The route to ECR typically starts from Thiruvanmiyur, towards Pondicherry. So, here are the places you can visit along the route towards Pondi! If you go by car or taxi, this list is in chronological order of places to visit!
1) Cholamandal Artists’ Village:
If you have a liking for art and paintings, then Cholamandal Artists’ Village is the first place to visit in ECR. This place is also worth a visit to know and understand the works of local Chennai and Tamil Nadu artists. It gives you a lesson on the region’s contemporary art. Set up on 1966, its founders were known for starting the Madras Movement of Art between 1950’s and 1980’s.
The resident artists in this village run the Artists Handicrafts Association who overlook the sales of the place. They do this by showcasing painting, sketches and sculptures of wood, metal, stone, terracotta, handicrafts, batik, pottery, ceramics, etc. in a permanent exhibition within the complex. The entry fee to this village is just Rs. 20. You can walk along the corridors of this gallery and take in the artistical extravagance of this region, or even visit the book and crafts store for some purchase.
The greenery-filled architectural style of this village will make you want to take longer strides across the artistic pathways. If you’re lucky, you may also get the chance to witness theatre performances and dance recitals at the Amphitheatre.
Timings: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Address: Cholamandal Artists Village, Injambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600115
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2) VGP Marine Kingdom:
ECR is known for its stretch of recreational centres and places offered by the VGP group. They have resorts, theme parks and and also amusement parks. The most recent addition to this list is the VGP Marine Kingdom, which is becoming Chennai’s favourite weekend destination. This Marine Kingdom is India’s first and largest walk-through aquarium housing everything from small to big aquatic animals. In addition to enjoying the colourful fishes and other sea animals, you can also go scuba diving at the Marina Kingdom. Ofcoure, this is offered along with some prior training. A Rs. 650 ticket will get you into the Marine Kingdom, for a day’s fun and amusement.
Apart from the Marine Kingdom, you also have VGP’s Snow Kingdom and VGP’s Universal Kingdom, both of which are very close to the former. Snow Kingdom is an indoor artificial snow atmosphere, which is the best place to escape the Chennai heat. Again, the ticket costs Rs. 650, for a limited period of time. The Universal Kingdom, is yet another amusement park of VGP, with fun and thrilling rides for all age groups. Like the previous two places, the entry into Universal Kingdom also costs the same. Note: the ticket cost for children in all three places is Rs. 550.
Timings:
Marine Kingdom- 9:30 am to 7:30 pm
Universal Kingdom- 10:00 am to 7:00 pm
Snow Kingdom- 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Address: SH 49, Injambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 600115
3) Iskcon Temple:
The Iskcon is a worldwide religious movement for devotion towards Lord Sri Krishna. The Iskcon temple in ECR, Chennai is one of the biggest shrines for the deity in Chennai, and one of the biggest Iskcon temples around the world. The temple houses the deities, Lord Krishna, alongside Radharani and their friends Lalita, Lord Chaitanya, Lord Jagannath, Baladeva, and Subhadra inside three teak-wood alters which are one of a kind. These deities are sourced from Rajasthan and Odisha.
The temple visit is rejuvenating because of its calm and sanctity filled atmosphere. In addition to this temple, you can also visit the small Matsyanarayana Temple which is nearby. The Matsyanarayana temple was inaugurated recently and is maintained by the Chinmaya Mission. The fully exterior temple houses a marble stone deity of the Matsya avatar of Lord Vishnu. The temple has a strict no-sound policy to ensure that visitors have a calm and relaxed experience. The temple, which is along the shore of the beach, is the best place to meditate on a stressful day.
Timings:
Iskcon Temple: 7.30 am to 1:00 am| 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Matsyanarayana Temple: 6:00 am to 10:00 am| 5:00 pm to 8:30 pm
Address:
Iskcon Temple: Bhakti Vedanta Swami Rd, Akkarai, Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119
Matsyanarayana Temple: Uthandi, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119
4) MGM Dizzee World:
What’s more fun then spending a day with family or friends in an amusement park? Amusement parks help give you that adrenaline rush that we wish we have all through the year! In addition, the thrill and enjoyment makes you forget your worries and problems. If you love amusement parks, then MGM Dizzee world is the right place for you! The park has something for all age group. There are a plethora of children’s rides scattered all around the park, as well as activities that other members of the family can enjoy. In case you get tired after the rides, you also have a foodcourt inside to get yourself energetic after getting back to more rides. The entry fee is Rs. 700 for adults and Rs. 550 for children.
