Things to Do in Coonoor

Sim’s Park is one of the unforgettable Places to visit in Coonoor. It is a well-maintained botanical hub of Coonoor where you can easily find hundreds and thousands of trees and flowering plants. Homing to some of the adorable hills to gaze through, Sim’s Park has a lot of rarest exotic species and bright, colorful garden to soothe your eyes.

This place will surely be enjoyed a lot by your kids. Having a temperature maximum of around 30 degrees and minima of about 5 degrees, there is a special place reserved for a pristine landscape to offer a pleasant stay to the onlookers.

Be careful that you do not carry any eatables as it is highly prohibited here. Photographers are there to click pictures on your behalf, and you can quickly get prints on the spot at reasonable rates. To engage their visitors, the park authorities have boating facilities.

Location: Cantonment Area Road, Attadi, Coonoor 643101

Timing: The park is open from morning 09:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. People usually prefer to spare 2 hours or more at this park.

Price: Entry fee for adults is around 30 INR; while for bringing in your kids, you need to pay a sum of approximately 15 INR. Photography might cost you about 50 INR while videography might cost about 100 INR.

Currently attracting its visitors through its ruins, Droog Fort, stands amongst the exceptional Places to visit in Coonoor for trekking. A sole wall and a watchtower are standing here with a high pride to engage visitors across the globe.

As there are locker and storage facilities available, you do not need to worry about carrying your unnecessary stuff here at the top. There are quite a few rare and exotic bird species that hover around the Fort.

So bird watchers definitely have a lot of things to do here. Do not miss on your binoculars to gaze some unique bird species which probably might be new for some of you.

Location: Foothills of Nilgiris

Timing: The doors of the Fort are open for the visitors from morning 06:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. For an average traveler, it will take around an hour to complete their visit here. 

Price: There are no entry fees to climb up the Droog Fort.

Coonoor’s heritage train is a slow-motion toy train through lush backdrops and bridges illustrating a roller-coaster ride at high altitudes. Dating back to the era of the 19th century, this heritage train began its service as a means of tea or coffee transportation.

This toy train seems like one that snails with a turbulent speed of around 60  km per hour. There is a twin track for this heritage train which takes you through the sprawling tea estates and misty mountainous tops.

While you enjoy your journey through this ancient piece of art, never miss on to watch the fantastic bubbly streams and the loudly roaring waterfalls that are bound to cross throughout your journey.

Location: From Mettupalayam to Coonoor

Timing: Heritage Train is functional from early morning 07:00 am to 06:00 pm

Price: The journey price for the unreserved category is 15 INR, it is 30 INR for Second Class and 205 INR for First Class.

A reckoned gothic structure of Coonoor, St. George’s Church, is known for its painting collections and elegant interiors. This Church appears vibrant and energetic on special occasions such as regional or national festivals.

This church is a sure place to visit for those who adore architectural beauty and historical constructions. The climate in and around this church is quite calm so you can have a spiritual connection with God. October and March is the best time to plan your visit here.

Location: Wellington, Tamil Nadu 643231

Timing: The Church doors are open for visitors from morning 09:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. It generally takes around 30 minutes to complete your visit here.

Price: There are no entry fees to seek blessings at this church.

Law’s Falls is the next to go in the list of favorite Coonoor tourist places worth seeing. The falls are gorgeous and please the eyes of visitors all across the globe. The height of this waterfall is around 180 feet which creates a water pool at its base.

This place is located at a distance of approximately 7km from the outer border of Coonoor and claims itself as a lovely place to visit by naturalists. The cascade of this waterfall appears extremely beautiful in monsoons. However, make sure to hold on your grip while you walk through the rocks here as they turn out to be slippery due to water and moss growth.

Location: On the way towards Mettupalayam

Timing: There is no time restriction to enjoy at the slopes of Law’s Falls. Usually, the visit completes within one to two hours.

Price: You do not have any entry fees to be paid for visiting this place.

Rallia Dam is a beautiful, serene escape of Nilgiris, Coonoor where you need to trek at least for a distance of around 1 km. It homes to some astounding bird species and gives a pleasing and an engaging look of surrounding natural beauty.

Make sure that you seek assistance from the locals to reach your final destination as this place is utterly devoid of any signs or boards. If you are accompanying any valuable items, make sure that you keep them close with you as there have been theft issues here.

The lush greenery that spreads all your way around makes you fall in love with this place. Do not forget to buy the home-made chocolates from locals here. Also, spare some time to visit Highfield Tree Factory and ride the Heritage Toy Train. Monsoon is by far the best season to visit this beautiful landscape and seek some calm time with nature.

Location: Rallia Dam is situated amidst Coonoor and Kotagiri.

Timing: Although there is no specific time limit to reach here, it is advisable that you start on your journey by 08:00 am and complete it around 02:00 pm. Visiting duration depends on your pace of trekking.

Price: There are no entry fees for anyone to reach this pristine dam.

Dolphin’s Nose is the perfect spot amongst other tourist Places to visit in Coonoor to have a 180-degree view of the surrounding beauty. While you are busy watching the greenery stretched apart, you might quickly witness a cascade of Catherine Falls gushing out somewhere in between.

Your route to the Dolphin’s Nose is all covered up by lush green colored tea estates. Lose yourself in the aroma of fresh and tender tea leaves while you make your way to this point. It is best to visit during noon as there might be both fog and mist in the morning as well as night.

This might interfere with having a clear view of the region that stretches around. Be careful from the notorious monkeys that might snatch away your food from you.

Location: Coonoor, Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu

Timing: Entry to Dolphin’s Nose is open on all days of the week from morning 09:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. On average, it would take around an hour for you to complete your visit here. This place is a reckoned spot for tourism, adventure as well as photography.

