20 Best Places to Visit in Chennai with Kids
In this Article
The bustling city of Chennai is filled with activities to engage tourists and locals alike. The city boasts of fabulous beaches, parks, entertainment centres, ancient temples, museums, amusement parks and everything else you can think of. Continue reading for the best places you can visit in Chennai with your kids.
20 Amazing Places for Children in Chennai
Chennai has something to offer to people of all age groups. If you’re visiting the city for the first time or wish to discover some amazing new spots, here are the places that you need to see.
Museums and Historical Places in Chennai
These must-visit places are suitable for everyone.
1. Government Museum
This is India’s second oldest museum. It has 40 galleries and takes about half a day to visit all.
Location:
Egmore, Chennai
Attractions:
Contemporary Art gallery, Roman Antiques gallery, Children’s Museum and Dolls gallery
Visiting Hours:
Open on all days from 9:30 am – 5 pm except Fridays and National Holidays
Entry Fees:
- For Indians: Adult- INR 15, Child- INR 10, Students- INR 5
- Foreign nationals: Adult- $5 (INR 347), Child- $2.5 (INR 174), Students- $1.5 (INR 104)
Facilities Available:
Parking and guide services
2. Railway Museum
Loved by kids, the Railway Museum features numerous exhibits including Vintage Engine models section and a children’s park.
Location:
Villivakkam, Chennai
Attractions:
AV shows, Joyrides, Fowler ploughing engine, miniature scale models of historical trains
Visiting Hours:
All days from 10 am – 6m except Mondays
Entry Fees:
INR 10 per person
Facilities Available:
Car parking
3. Vivekananda House
This museum is now a landmark in Chennai. It’s the building where Swami Vivekananda stayed for 9 days after his return from the US.
Location:
Triplicane, Chennai
Attractions:
Exhibition on the life of Swami Vivekananda
Visiting Hours:
All days from 10 am – 12:15 pm and 3 pm – 7 pm except Mondays
Entry Fees:
Adult- INR 10, Child- INR 5
Facilities Available:
Parking
4. Fort St. George
Built in 1644, it’s the first English fortress to be built in India. It serves as a museum that showcases artefacts from the East India Company and houses the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.
Location:
Rajaji Salai, Chennai
Attractions:
St. George Museum, St. Mary’s Church
Visiting Hours:
All days 9 am – 5 pm except Fridays
Entry Fees:
Indian Citizen- INR 5, Foreign National- $2, free entry for children up to 15 years of age
Facilities Available:
Parking, food stalls/canteens, restrooms
5. Alamparai Fort
The Alamparai Fort was built by the Mughals in the 17th century. It was later seized by the French and then, the British Empire. You will need a taxi or private vehicle to get here. It’s best to visit during the day.
Source: Pinterest
Location:
100km from Chennai
Attractions:
Picturesque scenery from the ruins and backwaters, photography, bird-watching and boating
Visiting Hours:
Open on all days
Entry Fees:
Free entry
Facilities Available:
Parking
6. Tharangambadi
Formerly known as Tranquebar, it is home to a 400-year-old Danish Fort. This port town is a popular tourist hub with resorts and things to see.
Location:
270km from Chennai
Attractions:
Dansborg Fort, Zion Church, Town Gate and Ziegenbalg Museum Complex
Visiting Hours:
Open on all days and overnight stay is needed to visit all the sightseeing spots
Entry Fees:
Free Entry
Facilities Available:
Accommodation and restaurants
Beaches and Lakes
Chennai has a number of beaches that your kids would love to cool off in.
1. Marina Beach
The most visited beach in Chennai, it receives 30,000 people every day. Being 13 km long, the Marina beach is the world’s second largest urban beach.
Location:
From Fort St. George to Foreshore Estate, Chennai
Attractions:
Long walks on the beach, water sports, horseback riding, beachside aquarium
Visiting Hours:
Best time to visit is between 6 am and 7 pm
Entry Fees:
Free
Facilities Available:
Car parking, food stalls
2. VGP Golden Beach
The most beautiful stretch of the Marina beach, the VGP Golden Beach is managed by the VGP Universal Kingdom amusement park.
Location:
Injambakkam, Chennai
Attractions:
A beautiful and clean private stretch of the Marina beach, VGP 2000 millennium tower, Panneer fort, rides in the Aqua Kingdom
Visiting Hours:
Recommended hours are 11 am – 7:30 pm on all days
Entry Fees:
Adults- INR 350, Children- INR 300 (VGP Universal Kingdom)
Adults- INR475, Children- INR 375 (Universal Kingdom and the Aqua Kingdom)
Facilities Available:
Car parking, restrooms, food stalls
3. Covelong Beach
The beach is located next to Covelong, a quiet fishing village. Those who love blue waters and white sands would love this beach.
Source: Pinterest
Location:
40 km from Chennai
Attractions:
Long walks along the beach, water sports, fishing and ruins of a Dutch fort
Visiting Hours:
Recommended hours are 6 am – 7 pm on all days
Entry Fees:
Free
Facilities Available:
Parking, restaurants, restrooms
4. Pulicat Lake and Bird Sanctuary
India’s second largest saltwater lake, the Pulicat Lake is a sanctuary for migrating birds such as flamingos, pelicans, painted storks, etc.
Location:
93.3km from Chennai
Attractions:
Scenic views of the lake, flamingos and other birds
Visiting Hours:
Recommended hours are 6 am – 5 pm. The ideal time to visit is between November and February.
