Aalborg Zoo

Aalborg Zoo is the second biggest in Scandinavia with about 1600 exiting animals from all over the world. Look out for the polar bear enclosure which is designed for you to watch them play both above and below water. Then there is the big savannah where you’ll be able to see giraffes, zebras and buffalos, - and don’t either forget the monkey’s corner it is always a lively place to visit, they are always so cheeky. There is also a playground in the Zoo and goats who loves to be stroked. www.aalborgzoo.dk  

Tivoli-land

If you and your family like to have fun then Tivoli-land is the place to go. Here you will find loads of exiting rides and attractions. Most of them are specially designed for Tivoli-land and can only be experienced here in Aalborg!

On a picture hunt at the North Jutland Art Museum

The North Jutland Art Museum houses Danish as well as international art dating from 1900 to today. Interesting and fun picture hunts designed for the whole family focus on either the permanent or visiting collections. You really need a good eye for details and the children get as carried away as the adults! You get a little prize for getting the questions right. www.nordjyllandskunstmuseum.dk  

Museums for people who like to touch things

Aalborg Naval and Maritime Museum exhibits the last Danish submarine to be built, “Springeren” (The Springer) which you can board and try to steer and look to see through a real periscope. The museum is also now home to the world’s fastest gas turbine torpedo boat “Søbjørnen” (The Sea Bear). www.aalborgmarinemuseum.dk  

At Aalborg’s Defence and Garrison Museum you can get inside tanks, try out different types of cannons and squeeze into the cockpit of a fighter jet. www.forsvarsmuseum.dk  

Museums which tell a story
- and beautiful old houses

There are many charming and grand old houses in Aalborg. Some of them you can only enjoy from the outside, others you can get inside and then there are some which are made into in historical museums. In the autumn half term (week 42 in October) Aalborg Tourist Office arranges guided tours about the old days for children. Please ask the tourist office for further details or have a look at www.visitaalborg.com  

Gråbrødrekloster Museet

(Franciscan Friary Museum) is actually under ground. Take the lift by the side of the department store Salling in Algade. However, before you do you need to work out the total weight of your whole family. It mustn’t be above 250 kg. The museum is part of the ruins in the old Franciscan Friary. Press the buttons and hear stories of what Franciscan life was like in Aalborg in the Middle Ages. www.aahm.dk  

Aalborghus Slot

(Aalborghus Castle) looks very charming with the red timber and white chalk walls, but it has a sinister secret. When it was built in the 16th century it was meant as a threat to the citizens and farmers in North Jutland who opposed the King. The unfortunate ones were imprisoned here. The Castle is open between May – October and you can visit the Castle Court Yard and the Park all year round.

Jens Bangs Stenhus

(Jens Bangs Stone House) was built by the grand merchant Jens Bang in 1624 and it is admired as the grandest renaissance house in Northern Europe. Even though Jens Bang was the richest man in Aalborg, he was never allowed to become part of the city council. This explains the statue of him on the gables of the house sticking his tongue out at the Town Hall.

Lindhom Høje – Museum and Burial Ground

lies in Nørresundby. The burial ground and the Viking houses date back to the Iron & Viking Age. Because moving sand dunes completely buried the area around the year 1000, the stone circles and the ploughed field were totally preserved. The museum has a beautifully illustrated tableaux and reconstructed paintings showing how they lived in those days. www.aahm.dk

Jumboland Playful Paradise

www.jumboland.dk  is a huge indoor play area full of different experiences and challenges for children between 1 – 12 years old. Svømmeland in Nørresundby www.nsbic.dk has a 50 metre pool, a children’s and baby pool, water slide and fitness centre.

Rulleskøjteløjpen

(Roller Skating Ramp) in Aalborg East is the longest of its kind in Europe. It is 12 km long. Please see route map for further details on www.aalborg.dk  

Angling or Golf

Angling is allowed from the quayside in Aalborg and Nørresundby. Angling permits can be purchased at the tourist office.

Aalborg has two golf courses and guests are welcome on both. Aaborg Golf Club www.aalborggk.dk lies 10 km west of the city centre. Ørnehøj Golf Club www.ornehojgolfklub.dk is situated in Gistrup approx. 10 km east of the city centre

Bowling and leisure

There are several bowling and leisure arcades, for example there is Seaport Funcenter www.seaport.dk, Back Street Bowl www.backstreetbowl.dk and Game World www.gamew.dk

Grass between your toes and time to play

Aalborg has several good park areas. Weather permitting we recommend lunch in one of them. Buy a sandwich or a slice of pizza and give your children space to play. In Mølleparken there is a beautiful view over the fjord and green hills for you to tumble down. In several of the parks there are great playgrounds and in Østre Anlæg (The Eastern Park) you can feed the ducks. In Kildeparken you can enjoy outdoor concerts in the summertime.

Time for shopping

It is nice to wander about and browse around the shops– there must be time for shopping especially if you have older children with you. In Aalborg City Centre the pedestrian streets Algade and Bispensgade are not to be missed! Here and in the small side streets and lanes there is a good selection of trendy shops. The city’s department store is situated here – In City Syd (City South) is the big shopping centre called Aalborg Storcenter with approx. 60 shops.

Events

It buzzes with activity in Aalborg and there are many events for children and the young at heart. Some of the annual events are the Aalborg Children’s Carnival in May, at Lindholm Høje there are Viking Plays and a Viking Market in June and in December a Christmas Market in the town centre as well as an outdoor ice skating rink at C. W. Obels Plads (C.W. Obels Square).

Children's Theatre

The children’s theatre Jako Bole has a big and exiting repertoire and Aalborg Congress and Cultural Centre features many grand musicals and shows - do also keep an eye out for the Aalborg Symphony Orchestra’s children’s concerts. Please take a look at www.visitaalborg.com
where you will find a more detailed list of events.

When the hunger hits you

There are many cafes and relaxed eating places in Aalborg. Often you are able to get special children meals or children portions. In the summertime you can sit outside which of course is much easier for families with young children with plenty of space for prams and buggies.

Sightseeing

In the summer you can sail from Honnør Quay in front of Aalborghus Slot (Aalborghus Castle) to the small island of Egholm. There are some stops on route - it is a nice way to see Aalborg from a different angle. Please ask the tourist office for details on sailings.