On my most recent trip to Sweden with my kids in July this year, we spent a few days in Stockholm and for the first time the kids got to visit the grand amusement park there: Gröna Lund. Like any visit to an amusement park with kids it was both tons of fun, and rather exhausting. The weather was amazing: blue sky and sunshine, and actually rather too hot (something that doesn't happen often in Sweden!). The temperature was around 30 degrees Celsius by midday, and that made it quite a sweaty visit with a serious need for cold drinks and sunscreen!
Gröna Lund is an old amusement park: it was originally founded in 1883, and features attractions and rides ranging from an old-school carousel and bumper cars, to the crazy-looking rollercoaster "Insane" and the 80 meter tall "Fritt Fall" (Giant Drop).
The rides and attractions for smaller children are all found in a separate section of the park, making it easy for families to find their way around. In this section, my kids thoroughly enjoyed rides like the carousel, the Tea Cups, "Lyktan" (Family Free Fall Tower), the Flying Elephants, and the kiddie rollercoaster "Nyckelpigan" (The Ladybug).
| The kids going all the way up "Lyktan". |
They also had a great time on some of the more "grown up" rides in the other part of the park. The dark and (moderately) scary ride on "Blå Tåget" (Ghost Train) was a favourite, and my son had a lot of fun on the Octopus as well. Since the kids seemed to be enjoying some more "daring" fare, I decided to take them on "Vilda Musen" (Family Coaster), a roller coaster I remembered from my own childhood visits to Gröna Lund. The ride was a big hit with my 11 year old son (he was just mad he couldn't go for a second ride right away), but my 7 year old daughter was in tears afterwards:
not one of my better parenting moments. Her comment when I asked her if she didn't enjoy at least PART of the ride: "The first hill up was fun, after that it was all horrible".
We also bought special tickets for the "Spökhuset" (Haunted House) with real, live people dressed up as various frightening creatures and monsters provide the scares. However, we only made it past the threshold before my son decided that he had enough: we had to make a quick exit out the way we came! Too scary for younger kids (just as the signs warned us). Oh well. Maybe next time.
The children also enjoyed the clown's performing in the open areas of the amusement park: juggling and riding unicycles. They had some tasty-sticky cotton candy, as well as waffles from one of the local restaurants.
Since it was such a hot day, spending time in lineups was a bit of a chore, but we managed it. We didn't try any of the games, but my niece managed to win a giant (and I mean
giant) box of chocolates. They were a little worse for wear by the time we headed home because of the heat!
All in all, we had a terrific time at Gröna Lund, and I suspect the kids will want to go back next time we visit Stockholm!
- Gröna Lund is located in the Djurgården-area of Stockholm. It's easy to get to, and on this visit we got there using the "Hop On, Hop Off" boat, which meant we also got a great view of downtown Stockholm. Check out the details for the "Hop On, Hop Off" boats and buses here.
Ah, we skipped Gröna Lund last summer, but really enjoyed a full day in Skansen. When we return next year, I'll consider adding the amusement park to the list--the kids'll be 9 and 10, so maybe they'll be up for some of the slightly more daring rides.
ReplyDeleteGrona Lund is one of favourite park. I visited this park attraction in summer vacation before my coast bus tour with my friends. Summer is an ideal time to entertain with the numerous cities like the tunnel of love. They all are excited due to its stunning locations because it situated on the sea wardside in Djurgården island. It is easily accessible through the ferry and by bus. Bus is the best option I visited it through the bus.
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