Northern Europe

The Tallinn Zoo is located in the naturally beautiful Veskimetsa park forest that is rich in species. Boasting the most exciting collection of wildlife in Northern Europe, it is home to more than 11,000 specimens belonging to almost 600 species or subspecies from Australia to Alaska. The Zoo has giant elephants and rhinoceros, dangerous predators, simians, polar bears, and many other exotic species. Tallinn Zoo also has the best collection of wild goats and sheep in the world, as well as a remarkable number of eagles and vultures, and an excellent selection of owl and stork species. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/tallinn-zoo-1

Listed in UNESCO heritage, the complex provides an overview of maritime trade, agencies, and navigation in the Middle Ages, as well as in the era of sailing, steam, and motor ships. There is a total of 1,000 m² of exhibition space. The star exhibit is the 700-year-old Koge wreck found in Kadriorg in 2015. There are about 70 ship models out of which 17 have been created specifically for the exhibition, nearly 700 items, and 50 digital and hands-on solutions. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/fat-margaret-museum-and-visitor-centre#

Skansen is the world’s oldest open-air museum, showcasing the whole of Sweden with houses and farmsteads from every part of the country. At Skansen, you can discover Sweden’s history and find out how Swedes once lived according to the changing seasons, through the customs and traditions, work, celebrations and everyday life of times gone by. Skansen is a unique place where history meets the present day, where Swedish traditions and craftsmanship live on, and where people of all ages come together. This is the world’s only open-air museum with wild animals. Here you can see Nordic wildlife, rare breeds, pets and exotic creatures. The Children’s Zoo features domestic animals such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as small wild animals. The Skansen Aquarium and Our Africa feature exotic animals including monkeys, birds, reptiles and insects. The park area surrounding the museum has a variety of planting and gardens. Rye and flax are grown in the field at Seglora, while the Skåne Farmstead and Skogaholm Manor have historic kitchen gardens and every building has plants typical of the farmsteads and the nature of their time. Find out how we used to live, and enjoy the recreational spaces that make Skansen a popular attraction all year round. http://www.skansen.se/en/this-is-skansen

Experience the magical world of Gröna Lund, Stockholm´s amusement park. Enjoy restaurants, live concerts or one of the 30 exciting rides. https://www.gronalund.com/en/

One of the world's oldest and largest open-air museums, with 155 traditional houses from all parts of Norway and a stave church from the year 1200. The museum also has indoor exhibits with traditional handicraft items, folk costumes, Sami culture, weapons, toys, pharmaceutical history and changing exhibitions. In summer the open-air museum offers freshly-baked lefse, horse and carriage rides, feeding of the animals, guided tours, handicraft demonstrations and much more. https://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=13356&Norsk-Folkemuseum--Norwegian-Museum-of-Cultural-History

The Natural History Museum is Norway's largest collection of natural science objects. 6.2 million objects are found here, representing 65% of the country's total natural history collections. Some of these collections are available to the public in the Botanical Gardens and the museums there. In addition to the research conducted at the museums, updating and maintaining these collections is an important part of NHM's tasks. Collett's House (Zoological Museum) has permanent and changing exhibitions for the public. The entrance is through a modern pavilion, marked Museum entrance, where you will also find the museum shop. Brøger's House (Geological Museum) is currently closed to the public, but you will find many of the highlights of our objects in the exhibitions at Collett's House. Lids House (Botanical Museum) contains offices, herbaria, archives, etc. This is used by researchers and is not open to the public. The botanical garden covers 150 acres and has about 35,000 plants spread across approximately 7,500 species. Here you will also find the two exhibition greenhouses Palmehuset and Victoriahuset. https://www.nhm.uio.no/

Norway's largest amusement park, with more than 30 fun attractions, great games, shops and places to eat. The park features attractions for all ages, including lots of rollercoasters, carousels, a log ride and much more. Barnas Fryd and Frydskogen are packed with rides and activities for small kids. In summer you can enjoy BadeFryd, a water park with a swimming pool, a swimming river and a huge waterslide. https://www.visitoslo.com/en/product/?TLp=186606&TusenFryd-Amusement-Park