Price: There is a nominal entry fee of about 15 INR per head, and in case you are aiming for a photography session, be ready to pay an additional sum of 20 INR.

A fifty-year-old factory, Highfield Tea Factory is waiting for you to knock their doors. This tea factory utilizes the fresh and tender tea leaves from adjoining tea plantations of the Nilgiris mountain range.

Apart from tea, you can also try a hand at their Eucalyptus oil for sale. The staff here are also engaged in producing some delicious chocolates for all the chocoholics. After you complete your visit to this tea factory, be sure to taste a fresh cup of brewed tea here.

You will find both the red and green tea variants here. Visiting this place during monsoons is not recommended.

Location: Coonoor-Kattabettu-Kotagiri Road, Attadi, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu 643231

Timing: Highfield Tea Factory is open from morning 09:00 am to evening 06:00 pm. If you are quick enough, you can complete your visit to Highfield Tea Factory within one to three hours.

Price: You just need to pay a nominal sum of 10 INR as your entry fee to this Highfield Tea Factory.

Also known as Switzerland of South India, Ketti Valley is a paradise nestled on the Ooty-Coonoor road. Second largest inhabited valley of India, this valley offers spectacular views of the surrounding lush greenery and blue mountains in the distance.

The surreal setting of this valley makes it one of the ultimate Places to visit in Coonoor where one can find their lost inner peace amidst the exotic wildlife and gushing waterfalls hidden in the dense woods. Proven to be a paradise for photographers, Ketti Valley is definitely the place to roll out a mat and have a great picnic with their families. Also, must not forget to visit the nearby Emerald Tea Plantations, Shiva Lingam Temple, World Wax Museum and Telescope House to complete your trip to this precious gem of South India.

Location: Ketty, Tamil Nadu 643215.

Timing: Open 24 hours for the visitors but time may differ for the various attractions in the valley.

Entry Fee: INR 5 for visitors and INR 15 for binoculars.

Lamb’s Rock stands myriads of meters above the level of the nearby sea and is completely surrounded by vast mountain ranges. Your way from the bottom to Lamb’s Rock is through a thrilling trek through the outstanding landscape.

It is a perfect place to enjoy with your friends when the sky is absolutely clear to get a brilliant view of the surrounding. Climbing here, you can quickly capture some beautiful moments of the surrounding Coimbatore plains, tea as well as coffee estates.

Also, do remember to pack your binoculars while you lead your way here to Lamb’s Rock. As it is located at higher altitudes, it is advisable to stay away from this place during winters.

Location: Burliyar, Tamil Nadu 643103 

Timing: You can climb your way to the Lamb’s Rock anywhere from 09:00 am to evening 05:00 pm. Your visit to Lamb’s Rock can be concluded within a span of around 2 to 4 hours.

Price: There are no entrance fees here.

Sprawling over an area of 5.5 acres of land, Kattery Park is one of the well maintained Places to visit in Coonoor flourishing with around 25 different species of flowers. Located around 7 KM away from the city centre, this park is the ultimate place where one can escape the wearisome of the regular city life.

Unlike other places in Coonoor flooding with tourists, this place is comparatively less thronged which ensures peace and isolation from the rest of the world. One can enjoy a picnic in the park while relishing on the views of the surrounding forests, a beautiful water fountain and blue mountains of the Nilgiri Hills. A small canteen serving lip-smacking food and a children’s park completes your family day out which you could club with a fruit show held every other day at the park.

Location: Mettupalayam - Coonoor Main Road, District Nilgiris, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu 643238.

Timing: 08:00 AM to 06:00 PM on all the days of the week.

While planning on essential Places to visit in Coonoor, never miss on to add Wellington in your itinerary. It is one of the most beautiful and serene places to visit in South India. Ideally, it is a military town with a barrack series and a place where you can find a lot of British style bungalows.

Maintenance of roads here is quiet, and there are billboards plastered on walls in every nook and corner. This place is meant for training Indian Civil Servants of selected departments.

Location: Coonoor.

Timing: There is no time restriction for visiting Wellington. However, if you are heading towards Wellington Lake, you must reach in between 09:00 am to 08:30 pm.

Price: Wellington Lake entry is 10 per head, and for boating, you have to pay an additional sum of 20 INR.

Hidden Valley, Coonoor is one of the unexplored routes by most of the Coonoor travelers. It is reckoned as one of the beautiful creation of God from where you can have a breath-taking view.

Accompany proper trekking equipment as there are a lot of things to do here for the real-life trekkers. People prefer to travel with their families to take a quick break from their daily hustles. Besides tourism and trekking, this place is a photographers paradise.

Location: Coonoor, Tamil Nadu

Timing: You can visit anywhere in between 09:00 am to 09:00 pm. It takes about an hour to explore this beautiful place.

Price: There are no entry fees to reach this place.

Established in the year 1854, All Saint Church is a 163 years church which is also a marvellous example of Anglican Church architecture. It is one of the oldest Tourist Places in Coonoor whose interior is adorned with antique wooden pieces and ancient pipe organs.

Resembling the typical British countryside building, the church is also adorned with stained glass windows and a huge dome-like structure. A part of the reformed protestant church of England, it is surrounded by tall pine trees and well maintained garden. Also, upon your trip to the church make sure you visit the Taj Garden Retreat Hotel to enjoy a great range of drinks.

Location: Church Road, Off, Coonoor-Kattabettu-Kotagiri Rd, near Indcoserve Office, Coonoor, Tamil Nadu 643101.

Timing: 09:30 AM to 05:00 PM on all days of the week.