Exploring Oslo - Norway - page 119

has exhibits on Nansen's and Amundsen's polar expeditions, plus skis and histor-
ical items from various parts of Norway—from the first “modern” skis, dating
from about 1870, to a ski dating from around A . D . 600. Allow 45 minutes.
Kongeveien 5, Holmenkollen. & 22-92-32-64. Admission (museum and ski jump) 60NOK ($8.50) adults,
30NOK ($4.25) children. May and Sept daily 10am-5pm; June-Aug daily 9am-10pm; Oct-Apr daily
10am-4pm. T-banen: Holmenkollen SST Line 15 from near the National Theater to Voksenkollen (30-min.
ride), then an uphill 15-min. walk.
Tryvannstårnet (Lookout Tower) The loftiest lookout tower in Scan-
dinavia offers a view of the Oslofjord with Sweden to the east, which kids should
particularly relish. The gallery is approximately 570m (1,900 ft.) above sea level.
A 20-minute walk down the hill returns you to Frognerseteren. Another 20-
minute walk down the hill takes you to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, where the
1952 Olympic competitions took place. It's also the site of Norway's winter
sports highlight, the Holmenkollen Ski Festival.
Voksenkollen. & 22-14-67-11. Admission 40NOK ($5.70) adults, 25NOK ($3.55) children. May-Sept daily
10am-5pm; Oct-Apr daily 10am-4pm. T-banen: Frognerseteren SST Line 1 from near the National Theater to
Voksenkollen (30-min. ride), then an uphill 15-min. walk.

Kids

2 Parks & Gardens
Marka, the thick forest that surrounds Oslo, is just one of the giant pleasure
parks in the area. You can also take a tram marked HOLMENKOLLEN from the city
center to Oslomarka, a forested area where locals go for summer hikes and for
winter skiing. The ride to the stop at Oslomarka takes only 20 minutes, and there
are trains every 30 minutes or so depending on the season. The area is dotted with
about two dozen hytter (mountain huts) where you can seek refuge from the
weather if needed. Norske Turistforening, Storgata 3 ( & 22-82-28-22 ), sells
maps with the hiking paths and roads of the Oslomarka clearly delineated. It's
open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm, Saturday 10am to 2pm. Our favorite
trail—and you should have this pinpointed on a map—is a signposted walk to
Sognsvannet , which is a beautiful loch (lake) flanked by forested hills and
encircled by an easy hiking trail stretching for 4km (2 1 ⁄ 2 miles). In winter the loch
is iced over, but in summer those with polar-bear blood can take a dip. Even in
summer, swimming here is like taking a bath in ice water. In lieu of swimming,
then, you might find the banks of this lake better suited for a picnic.
Botanisk Hage og Museum (Botanical Gardens) At Tøyen, near the
Munch Museum, this is an oasis in the heart of Oslo. It's home to many exotic
plants, including cacti, orchids, and palms. More than 1,000 mountain plants
can be viewed in the rock garden, which also has waterfalls. There's a museum
in the park with a botanical art exhibit. Plan on spending 45 minutes here.
Sars Gate 1. & 22-85-16-30. Free admission. Apr-Sept Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat-Sun 10am-8pm; Oct-Mar
Mon-Fri 7am-5pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm. Bus: 20.
Slottsparken The park surrounding the Royal Palace (Slottet) is open to the
public year-round. The changing of the guard, albeit a weak imitation of the
changing of the guard at London's Buckingham Palace, takes place daily at
1:30pm. When the king is in residence, the Royal Guard band plays Monday
through Friday during the ceremony. The palace was constructed from 1825 to
1848. Some first-time visitors are surprised at how relatively unguarded it is,
without walls or rails. You can walk through the grounds, but can't go inside
unless you have an invitation from the king. The statue at the front of the cas-
tle (at the end of Karl Johans Gate) is of Karl XIV Johan himself, who ruled