Linnanmäki is the most beloved amusement park in Finland and has the widest selection of rides in the Nordic countries. Helsinki's most entertaining district offers also top-quality food and program for all tastes. Linnanmäki is easy to reach from the centre of Helsinki. The admission to the amusement park is free of charge. There are plenty of rides available for children free of charge including the Panorama tower. https://www.visitfinland.com/mystay/product/linnanmaeki-amusement-park/48355/

Helsinki Zoo is home to 150 animal species and almost 1000 plant species that show the diversity of nature. Helsinki Zoo is one of the few zoos located on an island, in the Baltic Sea. It is the perfect place to visit due to its natural environment, animals and history. The zoo was established already in 1889 and this makes it one of the oldest zoos in the world. Helsinki Zoo also participates in the work to protect the habitats in the original homes of the various species. Helsinki Zoo´s mission is to work towards preserving biodiversity. Meet the large Amur tigers, tiny pygmy marmosets, agile snow leopards, impressive wisents and dazzling, free roaming peafowls alongside indigenous Finnish species such as the elk, bear, wolverine and forest reindeer. All this while enjoying the silence and peace of the Finnish nature surrounding you. https://www.korkeasaari.fi/helsinki-zoo/

Experience a touch of the Lappish exotic with reindeer in Nuuksio reindeer park which is the southernmost place in Finland where you can see and feed reindeer. You can also enjoy brewed coffee with Lappish cheese bread, grilling sausages or stick bun on an open fire or delicious glow fried salmon or game dishes in an atmospheric wilderness style of tepee restaurant "White Reindeer”. The tepee has a capacity of about 40 persons + outdoor terrace from where you can admire the reindeer at close range. "White Reindeer” Kota restaurant is fully licenced and it is open for groups on a reservation basis. Nuuksio reindeer park also offers nature program services to an additional request such as Guided nature trail from the Finnish Nature Centre Haltia or from Haukkalampi to reindeer park, either on foot, Nordic walking style with poles, skis, snowshoes or kick sledges; transportation by two 8 person minibuses is also possible. https://www.visitespoo.fi/en/service/nuuksio-reindeer-park-and-white-reindeer-kotarestaurant/

The City of Espoo is unique in not having a single centre, but instead have a number of major urban centres. One of these is Tapiola, which can lay claim to being the cultural heart of the city, as it features the Espoo Cultural Centre, home to the Tapiola Sinfonietta, Espoo City Theatre, and two concert spaces in Louhisali and Tapiolasali. Tapiola is also home to the nearby WeeGee Exhibition Centre, which consists of four very different museums: EMMA – Espoo Museum of Modern Art, KAMU – Espoo City Museum, the Finnish Toy Museum Hevosenkenkä and the Finnish Museum of Horology. WeeGee Exhibition Centre provides a wide range of experiences for visitors of all ages. There are numerous temporary exhibitions in the museums to complement their permanent collections, and guided tours, workshops and themed events are held throughout the year. The centre also houses the museum shop, perfect for picking up souvenirs, and the Cafe WeeGee. Behind the main building visitors will find the visionary Futuro House, while the Studio Suuronen exhibitions are always interesting. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/exhibition-centre-weegee/

