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 Aqualand close to Gardermoen Airport |
Sør Gardermoen Oslo 2060 Norway +47 63 94 9494 |
Clarion Oslo Airport Hotel offers more than just accommodation. Their 1,700m2 indoor Aqua land is frequented by both hotel guests and families on day trips. Children will enjoy the tropical-style pool area that is open all year round. Have a swim or go on the water slide, and let the sun beds take care of the tan. A café, a friendly restaurant, a kiosk, an outdoor playground and cycle paths are among the general facilities. The aqua land has disabled access, so children in wheelchairs will feel at ease here. Located three minutes from Gardermoen Airport. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 From cobalt mine to cultural meeting point |
Blaafarveværket Oslo 3340 Norway +47 32 78 6700 http://www.blaa.no |
This is a former cobalt mine, which has been turned into a cultural heritage site. The mineshafts, which were in operation between 1773 and 1893, are open to visitors. There is an art gallery and collections displaying cobalt-pigmented glass and china. There is also an animal farm and a splendid waterfall, Haugfossen. Home-cooked food is also available. The museum of the work of Th. Kittelsen, a Norwegian painter famous for his trolls and mystic landscapes, is also well-worth a visit. Admission to Blaafarveverket is free. Admission to the museum costs NOK55 for adults and is free for children under 15. Students and senior citizens get in for NOK40; groups (of min. 15) for NOK40 each. A guided tour (for a min. of 15 people) costs NOK20 per person. Take the train to Åmot (you may have to change trains at Drammen); it is a one and a half-hour ride. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Idyllic village by the seaside |
40 kilometers south of Oslo City Center Oslo 1440 Norway |
A charming village by the seaside, 40km south of Oslo, Drøbak is home to narrow streets with idyllic, wooden houses. With its large marina and a leisure park for swimmers and sunbathers, the influx of day-trippers in the summer is enormous. There are many cosy pubs, cafés and restaurants. Weekly "jazz cruises" on the fjord depart from the harbour. Drøbak is also known for Tregaardens Julehus i Drøbak, a Christmas emporium open all year round. This has led to the town getting its very own road signs, with a small nisse (elf) on them. To get there, a catamaran ferry departs daily from Oslo in the morning, returning late in the afternoon (travel takes about one hour and is only possible in the summer). There are also frequent all-year bus services to and from Oslo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Venkat Ramana |
 Photo: meredithseeton |
 Photo: Andy Kyte  |
 Photo: Oliver Tomic |
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The Oslo fjord aquarium |
Sjøtorget Oslo 1440 Norway +47 64 93 5087 |
Drøbak Aquarium was founded in 1995 and is one of Drøbak's greatest tourist attractions. The aquarium contains most underwater species that live in the Oslo fjord, the fjord with the highest number of species in Norway. 100 different kinds organisms live here in aquaria that contain the clean water of the fjord. The size of the aquarium is about 150m2, divided into four departments; it is also constantly growing. Guided tours can be arranged (also in English) for a maximum of 20 people, and last about one hour. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The Norwegian Constitution was written here |
Carsten Ankers vei Oslo 2074 Norway +47 63 92 2210 http://www.eidsvoll1814.museum.no |
This beautiful old manor house is where Norway's Constitution was written and passed on 17 May 1814 (this day is therefore celebrated as Norway's National Day). Situated about 80km north of Oslo, the house has a collection of portraits of the members of Parliament in 1814. If you are driving a car, a visit here is easily combined with a drive along scenic Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake. Otherwise, take a train or bus to Eidsvoll Verk from Oslo central station. The trains leave every hour and take about 45 minutes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Great views, steep bike ride |
Ekeberg Oslo 1178 Norway |
The hill of Ekeberg, on the east side of Oslo, provides you with a panoramic view of the city. It is possible to walk all the way up, and the hill is a good challenge if you have hired a bike. Make sure you stop on the way to look at the rock carvings (sign-posted), which are 4,000-5,000 years old and show several animals and human figures, as well as a kind of bird trap. The heath on top of the hill is home to the annual Norway Cup, an international football championship for children of all ages. Bus 34A and trams 18 and 19 go there. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Asbjørn Floden |
 Photo: zbig108 |
 Photo: Didier Brouwers |
 Photo: Erik Aspden Schyberg |
 Photo: balsamia |
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Activities at Norway's oldest glassworks |
Glassverksv 9 Oslo 3521 Norway +47 61 31 6400 http://www.hadeland-glassverk.no |
This is one of the oldest glassworks in Norway, situated in beautiful surroundings at Jevnaker by the Randsfjord, approximately one hour's drive from Oslo. Here you can observe the highly skilled glassblowers at work; try your hand at blowing your own glass and visit the very popular factory outlet. Many other activities on the grounds make this an ideal day out for the whole family; facilities include a children's house, a picnic area and several cafés. If you take the E18 out of Oslo in the direction of Hønefoss, you are in for an unexpected bonus - the truly beautiful scenery of Ringerike, with Steinsfjord and Halvdanshaugen, a distinctive burial mound said to be the grave of the Viking king, Halvdan Svarte. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Art and nature by the Oslo fjord |
