Skansen- worth visit or fake culture?
 

We're 2 adults. No kids. Everyone recommends a visit, but it almost seems like a fake transplanted piece of "culture," and perhaps we'd be better off spending a morning or afternoon doing something else, since we only have 3 days. What do you all think?

Take a quick peek around, thats what we did.

Hi there!

We were there last August on a rather showery cold day. We did enjoy it - the buildings are originals and the animals are fun - I know what you mean about 'a fake transplanted etc.' but it is still quite entertaining. At the same time you can visit the Vasa which we found to be extremely interesting - I wouldn't have wanted to miss that. We also only had 3 days in Stockholm.

Perhaps you could visit the other attractions first and then if you have time visit Skansen. Gamlastan, the changing of the palace guard and a visit to the Stadthus are all very worthwhile.

Hope this has been of help.

Transplanted, yes; fake,no. I found Skansen very interesting indeed.

Whether you'd be better off doing something else depends on your interests.

What else did you have in mind for your half-day?

I thought it was OK, not ousttanding though we enjoyed spendng midsummer eve there. We also combined it with Vasa which made it kind of worthwhile. I'd rate Vasa, Carl Milles museum, changing of the guard, the City Hall, walking tour of Gamla Stan and the boat tour all higher so see how much time you have left.

My husband and I really enjoyed Skansen. We were there on a day when it wasn't crowded, and we found it really interesting and quite peaceful. It is not "fake" at all".

Not fake at all, and by going we encourage the Swedish and other governments to look out for other buildings to keep. The result is a scatter of these skansens from Stockholm to Bucharest. I only wish the idea had caught on earlier in England.

Ben Haines, London
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ON a recent cruise ship stop, which limits our time, after Vasa museum we walked to Skansen and were sorely tempted. Talking with folks around, I get the idea that it is best enjoyed as you would a large theme park. After all, people buy season passes, and spend days there with kids. Birthday parties, etc.
My general impression is that due to lack of time, we missed a valuable experience.
So, a reason to return.

Is a museum fake because the objects have been transported there from elsewhere? No, Skansen is not an in situ village, but it is a collection of very real houses and artifacts collected there to preserve them and make them accessible. If you don't plan on travelling to rural Sweden and seeking out the remaining historic vernacular village architecture, it provides a good opportunity. I didn't find it to be unbearably hokey, either, so some "living history" museums do get that way.

Correction: that should be "though some 'living history museusms'" not "so some."

Native:

No, it's certainly not considered a fake...it's very real and in a very pleasant, unmanicured setting.We bumped into a very nice folk dancing show, colorful as can be. It sure ain't Disneyland...plenty of room, never crowded they tell me. Spent an enjoyable few hours there. I suppose Californians like myself, and New Yorkers like yourselves(East Coast/West Coast) would typically be the most skeptical about something like Skansen..but it sold me and DW, and we've seen so many of these "parks"....Oslo has a good one, too. Go and enjoy! (Had a very colorful Calder exhibit when we were there, also)
'
Stu T.

Thank you, all. We only have 3 days, so we want to make sure we use our minimal time to maximum advantage, but not try to squeeze too much in.

OK, so, we're back...and we went to Skansen, and frankly, we were sorry that we spent a half day doing it. Even though they're authentic buildings brought from various locations, it all felt very contrived and child-park like. We were not impressed. I would have been happier going to a museum or something.

Glad you're back safe and hope your trip was great, not withstanding Skansen. But ya know? That's how we live and learn..you've done it, don't need to do it again and you won't be wondering "could we, should we". Be sure to give us a report. But keep it to 2,000 words or less....LOL