'Den Gamle By' (The Old Town) is a perfectly unique attraction in Aarhus for the whole family to go on a fascinating journey back in history. In the 70s town district, you can drop by the shops, including Poul's Radio and TV shop, the mini-supermarket, the gynaecologist clinic, the kindergarten, and the hairdresser's. The townhouses are inhabited by various people, including a nuclear family, a commune, and a blind man. In the backyard are parked a Beetle and the plumber's Citroën. And you can also go inside the moped workshop and the scouts' meeting room. At the end of the Havnegade street lies the historical Aarhus jazz bar Bent J with occasional live music on stage. In The Old Town, you will meet people dressed and acting as the folk at the end of the 19th century, and also as how people lived and worked in 1927. You can also take a walk through a town district from 1970s' Denmark, complete with streets, townhouses, shops, backyards, and workshops re-erected exactly as they stood in the past. The oldest part of the Den Gamle By is representative of a small Danish market town complete with houses, gardens, dwellings, shops and workshops. In 1927, the townscape has become modern with cars in the streets, pavements, electric street lamps, telephone poles, and painted wall adverts. In this town quarter of the Den Gamle By lying an ironmonger's, a bookshop, a Schous Sæbehus chain store, a post office, a telephone exchange, and several residences from before Denmark was hit by the recession in the 1930s. https://www.visitaarhus.com/aarhus/plan-your-trip/den-gamle-old-town-museum-gdk631880

The Tropical Houses (the Greenhouses in Danish "Væksthusene" in the Botanical Gardens) is a place where numerous plant collections are presented in four different climate zones. You will have an educational and sensuous experience strolling through the beautiful and varied sceneries, and you will find plants from most parts of the world. Here, you get to witness what happens when the heat of the dense rainforest intertwines with lifelike animal sounds and the soft smells oozing from the many plants. You can also hear fascinating stories about nature and botany and gain insight into the interdependence between us humans and nature. At the outside areas of the Botanical Gardens you can experience typical, Danish types of landscape, such as heath and beach, which is sure to inspire you to visit “the real” nature on the outskirts of Aarhus. http://www.visitaarhus.com/ln-int/tropical-houses-botanical-garden-gdk653428

The world's largest limestone mine. An endless maze of galleries with caves as large as cathedrals and narrow paths where an adult man cannot walk upright. An enormous 60 km labyrinth of passageways with caverns as large as a cathedral, and narrow tunnels where you have to walk doubled up. 2 km of the passageways are lit. A multi-media presentation shows the history of the mines. Exhibitions and films tell about bats, geology and mining. Groups are granted admission all the year round with prior reservation. Guided tours in Danish, English and German can be arranged. https://www.visitviborg.com/viborg/plan-your-trip/monsted-limestone-mines-gdk601327

Randers Regnskov (Rainforest) is located in the centre of Randers, between Randers City and the river Gudenåen. It is one of Denmark's biggest tourist attractions, featuring three different rain forest continents under separate domes; South America, Asia and Africa. In the domes, you will find a fantastic environment in which you can wander around in a tropical climate between giant liana vines, buttress trees, a roaring waterfall and over 250 animal species. Stand face-to-face with free-roaming monkeys, birds and bats. Meet roaring jaguars, sloths, crocodiles and friendly manatees. In Randers Regnskov the animals are on their own turf – and you get to be extremely close! Randers Regnskov is a true nature and animal sensation. https://www.visitranders.com/randers/plan-your-trip/randers-regnskov-gdk604991

Visit Ree Park Safari and make an unforgettable visit in the exciting world of animals. Djursland’s big safari park offers wild experiences and activities among animals from the exotic parts of the world. Djursland’s large safari park makes lots of wild impressions. On your journey through the park’s four continents, you will experience a world full of fascinating animals. The scenic surroundings provide the animals with ample space to roam about and behave naturally. Every day there are a lot of fun and exciting activities for the entire family. Go on a fascinating train ride across the North American prairie. The steam train, the Black Beauty, running on real steam, or the diesel train, Armstrong, lead the way, as you step onboard for a ride back in time, and you get really close to the bison, moose, black bears, and arctic wolves. https://www.visitdjursland.org/djursland/explore/ree-park-safari-gdk605871

