and its history is centered on the temple.  Temple is open from 6:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  There are some interesting legends about this temple and this place could also be one of the unexplored locations for photography around Chennai .

Stay at beach house resort in Nemmeli

There are a lot of beach houses starting Kovalam beach until Mahabalipuram. There are even many AirBnBs and B&Bs. Surf around different hotel websites and find a place to enjoy a nice sea-facing evening.

Madras Crocodile bank trust

It is a trust for herpetology and environment conservation. It has won several awards in the recent past and getting recognized as a non-profit organization in recent years with volunteers pouring in from the metropolitan city of Chennai and with the help of local experts. It is a bank with a variety of crocodiles, turtles, and snakes. If you love wildlife and aquatic life, you would surely love this place too.

• Timings: 08.30 AM – 05.30 PM (All day except closed on Monday)
• Fee: Adult- Rs 35 and child (below 10 years) : Rs 10
• Camcorder: Rs. 100 and still camera: Rs. 20
• Night safari : (Saturday and Sunday only, 07.00 pm-08.30 pm, ticket counter closes at 08.00 pm)
• Adult: Rs 60 and children(Below 10 years): Rs. 20

Mahabalipuram- A UNESCO world heritage site

Mahabalipuram is a small city located on the coromandel coast of the Bay of Bengal. Mahabalipuram is famous for the temples such as Panch Rathas Temples and Shore Temple. You will be amazed to know that Mahabalipuram has 40 ancient monuments and Hindu temples. The other names of Mahabalipuram are Mamallapuram, Mahamallapuram, Mallapuram and Mavalipuram.

• The shore temple
• Arjuna’s Penance
• Varaha Mandapa or cave
• The butterball
• The five Rathas
• Cool beaches and cottages
• Century-old Lighthouse
• Rock carvings and sculptures
• Classical Indian dance festival (During Dec-Jan)

Also, read here about another UNESCO world heritage site called Mahabodhi temple

Sadras Dutch Fort

Sadras Dutch fort is located on the East Coast Road near Kathankadai, Kalpakkam, almost 70 Km south of Chennai and around half an hour drive from Mahabalipuram temples .

• Vishnu temple
• Ruins of the fort
• Nice walk to the beach
• Tombs and other monuments

The Pondicherry: In the city

What to see?

• Stay in Bamboo cottages
• Sunrise in the morning
• Gandhi Beach or rock beach
• Auroville village
• And, explore restaurants on hired bikes

Pondicherry: Around the city

• Sri Manakula Vinayagar temple
• Chunnambar backwaters
• Sacred heart church
• botanical garden and the zoo
• Local fish market
• Shri Aurobindo Ashram

Prathyangira Devi temple, Pondicherry

Source: http://temple-of-secrets.blogspot.in/

Pratyangira Devi Temple in Pondicherry is located near Auroville. The place is known as Moratandi. There is also a tollgate there. This temple is famous for 72 feet idol of Goddess Pratyangira Devi. Sharabeshwar temple with a big idol of God Sharabeshwar is located on the left side of the temple.

Explore Dutch Heritage in Kalapakkam

Though Kalapakkam is still not so popular among tourists, you can still enjoy a lot of things on the weekends if you are just passing by. From Mahabalupuram, Kalapakkam is around 15 Km further down south. There are local buses and tempo which run between these two places. If you are driving a car, you can also cover Kalapakkam. It is just 20-25 minutes from Mahabaliupram. Here are the places to visit in Kalapakkam and all of these places are nearby:

• Sadras Dutch fort
• Meyyur Kuppam beach
• Kalpakkam beach and Kalpakkam rock beach
• Kadalur dam (Here you can enjoy taking a bath in the dam and bit of swimming too)

Mudaliarkuppam boat house on Odiyur lake:

This is a recent project started by the Tamilnadu Tourism by calling it with the name of Raindrop boating House. This is a water sports facility located along the scenic East-coast road, 35 Kms south of  Mahabalipuram on the way to Pondicherry.

The size of Odiyur lake is much larger than Muttukadu boating backwaters. And to top of it, Odiyur lake is more serene and believed to be the major source of fresh water to the near by cities. Moreover, the lake houses many kinds of birds and there is not much crowd here.

