Ooty or Udhagamandalam, situated at height of 2,268 metres in the Nilgiri mountain ranges, is known for its natural beauty, the tranquil Ooty Lake and the Botanical Garden.
A popular honeymoon destination, it has some fine hotels, restaurants and watering holes.
The Botanical Garden is a major tourist attraction. Spread over 50 acres on the lower slopes of the Dodabetta peak, it has rare tree species and a wide variety of plants and flowers.
One of the main attractions here is the fossilised tree trunk, which is about 20 million years old.
Ooty Lake is a popular tourist spot and you can hire a boat for a ride across its waters between 8 am and 6 pm. It was constructed by John Sullivan, the then collector of Coimbatore, in the year 1825.
The toy train that runs around the lake is a favourite with kids. I still remember how, as a kid, the train ride used to be the highlight of my trip to Ooty. Grown ups too can ride this delightful train.
Enjoy horse riding? Go for a pony ride available near the lake.
For refreshments, check the restaurants nearby.
Also read: A tourist's Kashmir diary 
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