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7-Day Family Friendly Itinerary for Chennai in August 2024

  1. Day 1: Marina Beach
    30 minutes (7.7 km) from Chennai International Airport

    Watch the sunrise at Marina Beach, take a stroll along the shore, and visit the aquarium in the morning. In the afternoon, explore the Fort St. George and the museum. End the day with a delicious dinner at the famous Murugan Idli Shop.

  2. Day 2: Mahabalipuram
    1 hour 30 minutes (60 km) from Chennai

    Visit the UNESCO World Heritage site of Mahabalipuram, where you can marvel at the ancient rock-cut temples and sculptures. Enjoy lunch at a seaside restaurant and spend the afternoon at the beach. Head back to Chennai in the evening for dinner at Annalakshmi Restaurant.

  3. Day 3: Government Museum
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    15 minutes (5.5 km) from Annalakshmi Restaurant

    Spend the morning at the Government Museum, which houses an impressive collection of art and artifacts from all over India. Have lunch at Sangeetha Restaurant and then visit the Kapaleeswarar Temple in the afternoon. End the day with a scenic sunset at Elliot's Beach followed by dinner at the Beach Club Cafe.

  4. Day 4: Arignar Anna Zoological Park
    1 hour (32 km) from Elliot's Beach

    Visit the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, which is home to over 170 species of animals, including tigers, lions, and elephants. Have lunch at the park and then spend the afternoon shopping at Phoenix Marketcity. End the day with dinner at The Flying Elephant.

  5. Day 5: DakshinaChitra
    1 hour 15 minutes (33 km) from The Flying Elephant

    Visit DakshinaChitra, a museum of South Indian culture and heritage, in the morning. Have lunch at Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant and then visit the Vandalur Zoo in the afternoon. End the day with dinner at Murugan Idli Shop.

  6. Day 6: Covelong Beach
    45 minutes (20 km) from Murugan Idli Shop

    Spend the day at Covelong Beach, where you can swim, surf, and relax on the sandy shore. Have lunch at one of the beachside shacks and then visit the nearby DakshinaChitra Art Village in the afternoon. End the day with dinner at Absolute Barbecue.

  7. Day 7: Valluvar Kottam
    30 minutes (9 km) from Absolute Barbecue

    Visit the Valluvar Kottam, a monument dedicated to the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar, in the morning. Have lunch at Eden, a contemporary restaurant, and then spend the afternoon at the Birla Planetarium. End the day with a farewell dinner at Peshawri, a restaurant serving authentic North Indian cuisine.

Recommendations

Consider taking a day trip to the historic city of Kanchipuram, known for its temples and silk sarees. You can also visit the Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary, which is home to over 160 species of birds. To maximize your fun, try taking a cooking class to learn how to make traditional South Indian dishes. Don't forget to sample the local street food, such as vada pav and bhel puri.

Time and Costs Estimates

  • Marina Beach (2 hours, Free)
  • Mahabalipuram (6 hours, INR 1000 per person)
  • Government Museum (3 hours, INR 100 per person)
  • Arignar Anna Zoological Park (5 hours, INR 80 per person)
  • DakshinaChitra (4 hours, INR 250 per person)
  • Covelong Beach (6 hours, Free)
  • Valluvar Kottam (3 hours, INR 20 per person)
  • Total Estimated Costs (per person): INR 1550
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