ICF Rail Museum
Step into an ocean of calm as you veer off busy New Avadi Road and enter the ICF Rail Museum. The space takes you back in time with its eclectic collection of trains and coaches that children and adults alike can hop in and out of while learning about the country’s railway history.
There is even a toy train that chugs in and out of a tunnel, adding to the excitement. Children can have a go at changing track signals to see the working of a train.
If you want a moment out of the sun, step into the galleries that are an ocean of information detailing the ICF’s role in the working of the Railways.
In between train spotting, take a break on the lush lawns and soak in some quality time with the family. The best part: the ICF Rail Museum is also available for birthdays and special occasions. One can book the space and do it up with balloons et all.
For refreshments, head to Chennai Express, the restaurant housed in a train coach and take your pick from the multi-cuisine menu on offer here.
The ICF Rail Museum is open from 10 am to 5.30 pm and is closed on Mondays.
Egmore Children’s museum
If you are heading to the Government museum, distinctive with its lovely heritage structure, head to the Children’s museum as well.
It invites visitors in with giant dinosaurs at the entrance. Though not as well maintained as the main museum, the children’s museum does offer a learning experience with displays detailing the diverse population of the country and the world.
There are also tableaux detailing ancient civilisations such as Babylonian, Phoenician and Grecian, apart from PSLV models, early man and his tools, the animal kingdom right from the age of the dinosaurs and the secrets of the solar system.
The museum houses a model of the Montgolfier balloon which marks a landmark in aviation and telephone circuits from back in time; a revelation for children in this age of the mobile phone.
There is a science park in the back yard, but it has given way to the vagaries of time, with much of the equipment rendered useless. Nevertheless, hop into the neighbouring National Art Gallery, the beautiful public library and the main museum as well to give your children a complete treat of history and culture.
The museum is open from 9.30 am to 5 pm and remains closed on Fridays.
Raj Bhavan
Chennai,Tamil Nadu; 21/04/2017 : Raj Bhavan, the official residence of the Tamil Nadu Governor, was thrown open for the public tour. People can register through the website and gain entry to various interesting places inside the premise. The guided tour will be on a battery operated car. Photo : G_Sribharath
The imposing building that makes up the Governor’s residence, and sprawling grounds that surround it, provide a relaxing, green oasis in the centre of the city.
Book your slot on www.tnrajbhavan.gov.in and reach the staff gate half an hour before the tour is set to begin. Visitors are taken around in battery-operated buggies; the tour includes a drive past the horticultural nursery, where one might also chance upon a herd of spotted deer and black buck that particularly enjoy eating cabbage. Buy your child a head of the vegetable and let them revel in the joy of interacting with Nature from close quarters.
A typical tour of Raj Bhavan includes Durbar hall, Presidential guest house, lawns, Silver jubilee garden, Nakshatra garden, the solar power plant that powers the lights on the grounds and a drive into the Forest polo ground. Spread across 165 acres, Raj Bhavan borders the protected Guindy Forest Reserve. When the premises were thrown open to visitors last year, it was only on Fridays. This year onwards, visits are open on all days of the week.
Slots are open for 4.30 pm and 5.30 pm. The tour lasts one hour.
Guindy Snake Park
If your kids love reptiles then the Snake Park in Guindy is a great visit for them. Founded in 1972 by herpetologist Romulus Whitaker, this was the first reptile park in the country.
Spread across one acre of the Guindy National Park campus, it is home to 20 species of Indian snakes, all three species of Indian crocodiles, two species of exotic crocodiles, three species of Indian turtles and tortoise, four species of Indian lizards and two species of exotic reptiles (green iguana, slider turtle) taking the total up to 34 species.
Since it borders the National Park, there is a good chance you might spot and even get to pet some of the friendly neighborhood deer on your way in. Visitors usually come across them near the parking.
If your children want to go beyond a cursory visit, there is a summer camp open to students of class X and above. The five day camp provides children with an exposure to wildlife and engages them in various park activities. Registration is usually priced at ₹500.
The Park is open from 9 am to 5.30 pm on six days of the week. It remains closed on Tuesdays.
Chennai Public Aquarium
Located at the Chetpet Eco Park, the aquarium is the country’s first World Biotope. The biotopes recreate natural habitats of specific regions, including the fish endemic to those locations. Each biotope also has a digital display to give you a low-down on the aquatic life. The aquarium houses rare species such as the peacock bass, talking catfish, freshwater stingray, Senegal bichir, Australian rainbowfish, clown knife fish and swamp snakeheads.
There is also the ‘monsters’ tank with alligator gars from North and Central America and bichir from Africa. Fun fact: both species have existed, virtually unchanged, since the age of dinosaurs.
The aquarium is open from 10.30 am to 8.30 pm on all days, including national holidays.
