Unique Trips from Oslo, Norway

1. Bærums Verk

Conveniently situated in Bærum, a suburb of Oslo, Bærums Verk is a traditional Norwegian village that straddles the Lomma River. The streets are filled with shops and art galleries, and there is also a unique sculpture park with approximately 30 pieces created by renowned Norwegian sculptors.

The area also has a long history of making iron and steel products, and The Oven Museum displays a wonderful collection of historic cast-iron ovens made as long ago as the early 1700s. You won't struggle to find a restaurant for lunch, but if you're looking for something special, consider dining at Vaertshuset, the oldest restaurant in the country. Bærums Verk

2. Bergen

Sprawling across the southwestern coast of Norway, Bergen is the second biggest city in the country. Despite its size, it's managed to retain a welcoming small-town atmosphere, and it features a historic district filled with colorful wooden houses, a bustling fish market, and plenty of modern art galleries, museums, and cafes. The city also happens to be surrounded by some of the most spectacular mountains and fjords you'll ever see, and visitors often take the opportunity to ride the Fløibanen Funicular up Fløyen Mountain and take a cruise through Sognefjord, the deepest and longest fjord in the country. Bergen

3. Bygdoy Peninsula

Located on the west side of the city, Bygdoy Peninsula can easily be reached by taking a short ferry ride from the downtown harbor. Much of the peninsula is residential, but it's also home to some of the city's best museums, including the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the Viking Ship Museum, which features three historic Viking longships that were discovered in southern Norway. A network of trails around the peninsula provides plenty of opportunities for walking and cycling, and there are also a handful of quiet but lovely beaches that are great for swimming in the summer. Bygdoy Peninsula

4. Drobak

Sometime referred to as the "Christmas Town", Drobak is famous for having the country's largest permanent Christmas display in its main square. It's worth taking the time to stop at Santa's Post Office and the charming Tregaarden's Christmas House, but there are also plenty of non-Christmas attractions to see, including the historic Oscarsborg Fortress and the Drøbak Aquarium, which features a unique lutefisk museum that introduces visitors to the popular Nordic dish. After seeing these major attractions, it's also worth taking some time to simply stroll through the narrow 18th-century streets to admire the small but charming wooden houses. Drobak

5. Ekeberg

Ekeberg is a charming neighborhood in southeast Oslo, and although it hosts the Norway Cup soccer tournament every year, it's best known as the location of the Ekebergparken Sculpture Park. The highlight of the park is its fantastic art collection, which features pieces from artists all over the world, but it also boasts picturesque scenery and a wonderful panoramic view of the city. There is no fee for admission, but during the summer, visitors who want to learn about the sculptures can pay to join a public guided tour. Private tours can also be arranged all throughout the year. Ekeberg

6. Fetsund Lenser

Set at the mouth of the Glomma River where it meets Lake Øyeren, Fetsund Lenser was one of the country's most significant timber floating plants during the 19th century. Today, it's the only preserved timber boom facility in the country, and it's a national heritage monument intended to introduce visitors to this important aspect of Norwegian history. There are plenty of informative exhibits and historic buildings to explore, and visitors can even walk across the water on floating timber paths. The site is also a nature preserve, and it features interpretive nature trails, family-friendly activities, and a wetland visitor's center. Fetsund Lenser

7. Fram Museum

Norway played an incredible role in the early days of polar exploration, and if you're interested in this aspect of the country's history, the Fram Museum is a fascinating and rewarding place to spend an afternoon. The highlight of the museum is the 19th-century vessel Fram, an ice-defying wooden ship that still holds the world records for sailing the farthest south and farthest north, and visitors can step aboard to explore the ship's interior and learn about the early days of polar exploration. Other museum highlights include a polar simulator, a wildlife photography display, and an exhibition centered around the historic vessel Gjøa.

Fram Museum , Bygdøynesveien 39, 0286 Oslo, Norway, Phone: +47-23-28-29-50

8. Gamle Fredrikstad

Gamle Fredrikstad is one of the warmest cities in Norway, and this doesn't just refer to the fact that the Hvaler islands off the shore are the sunniest spot in the entire country. The Fredrikstad locals are known for their welcoming demeanor, their cheerful sense of humor, and their willingness to direct visitors to their favorite cafes and attractions. However, if you're only here for the day, there's a good chance that you'll spend most of your time in the fortified Old Town, which was originally established in 1567 and remains one of the best-preserved Nordic towns of its kind. Gamle Fredrikstad

9. Grefsenkollen

Norway has no shortage of spectacular mountains and hiking trails, but if you're looking for an easy day trip from Oslo, you can't go wrong with Grefsenkollen. Located to the north of downtown Oslo, the lookout point at the top boasts wonderful views of the city and the surrounding area, and it can be reached by a fairly easy two-mile trail. Once you get to the summit, you can relax on the grassy slope overlooking the city, enjoy a meal or a drink in the excellent restaurant, or continue hiking into the forest or to the beautiful Lake Trollvann. Grefsenkollen

10. Hadeland Glassverk

Set at the tip of Lake Randsfjorden, Hadeland Glassverk is an industrial glassworks company that has operating continuously since 1762. The company is still known for designing and producing beautiful pieces of glassware, but it's now also a popular tourist destination with plenty of things to keep visitors of all ages entertained. Live glass blowing demonstrations are held on a regular basis, and the Glass Hut offers workshops where visitors can make their own drinking glass to take home. There is also a museum that visitors are welcome to explore on their own, and guided tours of the factory are available for an additional fee. Hadeland Glassverk