11 Beautiful Places to Visit in Coimbatore

What Is Coimbatore?

Coimbatore is the second-largest city in Tamil Nadu. Many people visit the city for education, shopping, medical reasons, business, or visiting friends or relatives. It is known as the Manchester of South India, being the hub for textiles. It is also home to many notable educational institutions like PSG College, CIT, GCT, Coimbatore Medical College and Tamil Nadu Agriculture University (TNAU).

But very few people consider this as a tourist destination. It is a surprise, considering how many interesting places there are to explore.

Top 11 Places to Visit in Coimbatore

1. Top Slip
2. Black Thunder Theme Park
3. Gedee Car Museum
4. Kovai Kutralam
5. Brookefields Mall
6. TNAU Botanical Garden
7. Nehru Park
8. Marudhamalai
9. Monkey Falls
10. Kodiveri Dam
11. Ooty

Scroll down to learn more about each of these wonderful places.

1. Topslip

Topslip is a dense forest ideal for a day picnic and is part of the Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary. It is home to many animals like tigers, elephants, bison and many birds. Blessed with pleasant weather, Topslip is just 43 km from Coimbatore.

One needs to obtain a permit from forest officials to visit this place. The forest department organizes elephant safaris to go around the forest. Big cats are very rare to spot, but one can see several other animals. The adventurous can plan a stay in the guest house maintained by the forest department (be aware that if you choose to do this, you should expect only basic service support).

2. Black Thunder

Black Thunder is a theme park near Mettupalayam at a distance of 38 km from Coimbatore. Located in the foothills of the Nilgiris, it primarily targets tourists visiting Ooty. It is well known for its water rides, lake rides, animal watch tower and horror house. Kids will have a terrific time, and one can plan a full day in the park.

3. Gedee Car Museum

G.D. Naidu was an eminent industrialist and philanthropist based out of Coimbatore. He had a passion for cars and his son founded the car museum in memory of his father. The museum aspires to teach young minds about the history of automobiles and serve as an inspiration to design better automobiles in the future.

4. Kovai Kutralam

Kovai Kutralam falls is 37 km from Coimbatore. The waterfall is across the Siruvani River that supplies drinking water to the residents of Coimbatore city. Tucked deep inside the woods, tourists can not stay beyond 5 pm in the evenings. The pure air and the impeccable surroundings are very soothing.

5. Brookefields Mall

This is the first grand mall to come up in Tamil Nadu outside Chennai city. It is not just a great place to shop for anything from garments to electronics; it also has multiple entertainment options, including a multiplex complex, gaming zone and fun city. Brookefields Mall is an ideal place for youngsters and families to hang out.

Recommended

Amazing Experience of the 1000 Islands Cruise in Ontario, Canada

6. TNAU Botanical Garden

Tamil Nadu Agriculture University is a prestigious institution in Coimbatore. What makes it special is the 300-acre botanical garden inside the university campus. It boasts several trees and flowering plants, such as roses, lilies, carnations and chrysanthemums.

7. Nehru Park

This park provides the lung space for Coimbatore city with its green cover. It has a separate section for kids. The smooth walking track is thronged by walkers and joggers. There is an added attraction of a small body of water with swans. Miniature versions of prominent Indian landmarks like Charminar can be seen inside the park.

8. Marudhamalai Temple

This hill temple is dedicated to Lord Muruga. It was built during the Sangam period in the 12th century. The temple is atop a 180-metre granite hill. Marudham is the name of a native tree found in Tamil Nadu. Marudhamalai is close to Coimbatore at a distance of 15 km from the city.

9. Monkey Waterfalls

Monkey Waterfalls are at a distance of 71 km from Coimbatore city. This is an ideal place for people of all ages, including children, to take a dip. Monkey Falls are natural waterfalls across Aliyar River on the way to Valparai. A trek can be undertaken in the reserve forest nearby with prior permission from the Forest Department.

10. Kodiveri Dam

This check dam was built across the Bhavani river in the year 1125 by a Kongu king. It is one of the most ancient dams in India. Located near Sathyamangalam town, Kodiveri dam is 75 km from Coimbatore. This dam is a favorite recreational spot for locals and irrigates the agricultural land nearby.

11. Ooty

Ooty is within 3 hours of drive-time from Coimbatore. From Coimbatore, Ooty can be covered as a day trip, but it is not possible to see Ooty in all its glory in such a short time. Still, a day is enough to get a taste of Ooty by visiting its lake and botanical gardens. One can visit Sim's Park at Coonoor on the way back to Coimbatore.

Travel and Stay

Coimbatore is well connected by road, rail, and air to major cities in India. Several overnight trains connect it with Chennai. The Coimbatore International Airport is the second busiest in Tamil Nadu.

A bustling industrial town, Coimbatore isn't short on stay options. Vivanta Coimbatore, The Residency Towers, Welcomhotel Coimbatore, and Gokulam Park are a few hotels worthy of consideration. Sterling Anaikatti and Black Thunder are resort options worth considering.

Sree Annapoorna Sree Gowrishankar Hotel is a famous vegetarian restaurant chain in Coimbatore. Sree Krishna Sweets in Coimbatore is famous for its mouth-watering Mysore Baks.

Related Articles

• 100 Must-See Historical Places and Monuments in India
  India has a rich culture and history and features many historical buildings that should top any visitor's list. Here are the top 100 places and monuments that have survived the ages.
• The Fascinating Secrets of India's Oldest Temple
  A mysterious substance has been removed from the wooden deities of Sri Jagannath temple once every 14 years for the past 1,000 years. No one knows what it is, and if anybody sees it, rumor has it they will die immediately.

© 2021 Mohan Babu