Shannon

We are spending a day in Helsinki, and would like to know if there is anything that a 12 year old boy might enjoy there, even if it's locating a toy shop. Any places to eat that would be interesting (he's not fussy with food).<BR>Thanks!

elina

http://www.hel.fi/tourism/html/english/artikkelit/index.html<BR><BR>The above are the pages of Helsinki´s tourist office. You´ll find more info than you probably even want to read.<BR><BR>Suomenlinna island fortress is a must. Ferries there leave from the Central Market Place, and they go in short intervals and cost only the same as a city tram or bus. Another good one is Korkeasaari zoo island. There are also many northern animals that are usually not seen in more southern zoos. In the evening you could go to Linnanm&auml;ki amusement park and try it´s over 50 years old roller coaster. Looks a bit scary structure, but is completely safe.<BR><BR>Seurasaari outdoor museum island is also a good choice. There are lots of tame squirrels running around.<BR><BR>Toyshops? Isn´t it strange how people pay attention only to those things that are their current intrest? I really have not registered toy shops. But at least there used to be a really big one in Forum shopping center on Mannerheimintie (main street), and Stockman´s departement store has a big toy department. Stockman´s is also on Mannerheimintie next to Esplanade park and the statue Three Blacksmiths.<BR><BR>There are so many restaurants I don´t know what to recommend. Everything from fancy dining to hamburger, pizza and kebab places. If you decide to go to Seurasaari outdoor museum, there is an old house with a restaurant that usually serves very good Finnish food. Also on Suomenlinna island there are restaurants, the worlds best Russian restaurants are in Helsinki, a good Finnish one is Kuu (Moon) and Havis Amanda, all kinds of ethnic places from Lebanese to Nepalese are around, there is also a place called Lappi (Lapland) that serves Lappish food and so on. I am sure you´ll find something to your liking. If your children want hamburgers, don´t go to MacDonals, try a Finnish chain named Hesburger. They even have ryeburgers and low fat burgers.<BR><BR>One thing you also could do: take tram 3T. It makes a circular route and there is a tape that tells about the sights by its route.

Debbie

Elina-GREAT website on Helsinki-thx for sharing!

Shannon

I really appreciate your help, Elina, I was hoping you would answer my posting.<BR><BR>As for toy shops, ah, it's like being a teenager and whatever the country has to offer, they want to find the best record store in town. Or an adult, looking for the perfect wine!

elina

Shannon, I remember very well all those summer evenings I have spent in the corners of "electronic games halls" in different places around the world... Anyway, welcome to Helsinki, and lets hope the sun will be shining.

Frances

I would second Seurasaari which I visited with children and ate in the restaurant.Funny how the squirrels stick in your mind as it was 17 years ago that I went there but Elina's posting brought it all back.<BR>We visited Suomenlinna last Summer but found parts of it were closed when they were advertised as openE.G. an art exhibition and a toy museum. This was early-ish in the morning about 11a.m.We also failed to find the Lappi restaurant which we had earmarked in our guidebook before even reaching Finland.The staff in our hotel tried to ring for us but came to the conclusion it had closed.<BR>Depending on your sons interests then if you are arriving by plane,Sibelius's house is not too far from Vantaa Airport in Ainola. We intended to visit last Summer but got waylaid by very kind friends living in Jarvenpaa who insisted in feeding us and plying us with drink!<BR>I am envious of you. Have a lovely time.

lorene

The Lappi restaurant is still there but I am not sure of the name. It is located (I believe) on Annankatu. The food is delicious and well worth the effort to locate the establishment. <BR><BR>Good luck and enjoy your stay in Helsinki.

elina

Lorene is right. Lappi is in Annankatu (Anna´s Street) 22, right in the city center. It is the stretch of Annankatu that lies between Kalevankatu (Kaleva´s Street) and L&ouml;nnrotinkatu (L&ouml;nnroth´s Street). You just start from Stockmann´s department store, cross the Mannerheimintie and walk two blocks uphill along Kalevankatu.

Shannon

Thank you, thank you! We will have SUCH fun!!! Finland is one of the few places I have not been to. Elina, at the end of July, what time does the sun go down (approximately)?

EP

I am not Elina, but at the end of July the sun goes down approximately ten thirty, and comes up again at 4 am. But that does not mean it will be totally dark, more like dusk. Today sun went down at 11 pm and comes up at 3.30 am. But now it is past midnight and I just put the lights on five minutes ago.<BR>In northern Finland the sun does not go below horizon at all from the end of May till the end of July, but Helsinki is hundreds of kilometres south.<BR><BR>http://www.tt.fi/kamera/iso.shtml<BR><BR>That is an address to a webcam in one corner of South Harbour in Helsinki. If you save that, you can watch yourself how light or dark it is. The camera is not in good position because it does not show the sky, but you can still see if it is light or dark. <BR><BR>Welcome to Helsinki!

Shannon

EP,<BR>Thank you for your help -- that web-cam is great!

elina

I didn´t know of any web cams. But that picture there is now in the camera is not from South Harbour, it is anyplace on the shoreline except harbours. So, obviously they change the cameras and show pictures from different parts of the town.