Being the Queen of hill stations, Ooty attracts a lot of tourists and visitors. Some come to explore the nature, some for their honeymoon, some for their getaways and some for solo trips. So basically, if you are a bunch of people or a solo traveler who visits Ooty for the first time, then you must know a few things regarding how to do deal with the localite and a few things to do while vacationing in Ooty. Here are some of the things, I have done and known during my recent winter trip in December 2022.
# Soon after you get down after traveling in bus or train or soon after you land on this hill station, taste a glass of tea or coffee that's available at local stalls or pan shops or small hotels. Because they serve you amazing tea and you feel warmth amidst the cold.
# This is how the main junction of Ooty looks like in the early morning and from here you can find autos and taxis to almost any corner of the Ooty but make sure you take an accommodation near to the bus station, if not you end up paying a lot of money for autos.
# The hill station holds Tamil culture as it's the part of Tamilnadu but unlike other parts, here people are pretty communicative, and they can understand English and Hindi too. So you don't have to face any issue in terms of talking to localite or auto drivers.
# This is kathadimattam of Ooty where the access to various buses are well connected and it is also near to bus station where you can find private and public buses available for Bangalore and hennai easily. Also these two metropolitans are best to travel from or having as a break journey spot.
# This is the auto fare list and you can find the exact price for your destinations so that you can't get fooled or charged extra for your transportation in autos. But if the places are on steep lands, they may ask for extra charge. So make sure going through this list at every auto stand at Ooty to have a safe transport.
# Of course, there are many places in Ooty where you can find food but it is always better to go to good ones where you can have tummy-filling food at good prices. Pankaj Bhojanalaya at Upper Bazar is the best for delicious North Indian food and Udupi hotel which is diagonally opposite to Pankaj hotel is the best for South Indian food. You can check out the google reviews too. Don't forget eating at these places in Ooty.
# Go for boating at Ooty lake during golden hour, after 4 pm is the best. Also make sure of your travel schedules according to the closing timings because they close a
# Regardless of the chilling temperatures and steeps, ups and downs, trying to take a walk in the evenings because Ooty looks amazing during sunsets and before the early nights take over the sky.
# Fingerpost is one spot where you should visit at least once as the junction connects to five different paths in Ooty town and they resemble fingers of a human hand and hence it's named that way. Interesting right?
# My pals and I used to stay at gostops of Fingerpost and sometimes we chose to walk from the junction to our stay which was 600 meters away, by crossing steeps so that we could save 50 rupees on autos. That's how we used to explore the nature lively.
# Never step out of Ooty without enjoying a bonfire or campfire with strangers or friends around you. It's that one basic thing you should do at any hill station. Even though you travel alone, make sure you take warmth from wood at Ooty.
# It's better to book a taxi that comes with a driver who can guide you the whole town as a tour guide too. Fortunately we got one from the recommendations at our stay. There are many private taxis available in Ooty but for the safety, always go with the person, your hotel people suggest you. They charge you from 2000 to 4000 per day keeping the tourist spots and distance in mind.
# I went during the Christmas time and the town was decking up for the big day. The churches look amazing and they hold histories from Portuguese and British colonization years. So try visiting at least one church during your stay at Ooty.
# Explore various housing and hotel structures of Ooty and their Tamilian and Christian culture around.
# Also Tamilnadu holds rich heritage and roots of Hinduism. The shiva and vishnu temples are famous for their architecture. You can find temples at Upper Bazar and also the bazar is pretty happening one too.
# Unleash the kid in you and travel in toy train instead of going by bus or taxi to Coonoor. Because this way you can explore lakes, valleys, mountains, forests and hills of these twin sister hill stations.
# Don't forget capturing the beauty around from the train. Also focus on the railway stations between the stations of Ooty and Coonoor. Start in the morning and return in the evening so that you can experience both morning sunrise and evening sunset too.
# Collect souvenirs wherever you go to cherish memories. Also every tourist spot ticket comes with a card material picture. So you can keep them with you as a good memory.
# Apart from dolphin nose hill, rose garden, Coonoor lake and many other spots, Sim's park hold history and nature. Don't forget to visit these botanical gardens at this hill station that's 19 km away from Ooty.
# Nilgiris Mountain railways gives you an experience of traveling amidst nature and all the stations look dreamy and filmy enough. So opt for the railways if possible.
# If you are a booze lover, then the liquor stores at Ooty closes around 10 pm and you can only find local brands in almost all the stores in the town. But they taste good and also affordable. So try local liquor at Ooty to feel the warmth from inside and they aren't bad at all.
# Maggie in the midnights are fun at Ooty. Thankfully I used to get at my stay at gostops Ooty whenever I asked them to provide me. Have you imagined having a cup of coffee with hot cheese maggi by sitting under the chilling temperatures of O
# Always have someone beside you when you travel for the first time with your friends. Ooty is safe but it would be fun if you enjoy the premises around with your pals. If you are a solo traveler, make sure you bargain while taking autos and taxis, also make sure you search for a place online before ending up there.
# At Coonoor, you can find restaurants and hotels near the railway station or kurumbadi area.
# We had the food at Hyderabadi Biryani house of Coonoor. The hotel is spacious, the food is good too with affordable price range and good quantity. You can try having food here when you visit Coonoor.
# Visit Doddabetta Tea factory and tea museum to learn everything about tea. Also, you can witness chocolate making too at the Chocolate factory. You can buy authentic tea, chocolates, coffee, eucalyptus oil and woolen clothes from here.
# Visit the highest altitude of Ooty at Doddabetta peak to witness the whole panoramic view of the Nilgiri hills and Ooty.
# Visit the notoriously famous suicide point at the Doddabetta peak. You can have a telescopic view too. You can buy food to eat while exploring. You can purchase clothes and accessories while exiting.
# Don't miss out spending some time amidst pine trees while coming down from Doddabetta peak.
# Make endless memories with your gang at Tea garden of Ooty to have a cinematographic experience with the fragrance of fresh tea.
# Last but not least, take some time to appreciate the nature the way it is without using any source or medium of transport. If possible, sit on a grassland of a hill and look at the sky to embrace the nature around you with all your senses.
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