Alamparai fort:

Once living its life full-fledged during Mughal empire, Alamparai fort was influenced by the French culture whose main centre have been Pondicherry, almost 50 Kms from there. it was gifted by the Mughal Nawab to the French Government. However later, a war between the British and the French was the reason of the destruction of the fort.

It s believed that the fort also had a dockyard inside the bay of Bengal for the trading facility. Now a days, the ruins of the fort can still be seen in the near by water-fronts. The fort is still surrounded by the high walls and watch-tower. This place is gaining popularity in tourism lately.

Remnants of the fort, high fort walls, brick steps, mausoleum, watch tower, Nature around, view of the bay of Bengal etc.

Beaches in Chennai

Nettukuppam beach.

Situated at the almost northern-most tip of Chennai, Nettukuppam enjoys the solitary symphony with the clean sea water and cool breezes. Mostly deserted and not being visited much by the people except the locals, If you are a photography buff, this place is for you. The beach offers a vantage point from where one can enjoy the contemporary and former history of the city. It does not only offer the historical perspective but also, one can see the geographical differences over the period.

Nettukuppam Pier or the broken bridge is the famous spot for the locals to sit there enjoy the spray of the water waves that hit the piers of the bridge. The absence of fast-food vendors and much visitors except on weekends make the beach spotless and the water is also cleaner compared to other beaches of Chennai .

It offers a good view of Ennore Thermal power station, Ennore creek and other natural sights including modern city buildings and the subsiding away from the city. It is not advisable to go there to see the sunrise because tides are usually very high.

Nearest railway station: Ennore (3 Kms), local trains to Ennore are available from Chennai beach and Chennai Central stations.

Tiruvottiyur Beach

Again not so much popular among the visitors except famous Tiruvottiyur temple visitors, this beach is still visited by many people even on weekends. It lies 7-8 Kms south of the Nettukuppam pier along the Bay of Bengal. Though it is a clean beach being one of the most under-developed areas of Chennai, the surrounding of this beach does not offer good supplementary view other than the vast lonely sea.

Nearest railway station: Tiruvottiyur/Wimco NagarEnnore (2 Kms), local trains to Ennore are available from Chennai beach and Chennai Central stations.

Royapuram Fishing Harbour/ Chennai fishing harbor:

Housing more than 500 fishing boats and hundreds of them coming and going out in the sea every hour during a busy day Chennai fishing harbor is one of the busiest fish markets in Chennai, famous for fresh and different varieties of favorite fishes. In 2004, the harbor suffered a great loss by the Tsunami but reconstruction and great enthusiasm of local fishermen who come from the nearby village of Chepauk could let the harbor loose its name and fame.

One a busy day, the harbor gives a feel of an armada of small fleets exchanging sea-space and hundreds of Indian tricolor kissing the humid air of the Bay of Bengal. The environment there is always chirpy and full of horns and fisherman’s murmurs but its still a different world to experience.

Nearest railway station: Tondiarpet (2 Kms), local trains to Tondiarpet are available from Chennai beach and Chennai Central stations.

Marina Beach:

This beach, running 13 km along the shore of a city, is the second largest urban beach in the world.

Marina beach is one of the busiest beaches crowded with vendors, locals, and visitors. Especially on weekends, the beach is crowded with thousands of people from all walks of life. However, in the recent news, Marina beach has earned defamation of being dirty and smelly due to a lot of vendors and pollution. Apart from the beach, the Govt. has tried the beautification of the long beach by installing some decorative landmarks along the beach which are worth taking a look.

Most of these landmarks are statues of the leaders and a few landmark structures. These statues include our national father Mahatma Gandhi and of prominent Tamil leaders of the past. Besides, these artificial structures, former historical landmarks could also be seen around like lighthouse on the Marina beach, Marina swimming pool, Napier bridge, and memorials around.

Nearest railway station: Chepauk (500 meters), local trains to Chepauk are available from Chennai beach and Chennai Central stations (Chennai Park stations).

MGR Memorial, Anna Memorial, Statues along the beach road running parallel to the beach, Swimming pool, Napier bridge over Kuvam river (1 Km) etc.

Gandhi Beach:

It can be said that Marina beach is so long that people call this beach, nowadays, by different names in different areas. It can be said that Gandhi beach, a part of its mother Marina beach, is an extension of Marina to the south towards lighthouse area, where Marina beach is called by the name of Gandhi beach because of a statue of Gandhi over there. This beach houses the famous lighthouse of the Marina beach from where one can get the full view of the city and the sea.

