FINLAND - Europe by Eurail 2015: Touring Europe by Train - page 135

Among the noteworthy places to see and visit in Tampere is the Sarkanniemi
Adventure Park, which contains an amusement park and a children's zoo, both of
which are open daily in summer. An aquarium, a dolphinarium, a planetarium, an
observation tower, and the Sara Hilden Modern Art Museum are also located in
the complex. These attractions are open daily throughout the year, and the hours
and prices depend on the time of year and how much of the park you are taking
advantage of. Visit www.sarkanniemi.fi .
In the Sarkanniemi aquarium you will find some 3,000 fish and sea animals of
more than 200 species from all over the world. See Eevertti and the other dol-
phins play games with their trainers. In the multimedia planetarium, a veritable sea
of 6,000 twinkling bodies will open up before you. Here you will see both past
and future movements in space projected on the planetarium's dome ceiling in a
30-minute space adventure.
The Sarkanniemi amusement park area also contains roller-coaster rides, big
and small bumper cars, and many other attractions. The ultimate experience is the
Rapids Ride, a 490-meter-long track excavated out of the rock. For more thrills and
chills, try the Tornado roller coaster. The little ones in the family will love getting to
know all of the fluffy animals in the children's zoo.
Art lovers will enjoy the Sara Hilden Modern Art Museum, with its outstanding
collection of contemporary art. The paddle wheel boat Finlandia Queen starts its
1½-hour cruises from the quay nearby from June through August, running several
days a week. Need we say more—except that the Sarkanniemi is the place to be?
Another place of interest in Tampere is the revolving auditorium of the Pyynikki
Summer Theater. It is world renowned and was the first of its kind when it opened
in 1959. Nearby Pispala Ridge, with its old timbered houses and Pyynikki Park, is
also worth visiting.
The Museum Centre Vapriikki is located in a former engineering plant by the
Tammerkoski Rapids, the site of the 1999 preliminary European Union (EU) sum-
mit meeting. Collections of five formerly separate museums form the basic exhibi-
tion in addition to international exhibitions. Open daily 1000-1800, closed Monday,
admission €9 adults, €3 children.
Tallipiha (Stable Yards) is a family attraction located right in the heart of idyllic
old Tampere. Formerly stables for the Nottbeck family horses, horsemen, and car-
riages, the area has been restored and houses a cafe, artisans' shops, and a
chocolate shop. Horse-drawn carriage rides, among other activities, are offered.
Hours: 1000-1800 Monday-Friday, 1000-1700 Saturday, and 1100-1700 Sunday
in summer; 1000-1700 Tuesday-Friday and 1100-1600 Saturday-Sunday in
winter. Visit www.tallipiha.fi .