Welcome to the southern part of Fjord Norway! Vikings, fjords and magical family activities. Rogaland is all this and more!
R O G A L A N D F O R K I DS
PHOTO: Gertjan Hooijer / NTB Scanpix
PHOTO: Supreecha Samansukumal / Shutterstock / NTB Scanpix PHOTO: Tomas Larsen
P U B L I S H E D BY: B a r na s Ro gala n d
DESIGN TEAM: I m p res s P u b li s e r i n g A S
PA R T N E R S : Ko n g e p a r ke n , Jæ r m u s e e t, N o r s k O lje m u s e u m , A r ke olo gi s k m u s e u m , J e r nald e r gå rd en , K lat r e fab r i k ken , M u s e u m St av an g er, B y r k je dal s t u n e t, Nor wegian Outlet Ålgård, Re gio n St av a n g er, Rei s e mål R y f y lke o g V i si t Ha u g es u n d .
COV E R D E S I G N : I m p res s P u blis er i n g A S I L L U S T R AT I O N S : f re e pik .co m P R I N T: K ai Han s en Tr y k ker i
che rogala ck out ndfork ids.no
Welcome to Rogaland for Kids! Exciting natural surroundings, spectacular fjords, Viking heritage, fun activities and magical moments. Rogaland is all this and more. You will love Rogaland! It gives you the best of Norway all in one place. We are home to some famous tourist spots like Pulpit Rock and Kongeparken amusement park. But we have many attractions to offer the whole family. To mention a few: Norway's most beautiful beaches, spectacular fjords, high mountains, interesting museums, historical Viking sites and a bunch of fun family activities. P E R F EC T F O R FA M I L I E S Rogaland is the perfect place for an exciting family vacation. You do not need to travel far to reach the next exciting place. A good tip is to take the round trip through the county. Start in our largest city, Stavanger. There are many interesting museums and fun playgrounds in town. Pay a visit to the “Jærmuseet” museums, the farms or the interactive science centre on your way to Kongeparken,
one of Norway's biggest amusement parks. You can follow the route on highway RV13 through idyllic Ryfylke County and continue on toward the coast and then to Haugalandet. Experience the life of a Viking at the Viking Farm at Avaldsnes! US E T H E B R O C H U R E It is a good idea to take this brochure on your journey. Keep it beside your bed, in your cabin and in the car as you travel.
Rogaland for Kids can provide information and inspiration, and help you decide what to do this summer. You can read about activities for children and families in Rogaland, from adventure parks and science centres to free things to do in the city and the countryside.
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KO N G E PA R K E N A M US E M E N T PA R K
A magical experience for the whole family
More than 60 activities for the family
Nothing feels better than mastering new challenges – that is true for kids and grown-ups. This amusement park offers more than 60 activities for the entire family. Test your skills and reach new heights together!
Kongeparken has carousels, roller coasters and many exciting activities that you will not find anywhere else. Be a fireman at the Children’s Fire Station, make chocolate at the chocolate factory or meet the movie star Little Grey Fergie at his idyllic farm!
Hit the sirens! The fire crew is on vacation, so there is only one fire chief at the station. The kids who visit get some fire safety training. Suddenly, the fire alarm sounds! All hands on deck as the fire truck heads out to stop the fire. When they return to the station, each child receives a certificate for heroism and everyone is appointed “Home Fire Chief”. At the Children’s Fire Station, the kids are the heroes! This is an exciting and educational activity. The kids learn fire safety while at play.
THE FIRE STATION and the chocolate factory have a limited number of seats per show. Remember to get tickets for these activities when you arrive at the park.
A D D R E SS: Kongsgaten 20, 4330 Ålgård Take highway E39 to Ålgård and follow the signs. 20 minutes f rom Stavanger 10 minutes f rom Sandnes P H O N E: +47 51 61 26 66 E-M A I L: info@kongeparken.no W E B: kongeparken.no
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N O RW EG I A N P E T R O L E U M M US E U M
EXPERIENCE
Norway's oil adventure!
The survival suits are ready for use!
The Norwegian Petroleum Museum is interesting for children, youth and adults; you can play on the miniature oil rig, test your fear of heights in the escape chute, check out the models on display or experience what it is like working on a real drill deck. The family can solve puzzles and quizzes together.
The main film “Oilkid” provides insight into what it was like being a kid and growing up in Norway in a time of big changes. Stavanger went from being a mere provincial town to become the “capitol” of the nation’s oil industry. How did the city’s residents deal with those changes?
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PHOTO: NOM / Shadé Barka Martins
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The exhibitions explain how oil and gas is created, discovered and produced. They also explains the way petroleum influences Norwegian society. None of this would have been possible if the algae living in the ocean millions of years ago had not absorbed energy from the sun. The exhibition takes you below the waves where the oil and gas has been waiting for million years. Hard to understand? Visit the museum to learn more.