Nearest railway station: Light House (500 meters), local trains to Light House are available from Chennai beach and Chennai Central stations (Chennai Park stations).

Light House, Marina walk, Gandhi statue, Chennai Citi Centre mall (1 Km) to the west etc.

Elliot beach/ Besant nagar beach:

It can also be said that Adyar estuary is the north extension of the Elliot beach. Elliot beach is sometimes also referred to as one of the cleanest beaches of the Chennai . As mentioned, this part of Chennai is not so polluted and mostly inhabited by the richer part of the society. All these factors attracts more lovers to this beach including the presence of good restaurants along the beach.

This beach also hosts some of the festivals like Pongal, food festivals, new year fireworks or some concerts.

Nearest Stop: Besant Nagar Bus stop (2 Kms) local buses connect this place to Adyar bus depot (3.5 Kms)

Annai Velankanni Church, Restaurants along the beach road, Shopping area along the beach

New Beach, Kottivakkam

As its name suggests, the new beach is comparatively newer to the people. In my opinion, this beach is even cleaner than Elliot beach. Much of the Vendors park their stall near by road which keeps the beach clean.

 The road long the beach is sometimes used by the Police to test the ride of new riders for driving license and trend of people jogging and taking an evening walk in the peaceful surrounding is also seen. Just like Elliot beach, residences around this beach is inhabited by the richer part of the society so the near by area also remains clean.

Nearest Stop: Kottivakkam Bus stop (500 meters). Beach is to the east of the stand.

Olive beach

Maintained by Vivanta- Taj group, this beach is a private beach adjacent north to the Covelong beach towards Muttukadu.

Serenity beach (Kottakuppam, Pondicherry):

As the name suggests, Serenity beach is one of the most untouched beaches in Pondicherry because it’s in the peripheral of the city. Surrounded by the palm trees and minimal habitation, this beach is perfect to take a break from the city life.

A unique location along the Bay of Bengal in the heart of the city where there is solitude and serenity.

Auroville beach, Pondicherry

Auroville beach is famous for Bamboo cottages, foreigner tourists, and Auroville village. This beach is situated at the northern-most point of the Pondicherry city.

One would first encounter this beach which is situated at the northern tip of the city. This beach is perfect for the sea- bath and from mid-night till the morning, the shore is washed by a lot of shells.

• Auroville Beach is one of the most famous beaches of Pondicherry. Auto-rickshaw can be taken from anywhere to reach this beach.
• One of the best locations for watching the sunrise

Bamboo cottages, morning walk on the beach when the beach is full of shells, fisherman nets and boats leaving for fishing early morning, Auroville (A famous township near by)

Promenade Beach or Gandhi Beach, Pondicherry

It is one of the most popular and frequently visited by the local people and the tourists. It stretches over 1500 meters. On the southern end lies the statue of the most popular French Governor of the region, Monsieur Dupleix. Beyond the statue of the governor is the new pier that stretches along 284 meters.

The port also stands near the coast. A 4.25 meters tall statue of Mahatma Gandhi stands on the Promenade facing the Gandhi Maidan which lies in the middle of the boulevard. The statue is surrounded by eight tall monolithic structures. An evening stroll along the shoreline of the Promenade Beach is a common phenomenon among the residents of the region. And in the evening during the high tides, people enjoy sitting at the rocks for the water spraying out of the sea when waves hit the rocks.

Promenade Beach, locally called Gandhi beach is in the heart of the city and not far from the main bus stand.

Museum, park, local market, Le cafe at the beach, statues, Pondicherry harbour etc.

Plage Paradiso Beach ( Chunnamber River), Pondicherry

This beach is famous for golden sand-beaches with deep blue waters creating a magnificent sight for the visitors. After a long sunbath, you can also rest in the cool shades of the palm trees. Walking on the soft sand and the waves washing out the sands under your feet is an experience to be enjoyed.

This beach forms an island away from the main land separated by the backwater which is used for water- sports recreation and for fishing by the local fisherman.

Can be reached by taking a boat from Chunnamber boat house. You could also be interested in knowing trips and treks around Chennai

Did you like it? Please Rate it below:

50 replies to “explore 50+ places in chennai | ecr gateways | family | kids | things to do”.

Very well-written blog! Thank you for such detailed information. Really enjoyed reading it

Hey, I am so glad to read your thoughts because I really enjoyed reading this. The way you explain your travel experience is truly awesome.

