6 Shopping Destinations To Visit In Ooty: What to Buy and from Where
A trip to Ooty will be incomplete without shopping. This charming hill station has a lot to offer when it comes to shopping. Whether you stop by some of the unique stores or the shopping malls, looking out for some memorable gifts for your loved ones is a must. Moreover, shopping in Ooty will make your vacation all the more enjoyable. Shopping is fun here as the weather doesn’t tire you and the shopping centres are one of the best places to visit in Ooty.
When to visit Ooty?
If you want to visit the best holiday destinations in Ooty, then you should visit between April and November as during this time the weather is very pleasant here. It is better not to visit Ooty from July to September as continuous rains will disrupt your outing.
Handmade chocolates: Rare treats of Ooty:
Ooty is also popular for homemade chocolates. The most famous location in Ooty for chocolates is the Charing road. Walk into one of the many bakeries over here, and you can grab favorite finger-licking chocolates in Milk, dark chocolate, white chocolate, with cashews, raisins, strawberries and many more flavours. There is a chocolate museum in Ooty where you learn everything about chocolates and their manufacturing.
Fruits and Honey:
Ooty serves the best and organically – grown strawberries. And you can get hold of these freshly grown strawberries and honey in many of the local stores. In fact, bee keeping is the most vital sources of livelihood of the tribals in Ooty.
Aromatic Oils:
Ooty is known to produce the best aromatic essential oils in India. Some of them are eucalyptus, citronella and camphor. Since Eucalyptus forests are there in abundance here, the oil is extracted from them distilled locally, hence the oil can be purchased at reasonable rates.
Antiques, Jewellery, and Handicrafts:
Handwork of the local tribes can be seen in antiques, handicrafts, and jewellery of Ooty and is exclusive. There are many shops both local and government-run on the Commercial Road, where you can find them.
Tea:
Nilgiris is mainly a plantation district highly favourable for tea cultivation. You got plenty to choose from: dust and leaf, black, green, black and white varieties; and flavours such as masala, jasmine, cardamom and even chocolate.
Markets in Ooty
Not only shopping but traveling around the city or visiting tourist locations is quite reasonable in the city. Let’s have a look at 6 best shopping destinations in Ooty:
Lower Bazaar Road:
Located close to the Ooty Lake and Boathouse, it is the major shopping centre of the city. You need not go to another place to shop, as it is a one-stop place for all your shopping needs. You name it, and you will have it. From textiles and clothing to chocolates and gifts, you will get everything here. If you enjoy having tea, then you get to choose from some shops which keep a wide variety of tea on Lower Bazaar Road. You can look out for Toda jewelry and embroidered Toda shawls which is a specialty of this place.
Commercial Road:
It is a crucial roadway, passing through the foothills, in the township of Ooty. Busy pedestrian and road traffic mostly characterize it. It is an important commercial hub of the town. Here, you will get value for money. The specialty of this place lies in handmade chocolates, jewellery, antiques, handicrafts, woollen clothing, utensils, etc. There are also various shops which are run by the government where you will get exquisite handicraft pieces, Ayurvedic goods, organic products and many more. The area is especially famous for the Santa procession that takes place every year on this road.
Tibetan Market:
Tibetan market is famous for a broad range of woollen clothes. You get wide varieties of shawls, jackets, gloves, pullovers, cardigans, monkey caps, beanies and many more at reasonable prices. Located just opposite to the Botanical Garden, this place remains a favourite among the youngsters due to its trendy woollen wears.
Higginbotham:
If you are a book lover and love collecting books, then Ooty won’t let you leave empty handed. It has got some of the oldest and famous bookshops in the country. You will get a wide range of collection from almost all genres. People usually come here not only to buy books but spend hours browsing through books of all kinds. It remains open from Monday to Saturday.
Nilgiris Super Market:
Ooty is known for its freshly produced food-items. There are many government-run stores in the main shopping areas of the city, where the products available are all original and rightly priced. It has everything from chocolates and teas to groceries and essential oils. It is especially famous for essential oils as well as the original Nilgiri tea. Apart from this, you all get fresh fruits and vegetables.
Doddabetta Tea factory:
Doddabetta Tea Factory is just a short Taxi ride from Charing Cross at one-end of Commercial-road. If you are a tea lover and love to taste various varieties of tea, then this is the place where you should go. You can choose from a greater range of locally made blends such as aromatic black, white jasmine, and refreshing green teas. Here you will not only get good quality tea but will also get an insight into the tea making process.
Staying in Ooty:
Staying in Ooty won’t be a problem for the travellers as this place has various cheap Ooty hotels along with expensive and lavish ones which offer all kinds of facilities to its guests. Club Mahindra Derby Green, Accord Highland, Fortune Hotel Sullivan Court and Sinclairs Retreat are some of the best and luxurious Ooty hotels that you can book online.
To book Ooty hotels online you can visit various online travel portals too.
There are a number of places to visit in Ooty before you die, such as kotagiri trekking, going for a 2-hour jeep safari amidst the Nilgiri Reserve, a walk amidst some significant artistic figures in the wax model museum, or a half day sightseeing of the mesmerizing and multitudinous destination of Coonoor.
General tourist should make a note that prices of the hotels and things you want to buy always turn out to be highest in tourist-centric areas where sellers start to keep a different rate which is far higher than the actual one. It will be helpful for you if you do some research regarding the fair price before buying anything. Enquiring at the local tourist information centre or travel online sites can also be a good option for advice or help.
Precap:
Ooty’s mild and pleasant climate is ideal for growing tea, spices and oil and even cheese making. Ooty is one of the most beautiful locations in the southern part of the country thus attracting plenty of travelers every year.
Apart from the natural beauty, Ooty also has many things to buy that makes it one of the most looked after destinations in the country. The fresh local products of Ooty are its specialty. You will get across various shops and stalls selling souvenir trinkets and handicrafts. Ooty is mostly famous for its food-related gifts which are produced locally like tea, chocolate, and gourmand cheeses.
Along with the various shopping places, there are some places to visit in Ooty with family.
