Pilikula Nisargadhama is a large nature and culture complex about 11 km from central Mangalore, set around a lake in a wooded area. It combines a small zoo, a botanical garden, a heritage village with traditional Karnataka architecture, and the Swami Vivekananda Planetarium — the first 3D digital planetarium in India when it opened. The combination of features makes it a popular day out for local families, but it's spread across enough space that it rarely feels crowded.
The heritage village section is the most interesting for visitors who want to understand traditional Tulu and Kodava architecture and rural life from coastal Karnataka. The botanical garden has good collections of medicinal plants and palms. Allow half a day if you want to cover the whole site; entry tickets are separate for different sections.