The largest library in South Asia, second longest beach in the world, the birthplace of South Indian cinema, Detroit of India, cultural capital of India – ring a bell? You got it right! We are talking about the city of Chennai in Tamil Nadu, which stands among the top 50 largest urban centers in the world. Nicknamed The Gateway to South India, Chennai plays the self-appointed keeper of the South Indian traditions and culture. The city has numerous temples, malls, amusement parks, museums, beaches, parks and historical monuments that make up the must-to-visit tourist attractions in Chennai. MomJunction gives you a list of places to visit in Chennai with your children.

Beaches In Chennai

The warm and friendly city of Chennai lies along the Coromandel coast, which makes it privy to some of the prettiest beaches in the region. A trip to one or more of these beaches is one such prior things to do in Chennai on your vacation.

1. Marina Beach

The Marina is perhaps the most visited beaches in Chennai. The world’s first natural urban beach, Marina promenade stretches to 6.5km or 4 miles. The total length of the beach is 13km, which makes it the second largest natural urban beach in the world. Approximately 30,000 people visit the beach every day. Where: From Fort St. George to Foreshore Estate, Chennai Attractions: An aquarium near the beach, walk along the beach, horseback riding, and water sports. Hours: Recommended time of visit – 6am to 7pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Car parking, food stalls Things to consider: The undercurrents of the Marina beach are pretty strong, so take extra care with kids. Do not leave them unattended in the water.

2. VGP Golden Beach

A private beach managed by the VGP Universal Kingdom amusement park, the VGP Golden Beach is one of the most beautiful beaches in Chennai. The beach has been one of the most preferred locations for movie shooting. It is a safe place to go swimming under the watchful eye of the guides. It is also one of the cleanest beaches in Chennai. Where: Injambakkam, Chennai Attractions: The private stretch of the marina is beautiful and clean. Rides in the Aqua Kingdom, Panneer fort, and statue man (see if you can move him), VGP 2000 millennium tower are other tourist attractions. Hours: 11am to 7:30pm Entry fee: Rs.350 for adults and Rs. 300 for kids for the VGP Universal Kingdom, Rs. 475 for adults and Rs. 375 for children for the Universal Kingdom and the Aqua Kingdom Amenities: Car parking, food stalls, restrooms Things to consider: If you are looking for an economical and comfortable way to spend the entire day at the beach, the VGP Golden Beach is it.

3. Covelong Beach

Covelong is a serene fishing village and another best place to visit in Chennai. The beach stretches along the Bay of Bengal, towards Mahabalipuram. The blue and white sea waters and the white, shiny sand make for a picturesque view on a bright, sunny day. Where: 40km from Chennai How to reach: Private vehicles, taxis, and buses Attractions: Adventure sports, walk along the beach, ruins of a Dutch fort and fishing Hours: Recommended time of visit – 6am to 7pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking, restaurants with restrooms Things to consider: It is a quiet beach ideal for relaxing. You might want to consider visiting it only if you have time to spare.

4. Breezy Beach

An isolated beach in the vicinity of Chennai, Breezy Beach is a great spot for a quick swim or a quiet picnic with the family. If you do not want to spend too much time here, just be there at sunset to have a breathtaking view. Where: Valmiki Nagar, Chennai Attractions: Sunset point, boat rides are sometimes offered by local fishermen Hours: Recommended time of visit – 6am to 7pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking on the roadside Things to consider: While Breezy beach is one of the best beaches in the city, it may not be the most exciting beach to take your kids to in Chennai.

5. Elliot’s Beach

Elliot Beach is another quiet beach that people in Chennai visit to get away from the noisy city. The beach is beautiful and has several food stalls around, with ample parking space. If you visit the beach early in the morning, you can spot flamingos and pond herons. Where: Besant Nagar, Chennai Attractions: The beach is quiet and makes an ideal spot for a relaxing evening. Hours: Recommended time of visit – 6am to 7pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking, food stalls Things to consider: If your plan is to spend some time at the beach, Elliot’s Beach is a better and less-crowded alternative to the Marina beach.

Museums In Chennai

Does history intrigue you? Do you want to learn about the history of Chennai or Tamil Nadu? Then make sure you include one or more of these best places to visit in Chennai with family.