Timings: Monday – Friday: 10:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 10:30 AM – 7:30 PM
Address: 1/74, SH 49, Muthukadu, Tamil Nadu 603112
5) Dakshinachitra:
Museums are not everybody’s cup of tea. But, Dakshinachitra is more of an enjoyable place to spend your time, rather than just a museum. The place stores in itself great works of architecture, crafts, performing arts, and lifestyles that belong to South India. Developed in the form of a village, it showcases the traditional lifestyle of South Indians. It is a collection of 18 authentic houses, each having its own contextual exhibition. These homes are purchased, broken down, transported and lastly reconstructed by professional artisans or Stapathis who belong to the places from where the houses are bought. If you want to learn about the history, culture and heritage of this Southern state, then Dakshinachitra is the place to go. Adults are allowed to enter with a Rs. 100 ticket, while Rs. 30 has to be paid for children.
Timings: 10:00 am to 6:00 pm. (Closed on Tuesdays and Public Holidays)
Address: SH 49, Muthukadu, Tamil Nadu 603112
6) Muttukadu Boat House:
What is a vacation without a serene visit to a water body? Yes, boating is the best way to vacation with family and friends. Our very own ECR has the Muttukadu Boat House, a lake that houses boats for riding. In addition to going boating, you can also click photographs in the middle of the lake. And it does not stop with boating. Other water activities here include wind surfing, rowing, speedboat riding and water skiing. If you don’t feel like going on any of these water activities, you can just walk along the lake’s bank and take in the fresh air. It is one of the most scenic places to visit, on a non sunny day.
Speaking of boats at Muttukadu, there are rowboats, motorboats, pedal boats, speed boats, and even water scooters. The rowboats, pedal boats and regular motorboats are the cheapest with rates per person around. It will cost you INR 120 if you want to go on a self ride in a 2 seater pedal boat for 30 minutes. Speedboats and the water scooters, however, are a little more expensive at INR 550 for 5 minutes in a 2 seater water scooter.
Timings: 9:00am to 6:00pm
Address: R64R+7VR, East Coast Road, Muthukadu, Tamil Nadu 603103
7) Covelong Beach:
How is it fair to go on a trip along the beach’s coast and not visit the beach? Chennai is known for its beaches. But on ECR, we have the Covelong beach, which is originally called Kovalam beach. This beach is famous for Surfing, Parasailing, Boating and the Fishing. Visitors can also rent a motor boat to enjoy the magnificent beach. It was initially established as a port by the Saadat Ali for Carnatic Nawabs which was later occupied by the French in 1746 and ruined by Britishers in 1752. It is a must visit to be captivated with its crystal clear blue water, peaceful ambiance and surreal beauty.
The surfing school called ‘Surf Turf’ provides surfing lessons and also act as a restaurant and hotel. The surf school offers everything from surf boards and basic surfing gear to rent/buy, along with qualified instructors to teach you how to surf. They’ve got a whole bunch of sea sports. Try your hand at windsurfing, kayaking, catamaran rides, and even fishing, or hang out at their beautiful café, and they even have rooms that operate as a Bed & Breakfast.
Timings: Covelong Beach is open all throughout the day!
Address: Dharka Backside Beach New Point Ansari Nagar, Kovalam, Tamil Nadu 603112
8) Crocodile Bank:
The Crocodile Bank is one of the most attractive tourist spots in Chennai. It is also one of the largest reptile zoos in the world, spread across over 8.5 acres of land. By the Mid 20th century, the country’s crocodile population was exploited to the verge of extinction and this prompted the government to declare all the three species of Indian crocodile protected under the Wildlife Act. As a result, Madras Crocodile Bank was established by Rom and Zai Whittaker in 1976 with the objective of protecting India’s diminishing crocodile population and to preserve the indigenous art of snake catching.
You can spot not only Crocodiles, but also other rare reptiles at the bank. Bird lovers and nature admirers can spot a number of rare avian species at the centre. You can also get to see magnificent gharial at its best , meandering among fishes and freshwater turtles in an aquarium. It might prove to be a spine chilling experience for some! Entry fee of Crocodile Bank is Rs. 100 for Adults and Rs.50 for children below 10 years of age.
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm (Closed on Mondays)
Address: Post Bag No 4, Mamallapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, 603104
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Best Places to Visit for Food:
- Bay 6: No 202 Seashore town, 6th Avenue, SH 49, Panaiyur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119
- Madras Square: 2/520, Sundeep Ave, Sakthimoorthiamman Nagar, Neelankarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600041
- Kebab Court: New No. 2/5A, Old No. 2/5, SH 49, opp. to Five Star Super Market, Akkarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119
- ECR Café: No.7, A.G.S Tower, VGP 2nd Main Road, ECR Uthandi Chennai-600119
- Gossip Fusion Bistro: New No 141, Old No 191, East Coast Road, Uthandi Opp HP Gas Station, below Green Trends, Kanathur, Tamil Nadu 600119
- Hibiscus Café: 235/1, East Coast Road, SH49, Opp Prarthana, Injambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600115
- Kipling Cafe: 16, L Jey Avenue, Spring Gardens 2nd St, Akkarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600119