Chennai has a lot to offer its residents and visitors. There are numerous delightful things to do on a day off or a weekend, even with as little as Rs500. Some of them have low or no entry fees. Hence only the transport charges count. Various modes of public transportation are available. So hop onto a bus, local train or auto and start exploring:

1.     Visit Marina Beach/ Elliots Beach – Chennai boasts of having the second longest beach in the world. Stroll along the waters and spend a relaxed evening watching the waves wash ashore. Elliots Beach is the end of the Marina stretch and is much less crowded and preferred by the locals.

2.     Browse through books at Connemara Public Library – A lifetime is not sufficient to read through all the books housed at this gigantic library in Egmore. Established in 1890, this library receives a copy of all books, newspapers and periodicals published in India.

3.     Watch a movie in a cinema hall – The Tamil film industry is one of the leading film industries at the global level. Sathyam Cinemas at Royapettah is where you must head to watch a movie for a wholesome experience.

4.     Visit Mahabalipuram temple – Those fond of historical monuments and architecture must not miss visiting the temple caves of Mahabalipuram. Built by Pallavas, the temples have been declared as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

5.     St. Thomas Mount Church – Located near the Chennai International Airport, St Thomas Mount is a small hillock set foot by St.Thomas, one of the 12 Apostles of Jesus.

6.     Santhome Cathedral – The Santhome Cathedral is built over the tomb of St.Thomas and considered as a sacred place by the Catholic Christians.

7.     Sky-watch from Birla Planetarium – Located in Kotturpuram, the planetarium conducts sky shows every day at differenttimes in different languages. Entry fee is Rs45 for adults and Rs25 for children below 12 years.

8.     Get an adrenaline rush at VGP Universal Kingdom – Housing the biggest water park in Chennai, VGP Universal Kingdom is a theme park that has something for every age group. Entry fee is lower than Rs.500.

9.     Explore Fort St.George – This is the first English fortress in India and currently houses the Tamil Nadu legislative assembly. Entry fee is Rs15 for Indians and Rs200 for foreigners.

Spend time with wildlife – Those fond of wildlife, spend a day at the Arignar Anna Zoological Park, also referred as ‘Vandalur Zoo’.