The capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai is known for its many attractions including beautiful beaches, ancient temples, colonial and modern architectural landmarks, museums and parks. This city located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal has something to offer for travelers with different interests, and hence is visited by a large number of tourists every year. Are you planning your trip to this city? Below listed are some of the top tourist places in Chennai that you should visit for a memorable experience.
Marina Beach
Chennai boasts of having the longest natural urban beach in India – Marina Beach. It extends up to 13 km along the Bay of Bengal and offers numerous options for recreation. Visit here in the evening to enjoy beautiful sunset views, but be prepared to face huge crowds swarming the beach during this time. Marina Beach is also among the best places to eat popular South Indian snacks such as murukkulu or sundal. Statues of prominent people are installed along the vast beach, so take a stroll around to check them out.
Fort St. George
Colonial buildings are among the most-visited tourist places in Chennai, and one of the famous historical structures is Fort St. George. Also called White Town, this building was built by the British for governance purposes. It is home to the Secretariat and Legislative Assembly of Tamil Nadu. While exploring this place, do check out the historical artifacts and antique houses at the Fort Museum. Another attraction here is St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India.
Government Museum
Also known as Madras Museum, this museum is the second-oldest in the country after the Indian Museum in Kolkata. Established in the year 1851, Government Museum was built in the Indo-Saracenic style of architecture and is known for its invaluable artifacts including more than 500 bronze items that date back to the 10th century, paintings from Indian and international artists, and marble sculptures associated with the life of Gautam Buddha. Along with these, this museum also has an amazing collection of ancient coins, wood carvings, and archaeological artifacts.
Mylapore
With a history spanning 1500 years, Mylapore is older than Chennai. This culturally rich neighborhood is situated in the southern part of the city, at a distance of 12 km from Chennai Airport. Filled with many Dravidian temples, ancient churches, shopping places, and culinary destinations; Mylapore is one of the must-visit tourist places in Chennai. Stroll through its tree-lined avenues and explore the beauty of this place. Kapaleeswarar Temple, Adi Kesava Perumal Temple, San Thome Church, and Ramakrishna Math are some of the most popular attractions in Mylapore.
Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Arignar Anna Zoological Park is quite popular with wildlife enthusiasts. Spread across an area of over 600 hectares, this park is home to several species of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species. This park was established in the year 1855 and it is the first public zoo in India. Visit this serene space to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and spend time amidst nature. Explore the lion and deer safari park, the terrestrial aviary, the forest museum, the aquarium, the crocodile house, the butterfly house, and the other attractions at Arignar Anna Zoological Park.
Apart from the above, Ashtalakshmi Temple, Elliot’s Beach, Connemara Public Library, Semmozhi Poonga Park, Guindy National Park, Birla Planetarium, Golden Beach, Dakshinachitra, Vivekananda House and Museum, National Art Gallery, Valluvar Kottam, and Thousand Lights Mosque are other popular tourist places to visit in Chennai.
Visit as many of these attractions as possible during your holiday in this city. Plan your itinerary today and book your tickets early to get the best price. You can visit Indian Eagle to book the cheapest flights to Chennai from San Francisco or any other city in the US.