Start your day with an early morning stroll along the Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world. Head to the aquarium in the afternoon to witness an impressive collection of marine life. End the day with a visit to the Vivekananda House, which contains a museum documenting the life and achievements of Swami Vivekananda.
Visit the historical Fort St. George in the morning, which houses the legislative assembly and the secretariat of Tamil Nadu. Afterward, walk to the Government Museum, which has an incredible collection of art and artifacts, including ancient coins, sculptures, and weapons. In the evening, head to the Kapaleeswarar Temple, a beautiful Dravidian-style temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Take a day trip to Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site filled with ancient temples and rock-cut caves. Start your tour at the Shore Temple, a stunning temple located on the beach. Next, visit the Five Rathas, a group of monolithic sculptures carved out of a single rock. Afterward, explore the Arjuna's Penance, a massive bas-relief that tells the story of the descent of the River Ganges from heaven to earth.
Visit the Birla Planetarium in the morning to learn about the stars and planets. Afterward, head to the Guindy National Park to see a variety of animals, including spotted deer, jackals, and blackbucks. In the evening, visit the St. Thomas Mount National Shrine, a beautiful church built on the spot where St. Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus, was believed to have been martyred.
Start your day by visiting the Valluvar Kottam, a monument dedicated to the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar. Afterward, head to the Government Botanical Garden to see a wide variety of plants and trees. In the evening, visit the ISKCON Chennai temple, which has a beautiful temple hall and a vegetarian restaurant.
Visit the Vandalur Zoo in the morning to see a wide variety of animals, including tigers, lions, elephants, and giraffes. Afterward, head to the Cholamandal Artists' Village, which has a collection of art and sculptures made by local artists. In the evening, visit the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust and Centre for Herpetology to see a variety of reptiles, including crocodiles and snakes.
Spend your last day shopping at the Phoenix Marketcity, one of the largest malls in Chennai. In the afternoon, head to the DakshinaChitra Museum, which showcases the art, architecture, and culture of South India. End your day with a visit to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, which has a wide variety of animals and birds, including white tigers and Indian rhinoceroses.
If you have extra time, consider taking a day trip to Kanchipuram, a city known for its temples and silk saris. You can also visit the Pulicat Lake, a beautiful lagoon that is home to a variety of migratory birds. To maximize your fun, try the local street food, especially the crispy dosas and spicy chutneys. You can also take a traditional boat ride in the Bay of Bengal to watch the sunset.
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