Chennai | The Attractions in the city

Chennai tourist places suits for those who are looking for a weekend getaway in from the city nearby. Chennai is a coastal city which still has ancient and historical influence on it. There are monuments, museums, serene beaches, gardens and religious spots that offer an all in one experience to a tourist. Hence continue reading to know more about the best places to visit in Chennai for your upcoming trip. Given the range of services the city provides along with the natural beauty blended within, the city for sure has a lot to offer for tourists!

Tourist places in Chennai are no less. There are plenty of places to visit near Chennai city. Chennai is the reservoir for the famous tourist places and sightseeing attractions. Here we have given a list of beautiful tourist places to visit in Chennai and around it.

1. The Connemara Public Library:

This is one of the best places to visit in Chennai. This being a famous hot spot for travelers and locals alike, the Connemara Public Library, Chennai. The library came up in 1896 and is home to unique and rare books, manuscripts and collections from all over the world. The plethora of information which one can gain from this library is vast. The architectural wonder of the library is a mix of the famous Southern Hindu Deccan, along with the Goth touches and nuances of the Rajput and Mughal too.

2. The Theosophical Society:

Another place to visit around Chennai, this is a must visit. The Theosophical Society is a place where universal brotherhood dwells, sans distinctions of being human. Every religious value and teaching is brought out here, and the power of humanity is shown in the ways and actions of The Theosophical Society. This is also the world headquarters of the “The Theosophical Society” across the globe, and is located in Adyar. The Theosophical Society commands a place of high respect and is thronged by people from all across the globe-spanning all faiths.

3. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park:

Did you know The Arignar Anna Zoological Park was the first zoo in India? Being one of the best tourist spots in Chennai, the zoo came about in 1855 and was first located at the famous Moor Market and then was relocated to Vandalur in the year 1976. The Arignar Anna Zoological Park is a huge area with plenty of rare wildlife and species it houses.

4. The Semmozhi Poonga:

Ok, let’s beat the heat and escape the scorching sun by visiting the Semmozhi Poonga, known for its architectural wonders and visual treat.This is also one of the romantic places in Chennai. It was at the far end of 2010 when the Semmozhi Poonga was built on 20 acres and has plenty of lush flora and fauna with amazing landscaping done, and the exotic trees here are an embellishment to the mise-en-scene around.

5. The Kapaleeswarar Temple:

One of the oldest temples around Chennai,and this is among the top tourist attractions in Chennai one can easily find. It is still a mystery as to who built it; the Kapaleeswarar Temple is a must visit place. Some say it was during the 7th century that the Pallava kings built the Kapaleeswarar Temple, but historians refuse to believe so, owing to the architectural genre which isn’t more than 400 years old.

6. The Pulicat Lake:

There are not many places in Chennai which can boast of bringing you very close to nature. Hence another in the list of famous tourist places in Chennai comes this lake.The Pulicat Lake is on the border of Tamil Nadu, and you can relax and unwind here, enjoy with family and friends or simply wile away time as you please, with no disturbance whatsoever. Pulicat Lake is one of the most exciting tourist places to visit in Chennai.

7. The National Art Gallery:

This being Chennai best places to visit, the National Art Gallery stands proud, displaying the Indo-Saracenic architecture ever since 1907. The National Art Gallery is made of red sandstone and is divided into four main sections, the names of which are, the Tanjore Painting Gallery, the Ravi Varma Painting Gallery, the Indian Traditional Art Gallery, and not to forget, the Decorative Art Gallery too.

8. Marina Beach:

In case you are wondering where are beaches, here we are. This is a must visit place to see in Chennai for sure. For a nice cool time out this evening, visit Marina Beach. Be prepared to walk a lot if you plan to cover the entire stretch.

9. The Little Mount Shrine:

There is a lot of mystery and history behind the Little Mount Shrine, especially at the St. Thomas’ cave, where the saint hid before being martyred. There is even a rock which has the foot prints of the martyred saint too. It is one of the most beautiful Chennai tourist places to visit.This is also among places to visit in Chennai at night due to the gorgeous view it provides.

10. The Breezy Beach:

Next comes the most sought out picnic places in Chennai. The Breezy beach is an attractive place to be with no pollution. It is located in Valmiki Nagar and is known to be a virgin beach, untouched by the modern day commercialization. This is one of the best tourist places to visit in Chennai.

11. Fort St. George:

In case you are searching for historical places in Chennai, you are in the right place. Fort St. George is a historic building that was constructed during the rule of British East India Company. However, it now functions as home to the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Secretariat. Fort Saint George houses the relics of the historic St. George Museum and St. Mary’s Church.

12. Turtle Walk:

Now here we are with places to visit in Chennai for couples. This is located near serene and calm beach yet gives you soothing experience. Further, many of us would not have been aware of the fact that the coastal regions of Chennai are home to the endangered Olive Ridley Turtle. Many of the young turtles die, and therefore an initiative is taken by the Students Sea Turtle Conservation Network (SSTCN) to provide better chances of survival to them. The turtle walks are organized during this time on specific days, and the general public is also allowed to witness this fascinating sight.

13. Sri Parthasarathy Temple:

Now we come to places to visit in Chennai with family. Sri Parthasarathy Temple is one of the popular historical places and religious spots to see in Chennai. The presiding deity of the Sri Parthasarathy Temple is Lord Krishna and also has temples for other four incarnations of Lord Vishnu namely, Ramar, Ranganathar, Narasimhar, and Varadaraja.

14. Velankanni Shrine:

The Annai Vellankani Shrine is located just past the famous Elliot’s Beach. It is one of the popular places to visit in Chennai for Christians as well as non-Christians. The white structure of the shrine stands boldly overlooking the Bay of Bengal. There is no entry fee for visiting Vellankani Shrine and be visited any day from 5 am to 9 pm.

15. Kalakshetra Arts Academy:

The Kalakshetra Arts Academy is one of the ideal Chennai tourist places for those in the field of arts and music. It sprawls over an area of 100 acres near the southern shore of Chennai. This cultural academy was established with an intention to preserve and propagate the varied Indian art forms. In the Kalakshetra Arts Academy, the focus is primarily given on Bharatanatyam, instrumental music, visuals arts, Carnatic vocal, textile design, traditional crafts, philosophy, and history.

Given that Chennai is one among the famous tourist destinations in cities you must visit, do not miss out on learning about the history and culture of this ancient place. The sightseeing and shopping attractions are for sure going to leave you awestruck after your time there. Please do let us know your experience after your visit; we would surely love to hear from you.