Arrive early to join the morning rituals (puja) at this colorful 7th-century temple dedicated to Shiva. Remove shoes before entering and dress modestly covering shoulders and knees.

Visit this stunning white neo-Gothic cathedral built over the tomb of Saint Thomas the Apostle. Head to the crypt downstairs to see the original burial site and the small museum.

Head to Besant Nagar for this cleaner, quieter beach favored by locals. Walk along the promenade past the Schmidt Memorial and grab a Tender Coconut Water (Elaneer) from a vendor.

Walk or take a short auto ride to the 13-km long Marina Beach to experience the evening buzz. Stay near the shoreline area around the lighthouse and avoid venturing into deep water.

Explore the oldest British fort in Chennai, housing St. Mary's Church and the Fort Museum with colonial era weapons, uniforms, and portraits. Allow time to walk the ramparts and see the 150-foot flagstaff made from a single teak tree.

Head straight for the Bronze Gallery to see breathtaking Chola sculptures in bronze, then browse the Amaravati Gallery and the natural history section. The museum complex also has a dedicated children's section if traveling with family.

Step inside one of India's oldest public libraries, recognizable by its striking red sandstone building with Indo-Saracenic architecture. The rare books room and main reading hall are open to visitors.

Admire the massive stone chariot and 133-foot tall structure commemorating the poet Thiruvalluvar. Walk around the auditorium where all 1,330 couplets of the Thirukkural are inscribed on granite pillars.

Tour the restored Ice House building where Swami Vivekananda stayed in 1897, now a museum with exhibits on his life and teachings. The multimedia show upstairs provides good context for the exhibits below.

One of the few national parks inside a city. Arrive early to spot spotted deer, blackbucks, and native birds along the forest trails before the heat builds up. The park also has a small snake park adjacent.

A sprawling 280 acre campus along the Adyar River with a massive 450 year old banyan tree, a library open to visitors, and peaceful walking paths. Register at the visitor center before exploring the grounds.

A 6th century Pallava era temple in Triplicane dedicated to Krishna. Look for the unique iconography where the main deity holds a conch in one hand, and admire the intricate stone carvings on the gopuram.

Explore this open-air heritage museum featuring authentic dwellings from Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Watch pottery, weaving, and textile demonstrations by resident artisans working on site.

The on-site cafe serves simple vegetarian South Indian meals and snacks. Try a traditional thali or order a few side dishes to sample different flavors.

Walk south from the Kannagi statue toward the lighthouse for a quieter stretch with fewer vendors and cleaner sand. The morning light is best before 8 AM when the crowd starts building.