Sightseeing Places in Oslo, Norway

A sprawling city of green parks, austere landmarks and a seafaring history, Oslo has a unique culture that sets it apart from the rest of Europe. Here, a quick subway ride can whisk you from a museum of Viking ships to a forest that feels worlds away from urban life. Sculptures decorate a buzzing modern park, while an open-air museum offers a rare chance to step into Norwegian history. Whether you come for the culture or a simple escape, you can't escape Oslo's offbeat energy.

Historical Highlights

• The open-air Norwegian Folk Museum (norskfolkemuseum.no) is Norway's biggest and most impressive attempt to recreate the Norway of the past, with 140 buildings such as sod roof farmhouses, elevated storehouses called stabburs and an early 20th century petrol station. For Viking history, head to Vikingskipshuset (khm.uio.no) to view oak ships from the ninth century, used for expeditions as well as noble burials. Meanwhile, Akershus Fortress and Castle (forsvarsbygg.no) is a stone castle that's been standing since 1299, used sometimes as a royal home and other times as a military fortress.

Art and Culture

• Though it's hard to escape the contagious sense of culture Oslo possesses no matter where you go in the city, certain sightseeing spots are ideal for learning more. The National Gallery (nasjonalmuseet.no) is home to Norway's largest art collection, including Munch's "The Scream," Van Gogh's self-portrait and works by Rubens, Cezanne, Picasso and Matisse. Meanwhile, Det Kongelige Slott (kongehuset.no), the stately royal palace, offers guided tours in English from late June to mid-August and has a daily changing of the guards.

Outdoor Attractions

• Few cities can match Oslo for its seamless blending of cityscape and greenery. Surrounding the city, the Marka forest has hiking in summer and skiing in winter, and the brave can swim in the loch if they can handle the cold temperatures. Another option is Frogner Park in the city central, where jogging trails, badminton courts, a cafe and barbecue facilities entertain visitors when the sun comes out. It also hosts the country's largest rose collection, with 14,000 plants sprawled across the green landscape.

Where the Locals Go

• If you really want to get to know Oslo, two main sightseeing places give you a chance to brush shoulders with locals while you enjoy history, art and culture. The first is Stockfleths (stockfleths.as). Established in 1895, it's one of the city's first coffee shops and remains a bustling place to people-watch as you brave a cup or two of black coffee. Another must-see place the locals go is Vigeland Sculpture Park (vigeland.museum.no), home to 212 sculptures made from wrought iron, granite and bronze by Gustav Vigeland. An on-site museum provides background and context for Vigeland and his works, but part of the fun of being here is watching kids climb on the sculptures and enjoying the fresh air.

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Norway's Biggest Tourist Attractions

Despite Norway being one of the least densely populated places in Europe, the Scandinavian country is globally renown for its Viking history, snowy sports and thriving artistic legacy. Although Oslo remains the country’s biggest hub for tourists, there’s a lot more to explore once you step outside its walls -- such as Norway’s inspiring natural scenery, its smaller settlements, and its abundance of leisure activities.

Oslo

• Oslo is Norway’s beating heart, being the center of its government and a bustling economic hub in its own right. Although the city often is considered to be one of the world’s most expensive to visit, it’s equally regarded as offering some of the best quality of life in Europe. Experience some of its graceful culture at the Vigelandsparken Sculpture park, made up of 212 sculptures -- all created from either bronze and granite materials. The park is an excellent location for picnicking during the summer, or taking a brisk walk when the weather gets a little chillier.

  If you’re interested in discovering more of Oslo’s cultural heritage, think about visiting the Akershus Fortress in the city center. Traditionally a seat for Norway’s kings, and a center of its government, the fortress has been standing strong for nearly 700 years, ensuring its place as a national landmark and hotspot for visitors to explore.

Other Areas

• The Hadeland Glassverk in Jevnaker is famous for being the country’s oldest industrial company, and upon visiting, you’ll quickly appreciate why this glass-producing factory has been so successful in attracting visitors and business throughout the years. You can view an extensive collection of the factory’s pristine glass work, and even see glass-blowers create new pieces right in front of you. If you find yourself near the city of Trondheim, the Nidaros Cathedral makes a fascinating place to visit. While its construction started in 1070, constant renovations have enabled its grandeur to prosper well into modern times. It’s particularly worth visiting during a musical event, as its high arches create an exquisite listening environment.

