Due to airline problems, we will be spending a half day and an evening in Helsinki in early Sept. We will have already been there in the beginning of our tour, so we need to find something to do for that short time that we have not done before. I was thinking, possibly the zoo
or something like that. Does any one have any ideas or experience in this city.
We will be staying at an airport hotel, so the airport will be our starting point.

It would be easier to suggest something if I knew what you have done before.

jreyer
For the evening, there's a nice restaurant in the harbor. I think the name is Kleppin or something similar. You have to take a launch from the port and it's just a few hundred meters. There's music and dancing too.

There's a charge for taking the launch going over to the restaurant but it's free on the way back. The thought is you should have spent all of your money at the restaurnat.

It's been a few years back but it's probably still there. It's a lovely place to take a nice meal.

The name means cliff or rock or something similar.

There's also a rule that women can ask the men to dance on Thursday. Again, this has been a few years back but it's a good practice.

Blackduff

If you'll be flying onwards, you'll probably want to do as much outdoors as possible?

If that's the case, I would recommend visiting Suomenlinna. It's a sea fortress on the islands just off Helsinki. There's a regular ferry service to Suomenlinna from the Market Square (Kauppatori). It's an interesting place, a combination of a outdoor museum, small village and a home for some 1,000 people. You can easily spend 3-4 hours there, wandering about the 250 year old fortress.

Or take a leisurely walk around the Töölö Bay (Töölönlahti). Start behind the Opera and just follow the waterline. There are some old wooden villas, the Finlandia House (Finlandia Talo) and the Winter Garden (Talvipuutarha) along the way.

For lunch, go to Soppakeittiö (trans. Soup Kitchen) at Hakaniemi Market Hall (Hakaniemen halli). They serve great soups, there are always three to choose from. Always delicious and only 7 euros, served with freshly baked bread.

Hope you enjoy your day in Helsinki in early September.

Only half a day? Might just stroll around the harbor and up the esplanade, maybe a bite at outdoor table at Kappellie's which Rick Steves loves. A harbor cruise would give you a glimpse of fjord scenery (I wouldn't bother with Suomenlinna with so little time). Rather seek out the unusual monument to Sibelius, Rock Church, and definitely the Seurasaari open air museum.

ozarksbill
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Since you have finished your finland trip, now I wish you didn't miss the Saunas. Finland, with a population of around five million, have more than 2.5 million saunas, people there enjoy the extreme contrast between 180 celcius degree steam and icy cold: Finland Saunas
http://www.travelvibez.com/story.php...nas-in-Finland