Ooty or Udagamandalam rightly described as "Queen of Hill Stations" by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, now sprawls over an area of 36 sq km with a number of tall buildings cluttering its hill slopes. It is situated at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. Though the march of brick and mortar has laid waste its thick sholas which one saw in a bygone era, it still woos people from all over India as well as foreign countries right through summer, and sometimes in the winter months too. An added attraction for the tourists to Udagamandalam is the mountain train journey on a ratchet and pinion track which commences from Kallar, near Mettupalayam and wends its way through many hair-raising curves and fearful tunnels and chugs along beside deep ravines full of verdant vegetation, gurgling streams and tea gardens. The scenery, as it unfolds during the trip, is breathtaking, awe-inspiring and fantastic. One can notice a marvelous change in vegetation, as one goes from Kallar to Coonoor. At Kallar it is tropical and at Burliar-the next bus-stop as one proceeds from Mettupalayam-it is sub-tropical. Near Coonoor, it is humid with pines, blue gum (Eucalyptus globulus) and cypress trees. As we go from Ooty to Gudalur, the change in vegetation is striking. What a splendid interaction between climate and vegetation. It is therefore very appropriate that Mount Stuart called the whole road leading to Ooty from Mettupalayam, "One long botanical debauch."

This garden was laid out in 1847 by the Marquis of Tweedale and is spread over 55 acres. Lush green well maintained lawns, rare tree species (like the cork tree which is probably the only such tree in India, the paper bark tree and the monkey puzzle tree - monkeys cannot climb this tree), a 20 million year old fossilized tree, an Italian-style garden bordering a clear pool, a vast variety of flowering bushes and plants in myriad hues (exotic and ornamental), fern house with a vast range of ferns and orchids, are some of the many highlights of this garden. A flower show along with an exhibition of rare plant species is held every year in the month of May at this garden. The Garden is maintained by the Horticulture Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu and has a very wide variety of plants that include different types of roses, imported shrubs, rare flowering plants etc.

This artificial lake was constructed by John Sullivan, the first collector of Ooty. Originally intended to be an irrigation tank it was dredged out during the years, 1823-1825.
It is a very popular tourist spot in Ooty. You can go boating between 8 AM and 6 PM on all days in this lake. A wide range of boats are available at the Boat House to suit varied tastes and budgets. A Mini Garden with an amusement park for children and a toy train are added attractions here.

At about one kilometer distance Tourist can visit this mini garden (Children's Lake Garden) which is on the way to Boat House. Children's amusement park is housed here. A snack bar is also available. It is maintained by Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation Limited .

Also for the nature lover are the sprawling 20,000 acres of Wenlock Downs which was once the scene of the famous Udhagamandalam Hunt. Wenlock Downs is a region of extensive grasslands with shoals or gallery forests of eucalyptus. The Gymkhana Club, the factory of the Hindustan Photo Films Company, the Government Sheep Farm and the Golf Course are all in Wenlock Downs. It is about 8km.from Ooty on the Gudalur Road.

Among the viewpoints around Ooty are Elk Hill, Green Valley View and Snowden Peak but the most prominent is the Dodabetta Peak which is the highest point in the district at a height of 2623m. It is also the second highest mountain in the Western Ghats. Provided the day is clear, one can see as far as the plains of Coimbatore and the Mysore plateau. It is around 10 km from Ooty, off the Kotagiri road

Situated about 21kms on the Ooty-Mysore Road, Pykara boasts of well protected fenced Sholas, Toda settlements, undistributed grassy meadows and also a good wildlife habitat. The Pykara Dam, Pykara falls and the reservoir attracts many tourists. A boat house with Restaurant is available.There is a power plant too. A visit to the dam is a must for the breathtaking scenery that it has to offer. It is about 19km. from Ooty.

Located at a distance of 28 kms from Ooty. A beautiful lake surrounded by a thick shola where even sunlight cannot penetrate and abundant with a wide variety of avifauna is a Nature Lover's Paradise. An avalanche which occurred in 1823 gives the valley its name. The Avalanche valley is a nice place for splendid walks and fishing. It is around 24km. from Ooty town

It is about 10 kms. from Korakundah and about 20 kms. from Avalanche. This is Naturalist's Paradise. Some of the best sholas like sholas lies enroute. The area is a rich and undisturbed wildlife habitat. From Bangithapal via. Sispara one can trek to silent valley. Forest Department's permission is necessary.

Located on the road to Coonoor, this idyllic spot is a cluster of tiny villages that extend to the plains of Coimbatore and Mysore plateau.

It is about 17 kms. from Udhagamandalam an ecologically rich forestry spot. There from is an Electricity Board (E.B). Winch carries staff from Glenmorgan view point to power house at Singara. All the 4 kms. of the Winch track passes through undisturbed sholas and wildlife habitat. Prior permission of E. B. authorities should be obtained to enter the view point zone.

It is 31 kms. from Udhagamandalam. The climate is very salubrious which is 6503 feet above sea level. Kotagiri is shielded by the Doddabetta ranges which receives much of its rain from north west monsoon. One can enjoy a pleasure ride on road flanked by green tea beds on either side.