A.k.a. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, that is. Before going I would say go. After having been I would say no…? I’ve lived in Oslo close to 20 years, and that’s how long it took for me to visit :), if that counts towards yea or nay… Norsk Folkemuseum is an open-air museum with buildings from different time periods and different geographic areas in Norway. It’s not particularly big, looks bigger on the map, so it doesn’t take long to walk through. The museum space is divided into different zones that is named after different regions in Norway. My highlight was the stave church from Gol with adjacent granary, and the display of old, urban Oslo. The rest was neither nor. There’s a few shops where you can buy handicraft and souvenirs, and a cafe too – bring cash as not all accept credit cards.
Norsk Folkemuseum is located outside central Oslo, but you can easily reach it by bus. I’d say it’ll take you 30 minutes or so to get there. Since this is one of five museums located in this residential neighbourhood, you can get a lot done on a roundtrip bus ticket (note that will be two single tickets in Oslo), as if you’re up to it, you can walk between the museums. A nice walk I would say. Well, maybe not in the wintertime. Just remember to walk from Norsk Folkemuseum and to the end of the road, where three of the museums are located, and not the other way around, as then you’ll face a steeper road to tread.
Website: norskfolkemuseum.no
I think these types of places really are great for kids and school groups, but I have to agree that they are not high on my list otherwise.
Yes, that’s true. Parents get a glimpse of Norwegian history, and kids get to run around – think there are animals there too, in high season.
20 years in Oslo,wow.Have you been to Bergen?Heard a lot about this place.
Moved down here to go to uni, and been here more or less ever since (minus two years back north). I’ve been to Bergen a couple of times. It’s a very nice town, and one of the places in Norway I would recommend. Check out the conversation between myself and Packing my Suitcase here for a few pointers on Bergen: https://beatravelling.wordpress.com/2015/01/31/fjellheisen-tromso-norway-arctic/
Thanks .Will check that out.
And if you have more questions about Bergen, pls ask and I’ll try to help you out.
I was at the Norsk Folkemuseum last summer and enjoyed my visit there; I agree that the Stave Church was one of the highlights. I also enjoyed some the “re-enactments” such as bakers making baked goods and children going to school. It was a great place to visit since I didn’t have a lot of time to travel around Norway. I could imagine though how the museum would seem small in comparison to traveling around Norway 🙂 That being said, I always have a soft spot for historical villages – maybe it’s because you can pretend you’re going back in time 🙂
There were no “shows” when I was there. I guess it would have added to the experience. Glad you enjoyed the museum! Yes, I guess it is a nice way to get a taste of Norway when you don’t have time to travel to different places in this elongated country 🙂 Hopefully you get to travel around more next time you’re here, especially to the northern part 😉 Have a great summer!