Kodaikanal fondly known as kodai for a hill station is remarkably compact and described as a bubble middle of nowhere, beautiful, cold, isolated, clean, small and cute, influenced by its varied cosmopolitan teenage population and food. It is the only hill station in India set by the American missionaries to establish an international school for European children.

Though considered to be very compact and the central town area can be easily explored on foot, there are numerous sightseeing places and activities depending on the interests of the visitor. A morning stroll along the 5 km lake stretch, walk along the Coaker's Walk with views of the valleys when the mist clears, viewing the stained glasses of nearby church, visiting pillar rocks, forests of Pine, Bombay and Pambar shola, exploring Bryant and Chettiar park or visiting Kurinji Andavar temple.

The Kurinji shrub, unique to the Western Ghats, is found in Kodai. Its light purple blue coloured blossoms flower across the hillsides every 12 years, next due date is 2018.

Notable for its age and wild life frequently seen on the course, The Kodaikanal Golf Course was established in 1985. It is a 18 holes, 71 par golf course. Depending on the challenges offered to the golfers, some holes have interesting alternative names like Devil's Dip - running on as far as the eye can see, the fairway from the tee-box to the green is a solid dip; Tiger hole - tigers could be spotted near this hole; Cardiac hole - due to the strenuous walk required. Open to non members by paying the required green fees, this course is closed from 15 April to 15 June.

Vattakannal

This small village with tin roofs and small walls is one of 25 bio diversity hot spots in the world. Known popularly as Vatta or little Israel with paradise of flowers, clouds rising from the valley underway is a heavenly paradise for nature lovers. Vatta can be visited as a day excursion from Kodai

If you have time you can also visit the village of Manavanur and easily spend a day walking in the nature reserve