Make a historic journey full of energy in a 15,000 m² natural landscape. The museum's experienced guides make lightning shows every day in the Bohr Tower. You can also go on a reconnaissance trip and a treasure hunt - with your smartphone. There are 8 exhibition buildings in total, including the "Tangeværk", which still produces electricity. Also, visit "Ørsted-Loft" with activities for all ages and the "Electricity House" filled with machines and interesting retro objects. The "Energy Museum" focuses on environmental friendliness and here you can experience the exhibition "Life in Change", which illustrates the life of the Danes in a world of climate change. The new exhibition is intended to stimulate discussion on how to make a contribution. The activities and the location of the museum invite to a full-day visit, where the whole family can relax in beautiful surroundings. For children, there are playgrounds, minibikes, sandboxes and trampolines. In the energy garden, they make campfires in good weather, and there are snacks like fried insects. At the same time, the Energy Garden shows how it is possible to create a sustainable eco-system. https://www.visitviborg.com/viborg/plan-your-trip/energimuseet-gdk605505

With 102 metres from bowsprit to stern, 44 cannons and 57 metres to the top of the masthead, Fregatten Jylland (the Frigate Jutland) is an experience with both room and entertainment for the whole family. The exhibition hall provides the opportunity for immersion in the ship’s very interesting history, and aboard the ship, you can experience it full speed ahead when the museum’s guides show and explain how the drama unfolded aboard the big warship, which later became both the royal yacht and summer holiday digs for school children from the province. Today, the ship is well-restored and ready to receive its guests in Ebeltoft, just as fine and well-kept as on the Mayday in 1864 when the ship and crew met their enemies at Helgoland. For the museum’s guests, there are lots of opportunities to do things, even trying and experiencing life on the seas more than 100 years ago: - Help load a 30-pound muzzle-loading cannon and remember to hold your ears during the cannon show. - Go on a sailing tour with the Frigate’s old auxiliary boat “Barkassen” on Ebeltoft Bay. - Go with the climbing instructor 23 metres up in the rigging and see the ship, the town and the bay from above. - Try your strengths against Kalle Krudt’s treasure map, the Discharge. https://www.visitdjursland.org/djursland/explore/fregatten-jylland-gdk784989

Let yourself be surrounded by sharks, watch the seals romp around in their natural environment, paddle in a kayak on the deepest polar ocean and learn more about how you can take good care of the sea’s wildlife. Whether you prefer to be a spectator on land or to be thrown into the deep in a diving suit Kattegatcentret is the place to go. A sea of experiences that will stay with you forever awaits you! Did you know that Kattegatcentret has more than 250 animal species from all over the world? You can experience fascinating sharks, slender herring and fierce catfish but also colorful coral reef fish, poisonous lionfish, and cuddly seals. Our many open aquariums offer excitement for all senses with splashing water, smells and sounds and in the touch pools you can actually pet a real shark, play hide and seek with the flatfishes or hold hands with starfish and crabs. https://www.visitdjursland.org/djursland/explore/kattegatcentret-gdk675394

Tivoli Friheden is a theme park in the center of Aarhus located within walking distance from the city centre in the beautiful Marselisborg Forest. The cosy garden offers plenty of experiences with beauty, entertainment, concerts, theatre and much more. With its wide range of opportunities and entertainment, Tivoli Friheden is the ideal choice for all kinds of excursions. In Tivoli Friheden you will find four roller coasters, 40 rides, stalls, games and playgrounds. Under the headline ”Power of Flower”, Tivoli Friheden will be at the peak of its form this summer with very special concept gardens. The numerous activities cater to anyone regardless of age, and this makes the festival the perfect place for families to share an endless list of flower experiences. https://www.visitaarhus.com/aarhus/plan-your-trip/tivoli-friheden-gdk603879

Särkänniemi Adventure Park combines six very different experiences that together create a quality destination for all the family! There are some 34 different rides in Särkänniemi, offering wild whirls, gentle swaying or other fun experiences spiced with sprays of water, for example. This summer’s newest ride spins its passengers around like a tornado. The ride reaches a height of 15.6m when spinning. The upper part of the ride undergoes a maximum of 12 revolutions per minute with the arms spinning at 4 revolutions per minute. The ride features 24 seats, which spin freely, making each ride feel different. The height restriction for High Voltage is 130cm. The ride was manufactured by Italian company Antonio Zamperla S.p.A. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/saerkaenniemi-amusement-park/