6. Government Museum

The second oldest museum in the country, the Government Museum or the Madras Museum has more than 40 galleries dedicated to archeology, numismatics, geology, botany, art, anthropology, and zoology. The museum complex, which is an architectural marvel in itself, opened in 1854 and has the largest collection of Roman antiques outside of Europe. Where: Egmore, Chennai Attractions: Children’s Museum and Dolls gallery are favorites among kids. The Roman antiques gallery, contemporary arts gallery that showcases art history of Tamil Nadu and Tanjore painting gallery are a must see. Days open: All days except Fridays and National Holidays Hours: 9:30am to 5pm Entry fee: For Indians – Rs.15 per adult and Rs.10 per child, Rs. 5 for bonafide students, Foreign nationals – $5 per adult, $2.5 per child and $1.5 for bonafide students Amenities: Parking and guide services Things to consider: The museum is huge – it can take you over half-a-day to visit all the galleries.

7. Dakshinachitra

For a thorough understanding of the culture and traditions of southern India, a visit to Dakshinachitra is a must. The living museum of performance arts, crafts and culture showcases the lifestyles of people in the four southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Where: Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu How to reach: Private vehicles, taxis, and buses Attractions: Vernacular architecture – regional houses from the four states recreated for visitors; folk performances, glass blowing demo Days open: All days, except Tuesdays and Diwali Hours: 10am to 6pm Entry fee: For Indians Rs. 100 per adult, Rs. 30 per child, Rs. 50 for students, Foreign nationals Rs. 250 for adults, Rs. 70 for students Amenities: Parking, restaurant. Things to consider: Dakshinachitra also organizes workshops for kids and adults. Check their calendar online to know more.

8. Railway Museum

Trains excite kids, which makes the Chennai Railway Museum one of the places you should visit with children. From running models to miniature rail networks and souvenirs, the museum features a variety of exhibits that appeal to kids. The museum also has a children’s park and vintage engine models on display. Where: Villivakkam, Chennai Attractions: Joyrides, AV shows, Fowler ploughing engine, and scaled models of several trains from India, before and after Independence. Days open: All days, except Mondays Hours: 10am to 6pm Entry fee: Rs. 10 per person Amenities: Car Parking Things to consider: Try and make it to one of the AV presentations that the museum has every hour.

The National Art Gallery is one of the museums in the Government Museum, Chennai. The gallery has a wide collection of arts and crafts, especially paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries. Children would love the rock and cave art showcased in this gallery. The museum also displays paintings of renowned painter Raja Ravi Varma. Where: Egmore, Chennai Attractions: Thanjavur paintings, Ravi Varma paintings, Bronze sculptures, rock and cave art and ancient manuscripts Days open: All days, except Friday Hours: 10am to 5pm Entry fee: For Indians – Rs.15 per adult and Rs.10 per child, Rs. 5 for bonafide students, Foreign nationals – $5 per adult, $2.5 per child and $1.5 for bonafide students Amenities: Parking and guide services Things to consider: This is purely for art and craft lovers. It could be an inspiration to aspiring artists.

10. Vivekananda House

Swami Vivekananda is a source of immense inspiration to the young. Visit the Vivekananda House, a landmark in Chennai, where Swami Vivekananda stayed for nine days after his return from the US. The house is now a museum that showcases the rich Indian culture and the life of Swami Vivekananda when he stayed there. Where: Triplicane, Chennai Attractions: Experience Vivekananda initiative, an excellent way to understand the man and what he stood for. Days open: All days except Mondays Hours: 10am to 12:15pm and 3pm to 7pm Entry fee: Rs.10 per adult, Rs. 5 per child Amenities: Limited parking Things to consider: The museum is opposite Marina beach. You can club your visits to the beach and the museum to save time.

Historical Places In Chennai

The city’s rich history is evident from the many historical monuments it houses. Here are some of the Chennai’s tourist attractions you should visit with kids.

11. Fort St. George

St. George Fort is the first English fortress that was built in India, in 1644. The fort is an architectural marvel and currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. The fort also has a museum that showcases medallions, coins, paintings and letters belonging to the East India Company personnel who lived here. Where: Rajaji Salai, Chennai Attractions: St. Mary’s Church, the oldest Anglican Church in India, and the St. George Museum Days open: All days, except Friday Hours: 9am to 5pm Entry fee: Rs. 5 per person for Indian citizens and $2 for foreign nationals (entry free for children up to 15 years of age) Amenities: Parking, restrooms, food stalls/canteens Things to consider: The visit to the fort can be an educational trip for your kids. It can be an exciting experience but not a place to have fun or folly (the Tamil Nadu Assembly is in the same building!)

12. Alamparai Fort

The Alamparai Fort was built in the 17th century by the Mughal Empire, and is another good place to visit near Chennai. The French later seized the fort and then the British empire, when it was partly demolished. At present, you can only see the ruins of the fort with the beautiful backwaters of the Bay of Bengal on one side. Where: 100km from Chennai How to reach: Private vehicles, taxis, and buses Attractions: Picturesque backwaters and the ruins, which have made it a favorite spot for filmmakers, bird-watching, photography, and boating. Days open: All days Hours: Recommended time of visit – 9am to 5pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking on roadside Things to consider: The Alamparai Fort is in a secluded area that makes it less ideal for families and kids. Go there during daytime for a good view of the backwaters.

