If you follow Brooklyn Limestone on Instagram, you know we took our last vacation as a family of three earlier this month. Our first stop was Copenhagen - a city I've been jonesing to see for so long! We had dipped our toe into Scandinavia before when visiting Helsinki 5 years ago but Denmark is the one that gets all the press about having the most satisfied citizens so I wanted to see for myself.
I expected a haven of Danish design and overly happy citizens with loads of child friendly offerings at every turn. What we found was a very lovely and livable city but it didn't have the magical quality I was expecting. I suspect Copenhagen is an amazing city to live in but I think my expectations were just a tad too high. That said, we did have a great time. The weather was wonderful - cool in the middle of summer with lots of daylight. It's a very walkable city in general that also happens to have excellent public transportation. And of course, there are the bikes - everyone rides! Here are a few of the highlights
Sightseeing in Copenhagen with Kids
Not surprisingly, Tivoli Gardens was a highlight of the trip. Located right in the heart of the city its a wonderful mix of retro amusement park, beautifully manicured gardens and respectable restaurants. When the guidebooks suggest you spend the whole day there, they aren't kidding. There was a great mix of rides for all ages inside as well as a fabulous playground for little kids and lots to see. It somehow avoids the usual cheese factor of most amusement parks. We could have easily come back everyday just for the playground inside.
To be fair, there are lots of things to do in Copenhagen with kids if they are older including battleships and castles to explore, boat tours and lovely parks. I'd say Copenhagen is better for the over 5 set. A good reason to return in a few years time!
Another favorite spot we visited several times was Torvehallerne food hall - a modern food market where you can sample all kinds of fresh and prepared foods. Sadly we weren't staying over the weekend so I missed the flea market which I hear is very worthwhile. Yet another reason to return.
And while the city wasn't overflowing with inspired design on every corner, there were a few bits of inspiration scattered throughout. Like this amazing hand painted floor, I stumbled upon in a children's clothing shop, this gorgeous roses in water centerpiece idea outside a florist shop as well as some beautiful home exteriors.
We spent 4 days mostly exploring and enjoying Copenhagen with kids. It's been on my bucket list for so long, I'm so happy I got to see it for myself. After 4 days, we hopped a short flight to Edinburgh, Scotland.
Click here to find out about Edinburgh with kids too!
I love Copenhagen! If you want an amazing CHARMING Scandinavian trip get to NORWAY! Start in Oslo head over the mountains to Geiranger Fjord, stopping at LOM to see the Stave church, take a ferry out of the fjord and head to Bergen. Charm and beauty and culture around each corner.
ReplyDeleteWe just came back from Copenhagen as well! Our kids are 5 and 9 so a trip up to Legoland was a must on our list. The kids swam in the Canal, we ate some delicious open faced sandwiches and we all enjoyed Tivoli. I would love to go back and see the Christmas market at Tivoli one day.
ReplyDeleteLooks so clean, bright and gorgeous. Definitely adding to my own bucket list.
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Glad to see your photos. Copenhaven is on my bucket list. We, too, have been to Helsinki and plan to do a bicycle trip in Norway next summer. Then we will hop on over to Denmark and Sweden.
ReplyDeleteYour thoughts were really interesting, and honest. Love your daughter's cute outfit, but she always looks adorable!
ReplyDeleteI love your view of Copenhagen! My trip last month was slightly different. Tivoli, for example, wasn't a highlight of my trip. I guess that's the difference between traveling solo and traveling with a cute kiddo!
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I'm in the beginning stages of planning a long trip to Europe with a toddler this summer and scouring your archives :-) Copenhagen (or anywhere in Scandinavia) was actually pretty high on my list, and I appreciate the honesty in this post! We're definitely going to be in England (where my dad and stepmom live) and Spain (where we'll be vacationing with family in a yet-to-be decided location), so I'm thinking I may just try to add in a Paris trip or something instead of schlepping all the way to Copenhagen.
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