My husband and I and two daughters (ages 13 and 10) are flying into Oslo on June 25 and staying overnight before heading to Sweden for a 2.5 week family/touring trip by rental car. But we will have most of that first day in Oslo (we arrive 9:30 a.m.). We'll be looking to do something to keep minimally awake so we get on local time, but not too demanding since we'll be jet-lagged. We're staying at the Best Western Hotell Bondeheimen. Any suggestions that are close by (a park, small museum)? Also any close and casual eateries for lunch or light supper that don't require reservations in case we collapse and decide to skip?

It helps to be outside in the sunlight with jetlag. I hope you have a beautiful day so you can visit the Vigeland Sculpture park. It's filled with his work. I especially looked for the sculpture that was a small child throwing a temper tantrum. By the way he sculpted everyday people doing everyday things whilst nude. The sculptures nude, that is. I don't know about Vigeland.

I sat (in 2002) off to one side at a small park cafe. They had sandwiches and drinks available. It was pretty decent as I recall.

www.vigeland.museum.no

lovely idea, thank you, indytravel. I'm game for others, too, Oslo lovers! k

Oslo has a beautiful harbor with many eateries specializing in fish. Just pick one out.

Is your hotel downtown?

In my few hours there I walked around and went to eat at the Grand Cafe (the casual restaurant by the Grand Hotel). It's on Karl Johans Gate and by Strotinget (the Parliament). It's a lively street.

Also went to the waterfront (Aker Brygge).

Didn't get a chance for anything else (like the Viegland park mentioned or the main museums on Bygdoy) because I arrived late around 8:30 (but the sun didn't set until past 10).

You might find this trip report excerpt useful:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?N2AD52A3B

Frommers online has some nice suggested walks that're not at all taxing (Oslo is quite small).

Vigeland Park is a great idea as it will let you be outside and stretch your legs after a long flight. It's a pretty big park overloaded with statues of people (young and old alike) in various formations. As for a place to eat, I would recomment Peppe's, a casual Italian eatery. Best pizza ever! Enjoy your brief stay in Oslo-it's beautiful, as you'll soon discover.

Spend money - one of the world's most expensive cities - a low-alcohol beer in a cafe costs several bucks .. ditto for any drink. Bring whatever you need in - especially booze - not only expensive but state-run stores have monopoly and in some places they close for the day early and on weekends.

The other good thing about Vigeland Park with kids is a maze that's kind of set into the ground. We took two kids a little older than yours and they loved it. Sorry, I'm having trouble remembering the details of where it is, but I know it's right in the middle of the area you'd walk around in if you're looking at the statues.

I don't doubt you can get a good pizza at Peppe's but how can that compare with fresh prawns from the fishing boats docked at the quay and cooked specially for you. That's ambrosia.

You can wash them down with an Oslo brewed Ringnes beer or while sipping a Norwegian vodka.

kflodin: We did a 35 day driving trip in Scandinavia in 2000. We started in Copenhagen, drove up through Sweden with a stop at Visby on Gotland Island (don't miss this wonderful walled village), on to Stockholm, to Oslo, through the fjords to Alesund, down to Bergen, through the Setesdal Valley, ferry from Kristiansand to Hirtshals, Arhus, Ribe, Areo and back to Copenhagen. One of the most delightful trips we have ever taken.
At Oslo, I would suggest touring the Askershus Fort above the harbor and then walking down to wander the harbor.There is live entertainment at different places on/off the pier. Its a fun area and will keep you awake. There are tons of seafood restaurants and cafes on the pier. Menus are posted, so just choose one that fits your eating style and price range.
If you are feeling really energetic, take a ferry to Bygdoy to take in the Viking Museum, the Folk Museum (outdoor skansen) and the Kon-Tiki Museum. I think you could elicit interest in these on the part of your children with some explanations about what they are seeing.
Another option from the harbor area is a bay/fjord boat tour which takes in the islands and views of the city. This would be fun for all of you.
If you pick up your car in Oslo and drive to, say, Stockholm, I must warn you it is a long, tedious trip. I would consider a night train and pick up the car on arrival.
You can get to Visby with a ferry from just South of Stockholm. When you leave Visby, take the ferry that brings you to just North of Kalmar. Kalmar has one of the most beautiful castles in Europe IMHO. From Kalmar you will be heading into Southern Sweden which we found to be beautiful and at a number of stops, interesting.
Don't know which way you are heading. So, I will quit here, but I would be happy to offer you additional information about Sweden if you require it. Have a great trip.

Vigeland is a great recommendation IF you have good weather. Otherwise, I'd take the ferry to Bygdoy and do the Viking Ship Museum; the Norwegian Folk Museum is great, too, but again you'd want good weather. Another bad weather idea is the Norwegian Resistance Museum, near Akershaus Fortress. Personally, I loved the National Gallery but that depends on your kids. I managed to go without mine!