Chennai Family-Friendly 3-Day Itinerary

1. Day 1: Marina Beach
   From Chennai International airport, Marina Beach is 21.7 km. Drive takes around 50 mins.

   Start the trip with a visit to India's longest beach – Marina Beach. Enjoy the scenic view of the Bay of Bengal while children can run around, play by building sandcastles. At the southern end of the beach, admire the lighthouse and visit the four-hundred-years-old Santhome Basilica.

2. Day 1: Guindy National Park
   From Marina Beach, Guindy National Park is 11.3 km. Drive takes around 30-40 mins.

   Next, visit the Guindy National Park which is situated in the middle of the city. Walk arround the park is unique with it being a dry scrub forest right in the middle of the bustling city. Children can see crocodiles, blackbucks, spotted deers and other animals in their natural environs.

3. Day 1: Dakshin Chitra
   From Guindy National Park, Dakshin Chitra is 11.7 km. Drive takes around 35 mins.

   Finally, spend an educational and cultural evening at Dakshin Chitra. It is a cultural centre that depicts the art, crafts, architecture and way of life of the South Indian states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. A visit to Dakshin Chitra promises to be an engaging and enjoyable learning experience.

4. Day 2: Mahabalipuram
   From Chennai, Mahabalipuram is 57.4 km. Drive takes around 1.5 hrs.

   Spend the day exploring the cultural heritage site of Mahabalipuram. The group of monuments at Mahabalipuram has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take a guided tour to witness the beauty of Pallava architecture etched in the shore temple, Pancha Rathas, Krishna Butterball, and the Sculpture Museum.

5. Day 3: Vandalur Zoo
   From Chennai, Vandalur Zoo is 29 km. Drive takes around 50 mins.

   Head to the Vandalur zoo for a fun-filled day that can be enjoyed by both adults and children. Spread across 602 acres, it is one of the largest zoos in South Asia. Get up close and personal with the wild animals and experience the diversity and uniqueness of the flora and fauna here at the zoo.

6. Day 3: MGM Dizzee World
   From Vandalur Zoo, MGM Dizzee World is just 2.9 km. Drive takes around 10 mins.

   End your trip with unlimited fun and entertainment at the MGM Dizzee World amusement park. It is an ideal spot for family entertainment with water rides, thrilling rides and roller coasters. Children can also enjoy the park’s various outdoor and indoor games, attractions like the 7D theatre, mirror maze, Dinosaur world, and more.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Marina Beach (2-3 hours, Free)
• Guindy National Park (2-3 hours, Rs. 20/adult, Rs. 5/child)
• Dakshin Chitra (2-3 hours, Rs. 130/adult, Rs. 100/Senior Citizen and Child)
• Mahabalipuram (5-6 hours, Free entry, Rs. 30 for museum)
• Vandalur Zoo (4-5 hours, Rs. 50/adult, Rs. 20/child)
• MGM Dizzee World (5-6 hours, Rs. 599/adult, Rs. 499/child)
• Total Estimated Costs: Rs. 1443-adult, Rs. 1295-child, per person

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, you can visit the Government Museum, Space Theater, Fort Museum, or the Pulicat Lake. You can also plan a day trip to Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary to explore the vast diversity of birds. If you have less time, you can skip Vandalur Zoo or MGM Dizzee World and end your trip with Dakshin Chitra. Bring comfortable shoes and clothing to beat the heat, sunscreen, hats for sun protection when you step out, and bottled drinking water to keep yourself hydrated.