These 5 Spots In Town Will Make You Love Chennai Even More

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There’s very little that we don’t love about Chennai. The people, the culture, the neighbourhoods, the food and even the year-round weather (yes ok it’s rather hot mostly but that makes waiting for the rains all the more worthwhile) are all things we heart. However, those are just everyday things that contribute to why we love this city. Chennai is more than just a collection of its parts. And to give you a sense of why we love our fair city, here’s a list of five quintessentially Chennai places that will make you fall in love with the city even more. 

Elliot's Beach

The smaller of the two beaches in Chennai, Elliot’s beach (also commonly known as Bessy), has a lot more activity and things to do. There are eateries all along the beachfront promenade and on the sand, lots of open space with room to throw frisbees, play football and run around, and a long enough coastline for you to just sit and enjoy the waves. There’s even the picturesque Schmidt Memorial right in the middle of the beach for you to take photos of (or photos on!) 

To find more things to do in Besant Nagar, click here.

Marina Lighthouse

One of the few lighthouses in the world with an elevator (thank god!), the Marina lighthouse is the best place to get a bird’s eye view of the city and of the longest urban beach in the country. The view from the top is particularly beautiful during the mornings and evenings. It’s also special because it’s one of the few lighthouses to be powered entirely by solar power, thanks to solar panels on the roof. Free up your calendar and head there once for a slice of serenity. 

Chepauk Stadium

There are cricket stadiums and there are cricket stadiums and then there is the Chepauk stadium (aka M. A. Chidambaram Stadium). The oldest continuously used cricket stadium in the country is a must-see for any cricket fans. Even non-cricket fans enjoy being there during Chennai Super Kings matches for the enthusiasm is crazy. Feeling your body tremble as you walk into a packed stadium of more than 30,000 fans cheering on the home team is rather euphoric. Definitely something you don’t want to miss.

Government Museum

The second oldest museum in India is a sight to behold. Over the years, lots of money has been spent to develop the museum and make it state-of-the-art. But that’s not why it’s garnered so much acclaim worldwide. Outside of Europe, it boasts the world’s largest collection of Roman antiquities and has some of the best kept archaeological artefacts in human history. It’s very well maintained and the entry fee is also nominal, making it the best place for a gripping history lesson or even a casual day out with friends and family. Get all the deets here.

Amethyst

This place is the brainchild of Kiran Rao, whose passion for art and antiques is evident in the way that she has transformed a granary warehouse space in Whites Road into the beautiful cafe that it is today. This old-world colonial-style mansion is flanked by lush greenery and houses a boutique, a flower shop and The Wild Garden cafe that serves juice, coffee, sandwiches, pizza and pasta, apart from a daily special menu and a selection of decadent cakes, brownies, cheesecakes, and other baked goodies.

You can head to the boutique upstairs (aptly named Upstairs At Amethyst) for some retail therapy. Kiran personally curates the eclectic collection of clothes and accessories that can be found there, sourcing them from designers and labels present across the country. Read more here.