Winter holidays in Helsinki

This week schools are closed for Hiihtoloma (skiing holidays) in Helsinki. Many went up to the North for a few days of winter activities. But for those families that stayed in the city there are luckily also quite a few things to do.

VisitHelsinki has put together a list of special activities happening around town during the school free time. Among them are interesting workshops, cool spots events and other exciting events for kids and families.

Check them out on visithelsinki.fi and enjoy the hiihtoloma!

Seurasaari Christmas Path

You and our family had so much to do during the last days and weeks that you didn't really have time to get into the Christmas mood? Then you should keep Sunday free for a trip to Seurasaari.

Picture: Kimmo Brandt

Starting from 12:00 Seurasaari opens its Christmas Path for children and families for the 20th time. The path includes play and sing-song, a Christmas play, face painting, horse cart driving, a whipsled and a straw labyrinth, a candle path, a fire exhibition, a slow-burning log fire and bun roasting over a campfire as well as Christmas porridge for the children. Animals of the forest walk around the Christmas Path handing out gingerbread and cinnamon buns to the children while Father Christmas and Old Lady Christmas listen to the children’s gift wishes.

And the entrance is free. Make sure not to miss this and have a wonderful weekend!

Easter in Helsinki

So many days off and you don't know what to do? There are quite a few fun Easter activities going on around the city.

Today big Easter bonfires will be lit at Seurasaari to scare away evil spirits. Children dress up as trolls and witches. The entrance is free.

Helsinki Zoo has put together a whole spring program around this long weekend called the Easter Island. Among other things visitors can witness the bears waking up from their winter hibernation.

During the Easter days also many concerts are held in the churches around town.

To find more information on what's going on around Easter in Helsinki have a look at VisitHelsinki.

Have a great Easter weekend!

Adventure at Serena

Are you up for some fun water activities this weekend but the sea is a bit too cold? SerenaWaterpark in Espoo might be an alternative. Especially for families there is a lot to do there. The water park has in and outdoor attractions like a big wave pool, Jacuzzis, a wild stream, playgrounds, a Tarzan rope and lots and lots of fun slides. If you prefer something a bit quieter you might enjoy the sauna area.

Day tickets are 24.50€. If you book online you save 1 €. If you want to spend the whole weekend you can also book a hotel room or a cottage next to the park.

Have fun! 

Brunch with Bob

From time to time it’s nice to go out for brunch on a weekend rather than preparing your own breakfast at home. Helsinki offers a whole lot of good opportunities for that.

 

One of them that opened recently is Dylan Milk. It’s run by the people that run Dylan at Arabianranta successfully already for years. And also the new place in Ruoholahti knows how to convince with quality.

Especially if you are into salads this is the place for you. More than ten different fresh salads such as pasta-chicken, salmon-fish-row-potato and many more are awaiting you here. But of course also classics like cereals, scrambled eggs, sausages and everything else you desire for a good brunch are there. They also have delicious deserts. Keep that in mind and leave some space for them.

Dylan Milk is spacious and furnished simple and modern. It is also an ideal place for families with small children. There is a playing corner with a TV just for the little ones. The brunch is open Saturdays and Sundays from 11:30 till 14:00. The buffet is 16 € for adults, children from 4 till 10 pay half and for the youngest ones it is even for free.

Enjoy your brunch and have a nice weekend!

Season starts at Linnanmäki

Today Linnanmäki opens its gates again. The amusement park in the city welcomes its small and big guests to lots of rides and shows. Furthermore several restaurants and bistros offer snacks and meals for those who need a break from all the roller coasters and other attractions. With the new Kattila there is even more variety in food at Linnanmäki now. Six Finnish top chefs with a total of four Michelin stars created new dishes from around the world that, according to Linnanmäki’s website, should fit every taste and budget.

Well, Linnanmäki is not really a place for a small budget. As soon as you want to use any of the rides it quickly gets quite expensive. Think about if you just want to go on one or two rides or if you rather want to spend the whole day on the roller coasters. You can either buy single tickets or get a wristband for the whole day and unlimited use (all rides for 37 €). The nice thing about Lintsi, how the locals call it, is that the entrance is free. So if you want to inhale some amusement park atmosphere, just go there and wander around a bit. 

Tip: Check out the look-out tower. It is for free and provides you one of the best views over the city.

You get to Linnanmäki either by car, with tram 3B or 3T or check here. The park will be open till October 21^st.