Oslo, Norway

ORIENTATION – Oslo Pass 210 (24hr) 300, 390 kr includes museums and all transportations – Airport express train runs right to downtown - very easy to manage. Train/subway system is very easy and a simple way to get around if it is too far for a walk.

Lodging:

• Hotel Continental - Stortingsgaten 24/26 Vika N - 0117 Oslo Norway +47 22 82 40 00 E-mail: booking@hotel-continental.no - Excellent central location for business or leisure. A subway stop is right across the way that can get you anywhere outside of walking distance. Superb service and the breakfast/overall stay was good.

Attractions - for overall tourist info about Oslo click here...

• Akershus Fortress – free 6:00-21:00 – check for castle details though – great views of Oslo in every direct. Make a point to walk/run through this area. You can also find the Oslo Nazi Resistance museum adjacent to the castle within the fortress walls
  
• Holmenkollen Ski Museum – free with pass 10-16:00 (70kr) – great views of Oslo and surrounding country. Worth a trip. Take the train up the mountain for the quickest visit.
• Oslo University - small university right near Parliament and the Royal Palace
  
• National Gallery (Closed Mon) – includes arch and design 10-18:00 free – has the orig Screaam – Munch – very manageable museum that you can hit in less then an hour. Central part of town, near university.
• Vigeland Sculpture Park – free open all hours. Unique sculptures, but one of the bigger tourist attractions. Great park and worth spending some time here.
• Munchmuseet – some Munch works – check opening, closed M 10-4 – 65kr, free with pass
• Vikingskipshuset – Viking museum 11-16 50kr (free with pass)
• Norsk Sjofartsmuseum – ship museum – 10:30-16 (40kr)
• Royal Palace – changing of guard free at 1:30 – can get very close to the soldiers, but the Palace is less then stellar. Grounds behind palace are worth a stroll.
• Bike Rental - this would be a great way to get around Oslo (weather permitting).
• Bygdoy – peninsula south of town, cool area with beaches and museums, mainly residential
• Museum of Architecture - free - National museum for art, architecture and design
  
• Doga - free - Norwegian design center
  
• Lillehammer (20 min train) – 11-16 60kr – locals suggested not to waste the time on this, as there isn't too much other then some Olympic sights.
• Hiking - check with the tourism office or some locals. Forest and mountains are minutes from downtown. This is the best way to experience Oslo.

FOOD/DRINKS:

• Rema and Kiwi are grocery chains
• Fyret – seafood and cool views
• Lemongrass - Caribbean/Thai/Asian Fusion food - recommended by locals and was a great find. This is a few blocks off the main square. Kristian Augustgt. 14
  
• Fenaknoken – Gourmet food store
• Far East Coffee - one of the better coffee houses you'll come across. Great decor and comfortable seating.
• Mono – drinks and live music
• Muddy Waters – Blues – guide book rec for live music - "older crowd" according to book.
• Lofoten - based on Aker Brygge. If in season order "Lutefisk". Traditional Norwegian dish during Christmas time. Seafood and service here are top notch. Straden 75.
  
• Solsiden: based opposite to Akerbrygge, just below Akershus Festning (recommended during summer)
• Ekeberg Restauranten: local rec - based on the hill side south in the city, with a nice view over the harbour. This is not a typical seafood restaurant, but the food is good.
• Alex Sushi: local recommendation for sushi
• Palace Grill: very expensive, but another local rec. No reservations. Pre-fix menu with wine pairings. About 5-10 dishes served. Probably best to take an early setting around 6.
• Briston Grill - continental fare
• Kristiania - continental fare, local eating spot
  
• Frognerseteren, is based "on top" of Oslo. If the weather is nice this is a nice place to visit.

NEIGHBORHOODS:

• Gronland - is an area with an influence of foreign cultures
• Grunerlokka is a place where students, consultants(not married yet) and young people meet up, go to bars, have a coffee on the street
• Bjorvika - close to central station and pass by the new Opera house which is almost done.

SHOPPING:

• Lysforum - Majorstuveien 28 - you'll see cool light fixtures here featuring Modiss
• Majorstuens Elekriske - 57 Kirkeveinen - more lighting displays, very unique
• Karl Johans Gate - mix of local shops and some tourist shops
• Stortoret
• Baerum Verk - crafts
• Norway Designs
• Hadenland Glassverk
• William Schmidt - souvenirs