Twelve Top Places to Visit in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu is renowned for its beauty and diversity. The charm and ‘Southern hospitality’ of the people complements the state’s many gorgeous sights, tastes, and sounds. It is less hot during the months of November to March, which is the best time to visit Tamil Nadu. Here are some of the most popular places to visit in Tamil Nadu.

1. Ooty – The ‘Queen of the Nilgiris’ is a gorgeous hill station (locally called Udagamandalam), and affords travellers picturesque views like few other. You can also enjoy the famed Nilgiri Mountain Railways, and homemade food. A visit to Ooty should be one of your top things to do in Tamil Nadu.
2. Auroville – Known as the ‘City of Dawn’ this spiritually beautiful place is situated within Pondicherry. People from all over call it home, and are dedicated to the principles of equality, meditation, harmony, and peace. Recognized by UNESCO, Auroville is a must-see place to visit in Tamil Nadu.
3. Kanyakumari – A coastal town on the southernmost tip, you will find everything from culture, tradition, religion, and history to amazing regional cuisine and some of the best temple-town hotspots in the nation. You will also find some of the most hospitable Tamil Nadu resorts here.
4. Mudumalai National Park – Connecting the Western and Eastern Ghats, and home to a plethora of endangered species, you can soak up scenic views and thrills during your time here.
5. Rameshwaram – ‘The Bridge on the Indian Ocean’ is one of the most sacred places in India. Situated on an island it also boasts the Ramanathaswamy Temple, which has the world’s longest man-made corridor.
6. Kodaikanal – ‘The Princess of Hill Stations’ has rightfully earned its name. From gorgeous vistas and good food, to a distinctly pleasant ambiance, here is where the heart comes to rest; as most Tamil Nadu travel guides paraphrase.
7. Chennai – You can’t enjoy Tamil Nadu tourism without visiting India’s fourth largest city. Chennai (aka Madras) is rich in culture, tradition, as well as modernity. Everything hip and happening unravels in this magnificent metropolis, which is as historical as it is ever-changing. Chennai is one of many admirable places to visit in Tamil Nadu. The city is filled with great shopping and nightlife opportunities. There is a vast spectrum of unforgettable restaurants in Tamil Nadu as well.
8. Yercaud – ‘The Land of Severn Forests’ is renowned for being one of the most beautiful places in the South. It is as peaceful as it is affordable, and is famous for making tourists feel ‘at home in a new place’.
9. Mahabalipuram – A stone’s throw from Chennai city, this historically valuable locale is home to ancient temples and rock-cut caves. Additionally, its beach scene and party life only add to your things to do in Tamil Nadu. Take a map to help you figure out how to reach rare and secluded spots. Make absolutely sure to rely on trusted local guides.
10. Madurai – As mythic as it is modern, the ‘cultural capital of Tamil Nadu’ is popular for its temples and bustling city life. It has old ties to Rome, and has potent historical connections to the Pandyas (royalty).
11. Pichavaram Mangrove Forests – The fourth largest of its kind in the world, you can appreciate up close its complex river systems and rich biodiversity. The temple town of Chidambaram is nearby. 
12. A trusted trek through the forest opens your senses to a wealth of wild and scenic views.
13. Anamalai Tiger Reserve – A safe home for endangered tigers and a just as amazing place for flora and fauna of all types, the ‘Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park’ is a treat for the senses. It encompasses a sizeable geographic area that includes Coimbatore, Kodaikanal, and portions of Kerala.