Nature

• Norway has been called “the land of the midnight sun,” and this in no small part is because of its long, constantly-light summers, and its reputation as a marvelous place to observe the Northern Lights. If you’re looking to see the lights in all their glory, be prepared to travel quite some distance. Disconnected from the mainland, Svalbard is popularly considered to be the best observation spot in the country -- and flights to Svalbard from Oslo take just under three hours. Despite the distance, the lights’ legendary beauty continues to pull tourists in from across the world. If you’d like to observe the lights from somewhere a little easier to access, head to the North Cape, Europe’s northernmost point.

Amusement Parks

• Norway isn’t only about seeing elegant sights and experiencing rich culture; it’s also about letting your hair down and having fun.. TusenFryd is close to Oslo and features the country’s most renown roller coaster, the Speed Monster. The area also is packed with restaurants, and features a water park, which is great for enjoying as a family during warm weather. If you’re interested in animals, the Kristiansand Zoo and Amusement Park is a good choice, featuring tropical environments and areas such as “Nordic Wilderness” and “Realm of the Tiger.”

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Hiking at Piers Gorge in Norway, Michigan

Scenic Piers Gorge lies along a stretch of the Menominee River near the small town of Norway in Michigan's southwestern Upper Peninsula. The river serves as a boundary between Michigan and Wisconsin. In 2011, the State of Michigan purchased land surrounding Piers Gorge for development of the Menominee River State Recreation Area. This area, popular with hikers, is comanaged by both states, although there is no access to the gorge from Wisconsin.

Getting There

• Norway, Michigan, sits within Dickinson County and serves as the gateway to Piers Gorge. From Norway, it's about a 2-mile drive south on United States Highway 8 to the Menominee River State Recreation Area, where hikers access the Piers Gorge trailhead. Signs along the route offer directions to the entrance, which is located at the end of Piers Gorge Road. As a formal Michigan recreation area, entrance requires a Michigan Recreation Passport. Passports are obtained for a small fee from any state park office or secretary of state office.

The River Corridor

• Forged from the Brule and Michigamme rivers, the 100-yard-wide Menominee River is one of the swiftest waterways in Michigan and Wisconsin, where it rushes along the Piers Gorge stretch. The river's Class IV rapids attract expert kayakers and whitewater rafters and provides hikers an exciting trek. Wild and scenic, the river corridor embodies the Upper Peninsula's rugged beauty. Traversing the corridor, hikers commonly catch sight of osprey and soaring eagles on the hunt for a meal. The trail is best hiked from May, when wildflowers push through the forest floor, up until October, when the woodlands display blazing colors.

Trail Details

• The Piers Gorge foot trail is under 3 miles in and out, but it's a stunning trek with multiple waterfall views. Because of the hilly, rocky terrain, the trail is rated moderately difficult. One-quarter mile into the trek, hikers are rewarded with views of the first small falls. Continue along the trail a short distance to reach the Mishicot Falls, which has an 8-foot drop. Mishicot may be viewed from an overlook or from the river's edge. It's another mile to Sand Portage Falls, where the river rushes around two rock formations. Each pier is identified by a wooden marker posted along the trail. While taking a dip in the cool waters may be tempting, authorities advise hikers to avoid wading or swimming in the river because of its strong currents.

The Town of Norway

• When visitors are in need of refueling and recharging after a hike to Piers Gorge, Norway business operators come to the rescue. The Michigan community provides a selection of grocery stores, restaurants, coffee shops and bars. While Norway lodging is limited to two facilities, nearby Iron Mountain offers additional choices. Places to visit in Norway include Norway Speedway, where stock car racing provides high action every Friday night from Memorial to Labor Day. Another Norway highlight is the Jake Menghini Museum, with its collection of local historic artifacts from the mining and lumbering periods. If you hit town on a Tuesday night during the summer, kick back with a free concert at the city bandshell.

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