4-Day Family Friendly Chennai Itinerary

  1. Day 1: Marina Beach and Fort St. George
    15 minutes (5.7 km) from Chennai Central Railway Station

    Start your morning with a walk along the Marina Beach, India's longest natural beach. Take a pony ride or try some local snacks from nearby food vendors. Next, head towards Fort St. George, the first British fortress in India. Visit the Fort Museum and the St. Mary's Church, the oldest Anglican church in India. You can also see the Assembly Hall and Secretariat Building, which house the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly.

  2. Day 2: Government Museum and Birla Planetarium
    30 minutes (9.9 km) from Fort St. George

    Explore the Government Museum, home to a wonderful collection of art, archaeology, and natural history. See the Bronze Gallery, which houses the largest collection of bronze statues in the world. Afterwards, head to the Birla Planetarium for an immersive stargazing experience. The planetarium offers shows in both Tamil and English languages.

  3. Day 3: Mahabalipuram and DakshinaChitra
    1 hour 20 minutes (56.2 km) from Birla Planetarium

    Visit Mahabalipuram, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a treasure trove of ancient, intricately carved temples and monuments. If you want to spend some time by the beach, head to the Shore Temple complex. Next, head to DakshinaChitra, a living museum that showcases the culture, lifestyle, and architecture of the South Indian states.

  4. Day 4: Vandalur Zoo and Kapaleeswarar Temple
    1 hour 15 minutes (41.5 km) from DakshinaChitra

    Begin with a visit to Vandalur Zoo, also known as the Arignar Anna Zoological Park. The zoo is home to over 170 species of animals, birds, and reptiles. After spending time with the animals, head towards the Kapaleeswarar Temple, one of the oldest and most famous temples in Chennai. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is a beautiful example of Dravidian architecture.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Fort St. George (2 hours, INR 5)
  • Birla Planetarium (2 hours, INR 100)
  • Mahabalipuram (4 hours, INR 600)
  • DakshinaChitra (3 hours, INR 250)
  • Vandalur Zoo (3 hours, INR 80)
  • Kapaleeswarar Temple (1 hour, Free)
  • Total Estimated Costs: INR 1,035

Useful tips

If you have an extra day, you can visit the San Thome Basilica, the largest church in Tamil Nadu. You can also take a day trip to Pulicat Lake, a bird sanctuary, and a historic Dutch settlement. If you have less time, you can skip DakshinaChitra or the Vandalur Zoo. Make sure to carry plenty of sunscreen, water, and comfortable walking shoes as the weather can get quite hot and humid.

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