Marina beach
During summers it becomes too hot and humid to venture out during the day. So go out for a stroll during the night 7-9 PM on the Marina beach and Elliots Beach Besant Nagar. It's a nice idea to pack dinner and have a picnic on the beach as most locals do. If you happen to drive a car you can also consider taking along a few foldable chairs. Beyond 10 PM, no one is permitted to be on the beach. There are policemen on the beach to ensure people follow this rule, and on some occasions they tend to shoo people out by 9 PM.
Kumaran Kundram
small hillock at Kumaran Kundram near by Madras Institute of Technology
Chennai has dozens of different institutes of higher learning from arts to engineering. The city also offers plenty of opportunities to learn Yoga, Bhartanatyam, Carnatic music and The Bhagavad Gita.
Pondy Bazaar
Stroll along the over crowded Pondy Bazaar and Ranganathan Street and try your skills in bargaining for knick-knacks. Be warned that it is an intensely crowded place, where you have to elbow your way through.
Parry's Corner
Chennai is also home to one of the best preserved Art Deco architectural areas in India, Parry's Corner. Its also Chennai's oldest Central Business District though it has long since given way to Nungambakkam and T Nagar. If you're particularly interested in architecture or photography, this is a must visit place. Don't forget the nooks and crannies.
cinema
When in Chennai, do not miss a chance to watch a movie. Chennai is the best place to watch a movie. Make sure to book your tickets in advance especially in the weekend, because most of the cinemas will be sold out. Chennai also provides best cinematic experience at lowest cost Rs. 120/- and lesser, which is very less compared to other metro cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkata. There are several cinemas in the city. Check out any local newspaper or websites to get to know the movies running in and around Chennai. Visit (http://www.chennaionline....) to get the details of movies currently running in Chennai. Some of the cinema halls are
Udhayam Theatre, Ashok Pillar, Chennai
Devi Cineplex , (http://www.devicinemas.in). In the heart of Chennai on Anna Salai. The Cineplex is a huge complex and a great architectural beauty.
Sathyam Cine Complex (http://www.thecinema.in), Thiru-vi-ka Rd, phone 044-42244224. One of the best theaters. Provides quality food and the main screen is one of the biggest in INDIA.
Escape Cinemas (http://www.escapecinemas.com), Express Avenue, Royapettah, phone 044-4224 4224
Inox (http://www.inoxmovies.com...), Chennai Citi Centre, R.K.Salai
Mayajaal Cine Complex (http://www.mayajaal.com/s...), ECR. 14 Screen Multiplex.
Abhirami Cine Complex, Purasawalkam.
Shanti Cine Complex, Anna Salai
Ega theatres (http://www.egacinemas.com...), p.h road, Kilpauk Features Hindi movies.
Sangam cine complex in kilpauk. For tickets check www.ticketnew.com.
Rohini Cinema Complex, Koyambedu.
Ganga Theatre complex in Kolathur.
Rakki Theatre in Ambattur.
PVR, AMPA SkyWalk Mall,Nelson Manickam Road.
AGS Royal,Villivakkam.
AGS Cinemas OMR,Navalur.
Vetri Theatre, Chromepet.
Music and dance
Brahma Gana Sabha
(http://www.brahmaganasabh...), sivagami pethachi auditorium, m.ct.m school, 179, luz church road, +91 92821 06425, +91 98412 96684
Sir Mutha Venkatasubba Rao Concert Hall
(http://www.sirmuthamemori...), madras seva sadan, no 7, harrington road , chetpet . call for details: +91 44 43561198 and +91 42146632, email: [email protected]
Sri Krishna Gana Sabha
'Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (http://www.krishnaganasab...), "Dr. Nalli Gana Vihar, 20. Maharajapuram Santhanam Road, T.Nagar, +91 44 2814 0806 The 49th Art and Dance Festival & Pongal Nagaswara Isai Vizha And the 24th Natya Kala Conference, 50 to 500 daily rates
Sri Thyaga Brahma Gana Sabha
(http://www.vanimahal.com/...), vani mahal, 103, gn chetty road, +91 44 2815 2166 the 25th isai iyal nataka vizha
Kartik Fine Arts
(http://www.kartikfinearts...), narada gana sabha hall, ttk road. +91 44 2499 7788, +91 44 2495 2695 30th year art festival,
VDS Arts Academy
(http://vdsartsacademy.org...), mop vaishnava college for women, nungambakkam. music and bharatanatyam dance concerts throughout the year at 6:30 pm., every friday, saturday and sunday by young artists. admission: free.
Chennai is famous for its concerts and performances that take place in various auditoriums and temples throughout the year, which are announced in the Hindu and other local newspapers. During the Tamil month of Maargazhi December - January there is a series of classical Carnatic music concerts and classical dance performances in various parts of the city, but the best are organized in various Sabhas loosely translates to "concert house". You will see mostly older celebrities, although occasionally there will be some world-class young virtuosos.
Indian Institute of Music and Arts
R.k swamy auditorium, sir sivaswamy kalalaya, 5, sundareswarar street, mylapore.
Kalalayaa Art Academy
Kalalayaa art academy , 2nd floor, 100ft bye pass road, velachery.landmark: opp to bharat petroleum petrol bunk, above nuts & spices +91 98408 77546, +91 44 4303 6546 (http://kalalayaa.com/)
Chennai is a major centre of Bharata Natyam with over 1000 dance performances a year. More dance forms are now encouraged and taught like KuchipudiTraditional dance form from Andhra Pradesh, Mohini Attam, etc. Some other dances like Odissi Manipuri can be found, but are rarer.