13. Tranquebar

Tranquebar, now known as Tharangambadi, is home to Dansborg, a 400-year-old fort built by the Danish invaders. An erstwhile port city for the rulers Cholas and Pandyas, the small port town is now a tourist hub with resorts and other facilities. In addition to the fort, there is a 300-year-old church and a museum that the kids may be interested in. Where: 270km from Chennai How to reach: Buses, private vehicles, and taxis Attractions: The Dansborg Fort, the Town Gate, Zion Church and the Ziegenbalg Museum Complex Hours: Overnight stay is necessary to cover all the sights in the region Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Accommodation, restaurants Things to consider: It takes nearly eight hours to reach Tranquebar from Chennai. Unless you have that kind of time, this place should not be on the itinerary.

14. Valluvar Kottam

A favorite monument in Chennai, Valluvar Kottam is a memorial to a famous Tamil poet, philosopher and saint Thiruvallur. The monument is a 39-meter high chariot that houses a statue of the saint. It is a tribute to the poet’s work called Thirukkal, which has 133 chapters with ten verses each. There is also an auditorium that often hosts classical programs. Where: Nungambakkam, Chennai Attractions: The monument stands on a lake and was built without a pillar for a base. The magnificently carved stone chariot appeals to kids and adults alike. Days open: All days Hours: 8:30am to 5:30pm Entry fee: Rs.10 per adult, Rs. 5 per child Amenities: Parking, restrooms, food stalls Things to consider: While the kids may be fascinated by the size of the stone chariot, they may not comprehend the importance of the monument or the poet’s works.

Malls And Entertainment Places In Chennai

There is no dearth of malls or amusement parks in this metropolitan city. Here are our picks for malls and amusement or entertainment places to see in Chennai.

15. Forum Vijaya Mall

A mall is a perfect place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing or traveling. Forum Vijaya Mall is huge and has a spacious food court that serves different cuisines to tickle your taste buds. The mall also has a play area for kids with mini slides, basketball, and cars. The play area and the food court are divided by a glass wall, allowing parents to watch over their children while they eat. Where: Vadapalani, Chennai Attractions: Play Zone has video games, mini rides for kids, crane and puzzle games and other redemption games. The mall also has a toy train ride for younger kids. Days open: All days Hours: 10am to 10pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking, restrooms and restaurants Things to consider: Kids will have a gala time playing in the Fun Zone, but there are only so many games you can play there.

16. Spencer Plaza

A modern mall that was built back in the days of the British Raj, Spencer Plaza is India’s oldest shopping mall and a landmark in Chennai. The old-fashioned mall is home to many brand stores, private banks and organizations, and restaurants. The mall also has over 15 Sri Lankan brand stores where you can get the finest Ceylon tea, spices, clothing, and footwear. Where: Anna Salai, Chennai Attractions: Good food for less, one place where you can bargain and get good stuff at lower prices. Days open: All days Hours: 10am to 10pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking, restrooms, restaurants Things to consider: Spencer Plaza is the oldest mall in the country and was made purely for business. There may not be a lot of things that appeal to kids here.

17. Express Avenue Mall

The Express Avenue Mall is one your kids will love as it has the largest gaming arcade in South India. The mall has a play area called Fun City, which has more than the usual rides you find in a mall. Express Avenue also has a 5D movie theater that older kids may enjoy. Other than that, the restaurants are great, and there is so much to buy that you can shop till you drop. Where: Roypettah, Chennai Attractions: Fun City Days open: All days Hours: 10:30am to 9:30pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking, restaurants and restrooms Things to consider: If you have a day to spare between sightseeing and traveling around, use it to visit the Express Avenue. Your kids will love it.

18. Queens Land

Queens Land is an amusement park in Chennai that has over 50 rides. In addition to the joy rides, the amusement park has all the amenities that make it an excellent place for a fun family time. Of the 50 rides, 18 are for kids, and that means your day at the park will have no wasted time! Where: Chembarambakkam, 13.3 km from Chennai Attractions: Cable Cars, Himalayan Water Ride, Wave Pool, Bumper Cars, Orchestra, Go Karting, Frog Slide and Thumbrole. Days open: All days except Mondays Hours: 9:30am to 6pm Entry fee: Rs. 550 for adults, Rs. 450 for children Amenities: Parking, restrooms and restaurants Things to consider: The amusement park is huge and spread over an area of 70 acres. You may not be able to complete all the rides in one day. So choose wisely.

