One of our favourite family pastimes was our weekend picnics near Gundar Bridge. On the way home, we’d always stop at a pine forest with long sticks in hand, wandering through the trees, eyes peeled for small bumps hidden under the pine needles.

You’d flip one over, hoping to find a mushroom, but more often than not, it was just a sneaky pinecone pretending to be one. When we did manage to fill our basket with mushrooms, we’d bring them home, gently brushing off the soil and pine needles, and fry them up in butter for breakfast the next morning. Simple, but it always felt like a reward after the hunt.

While Kodaikanal has its fair share of scenic viewpoints, one of our personal favorites is a hidden gem in Prakasapuram. No, it’s not the famous City View—although that spot has its own charm.

To reach this viewpoint, you’ll set out on a 20-30 minute walk, passing local farms, weaving through the eucalyptus woods, and making your way up a steep hill. The walk itself is an adventure, and the view at the top feels extra rewarding after the climb. It's a spot that offers a quieter, more peaceful perspective of the hills, and you can spot Adukkam from here as well.

Although you won’t find it in most tourist brochures, the 100-year-old cemetery in Kodaikanal is an unusual but fascinating way to explore the area’s rich history. Many of the graves date back to the mid-19th century, including a central memorial to the first Kodaikanal church, proudly standing in the bright sunshine.

The site stirs the imagination, with graves marked by anchors and inscriptions that offer glimpses into the past, like that of Dudley Linnel Sedgwick, who tragically lost his life to a bison in the Pulney Hills in 1875. It’s a contemplative place that reveals stories of the people who lived—and died—in this hill station long ago.

Coaker’s Walk has always been one of those places that feels different depending on the time of day. During the day, when the sky is clear, you can see the plains stretching out like a patchwork of greens and yellows. And when the mist rolls in, it’s like the world disappears, leaving just you and the quiet — to such an extent you have the suspicion now and again that you’re somehow floating.

All of which makes it hard to believe that just a few hours away lies a bustling city. But in the evening, something shifts. The sky turns a deep blue and across the plains, little yellow, white, and pink pinpricks of light glimmer on, flickering like distant stars in a quiet, grounded constellation, drawing your gaze to the far reaches of the horizon.

Just a few minutes drive from the Solar Observatory, you'll find Aravind's plant nursery. It has a huge selection: succulents and cacti, ferns, shola plants, fruit trees, pine trees, and flowering garden shrubs - violet pansies and pink and red geraniums, huge roses and hydrangeas, cosmos and daisies. Trust, us. it's impossible to leave without at least 5 new plants in tow.

So whether you’re looking to take a bit of Kodai’s greenery back home or simply enjoy wandering among the rows of plants, it makes for a lovely detour. The staff are friendly and often share helpful tips for taking care of your new finds, making it a worthwhile visit for both casual visitors and gardening enthusiasts.

Pastry Corner has been a local favourite for as long as anyone can remember —our family has been ordering birthday cakes from the shop for over a decade — and for good reason. Whether it’s their brownies, chutney or egg sandwiches, mini pizza slices, cinnamon buns, or cream buns, everything is made fresh daily. Grab a cup of their famous hot coffee to go with your snack, or try their delicious plum or pear ice cream.

But Pastry Corner is more than just a bakery. It’s where you’ll find locals gathered on the benches outside, sipping hot coffee and catching up on the day’s events. There’s something about the place that feels like a cornerstone of the community, where familiar faces gather.