Coonoor is the largest hill station in the Nilgiris. It is 30Km. from Ooty, at an altitude of 5600ft. This place has got scenic beauty. This hill station is less developed and has a milder climate than Ooty. It is a very pleasant place to relax in with interesting market. The town is physically divided into upper and lower Coonoor.

SIM’S PARK

The Sim’s park is situated at the heart of Coonoor. This park was founded in the mid 19^th century as a amusement park for Coonoor. This park was named after J.D. Sim, who was a Secretary to the Madras club in 1874. This park occupies the slopes and base of a small ravine and has been developed into a Botanical garden partly in the Japanese style. This park has got over 330 varieties of roses out of which many are quite rare and eucalyptus more than 180 years old. A newer attraction is a map of the World made by plants sent by various countries, just like Ooty’s .A flower show is held in Ooty & soon after that the fruit and vegetable show is also held, in May. Visitors in large number come to see these shows.

PASTEUR INSTITUTE

This institute is situated opposite Sim’s park. This institute is renewed for its research on the treatment of rabies. In the year 1902, a dog bit Mrs. Lily Packenham Walsh, wife of a senior British officer, and at that time the vaccine was available in Kasauli only, so the patients had to be taken to a long distance. It was then, that the Pasteur Institute was opened in Coonoor. This institute also manufactures Polio vaccine.

DOLPHIN’S NOSE

This place is situated at about 12km, from Connor. This is a famous viewpoint. This place provides a beautiful view of the Catherine falls, which falls several thousand feet below.

POMOLOGICAL STATION

The states Agricultural Department researches on fruits including Plums, Apples, Peach, Persimmons, Apricot, Lemons and Pomegranates etc. over here.

Oty is also known as the "Queen of Blue Mountains". This place is famous for its rolling hills, which are, covered by pine & eucalyptus forests. Ooty is also famous for its coffee & tea plantations. Ooty is situated near the border of Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Karnataka. Historically this place is known as the land of Toda, the tribal people. These tribal people are mainly centered on the buffalo. Today only 1500 Toda are remained here. In the 19^th century the British established Ooty to serve as the summer head quarters of the Chennai. During the British period, the stone churches, private schools, the Ooty club and the terraced botanical gardens were built. Ooty is a place, which has a certain appeal. The life here is so relaxed, it is a perfect place for a nice holiday. Just 1 or 2 km out of the town you will find the peace of hills, with their beautiful views and silence. This place also has a toy train, whose journey is very exciting. The best time to visit Ooty is in April to June & from Oct-March.

BOTANICAL GARDENS

Botanical gardens are believed to be established in 1848.These gardens are beautifully maintained and have more than a 1000 varieties of plants, shrubs & trees including orchids, ferns, alpine & medicinal plants. There is also a fossilized tree trunk, which is said to be 20 million years old. In the eastern part of the garden there is a wooden house made of logs known as Toda Mund which provides an excellent views .The Rose garden over here has got over 1500 varieties of roses.

OOTY LAKE