Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
brandsdal art section shows village life at its best. And you can walk through
Dr. Sandvig's old dental office and the original shops of various crafts- and
tradespeople.
Thoughthemuseumwelcomespicnickersandhasasimplecafeteria,Lille-
hammer's town center (a 15-minute walk below the museum), with lots of fun
eateries, is better for lunch (see “Eating in the Gudbrandsdal Valley,” later).
Norwegian Olympics Museum (Norges Olympiske Museum)
—This cute
museum is housed in the huge Olympic ice-hockey arena, Håkon Hall. With
brief English explanations, an emphasis on Norwegians and Swedes, and
an endearingly gungho Olympic spirit, it's worth a visit on a rainy day or
for sports fans. The ground-floor exhibit traces the ancient history of the
Olympics, then devotes one wall panel to each of the summer and winter
Olympiads of the modern era (with special treatment for the 1952 Oslo
games). Upstairs, walk the entire concourse, circling the arena seating while
reviewing the highlights (and lowlights) of the 1994 games (remember Tonya
Harding?). While you're up there, check out the gallery of great Norwegian
athletes and the giant egg used in the Lillehammer opening ceremony. With
more time, see the 13-minute film on the 1994 Lillehammer Olympiad (in-
cluded in museum ticket, 2/hour, usually in English, near ticket desk).
Cost and Hours:
110 kr, 25 percent off when combined with Maihaugen
Museum; June-Aug daily 10:00-17:00; Sept-May Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00,
closed Mon; tel. 61 25 21 00,
www.maihaugen.no
.
Nearby:
On the hillside above Håkon Hall (a 30-minute hike or quick
drive) are two ski jumps that host more Olympics sights, including a ski lift,
the ski jump tower, and a bobsled ride (
www.olympiaparken.no
). In the sum-
mer, ski jumpers practice on the ski jumps, which are sprayed with water.
In the Gudbrandsdal Valley
If you're driving from Oslo to the Gudbrandsdal Valley, you'll go right past
