What to Do in Helsinki, Finland, for Families

For the past two years, Finland has been named the “happiest country in the world” by the United Nations. And while travelers should explore the country as a whole to understand just what makes Finns so blissful, Helsinki particularly deserves a spotlight.

With a population smaller than Milwaukee, the city is easy to navigate, making it ideal for families. Its hip, youthful vibe is evident in its attractions, restaurants and boutique hotels. Visitors should consider purchasing the Helsinki Card, which grants admission to 28 attractions, provides discounts to another 25 and covers public transportation. Families can even purchase the card online in advance to include transportation from the airport.

What to Do
Helsinki holds many examples of Finland’s cutting-edge modern architecture and design. Kids and teens may balk at a library visit, but Oodi is a striking building with a jungle gym like no other. (Note: The play structure is better suited for teens than toddlers.)

Travelers should also see the Dr. Seuss-like exterior of modern art museum Amos Rex and the adjacent Kamppi Chapel of Silence, a rounded church with no corners and no noise allowed. Other churches worth seeing are Helsinki Cathedral and Temppeliaukion Church, a sanctuary built into a giant rock.

Open year-round, UNESCO World Heritage Site Suomenlinna Sea Fortress is a popular Helsinki attraction. (Book the English-speaking tunnel tour on Fridays during the summer.) Consider island-hopping to nearby Vallisaari Island for easy hikes; Lonna Island for its waffle bar and public sauna; or Seurasaari Island for its open-air museum, nature walks and beach fun (opt to visit Wednesdays and Sundays only; other days, it’s a nude beach). 

Another stop is Linnanmaki, Finland’s oldest amusement park, just a 10-minute tram ride from the city center. Clients will feel like they’re flying out of their seats while riding the wooden rollercoaster, which was built in 1951.

For a fully Finnish experience, visit Allas Sea Pool. The outdoor pools — cold seawater, warm water and a children’s pool — are alongside South Harbor. After a dip, visitors can head to the single-sex saunas and then repeat. 

At the heart of Finnish living is connecting with nature: Just 45 minutes from Helsinki-Vantaa International Airport, travelers can hike, kayak, canoe and forage for berries in Nuuksio National Park, one of Finland’s 40 national parks.

What to Eat
Clients can’t leave without having a bowl of lohikeitto (salmon soup) with a slice of ruisleipa (rye bread). Send them to Vanha Kauppahalli’s indoor food hall Story Restaurant, located at the South Harbor docks. From there, they can catch the ferry to Suomenlinna for a visit to the Toy Museum’s cafe to try korvapuusti (cinnamon rolls), made fresh each morning by owner Petra.

Most Finnish desserts and cocktails are inspired by wild bilberries (blueberries), lakkoja (cloudberries), karpalot (cranberries) and puolukoita (lingonberries). Finding a good cup of coffee is easy, too: Finns consume more coffee per capita than anyone else in the world. Try the java at Moomin Cafe Fabianinkatu, a mecca for fans of Finnish cartoon characters the Moomins.

Where to Stay
Helsinki is one of the design capitals of the world, so it would be a shame if families stayed in a cookie-cutter hotel. Along with a solid design aesthetic, boutique choices surprise with pops of color, whimsy and unexpected touches. Additionally, most can accommodate a family in a single room — not an easy find in Europe. 

Scandic Paasi’s rainbow-striped ceiling and circus theme is a nod to the location’s previous life as a city circus. Some rooms have playing cards, board games and even punching bags. And at Hotel Katajanokka, the staff checks guests into their “cells”: chic rooms decorated with the former jail’s original padlocks and keys. 

Clients will appreciate the art deco Hotel Lilla Roberts, as well as the life-size horse in the lobby and surprise gifts for kids. Hotel F6, meanwhile, has a fantastic inner courtyard with artificial grass, bright orange bungee chairs and complimentary bikes.

Getting There & Getting Around
Finnair operates nonstop flights to Helsinki from several U.S. airports. If clients are traveling elsewhere in Europe, they can take advantage of Finnair’s free stopover program (up to five days). In the city, most sites are easily accessible via walking or public transportation.

It’s just part of what makes a Helsinki visit a win for families — happiness included.

The Details
Visit Finland
www.visitfinland.com