19. MGM Dizzee World

MGM is a household name in Chennai. The Dizzee World is one of the largest amusement parks in Chennai and offers more than 35 fabulous joy rides for kids and adults. The park also has an amphitheater, and an exclusive children’s zone called Marryworld. The park also offers hot air balloon rides for the entire family! Where: Muttukadu, Chennai Attractions: Hot air balloon rides, boating, MGM express, wave pool, splash pool and a simulator ride called Imagine. Days open: All days Hours: Weekdays – 10:30am to 6:30pm Weekends and public olidays – 10:30am to 7:30pm Entry fee: Rs. 599 per adult, Rs. 499 per child (includes all rides and water park access) Amenities: Parking, food court, restrooms, first aid Things to consider: Avoid the adult rides for kids – they may be highly exhilarating for you, but scary for kids.

20. VGP Universal Kingdom

Once popular as VGP Gardens, the VGP Universal Kingdom is an amusement park along the Marina Beach. The proximity to the beach and a convenient location makes it an ideal hangout spot for locals and tourists alike. The park has a wide choice of joy rides for children, teens, adults and families. If you are lucky, you could spot a movie star or two in shooting a scene at the park. Where: Injambakam, Chennai Attractions: Statue Man, Dashing Car, Roller Coast, Water Chute, Jungle Car, and the Doll Kingdom. If you’re bored with the rides, you can go to the beach! Days open: All days Hours: From 11am to 7.30pm on weekdays and till 8pm on weekends Entry fee: Rs. 350 per adult and Rs.300 per child for the amusement park, Rs. 475 per adult and Rs. 375 per child for the amusement park and water park Amenities: Parking, restaurant, restrooms, locker facility Things to consider: Plan a visit to the VGP beach and the amusement park on the same day.

Lakes And Parks In Chennai

Lakes or parks – do they fascinate you? Look on for those beautiful visiting places in Chennai, which is a home to some rare birds and animals found in their natural habitats around the city or in the enclosed parks.

21. Arignar Anna Zoological Park

Chennai has a lot of firsts, including the first public zoo – the Arignar Anna Zoological Park or the Vandalur Zoo. The park is home to over 2000 species of plants and animals. It is also the largest zoo in India and has close to 50 species of mammals, 63 bird species, 31 reptile species, and a variety of fishes, amphibians and insects. Where: Vandalur, Kanchipuram, 38.8km from Chennai How to reach: Buses, private cars and taxis. Trains until Vandalur railway station Attractions: Deer safari, Shark Aquarium, Nocturnal animal house, water birds habitat, lion safari, and serpentaria. Days open: All days except Tuesdays Hours: 9am to 5pm Entry fee: Rs. 30 per adult and Rs. 10 per child. Additional cost for safari vehicles Amenities: Parking, food stalls, restrooms, and vehicle to tour the zoo Things to consider: Touring the entire zoo will take at least four hours.

22. Semmozhi Poonga

A relatively recent addition to Chennai’s list of parks, the Semmozhi Poonga is a botanical garden with over 300 species of plants. The park was developed around 80 trees that were in the area for years. Some of these trees are over 100 years old. Introduce your kids to a variety of plants including the cacti, bamboo and ficus varieties from China. Where: Teynampet, Chennai Attractions: The pond with ducks, the poonga at night, with colorful lights and the old trees that found a home in the garden. Days open: All days except Tuesdays Hours: 10am to 7pm Entry fee: Rs. 5 per person Amenities: Parking and restrooms; eatables or plastic bags are not allowed Things to consider: This is a botanical garden, and may not be of appeal to all kids.

23. Pulicat Lake And Bird Sanctuary

The Pulicat Lake is the second largest saltwater lake in India. A significant portion of the lake lies in the state of Andhra Pradesh, with only 3% of it in Tamil Nadu. There is a bird sanctuary in the lake that attracts migratory birds like pelicans, painted stork, flamingos, and other birds every year. Where: 93.3km from Chennai Attractions: The scenic view of the lake combined with the variety of birds you can find there. Hours: Recommended time of visit – 6am to 5pm. Best time to visit: November to February to see the migratory birds Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking Things to consider: The Pulicat lake is under the threat of drying up completely in the next 100 years, due to pollution and silt. A trip to the lake can educate your kids about such ecological issues.

