Ooty is fondly known as the ‘Queen of Hills’ and rightly so. After all, the hill station is absolutely breathtaking. Beautiful temples, idyllic gardens, the romantic toy train and beguiling bungalows belonging to the British Raj era are some of the popular attractions of this charming hill station. There is one more thing that renders this hill station more than just another tourist place – the museums in Ooty which preserve and celebrate the town’s rich culture. So if you are a museum lover, Ooty is just the right place for you to indulge your artsy side!
Read on to learn about 4 best museums in the Queen of Hill Stations. A visit to these museums is definitely something that you must add on your list of things to do in Ooty.
Museums in Ooty
1. Government Museum, Ooty
Founded in 1989, the Government Museum is one of Ooty’s most important museums as it is a reflection of the life and culture of the tribes of Tamil Nadu. Some noteworthy exhibits at this museum include artifacts belonging to the Todas, valuable sculptures and art, wooden carvings, tribal relics and antiques, and the district’s ecological details.
- Location: Stone House Area, Ooty
- Timings: 10 AM – 1 PM and 2 PM – 5 PM (Closed on Fridays and second Saturdays)
- Entry Fee: Free
Read Also: Places to Visit in Ooty
2. Tribal Museum, Ooty
Located on the premises of Tribal Research Centre, this museum is dedicated to preserving the heritage of the tribes of Tamil Nadu and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Tribal statues, artifacts like buffalo skulls, model huts and other relics are some of the fascinating exhibits at the Tribal Museum, educating visitors about tribal cultures.
The center itself, as suggested by its name, is dedicated to studying tribal communities among its other functions. The campus also has a library full of books and journals on tribal studies.
- Location: Muthorai Palada, Ooty
- Timings: 10 AM – 1 PM and 2 PM – 5 PM (Closed on Saturdays and Sundays)
- Entry Fee: Indians – Rs.5; Foreigners – Rs.100
Read Also: Historical Places in Ooty
3. Tea Museum, Ooty
Ooty is one of the key players when it comes to tea production in India so it is no surprise that it would have a museum dedicated to tea. An undertaking of the Dodabetta Tea Factory, the Tea Museum is spread over a 1-acre area and educates visitors about the evolution of tea.
There are three sections in the museum: Evolution of Tea in the Nilgiris, Tea History in India and Origins of World Tea, each of them narrating the history of this ardently loved beverage.
- Location: Dodabetta Road, Ooty
- Timings: 9 AM – 5:30 PM
- Entry Fee: Rs.10
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4. Wax Planet, Ooty
Opened pretty recently in the year 2017, Wax Planet features wax statues of famous Indian and international personalities created in India, China, and UK. From Princess Diana, the Dalai Lama, Mother Teresa and Barack Obama to Bruce Willis, Sachin Tendulkar, Michael Jackson and Lionel Messi, you can find statues of many of your favorite celebrities and leaders of the world here.
- Location: Club Road, Upper Bazaar, Ooty
- Timings: 9 AM – 8:15 PM
- Entry Fee: Rs.200 for adults; Rs.150 for children
Read Also: Temple in Ooty
Now that you know about these amazing museums in Ooty, make sure you cover all of them on your trip to this scenic hilly abode.
This post was last modified on 02-Jan-2024