SAFETY TRAINING is important offshore and at home. Deal with a crisis in our Catastrophy Room to learn how to escape quickly and safely. Who is the fastest member of your family?
PHOTO: NOM / Elisabeth Tønnesen
PHOTO: NOM / Elisabeth Tønnesen
A D D R E SS: Kjeringholmen 1, 4006 Stavanger P H O N E: +47 51 93 93 00 E-M A I L: post@norskolje.museum.no W E B: norskolje.museum.no
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RY F Y L K E D I S T R I C T
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The Flørli stairs have 4444 steps and is one of the longest wooden staircases in the world. The staircase follows the watergates supplying the hydropower station at the quay. Well above the treeline, you will enjoy the great view of the Lysefjord and toward the Preikestolen massive. Back on the quay is the summer open Flørli gallery and café in the historic hydropower station – enjoy a well deserved snack there!
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ONE WAY TRIP! We strongly advise that you only climb up the stairs, and descend by one of the round trips. Going down is potentially hazardous and may cause difficulties for other hikers coming up. florli.no
SAL MON STUDIO
PHOTO: Pål Christensen
Next to the salmon ladder at Sand in Suldal, is one of the first salmon studios to be built in Norway. The lower part of the salmon studio is under water, allowing us to observe the fish through two large glass windows, as they move up the ladder. You can watch the salmon during the period when they come to spawn, from July to October. Open June–September. ryfylke.com
FOSSANMOEN
fossanmoen.no
PHOTO: Kjetil Brekke
The Icelandic horse centre at Forsand offers family accommodation, riding, an indoor climbing wall and other activities. Riding camps and instruction. Excellent trails nearby. Regular riding excursions to Mount Uburen during summer.
KOLB EINST VEIT
PHOTO: Vidar Lunde
The farmstead of Kolbeinstveit in Suldal is run by the Ryfylke Museum. During the summer, visitors can enjoy close contact with farm animals, see exhibitions and wellpreserved interiors, and savour traditional fare in the café. The Guggedal Loft, dating back to 1281, is the oldest secular wooden building in Rogaland. Guided tours by the farmstead hosts. ryfylkemuseet.no/anlegg/kolbeinstveit/
L ANDA PARK At Landa Park in Forsand you can travel back in time! Let the whole family experience a prehistoric village brought to life. Exciting activities for young and old. Café, accommodation and guided tours. Open during summer season. landapark.no PHOTO: Landa Park
PHOTO: Elfinn Austigard
THE FAIRYTALE FOREST Welcome to the Fairytale Forest in Årdal in Ryfylke – an adventure for the senses. An exciting walk through the mystical forest in Bønardalen, where you can experience trolls and other creatures among the trees. For the entire family. 1,2 km, 1 hour. Season: all year. ryfylke.com
M US E U M O F A R C H A EO LO G Y
VIKING SUMMER Visit the Museum of Archaeology and see great treasures from Viking journeys. Hear stories about warlike men and strong women. Feel the weight of a Viking sword and learn to play Hnefatafl (Viking chess)! You can also try your skills at swordplay. Go to battle with your siblings or parents, and see who stays within the combat arena. Or how about following the adventurous kids’ trail through the exhibitions? The museum has a charming cafÊ and a museum shop with great toys and souvenirs.
See the 8200 year old skeleton of a Stone Age boy
A D D R E SS: Peder Klowsgate 30A , 4010 Stavanger P H O N E: +47 51 83 26 00 E-M A I L: post-am@uis.no W E B: arkeologiskmuseum.no
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I R O N AG E FA R M
The Iron Age Farm A fire burns at the hearth, and the lady of the house serves fresh bread (hellekaker) baked on the embers. See, smell and taste what family life was like 1500 years ago in an authentic Iron Age home. The Iron Age farm (Jernaldergården) is a reconstruction of an authentic agricultural site from the great age of migrations (400–550 AD). Get a glimpse of life in prehistoric Rogaland. Visit the Longhouse and see how people lived back in the day, and listen to some exciting stories about Iron Age life. Guided tours at 12:00, 13:00 (in English) and 14:00. Would you have survived the Iron Age? Take the Iron Age test!
We’ll tell you stories about life in Norway 1500 years ago
A D D R E SS: Ullandhaugveien 165, 4021 Stavanger P H O N E: +47 51 83 26 00 E-M A I L: jernaldergarden@uis.no W E B: jernaldergarden.no
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VITENGARDEN
Welcome to the farm
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Vitengarden has indoor and outdoor activities all year round. Farm animals live here, including horses, chickens, geese, sheep and roosters, and the kids can play in the hay.
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Vitengarden is a combined museum and science centre which puts focus on the natural sciences. Test the wind machine and experience how a hurricane feels like against your skin, explore the treasures in the dark swamp and say hello to the animals at the farm. Explore, take part and discover the interactive exhibitions surrounded by the beautiful Norwegian farmland.