Ljansbrukveien 2-4 Oslo 1250 Norway |
Hvervenbukta is a place to visit for many reasons, one being the workshops, where pottery, textiles, jewellery, hand-woven products, gilding, paintings, glassware and furniture are made. This is not a gallery, but you can make appointments with the artists to see their work. Another reason is the scenery. You can walk by the beach, within unspoiled nature, or go for a swim in the Oslo fjord if you want to. In summer it is also possible to camp here. The houses here date from the times of the old Stubljan farm built in 1765, which burned down in 1913. You can still see the ruins. The other buildings are used by the artists, and there is a cafe and a restaurant down at the beach. The cafe is open every Sunday in winter and Tuesday to Sunday in the summer. The restaurant is only open in the summer. The best thing about Hvervenbukta is how all the different elements merge into one; the studios, the nature, the old houses and the campsite make a beautiful whole. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: taa2r |
 Photo: John Ivar Andresen |
 Photo: Richard Moe |
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Island in the inner Oslo fjord |
Oslo 1300 Norway +47 6752 2300 (Tourist Information Centre) |
Kalvøya is an excellent place for families to go swimming. Only 20 minutes by bus or train from Oslo, Kalvøya offers beautiful nature and fresh air. Walk the short distance from the bus stop in Sandvika, cross the bridge to the island and you are there. Close to the two sandy bays on the west side of Kalvøya, there is a large park, often used for football matches and other ballgames. Rock festivals and other events take place here several times during the summer. An alternative to the island is Kadettangen, turn left just before the bridge and find a good spot on the sandy beach. Kadettangen has facilities such as showers and a volleyball court. Many families prefer the shorter walk and stop here. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Ellen M Mikkelsen |
 Photo: Øystein Lystad |
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Breathtaking nature |
Maridalen Oslo 0890 Norway +47 90 68 4145 |
Magnificent natural scenery awaits you just a short distance away from Oslo (between ten and 20 minutes by car or bus). Maridalsvannet is one of the sources of drinking water for Oslo and an excellent location for day trips of various lengths. This is the source of the Akerselva Miljøpark river, but fishing and swimming are not allowed here. You can also visit the ruins of the Maria Bebudelses Kirke. Bus 37B will take you to Brekke, or you can get the train to Kjelsås. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: An T |
 Photo: Ultima Thule |
 Photo: Claudio Santambrogio |
 Photo: Geir Rosset |
 Photo: Mia Frogner |
 Photo: Fantoma Foto |
 Museum of science and technology |
Kjelsåsveien 143 Oslo 0491 Norway +47 22 79 6000 http://www.norsk-teknisk.museu... |
The Museum of Science and Technology encompasses the historical development of all sorts of technology in Scandinavia. Exhibits include Norway's first car and first plane. The second floor is devoted to the development of telecommunications. The section in the basement encourages children of all ages to create their own scientific experiments. The museum contains a good souvenir shop and café. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: David Curtolo |
 Photo: Jørgen AM |
 Photo: Hanne & Christer |
 Photo: Martin Solli |
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Flightseeing Oslo |
GA-Terminalen, Gardermoen Vest, Sundt Air hangar Postboks 186 Oslo 2061 Norway +47 48 30 3000 http://www.pegasus-as.no |
Experiencing Oslo by helicopter is not the cheapest thing to do, but if you have the means, this company promises you a spectacular trip over and around the city. A recommended tour starts at Gardermoen, the first sight being Holmenkollen. As the helicopter goes over the west side of Oslo, you will fly over Frognerparken before you go out to Fornebu over the Oslo fjord. Then the helicopter will take you over the town of Drøbak, with the Oscarsborg fortress, and back to Oslo along the east side of the Oslo fjord, from where you get a final glimpse of central Oslo. A typical trip takes 45-60 minutes. Longer trips are of course also possible. The price of a helicopter tour lies between NOK7,000 and NOK9,000 for one hour, and there is room for five people in the helicopter. Should the weather turn out bad, the trip can be cancelled without problems. If the weather is good, it will be an unforgettable experience. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Horseback riding |
Zinoberveien 23 Oslo 0758 Norway +47 22 13 8650 |
A good way to admire the beautiful landscape surrounding Oslo is on horseback, at least for families with older children. Remember to dress for the occasion, and borrow a helmet if you have not got one. The horses are friendly, so it is possible to join in even if you are inexperienced. Be prepared for slight pains in your limbs afterwards, though. Prices depend on number of persons for an hour with a guide, depending on how many there are in your group. It is necessary to book in advance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Hege Kårvatn |
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Urskog-Høland's veteran train |
Tertitten Postboks 59 Oslo 1920 Norway +47 63 86 8150 http://www.museumsnett.no/tert... |
Tourist train Tertitten is good fun for all Thomas the Tank Engine fans. The old train with its original steam locomotive was in regular use between 1896 and 1960. Today Tertitten only carries tourists. For an admission fee you get a four-kilometre ride on the old veteran. Bring your own refreshments and get off at Bingsfoss station for a stop at the scenic picnic area. Review © 2007, Wcities |
