Places to Visit

Queens Land


Go crazy on a roller-coaster, capture the panoramic view on a cable car, splash at the Himalayan water ride or get puzzled at the Mirror House. With more than 50 rides spread over an area of 70 acres, this amusement park is a major draw for children and adults alike. You can also find food and beverages outlets that are located within the park. Established in 2003 by Rajam Hotels Private Limited, Queens Land is just a 30-minute drive from central town of Chennai and ideal for a family outing in Chennai. While they have a huge car parking, you can also take regular buses from Guindy and T. Nagar area in Chennai.

Marina Beach 

 

Stretching 13 kilometres in length from St. George Fort to Mahabalipuram, Marina Beach enjoys the limelight of both tourists and locals for being the second longest (urban) natural beach in the world. Witness cricket matches, fish markets, children flying kites and astrologers at the beach side as you take a walk along the shoreline. Owing to a strong undercurrent, unfortunately, swimming is forbidden at this beach. Though afternoons can be very hot especially during the summer season in Chennai, evenings and early mornings allow you to experience the cool waves and winds as you sit and relax at the beach. You will also find a rare species of olive ridley sea turtles at the beach since it lies on the extreme stretch of coast. Since the beach attracts a lot of people every day (almost 30,000 tourists per day during weekdays) the area has good parking and is guarded by cops to ensure security.

Fort St George

Built by the British East India Company in 1640, Fort St. George was the first fortress in India founded in the year 1644. It houses the famous St Mary’s Church (an ancient Anglican Church), a museum (contains antics and artefacts from British Rule) and Wellesley House (paintings of the Fort Governer.) It has recently become home to the administrative offices of Tamil Nadu Government and the Legislative Assembly. Located on the Rajaji Salai road, Fort St George is a very prominent landmark in Chennai and owing to its historical reference; the fort is looked upon by ASI.

Besant Nagar Beach

Elliot’s beach or Besant Nagar Beach is located in Besant Nagar and forms the south-end of the Marnia Beach. It is one of the most happening places for youngsters in Chennai. To assure safety and prevent drowning cases, the beach also has a police outpost. The beach boasts of the famous landmark called the Karl Schmidt Memorial, a gate-like structure made from bricks. Legend says that this landmark was built in the memory of a Dutch sailor who lost his life while saving a girl from drowning. However, owing to the salt in the sea water, the landmark has been corroded and is not in a good condition anymore. Despite that, a lot of locals prefer Besant Nagar Beach as it is not as crowded as the other ones.

Pulicat Lake 

Being the second largest brackish water (water which is high on salinity) lagoon in India, Pulicat Lake lies on the Coromandal Coast in South India. On a high tide, its area is spread around 450 square kilometres and on a low tide, it becomes 250 square kilometres. Approximately 60 kilometres away from North Chennai, it can be a good weekend getaway option from the city. As you immerse in the scenic beauty of the lake, capture the wildlife as the lake also encompasses a bird sanctuary. Spot different fish and reptile species, birds like kingfishers, flamingo, storks, ducks, herons, cranes and the most popular of all, the Pelican bird. Though boating is banned here but you can request local fisherman who often take you to small islands and the place where sea water meets ocean water.

San Thome Church

This 155 feet high church has huge significance as there are only three basilicas that are built over the tomb of St. Thomas (One of the seven Apostles of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas was buried in Mylapore) in the world. The first one is in Rome, the second in Spain and the third is in Chennai, close to the Marina beach. People from different parts of the world come especially to visit the San Thome Church. Right below the basilica, there is an underground chapel where His Holiness Pope John Paul II prayed in the year 1986. The church has been designed in Gothic style and has some unique artworks including the stain glass painting of St. Thomas’ meeting with the resurrected Christ. Needless to say, Christmas is the best time to visit the church and witness the true splendour of the San Thome Church.

Anna Memorial 

Located on Marina beach in Chennai, Anna Memorial was built in the honour of the great Dravidian leader Arinzar Annadurai as well as former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister, C. N. Annadurai whose cremation was done here in 1969. The memorial is situated in the midst of a lush green park.
As soon as you reach here, you will be welcomed by an arch that is shaped like an elephant tusk. Boasting of a huge area of 510 hectares, the memorial has a museum, safari park, aquarium and animal house. Anna Memorial, also known as Anna Square can be a good weekend getaway for your family as it has parks and aquariums to keep kids entertained.

Tirupati Devastanam Balaji

Located on the Venkat Narayan Road, this is one of the most famous temples of South India.Thousands of devotees come her all-year round to seek the blessings of Lord Balaji (one of the most revered deities in South India). Managed by the Tirumala Tirupati Balaji Temple Trust of Tirupati, it is dedicated to Lord Venkatachalapati (an avatar of Lord Vishnu) and Alarmelu Manga. Apart from the main deity, other idols in the temple include that of Lord Ranganath (where Lord Vishnu is sleeping) along with Sree Devi, Bhuma Devi and Brahma. While prasad is usually given to all devotees, if you get a ladoo, consider that as an auspicious offering (since it is rare for anyone to get that as prasad).

National Art Gallery

Situated on Pantheon Road in Egmore district, the National Art Gallery building is made in pink sandstone, reminiscing that of the Jaipuri-Jaina style. Established in the year 1907 by T. Namberumal Chetty, the gallery was once known as the Victoria Memorial Hall. Displaying Mughal era paintings, religious statues and artifacts, it is also home to handicrafts from tenth and eleventh centuries - that can be found on display here. The gallery has been divided into four segments - Tanjore Painting Gallery, Decorative Art Gallery, Indian Traditional Art Gallery and Ravi Varma Painting Gallery (whose paintings are considered to be national treasures).

Mahabalipuram

The temple city of Mahabalipuram (also Mamallapuram) is situated just 60 km off Chennai on the Bay of Bengal coast in the south Indian state of Tamil Nadu.The city is well connected through a network of roads from Chennai and other important cities of South India. Many of the Resorts Mahabalipuram are strategically located close to the tourist spots.Mahabalipuram is one of history's intriguing enigmas. The ancient Mamallapuram, as Mahabalipuram was formerly known, was flourishing port town of the Pallava rulers of south India who chiseled in stone a fabulous "open-air museum" of sculpture under the vault of a burning sky. Apart from this, nothing is known of the place. What was the purpose behind this whole exercise, and, more important, why all the royal patronage this place enjoyed suddenly disappeared, no one actually has any answer. Staying at Mahabalipuram Resorts is an unique way of experiencing its history.