Top 10 Things to Do in Chennai that Shouldn't be Missed

Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, oozes with culture and brings you great opportunities for traveling and adventure. Visiting Chennai could leave you with some of the most incredible memories you can reminisce about for a lifetime. Taking long morning walks on the beautiful beaches and excursions to breathtaking waterfalls are some of the best things to do in Chennai.

Its famous tourist attractions include gorgeous historical structures, such as temples, forts, cathedrals, and more. Along with its affordable markets, which provide you with a wide selection of products to take home as souvenirs, you can also enjoy Chennai's marvelous delicacies. Nevertheless, deciding where to begin might be confusing. As a result, we have compiled a list of the top 10 things to do in Chennai.

10 Amazing Things to do in Chennai

This blog best suits first-time visitors to Chennai and those looking for an exciting experience there. The top ten incredible activities for you to do when visiting Chennai are detailed in the following blog.

So, without further ado, let's begin:

• Marina Beach

Marina Beach of Chennai is a renowned landmark and is among the longest beaches on earth. Popularly known for its scenic views and serenity, this beach has a 13 km-long shoreline. This location should top your list when visiting Chennai, as you will get the most relaxing and fun experience.

Additionally, this beach has several food vendors that will serve your taste as you sit beside the shore to enjoy stunning sunsets. You can also play exciting sports on this beach, such as volleyball or kite flying. Moreover, you can also visit the Senate House, Ice House, and MGR Memorial when you visit the beach.

• Thalankuppam Pier

One of the most impressive fun things to do in Chennai is to spend nights at the Thalankuppam Pier and watch the first light of the day. Thalankuppam village is present in the northern part of Chennai and known among the residents of Chennai for fishing. As a must-see destination, the pier is a kilometer long and ideal for those looking for a quiet place.  A pier is a breathtaking place to stroll above the waves at sunset or sunrise. This experience will bring you immense peace and be one of the most unforgettable moments.

• Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Situated in Mylapore, you can take a road trip to the enchanting Kapaleeshwarar Temple. The magical structure of this temple exhibited Dravidian architecture and was constructed around the seventh century by the Pallavas. It is known for its vibrant gopuram embellished with statues of gods, goddesses, bulls, and more. 

It embodies every characteristic of a South Indian temple and is primarily devoted to Lord Shiva. If you are a devoted fan, this location will provide you with a combination of an exhilarating and tranquil experience. This location ought to be on your list even if you are not a fervent believer. The architecture and carvings decorate this temple's halls and several shrines and are perfect for an architecture enthusiast. 

Moreover, the temple organizes stunning musical performances, adding to the Kapaleeshwarar Temple's charms.  

• Tada Waterfall Trek

The Ubbalamadugu Waterfalls, also known as the Tada Falls, are found in Andhra Pradesh's Chittoor district and top the list of places to visit near Chennai. The picturesque sceneries combined with greenery and tranquil streams; this trek will take you through various easy and challenging trails.

If you are an adventure geek, you will love taking this 10-kilometer trek. You will be driving through the first 7 kilometers of the rough route from the village of Varadaiahpalem and then hiking for around the next 5 kilometers. 

This trail is straightforward at the beginning, which ascends to a challenging and exhilarating task, and involves climbing over some very steep boulders. However, being an adventure lover, this will surely be a magnificent escapade for you.

• Huddleston Garden

You can find a peaceful treasure in the heart of the busy city. The Huddleston Garden is a part of the Theosophical Society. This garden is unique and absolute bliss for nature lovers and covers an area of 260 acres. It stretches along the Adyar river and delivers a mystical vibe. 

This place is an excellent spot for spending some time with yourself. Take a book or listen to music as you get engulfed by its rich flora and birds. You will be amazed to be acquainted with Adyar's huge banyan tree, which is 450 years old.

• Puri Jagannath Temple,

One of the exquisite beauties of Chennai is the famously known Puri Jagannath Temple. It must be on your list of the best things to do in Chennai. Followers from Pan-India come here to experience its brilliance, which is devoted to the triad of Lord Jagannath, Lord Balarama, and Goddess Subhadra. Individual shrines for Lord Shiva, Lord Bimala, and Lord Ganesha are also present in this temple. Its structure is constructed with the Kalinga architecture in mind and consists of ancient patterns that are intricate and stunning. It is embellished with white as well as granite marble sculptures. Another glorious and remarkable celebration is the Rathayatra, which is conducted annually. 

• King Church

Born with the labor of love, the Christ in King's Church makes a fine specimen of gothic architecture. If you love getting lost in the delicate details of architecture, you must know that this structure is situated on the Loyola College campus. 

An Indian architect named S.A. Gnanpragasam Pillai, who lacked professional training, constructed this magnificent beauty that features pointed arches and is decorated with rose windows and stained glasses. Its ribbed vaults and flying buttresses add to the dimension and texture of this beauty.

•  Government Museum

Take a drive to the Government Museum in Chennai, one of the culturally rich places. Also known as the Madras Museum, it is home to various topics, including anthropology, art, numismatics, archaeology, and more; thus, you must include it while preparing the list of places to visit near Chennai.

If you are enthusiastic about human history and love spending time in galleries, this museum features a zoological and botanical gallery and a children's museum. You can find some prehistoric sculptures and modern mechatronic puppets of an original T-rex. You may also browse through the wide-ranging collection of folk art and more.

• Birla Planetarium

If you are enthusiastic about science or innovation and fascinated with the world of space, the Birla Planetarium is bound to interest you. All science enthusiasts and travelers can join the programs featured by this establishment, built-in 1988. You can explore our galaxy and learn about the spatial entities.

•  Anna Centenary Library

For travelers who map the world with words, Chennai offers you the Anna Centenary Library. It is one of the finest treasures for every literature and traveling enthusiast. This historic library is built over 9 acres and is one of the largest in all of Asia, which is very uncommon to see in this modern world of eBooks and counts as a unique entry in your to-do list.

Conclusion

Chennai is an urban hub rich with natural and cultural gems. A vacation to Chennai can fill your soul with memories of serene landscapes, tranquil temples and churches, adventurous trails, educational trips, and stunning architecture. To reach your faraway destination, you can rent a car with IndusGo, which offers sanitized vehicles and flexible pricing plans.