stockholm and Tallin DIY for kids

[ldo]

since many are booking tomorrow AM, I thought I'd share 2 fun things for kids that my family did. Both easy DIY from the port.
Stockholm: take the HO-HO that picks up right at the pier (get SEK for the Ho-Ho (Swedish $$) before you leave the US--they are not on the euro). Take the Ho-HO to downtown and walk around. You can go into the Palace, etc. but the BEST place was the Livrustkammaren. Founded in 1633, it is also Sweden's oldest museum. Set in the palace vaults, this armory isn't just about weapons but displays some of the world's most magnificent state coaches and coronation robes, even the costume worn by Gustav III at a fatal masked ball. (The king was assassinated at the 1792 ball, and the incident inspired Verdi to write his opera The Masked Ball.) They have a free kit that you can borrow for the kids--it is a box with a fake mouse and y ou find clues throughout the museum. My kids (9, 13) spent 2 hours doing this--super fun. They also have a good dress up place, as well. We got the combo Ho-HO ticket and also took a boat tour. We did not have time to see the Vikng ship (on the HO-HO bus/boat line).
Tallin--easy to walk from pier to town and they have costumed persons selling nuts, sodas, etc.--very festive. Plus, you can do archery outside the fort with Red Riding Hood type costumed workers. Large square in center of town to get food, etc. Tallin looks like a storybook village from a fairy tale.
Loved the Baltic cruise--St. P was DD9's favorite spot. Happy travels to all! Elaine

 

[jdb in AZ]

We loved seeing the Vasa in Stockholm.

http://www.visitstockholm.com/en/To-Do/Attractions/the-vasa-museum/142

 

[lizabu]

My favourite thing in Stockholm was Gamla Stam which just means Old City and the Royal Palace. Gamla Stan is many charming old houses. They are mostly all restaurants, bakeries and shops now. There is a lot to see in that small area. Stockholm cathedral is beautiful. You pay a donation to go in but you rarely see such beautiful art work. Buy something sweet from one of the charming bakeries and head over to the Royal Palace. Your ticket gets you in to see the Treasury, the Royal Apartments and the museum. Make sure you find a spot early for the changing of the guards. It's a real highlight. It's in the courtyard and roped off so you will know where it's going to be. I used the time before it started to enjoy my treat from the bakery. There was this soft pretzel with sugar and cardamom I still think about I spent way too much time in the Royal Apartments. I did it after the changing of the guards. The furniture and artwork in there is amazing.

 

[spacecanada]

We also really enjoyed seeing the Vasa museum in Stockholm. You can get there easily by public transit, just ask at the port for directions to the nearby transit terminal and they will give you full instructions from there. We found everyone very helpful in Scandinavia and most of them spoke English or could get someone who spoke English to interpret.

In Tallinn, old town looks a lot like a fairy tale! I don't know what would be good for kids to do, but we enjoyed walking around old town, climbing up the giant steps to walk on part of the wall (great views of the city! I think the fee was 3 euros each and there's a little cafe up there), playing in the park, and visiting an old market square. They have fun meals, market stalls, outdoor markets, archery, and other fun things around too. Old Town is approximately a 7-10 minute walk from the pier, plus walking time inside. Most of the fun stuff is n the middle or back, so young kids may not like all that walking. Taxis are readily available near the pier, at the big church at the back of Old Town, and at the other end of Old Town, close to the modern city.

Oh, and bread in Scandinavia is my favourite food group. Yes, a whole food group, just for Scandinavian bread. Purchase a loaf from a local bakery and sit in the park to enjoy it. There's usually a fruit or vegetable stand nearby if you want to have a more balanced meal. Most locals do this, and it is a relaxing way to enjoy the scenery, people watch, and enjoy great food too. Mmmm... I could really go for some of that bread right now.

 

[leannak]

Is SEK the only way to pay for the hop-on hop-off bus? No credit card, American dollars, euro, buy ahead online or through the cruise boat? Anything?

 

[jiminyC_fan]

We had 4 days in Stockholm. It's pretty easy to get around on your own and not take a ship sponsored excursion. Our two favorite things to do were the Vasa Museum and Skansen, an outdoor museum that takes you back to several time periods. The Palace was fun to see. Gamla Stan was ok but to us it was just shopping. We bought the travel card here: https://www.stockholmpass.com/stock...MI7MSFt6nc2wIVlbXACh24oAMxEAAYASAAEgIMDvD_BwE

 

[Geomom]

Is SEK the only way to pay for the hop-on hop-off bus? No credit card, American dollars, euro, buy ahead online or through the cruise boat? Anything?

BTW, this thread is 4 yrs old. From what I've read, Sweden is almost a cashless society now--so they probably don't take SEK now.

We're doing Stockholm on our own during our Baltic cruise this summer. We bought the Stockholm Pass, and had it mailed to us. https://www.stockholmpass.com/

It covers 2 of the 3 HO-Ho buses/boats, and 60 attractions. We're planning to use it for the Vasa, Skansen, and Vikingaliv--since they're all in the same area. We did NOT add on the Travel Card as we're just visiting attractions in one area. We plan to take the Ho-Ho to that area, and then to the port area...hopefully it all works out! We'll definitely need to keep track of time as the All Aboard is at 4:30PM for us!

 

[aggiedog]

While the thread is old, I doubt the bus takes anything but SEK/cashless. They have their own currency. It might be good to ask on the TripAdvisor forum just in case.

I read on another board that a traveler's apple watch (contactless pay) worked anywhere that had that option, including restrooms. That would be super easy!

 

[o&smom]

The Seaplane Harbor Museum in Tallinn was great for our family. We also enjoyed Skansen in Stockholm and spent way more time than we had planned at Junibacken. They are both within walking distance of the Vasa Museum as well.