Ooty blessed with nature's opulence is a popular tourist destination. 0oty or Udagamandalam (the Tamil version of the original name) 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. Ooty still woos people from all over India as well as foreign countries right through summer, and sometimes in the winter months too. At a height of 2,600m stands Udhagamandalam (Ooty) the Queen of Hill Stations. Ooty blessed with nature's opulence is a popular tourist destination. It is frequented by a large number of people who love the mountains, the valleys, the cascades and its pleasant climate as well. There are many tourist attractions in and around Ooty and each of these is well worth a visit. None can be missed out when one is on a sightseeing tour of this Queen of Hill Stations.

WHAT TO SEE..?
One of the reasons people like to visit hill stations is that, they not only offer respite from the dust and pollution of the city but also give people a chance to see the undefiled beauty of nature. The green hills, the cascading waterfalls and sparkling brooks, all make the hill stations a delight for the eyes of the city-weary. Ooty is an ideal hill station since it offers all this and much more. There are many places you can tour, such as the Botanical Gardens, Lamb's Rock, Dodabetta Peak, among many others.

BOTANICAL GARDENS
If you are on a sightseeing tour to Ooty, you might want to visit the Government Botanical Gardens, which were laid out in 1847.The picturesque Gardens that are maintained by the horticulture department of the state, cover an area of about 22 hectares. The Gardens have well over 650 species of plants and trees, including a fossil of a tree, which is believed to be more than 20 million years old.

The garden is very popular with nature lovers and those who long to walk among greenery and see rare ferns and shrubs up close. If you are in Ooty in the month of May, then you can also be a part of the summer festival, which is held here annually. The festival holds flower shows and various cultural programs showcasing the talent of the locals and the renowned artists.

OOTY LAKE
If you love the outdoors, Ooty lake is a must see for you. It was built in 1825 and is about 2.5 km long. Visitors to this lake can go for boating on the lake or enjoy their favorite outdoor activity of fishing. If the latter really appeals to you then remember to get fishing permission before you head to buy baits!

DODABETTA PEAK
The Dodabetta Peak stands at an altitude of 2,623 meters. It is the highest point in the district, making it possibly the best vantage point around Ooty.

It is merely 10 kms from Ooty so you can simply grab your camera and head straight to the peak, and click amazing pictures of he valley below. Many say that on a clear day, which is honestly not that often, one can see far off areas, even the plains of Coimbatore and the flat highlands of Mysore.