Quality content is the key to attract readers. And you provide just that. Good work.

Hi, We are planing to visit Chennai in November and will be visiting mahaballipuram and pondicherry as well. As we will be arriving to chennai at 1.00 am at night, we were thinking if we can directry transfer to aa beach cottage or homestay near ECR and start our trip with a beautiful sunrise on the beach and than visit dkshinchitra and mahaballipuram on the way to chennai.

Please suggest me some budget beach cottages with basic amenities as we are hardly going to spend time there and near by the beach and dakshin chitra. as we might not have anyu transportation in the morning.

Thanks in Advance, Riddhi Joshi

There are a lot of budget beach cottages located on the Auroville beach. You can go there and find a lot of them.

Wonderful post..

Such an exhilarating post!. Chock-full of information about places to visit. You have written the post in most enlightenment way.

useful information

usefull information

It is very nice, It will be great if you can tell best timing to visit places and it will be great help if you can tell how we can cover max places in min. time

Great info.Love to explore all places.

Wow I have been so many places and it’s so nice just I lov it

Thanks for sharing, Very informative blog about Chennai and its surrounding tourist spots. Chennai is wonderful city in the case of tourism. You can have a more places to visit in Chennai. So many beaches that will welcomes you always, Many temples, Historical places, Theme parks, Shopping malls, Beach resorts, and many variety of foods and restaurants. You can enjoy your tour in Chennai with moderate cost and you can get a good time to spend.Travel is the main thing we have to consider before planning a tour or a trip. For your travel needs in Chennai the best one is to book a cab, because you will escape from the Hot and humid weather. Or you can hire a driver for your car so that you will not have any worries about the traffic. You can get so many service providers in Cab services, but there are very few are best in that. As a regular cab user in Chennai, i would recommend Ezi Drive for their excellent service. You can book a cab or rent a driver or car hire Chennai to make your trip more pleasent.

Very informative blog about Chennai and surrounding tourist places.

You forgot to add the old mahabalipuram beach. Its one of the finest beach in Chennai which is to be noted for having a visit.

So I have paginated this whole article and if you go to the next page in the article, you can read about the Mahabalipuram beach as well

excellent information. please add prathyangara devi temple also in the site seeing.

Very informative One can easily plan their trips by using this. Great page

Yes sanjay. you can share with about this to your friends also

Great page… Loved reading it… Definitely gonna Check out all these places

I am sure, yous hould viisti the places

Thanks rahul

Excellent informative. Vazhga valamudan

Thanks a lot 🙂

Thanks very much for your time

It’s awesome! Very informative

Thank you very much ma’am…..

Excellent information – anything in around chennai may be by 150 KM stretch?

I think this link ight help you then:

https://trekkerpedia.com/2015/01/10-best-trekking-places-road-trips-around-chennai-weekend-gateway/

Very very useful information. Thank you. Keep producing more like these about other places.

Thanks meera. I think I will always love to write about these kind of places. So that more and more people could see the beautiful world. 🙂

Sir i want to know which are the nearest toursits places below 100 kms distance from velangini church

Thankavur, Thiruchirapalli, rameshearam etc…..

More details here: http://www.ttdconline.com/

Please could we know the address

Which address?

uselesssssssssssssssss

Sir, Kindly provide me what more infomration you want from this blog.. I would love update that

I visited the places y’day , It was a good information. But Dakshinichitra heritage centre shown in Map is totally wrong , . It is on the ECR road after ISKON temple.

I have updated the map. Really thank you very much for noticing the mis-information. I appreciate your effort. 🙂

this is really very nice information i like this website usful to every one

thank you very much sir….

to “Anonymous”

What here mentioned is true information, which many people are aware. Not making sense to warn “Actions by IP law.” without a proper justification what do you mean to it. after all, do you really think is there some “Law” to take “Action” just because a person say his personal opinion ? This is a Democratic country, didn’t make sense?

It was really nice to hear very rational thing, not something driven by religion and believes, in India after so long time. Welcome to true democracy!!!

Nice post…. Very helpful in planning on weekend car trips…..

thanks a lot 🙂

Think before you speak anything about ISKON still more hindu believers are still living in this very country and unwanted comments are subject to Actions by IP law.

Stop kidding

It’s really informative 🙂

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