Entry Fees:
Free entry
Facilities Available:
Parking
5. Muttukadu Lake
The scenic Muttukadu Lake is popular for its bamboo floating boathouse. You can also try other boating experiences with your family at the lake.
Source: Pinterest
Location:
Muttukadu, Chennai
Attractions:
Water sports, pedal boating, row boating, speed water biking and boat races
Visiting Hours:
Open on all days from 9 am – 5 pm
Entry Fees:
Free. However, tickets need to be bought for boat rides.
Facilities Available:
Parking, restroom, and restaurant
6. Odiyur Lake
This lake en route to Mahabalipuram is a popular tourist destination. Water sports and bird watching are some of the most common activities here.
Location:
90 km from Chennai
Attractions:
Kayaking, pedal boats, row boats and speed scooters for families and children, flamingos, kingfishers and migratory birds
Visiting Hours:
All days from 9 am – 6 pm
Entry Fees:
Free. Tickets need to be bought for the water sports activities.
Facilities Available:
Parking, and restaurants
Malls and Entertainment Places in Chennai
1. Forum Vijaya Mall
The Forum Vijaya Mall has everything you and your family needs. Spacious food courts with a great variety of cuisines, stores for shopping and play area for kids where the fun never ends are the highlights of this mall.
Source: Pinterest
Location:
Vadapalani, Chennai
Attractions:
Play zone with video game arcade, toy train rides and other mini rides for children
Visiting Hours:
Open on all days from 10 am – 10 pm
Entry Fees:
Free entry
Facilities Available:
Parking, restrooms, and restaurants
2. Spencer Plaza
This is one of the oldest shopping complexes in India and a landmark in the city. It’s home to a number of stores, restaurants, organizations, and banks.
Location:
Anna Salai, Chennai
Attractions:
Stores for shopping, excellent food at low prices
Visiting Hours:
All days from 10 am – 10 pm
Entry Fees:
Free
Facilities Available:
Parking, restrooms, and restaurants
3. Queens Land
Queens Land is a popular amusement park with over 50 rides. The park is family-friendly and both parents and kids can have a blast.
Source: Pinterest
Location:
Chembarambakkam, 13.3 km from Chennai
Attractions:
Wave pool, Himalayan Water Ride, Cable Car, Bumper Car, Go-karting
Visiting Hours:
All days from 9:30 am – 6 pm except Mondays
Entry Fees:
Adults- INR 550, Children- INR 450
Facilities Available:
Parking, restrooms and restaurants
4. MGM Dizzee World
The Dizzee World is one of Chennai’s most-loved amusement parks. It offers 35 amazing rides that are great for both children and adults.
Location:
Muttukadu, Chennai
Attractions:
MGM Express, boating, wave pool, hot air balloon, splash pool, simulator rides
Visiting Hours:
- Weekdays – 10:30 am – 6:30pm
- Weekends and public holidays – 10:30 am – 7:30 pm
Entry Fees:
Adult- INR 599, Child- INR 499 (inclusive of all rides)
Facilities Available:
Parking, first aid, food courts, and restrooms
5. VGP Universal Kingdom
Located next to Marina Beach, this amusement park is one of the best places to have fun in Chennai.
Source: Pinterest
Location:
Injambakam, Chennai
Attractions:
VGP Beach, roller coasters, Statue Man, Dashing Car, Water Chute, Doll Kingdom and Jungle Car
Visiting Hours:
Weekdays from 11 am – 7:30 pm and weekends from 11 am – 8 pm
Entry Fees:
Adult- INR 350, Child- INR 300 (Amusement park only)
Adult- INR 475, Child- INR 375(Amusement park and water park)
Facilities Available:
Parking, restaurant, restrooms, lockers, and first aid
Other Kids-friendly Places
Be sure to visit these places as well.
1. Birla Planetarium
The Birla Planetarium is a wonderful place where your kids can learn all about space, science, innovations and other advancements.
Source: Pinterest
Location:
Kotturpuram, Chennai
Attractions:
Planetarium shows, Science Park, display model of rockets
Visiting Hours:
Open on all days from 10 am – 5:45 pm except Gandhi Jayanthi, Republic Day and Independence Day
Entry Fees:
Adults-INR 45, Child- INR 25
Facility Available:
Parking, and restrooms
2. Guindy National Park
Spanning an area of only 270 hectares, this thorny forested area is considered the smallest national park in India. Despite its size, it’s home to various animals like spotted deer, black bucks, jackals, pangolin, jungle cats and elephants.
Location:
Teynampet, Chennai
Attractions:
Forested area, wild animals and birds
Visiting Hours:
9 am – 6 pm on all days
Entry Fees:
- Adult- INR 15, Child- INR 10
- Fee for Still Camera- INR 25, Video Camera- INR 150
Facility Available:
Parking, and restrooms
3. Tada Falls
The Tada Falls is a favourite weekend getaway for many residents of Chennai. It’s an ideal trekking spot for families with young children. The trail is easy to walk on and offers a great view. It’s also possible to take a dip in the water.
Location:
95 km from Chennai
Attractions:
Hiking, waterfall, and camping
Visiting Hours:
Open on all days
Entry Fees:
Free
Facilities Available:
Parking close to the waterfalls
These are the best places to visit in Chennai with your children. There’s something they can learn from every place and on top of that, the fun never ends.
Also Read:
Amazing Places to Visit in Mumbai With Kids
Best Places to Go on Vacation With Kids in India
Fun Places to Visit in Delhi With Your Kids
Places to Visit in Pune With Your Children