24. Muttukadu Lake

A picturesque lake in the city, Muttukadu Lake is known for its floating boat house. The facility is made of bamboo and is run by the Tamil Nadu tourism department and offers boating to explore the lake. You can also try speed boat rides and high-speed aqua scooter rides in the backwaters. Where: Muttukadu, Chennai Attractions: Row boating, pedal boating and speed water biking, the TTDC sometimes conducts boat races here. Days open: All days Hours: 9am to 5pm Entry fee: Nil; Visitors need to buy tickets for boat and scooter rides Amenities: Parking, restaurant and restrooms Things to consider: This is a great place for boating for families.

25. Odiyur Lake

The Odiyur Lake is enroute Mahabalipuram. The Mudaliarkuppam Boat House, established on the banks of the lake, is known for water-based activities like row boating, speed boating, kayaking and more. The facility is managed by the Tamil Nadu tourism department and has over 50 varieties of boats that you can try. Where: 90km from Chennai Attractions: Kayaking is a great option for adventurers. There are row boats, pedal boats and speed scooters for kids and families. Also, look for pretty pink flamingos, little grebe and different varieties of kingfishers. Days open: All days Hours: 9am to 6pm Entry fee: Nil; Tickets Amenities: Parking, restaurants Things to consider: The Mudaliarkuppam Boat House is farther than some of the other boat houses near Chennai. Carry binoculars to spot birds.

26. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary

If bird watching and identifying is your favorite pastime, the Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary is a place you’ll love. Developed around the Vedanthangal lake, the sanctuary is home to grebes, egrets, cormorants, pintails, pond herons and sandpipers. The sanctuary also hosts migratory birds like the Australian gray pelicans, the glossy ibises and snake birds from Sri Lanka, painted storks from Siberia, spoonbills from Burma, open-billed storks from Bangladesh and the spot-billed ducks. Where: 75km from Chennai How to reach: Buses, private vehicles and taxis; train till Chengalpattu (24.4km from the sanctuary) Attractions: Excellent place for bird watching – an estimated 5,000 birds fly into the sanctuary throughout the year. Days open: All days Hours: Recommended time to visit – during day, early morning and before dusk Entry fee: Rs. 5 Amenities: Parking on roadside, guides Things to consider: You can also spot mammals like the wild boar, jackal and jungle cat here. This place is for wildlife enthusiasts and bird watchers.

Other Kid-Friendly Places In Chennai

In addition to the ones mentioned above, these are a few other best places to visit in Chennai that will interest your kids.

27. Birla Planetarium

One of the few planetariums built by the Birla Foundation, the Birla Planetarium in Chennai is a great place to spend time with kids. It has eight galleries that are dedicated to physical science, innovation, transportation and energy among others. The planetarium also has two science shows frequently repeated during the day – one in English and the other in Tamil. Where: Kotturpuram, Chennai Attractions: The planetarium shows, rocket model in the science park Days open: All days, except Republic Day, Independence Day and Gandhi Jayanthi Hours: 10am to 5:45pm Entry fee: Rs. 45 for adults and Rs.25 for children for complete planetarium package Amenities: Parking, restrooms Things to consider: If your kids have already been to a planetarium, they might not find this visit exciting.

28. The Theosophical Society

The Theosophical Society in Chennai is an interesting place for kids. Consider a visit to the society as an educational tour. You can visit the many temples within the premises, the old banyan tree, and the library filled with knowledge by world teachers like Jiddu Krishnamurti. Where: Adyar, Chennai Attractions: The sprawling Huddleston gardens on the premises and the Great Banyan Tree that occupies 40,000sft and is 450 years old. Days open: All days except Sundays and public holidays Hours: 8:30am to 4pm Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking and restrooms Things to consider: If you are taking your kids there, you might want to know about the society beforehand.

29. Tada Falls

Tada Falls is a weekend getaway for many Chennai residents. The place is ideal for a small trek or hike with the kids, and the waterfall is a beautiful sight. The path to the falls is well developed and easy for kids to walk. You can even take a dip in the final pool if you feel like. Where: 95km from Chennai How to reach: Local trains, private vehicles and buses Attractions: The waterfall and the small hike can be fun for kids and adults. You can even camp there if you have the gear. Hours: Recommended time of visit – during the day Entry fee: Nil Amenities: Parking near the falls, no restrooms or food stalls Things to consider: The trek may be tiring for younger kids.

A Brief History Of Chennai

The city was first formed as a Portuguese colony in the 1500s. The Dutch later ruled it, followed by the British and the French invaders, before Independent India made it the capital of Tamil Nadu state in 1956. It is believed that the name Chennai was derived from the name Damarla Chennappa Nayakudu, a Telugu king. Some say it is derived from the name of Lord Chenna Kesava Perumal. The city was later called Madraspattinam, which was a fishing village near the first English Fort.