This ‘Queen of the Nilgiris’ established in the early 19th century by the British as the summer headquarters of the Chennai government. Ooty’s top attractions include the 22-hectare Government Botanical Gardens (a ower show is held there every May as part of the Summer Festival), boating on Ooty Lake, and climbing Dodabetta Peak for an excellent view of the Nilgiri hills. To get to Ooty, take the scenic toy train from Metupalaiyam.