PHOTO: Ingeborg Skrudland / Jærmuseet
Vitengarden has a café and a museum shop. Visitors are welcome to use the barbeques outside at no extra charge.
A D D R E SS: Kviavegen 99, 4367 Nærbø P H O N E: +47 47 7 76 020 E-M A I L: vitengarden@jaermuseet.no W E B: vitengarden.no
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V I T E N FA B R I K K E N
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PHOTO: Marie Von Krogh
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Vitenfabrikken is a science factory located in downtown Sandnes. The building rises over several storeys and has activities that combine “learning by doing” with focus on astronomy, energy, mathematics, local industrial history and the history of Sandnes. The younger children enjoy working at the “harbour” and running the crane. The older children enjoy testing their fear by catching the electric arc (500 000 volts!) in the Tesla-Coil. Vitenfabrikken has a large activity programme during weekends and school holidays. Families can attend science shows, surf from planet to planet in our state-of-the-art planetarium, or join visitors’ workshops to build different things with their own hands or do science experiments. Vitenfabrikken has a café and a museum shop. It is located only a short walk from the bus and train station in Sandnes.
PHOTO: Harald Pettersen Statoil/AP
Test your curiosity and challenge your mind
A D D R E SS: Storgata 28, 4307 Sandnes P H O N E: +47 47 7 76 020 E-M A I L: vitenfabrikken@jaermuseet.no W E B: vitenfabrikken.no
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H AU G A L A N D E T D I S T R I C T
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Downtown Haugesund is idyllic and charming. Check out the waterway between the mainland and the islands, Karmsundet Sound. Haugesund offers a wide range of cultural experiences, good restaurants and shopping along Norway’s longest pedestrian street. The city also offers festivals, island hopping and a Viking centre where you can learn more about the ancient rulers of Norway.
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You can loiter at the docks by Smedasundet Sound to watch the boats and dine at one of the many restaurants at the harbour. Take the boat to the island of Røvær, a small island of 110 residents and 1 car. You can also take the boat to Utsira – Norway’s westernmost island. Utsira is a paradise for bird watchers. There are many treasures to be found for geocachers and you may even enjoy some interesting street art.
“MINIGOLFEN” FAMILY PARK An 18 hole mini-golf course for the whole family; each course has its own theme. “The farm” is a nine-hole indoor course among cows, chickens, sheep and geese. A new course, “The Old Mines”, will open in 2017. Kiosk and playgrounds. minigolfen.no
GRINDAFJORD HOLIDAY CENTRE Where children have fun and grown-ups get a vacation! One of Western Norway’s best camping sites with excellent facilities. The campgrounds have a huge saltwater pool (2000 m²) with slides and a wading pool. There are barbeque grills, trampolines, mini-golf, football pitches, sand volleyball, basketball and tennis courts at the centre. grindafjord.no
CLIMB ING PARK Take the family for an active and fun day of excitement and mastery at Høyt & Lavt. There are 5 different trails and 78 courses to climb, and a 304 metre long zipline. The view of the fjord from the park is lovely. We recommend buying climbing tickets online to ensure you get a spot on the day you want to visit. hoytlavt.no/nedstrand
T YSVÆRTUNET WATER PARK The finest water park at Haugalandet! The water is warm and the weather is perfect all year round! tysvertunet.kulturhus.no
the vikings!
Vikings and local barons controlled boat traffic for nearly 3000 years along the “Nordvegen” trade route, which later gave rise to the name for the Kingdom of Norway. St. Olav’s Church, the Nordvegen History Centre and the Viking Farm at Avaldsnes are easily accessible from downtown Haugesund. They are great places to learn about the role of the Vikings in history:
• A bus is available in July to take you from Haugesund to the Viking Farm at Avaldsnes on Karmøy. • Excavation begins this summer (2017) to unearth the medieval royal hall at Avaldsnes. Check it out! • Meet local rulers through 3000 years in our audiov isual exhibition at Nordvegen History Centre. • Experience what life was like in the Viking Age and meet some real Vikings. opplevavaldsnes.no • There is a great Viking Festival in June every year on the little island of Bukkøy. Vikings come from all over Europe to attend the festival. opplevavaldsnes.no/vikingfestivalen/
M US E U M S TAVA N G E R
A MUSEUM FOR
kids and families
Come and play with us!
Stavanger Museum has a Children’s Museum where you can see the world’s largest toy doll and make your own doll using computer design at the doll factory. The exhibition 900 Years of Childhood shows children telling what life was like during different centuries back in time. Play in the fairytale castle and check out the outdoor playground. Some of the games here were played by kids in the Stone Age!