The House of Mr Clutterbuck is based on the beloved books by Mauri Kunnas. Mr Clutterbuck’s house is located in Vammala, which is the town center of Sastamala, from where Mauri Kunnas is also from. The stories in Kunnas’ books bring to life a diverse world, and the House of Mr Clutterbuck brings those stories even more to life. So alive, in fact, that you can take part in them yourself! Mr Clutterbuck’s house has five different areas, where you can experience the world of Mauri Kunnas’ stories. During the summer season from May until the end of October Mr. Clutterbuck’s Fun on Wheels Yard is also open. The Home of Mr Clutterbuck invites you to play in Mr Clutterbuck’s kitchen, to get to know the ghosts of the haunted clock in the attic and to try out how it feels to descend from the lighthouse down the fireman’s pole. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/the-house-of-mr-clutterbuck/

The University of Tartu Botanical Garden offers study programmes and excursions for visitors of all ages. There are more than 10,000 species and varieties of plants in the garden. In addition to natural plants, including rare protected plants, we introduce new decorative plants. In the greenhouses, rainforest and desert plants can be seen. It is the oldest botanical garden in the Baltic States, operating for more than 200 years in the same location. The garden is designed by world-renowned botanists, professors Ledebour and Bunge. Guests can visit the greenhouses with a ticket, but the garden is open for everyone for free. There is a playground for children. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/university-of-tartu-botanical-garden

Want to surprise yourself? The AHHAA Science Centre offers science, excitement, adventure and useful skills, as well as a fun time for everyone. Our centre is an attractive learning environment in which you are bound to learn something new. The majority of our exhibits are 'hands-on', so you can try everything yourself, whether it be the planetarium, the school laboratory pilot programme, creating educational materials or the science theatre. You can even host your own birthday party here. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/ahhaa-science-centre-tartu-1

What to do with your family, children, friends, guests, or colleagues in Tartu? Are you looking for new experiences and great photos? You have come to the right place! The Upside Down House is an exciting and dizzying experience where all of this is possible. The Upside Down House has furniture, a refrigerator, and everything else which is usually found on the floor – but here, they are on the ceiling. Well, actually, they are on the floor, but here, the ceiling is the floor. But wait – maybe it is you that is upside down? The house is also slightly sloped to test your balance. All of this is confusing, funny, and exciting :) The visit takes about 30 minutes – during this time, you will experience the house fully and are able to take cool pictures as well! https://www.visitestonia.com/en/upside-down-house

Tartu Toy Museum, situated in the Old Town of Tartu, takes adults back to the brighter days of their childhood and offers children plenty of interesting things to see and do. The permanent exhibition displays toys that Estonian children have played with throughout the years. Artist-made dolls, souvenir dolls of different nations, and Finno-Ugric traditional toys are also exhibited. Playrooms and workshops are also open. You can see puppets from Estonian puppet films and temporary exhibitions in the outbuilding. The museum also has a theatre building named ’Teatri kodu’ (The Home of Theatre) with a theatre hall, a museum of puppets, and a children’s studio. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/tartu-toy-museum

A museum of contemporary art built around Professor Maire Gullichsen’s collection in 1981. Pori Art Museum is a museum of contemporary art built around Professor Maire Gullichsen’s collection in 1981, showcasing the most recent trends in Finnish and international art. Constructivism, Fluxus and the trends in land and conceptual art have shown the way for exploring new phenomena. Functioning as the regional art museum of Satakunta, the collections and archives of the museum focus on modern and contemporary art. Pedagogic activities serve customers of all ages and help in finding new approaches to art and visual culture. The museum shop serves art lovers and professionals. The range of art literature related to the exhibitions and collections includes publications of international museums and artists, art magazines and art theory literature. The museum’s own series of exhibition and research publications cover phenomena in art from modernism to contemporary art. At the museum shop, you can also find gifts, cards and accessories connected to the exhibition themes, as well as high-quality art supplies. The museum is located in the lobby of the Art Museum, and it is open when the museum is. You can also pop in the shop without a museum ticket. https://www.visitpori.fi/en/pori-art-museum-2529

