Four-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary for Chennai

  1. Day 1: Mahabalipuram Beach
    51 minutes (36.5 km) from Chennai

    Start your trip in Chennai with a visit to Mahabalipuram Beach, where you can enjoy a beautiful day by the sea with your family. Take in the spectacular views of the shore, or take a stroll through the nearby shops and restaurants. Also, don't miss visiting the Shore Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage site that sits near the beach.

  2. Day 2: Government Museum
    19 minutes (7 km) from Mahabalipuram Beach

    As you venture further into Chennai, stop by the Government Museum, a massive complex housing a wide range of artefacts, including sculptures, coins, and other historical items. There's plenty of information to take in here, making it a must-visit destination for anyone interested in history.

  3. Day 3: Arignar Anna Zoological Park
    43 minutes (25.1 km) from Government Museum

    On Day 3, make a trip to the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, home to a wide range of animal species, including tigers, lions, and many others. With about 1210 species of animals sprawled across around 602 hectares of land, the park offers a day full of animal sightings. With numerous playgrounds and eateries to boast, one could easily spend an entire day here in simpatico with the animals. Avoid Tuesdays to make your visit.

  4. Day 4: Marina Beach
    1 hour 8 minutes (17.5 km) from Arignar Anna Zoological Park

    Spend the last day of your trip relaxing, playing, and eating at Marina Beach, India's longest beach. In the morning, you can grab some breakfast from the various vendors around, or sip some authentic south Indian filter coffee and enjoy the scenery of The Bay of Bengal. It's the perfect place for your family's last day in the city.

Time and Costs Estimates:

  • Mahabalipuram Beach (2-3 hours, free)
  • Government Museum (2-3 hours, INR 35 per person)
  • Arignar Anna Zoological Park (4-5 hours, INR 50 per person)
  • Marina Beach (3-4 hours, free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 120 for 4 days per person

Useful Tips:

If you have more time in Chennai, consider adding some of the popular local food spots, such as Murugan Idli, Hotel Saravana Bhavan, and Adyar Ananda Bhavan, to your itinerary. You can also visit some of the traditional markets like Pondy Bazaar, George Town, or T-Nagar for shopping. In case you have lesser time trims a day or two from the itinerary accordingly.

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