Stavanger Museum has been collecting animals for 140 years. The exhibitions contain an extinct Javan tiger, a polar bear from 1878, more than a hundred hummingbirds and the last bear seen in Rogaland County. We have been banding migratory birds in Norway for a hundred years. The exhibition The Mysteries of Bird Migration teaches you how to band and track birds.
Working at the Docks At Stavanger Maritime Museum there is a fun interactive exhibition for children about village and city life around the fjords in the 1950s. The exhibition includes a traditional “fjordabåt” docked at the city quay, the packing house, a market stall, a post office and a general store filled with goods from the 1950s. Kids can dress up in traditional clothing from the era, and the cash register is full of “old” money to play with. Everything is designed so children and families can play, participate and talk about what city life was like in the 1950s.
MUSEUM STAVANGER also has other museums you can visit: The Norwegian Canning Museum, Stavanger Art Museum, Utstein Monastery, Ledaal and Breidablikk.
A D D R E SS: Stavanger Museum / Nor wegian Children´s Museum: Muségt. 16, 4010 Stavanger Stavanger Maritime Museum: St randkaien 22, 4005 Stavanger P H O N E: +47 51 84 27 00 E-M A I L: post@museumstavanger.no W E B: museumstavanger.no
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K L AT R E FA B R I K K E N
FUN AT KLATREFABRIKKEN Climbing is a wholesome and healthy activity that brings the family together. Klatrefabrikken have climbs to challenge parents and inspire children. E A S Y TO L E A R N Never climbed before? Don’t let that discourage you! Klatrefabrikken offers introductory climbing courses that make it easy to get started, including basic moves and safety rules. The best thing about the course is that you are on the wall in only five minutes. First-timers and experts aged 3 to 90 are welcome to climb our walls!
A D D R E SS: Breiflåt veien 15, 4017 Stavanger P H O N E: +47 51 58 60 19 E-M A I L: post@klat refabrikken.no W E B: klat refabrikken.no
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BY R K J E DA L S T U N E T
A TASTE OF NORWAY Byrkjedalstunet Hotel offers a taste of history, traditional food and a down-to-earth experience. Byrkjedalstunet has a candlemaking factory where kids can make candles by dipping. Spend the night in the picturesque manor, rebuilt in the exact style of the houses from this neighbourhood in the 1800s. The architectural details create an evocative journey back in time. The hotel has a goat farm and a unique mountain hall with a large taxidermy collection. B R E AT H TA K I N G S U R R O U N D I N G S Byrkjedalstunet Hotel is surrounded by Rogaland’s majestic nature. The hotel is an excellent place to begin excursions to Lyse fjord, Preikestolen, Kjerag, Månafossen and the magnificent beaches of Jæren.
Sleep well and wake up to the sound of playful goats on the grassy hillside
A D D R E SS: Hunnedalsvegen 3231, 4335 Dirdal P H O N E: +47 51 61 29 00 E-M A I L: post@by rkjedalstunet.no W E B: by rkjedalstunet.no
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PHOTO: Nanisimova / Shutterstock / NTB Scanpix
P R E I K E S TO L E N
TAKE THE FAMILY TO PREIKESTOLEN! Preikestolen (Pulpit Rock in English) is Rogaland’s most visited attraction and one of Norway’s most spectacular photo opportunities. The 25 m² mountain plateau rises 604 metres above the Lysefjord!
Oanes, or the tourist car ferry from Forsand or Lauvvik. The wilderness and dramatic Lysefjorden cuts through 40 kilometres of steep cliffs. Check out norled.no, rodne.no or thefjords.no for information on ferry schedules.
The hike from the parking lot at the Preikestolhytta cabin up to the plateau is 4 kilometres long, with a vertical ascent of 330 metres. Provided you have some experience with mountain hiking, this can be a family trip. You need to be in reasonably good shape and have the appropriate equipment. Families normally use 2–2½ hours to reach the top, and the entire trip takes around 5 hours.
H OW TO G E T T H E R E From Stavanger: Take the Stavanger–Tau ferry and take highway Rv13 through Jørpeland to the Preikestolhytta cabin. From Sandnes: Travel by ferry from Lauvvik –Oanes and drive to Preikestolhytta cabin. Website: regionstavanger-ryfylke.com Accommodations: preikestolenfjellstue.no
The trial runs through rocks, marshy soil and forests. There are many nice spots along the way to stop for lunch or to cool down in a refreshing pond. Remember to bring plenty of food and water. P R E I K E S TO L E N S E E N F R O M T H E FJ O R D Pulpit Rock is a marvelous experience from the sea as well. You can take the sightseeing boat from Stavanger or Lysefjordsenteret at
C H EC K L I S T • Check out the weather conditions, remember to bring clothes to keep warm if the weather gets cloudy or wet, and wear good hiking shoes/ boots • Bring plenty of food and water for the trip • Keep an eye on the children!