A history museum with exhibitions on the history of Satakunta and Pori. There are also exhibitions on other themes in the Museum’s exhibition space Sali. The Museum is also home to lectures, concerts and other events. The new, highly expected exhibition Elon merkkejä (Signs of life) offers an experience-laden journey to life in Pori and Satakunta from the Stone Age to the present day. https://www.visitpori.fi/en/satakunta-museum-2500

Narva Museum today – it is the Narva stronghold, the Northern Courtyard, and the Art Gallery. These are more than architectural monuments, as the castle and the gallery also have exhibition halls. The exhibition of Narva castle talks about the history of Narva from the 13th century until the beginning of the 20th century. In 1991, the Art Gallery was opened. This allowed the museum to host Estonian and foreign art exhibitions in addition to displaying its own art collection. In 2007, Põhjaõu was opened as a new tourist attraction in the Northern Courtyard of the castle; this is how Narva Museum interprets the district of artisans dating from the 17th century. https://www.visitestonia.com/en/narva-museum-1

A small sandy beach with surrounding cliffs and part of the heart of Steninge. The beach is ideal for families, with excellent opportunities for crab fishing. At Steninge you will find a unique bathing area appreciated by both adults and children. There are two smaller sandy beaches with dunes for those who like to feel the sand between their toes. If you like to be active during a day at the beach there is a volleyball net you can use to play. Although what makes Steninge’s bathing area unique is its pier which divides the sea out to the island of Stora Skär. Along the pier, many visitors come to catch the crabs hiding among the rocks. Along the pier is a bathing area with a ladder leading down into the water. Once you are on Stora Skär, you have plenty of space to both swim and sunbathe. Take your snorkelling equipment with you and discover all the life beneath the surface of the rocky seaweed sea bed. https://www.destinationhalmstad.se/en/experience/beach-and-coast/steninge

This private collection is open to the public during the summer months and to groups by arrangement throughout the year. One of the best toy museums in the country, exhibiting a large number of toys, all of which children have played with at some point in time. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/porvoo-doll-and-toy-museum/

You can meet Santa Claus and cross the magical Arctic Circle every day at the Santa Claus Village in Rovaniemi in Lapland, Finland. Santa Claus spends his time at Santa Claus Village every day of the year to take care of his mission in life; to enhance the well-being of children and the kindness of grown-ups, as well as spread the message of love and goodwill and the Christmas Spirit across the globe. You can find many programme service companies, souvenir shops as well as Santa’s Main Post Office, and cafes and restaurants in Santa Claus Village. And of course, Santa is there too, in his chamber every day of the year! https://santaclausvillage.info/

Come and experience a real reindeer sleigh ride in wintery nature – right in the backyard of Santa’s house at the Arctic Circle. With our guidance, you can rein the reindeer by yourself or just sit comfortably under warm blankets and enjoy the snowy views. You can choose to have a ride with just one reindeer or several reindeers in a line. After the ride, you can an by the open fire where we serve hot juice and experience the magic of the firelight and a real Lappish atmosphere. Explore the snowy forests with your friends on a reindeer sleigh ride and discover the northern lights. The path leads over frozen marshes and spruce woodlands to a winter hut, where we wait for the Northern Lights. While waiting, savour grilled sausages, drink campfire coffee and mulled wine, and enjoy the tranquillity of the wilderness. At the end of the safari, we are feeding a reindeer herd of up to one hundred in their paddock, where you can capture the moment on camera and feed the reindeer. https://www.discoveringfinland.com/destination/santa-claus-reindeer-reindeer-sleigh-ride/