what to do/where 2stay: copenhagen
 

I have a short stay with my family in copenhagen (arrive late friday night - depart sunday afternoon) - looking for recommendations of things to do, area to stay in, restaurants etc.,

The Hotel Danmark is reasonably priced (for Copenhagen), clean, quiet, close in, and with a good breakfast. It is right around the corner from the National Museum, just a couple of blocks fron Tivoli. What you would do during the day depends on your interests. If you do a search for Copenhagen on this site, you will get plenty of suggestions. I would recommend Our Saviors Church, kust a short bus ride from city center, where you can climb a golden spiral staircase up the outside of the steeple for a great view of the city. Not for anyone with acrophobia. You could also take a train to Hillerød and tour Fredricksbørg Palace, a very ornate palace built by Christian IV, who bankrupted the country in the process. Rosenborg Palace in the city has the crown Jewels and a very impressive throne room. You can stroll along the harbor at Nyhavn and see an interesting small amber museum. Whatever you do during the day, you MUST go to Tivoli in the evening. The most beautiful lights and fountains and some of the best people-watching in Europe.(has been voted the most beautiful amusement park in the world) Do a search for Copenhagen Card and check out their website. Most of what I mentioned is covered by the card, including all busses and trains in the area, including the train to Hillerød.

Go for a stroll through the Stroget shopping area. Most stores close early on Saturday (between 2 and 4) and are closed on Sunday. There's lots of street performers and people everywhere. At the end the main street is a square and just a little past that is Nyhaven, a cute little Dutch style canal with lots of restaurants and cafes. You can pick up a canal tour in English there that will cruise you by the Little Mermaid stautue and by a lot of the major sites in Copenhagen. <BR> <BR>Or you could take in one of the palaces, Christianborg (www.slotte.dk) has tours in English (I believe at 11, 1 and 3) and Rosenborg you can tour on your own. I think I liked Rosenborg a little better as it retained some of its medieval flavor and had an appropriate level of gloom. <BR> <BR>Definitely see Tivoli at night, at 11:45 on Saturday they have a small fireworks display (www.tivoligardens.com). <BR> <BR>On Sunday we had an extra hour to kill so we stopped by Ny Carlsberg Glyptotek, the sculpture museum which is free on Sunday. There's a nice collection of sculptures, a full set of Degas bronzes and a small collection of impressionist paintings. <BR>

Like Anna, I always suggest the Danmark hotel, but hereafter it will depend on the weather. I returned from Copenhagen on the 10th, spent four nights at the Danmark in sweltering heat (unusual for Copenhagen) and no air-conditioning. I might check out the Radissons next time since I assume they are air-conditioned, and this summer they have a "Magic summer" rate which is probably comparable to the rates at the Danmark. <BR>The info on sightseeing given by <BR>Anna and Kris is "right on." <BR>Enjoy one of my favorite cities. <BR>Boots

Best place to watch the fireworks from in Tivoli is the balcony of the big building (the opera house?) at the far side of the central fountain. Tivoli has its own fireworks factory and it was a good display.

Teresa, <BR> Check out www.aok.dk

Teresa: Anna and Kris have pretty well covered it for a three day experience. Danmark Hotel on upper floors with windows open, facing North (toward the back of the Hotel) in July was fine. Great location. <BR> <BR>Tivoli was great fun. Arrived about five and stopped at one of the beer and wine outdoor cafes for a couple of drafts (one each). Lingered with views of Gardens of Tivoli. Later ate at one of the many restaurants in order to stay for the evening. Pretty good dinner at Pafuglen or Rafuglen or ...? It is the first full service restaurant on your left as you walk into Tivoli (not the beef joint). Nice setting in or out. Sat throgh two seatings of Big Band Jazz which was pretty good; one at eight and one at ten. Place is enchanting at night; especially the Chinese Pagoda. <BR> <BR>Had a good early dinner on another night at Riz Razz, a good vegetarian restaurant with a very complete buffet. <BR>One block over (South) from Stroget Pedestrian Walk. <BR> <BR>Rosenborg Castle is well worth while. Very pretty. Loaded with furniture, art, ceramics and just things from the era. Nice walk up Stroget and, about midway, look for upper sections of Castle and follow your nose. Gets you into a less touristy shopping area. Looks more like where the Danes of Copenhagen might shop. Neat park and gardens around Castle. <BR> <BR>Take your harbor cruise from Nyhavn walking the area. Best late afternoon; no crowds and easier to see the sights without the sun blinding you. Good for pictures too. <BR> <BR>If you walk out to the Little Mermaid, take a walk through Kastellet Park. This Citidal is in good repair and very pretty. The Resistance Museum is here. <BR> <BR>Frederiksborg Slott (Castle) is easy to get to. Take the S Train or Busses #701 or #702 to the town of Hillerod. It is rather spectacular. <BR> <BR>Copenhagen is a fun city. Have a good one. (I hope this gets to you in time as we were in Scandinavia when you posted it and just got back).

I stayed at the Palace Hotel which I thought was well located especially for the Tivoli gardens. It's a little old though and a bit dusty around the edges. The top hotel in town is rumoured to be D'Angleterre (www.dangleterre.com) and is situated very well for Nyhavn district.

A very nice hotel near the town hall square is the Kong Frederik(sp?) Staff is exceptionally gracious. In June my husband and I were in Copenhagen for a day and wanted smoorbrod (Sp and accents!). Stopped by the hotel where we had stayed 15 years ago and they sent us to the perfect spot! Plus, is a very convenient location to train station, Tivoli, etc. (and, tho not certain,) less expensive than the D'Angleterre. Also, the Thorvaldsen museum is a real gem for those interested in sculpture.

Everything is pretty much covered above except this: The official Web site for Copenhagen is www.woco.dk (the counterintuitive "woco" stands for Wonderful Copenhagen). Copenhagen Card information is there. Oh, and this: DEFINITELY get ice cream cones in Tivoli!