Similar to though not nearly as interesting or lively as Barcelona's Las Ramblas (review:…read morehttps://bit.ly/3QJkBpS), this is the primary pedestrian-only artery of Oslo, completely unavoidable if you plan to see the major sights of the city. As it so happened, our hotel (Clarion Hotel: The Hub) was just a few steps from one end of this constantly crowded thoroughfare where the foot traffic poured in and out of the Oslo Central Station. With the other end at the Royal Palace a little more than a half-mile away, we noticed the route has two distinct personalities. The palace end was a wide path surrounded by well maintained park at the beginning. Then it transitioned to a more urban promenade with greenery on one side and upscale hotels and restaurants on the other. The vibe changed considerably at Egertorget Square where we saw the prominent Freia clock up close (photo: https://bit.ly/3RQJbG2). This stretch that leads to the train station was narrower, the bars were more raucous, the eateries were more fast-food options (e.g., McDonald's, MAX Burgers), and the merchandise in the stores looked more downscale. We saw only one lonely busker in the several walks we took up and down this street (photo) but most certainly a lot of drunks. RELATED - Exploring Norway? Here's a collection of places I've visited and reviewed: bit.ly/3PEL4Fe

Karl Johans gate is a pedestrian friendly shopping street in the center of Oslo. It was a really…read morebusy place during the couple days that we were recently in Oslo. And experiencing occasional rain only added to the discomfort. Gayle and I did stop for Ice Cream and I found a sought for accessory at Fjällräven (Swedish Backpack Brand) shop. None of the other businesses looked all that interesting, except for maybe the Indian Place (Jaipur) where we enjoyed a really nice dinner. Other than that, Karl Johans gate was basically a direct means to get from one place to the Royal Palace and back.

Located just south of Gamle Aker kirke Damstredet consists of two streets featuring preserved homes…read morefrom the late 1700-1800s. Still inhabited amidst stone streets locals and tourists gather to snap pictures and explore while residents tend to gardens nearby full of produce and flowers.

We loved visiting this part of town! Its corky, beautiful and the locals were very friendly…read more We did have a hard time walking due to the slippery/icy floors... The city should provide more safety equipment (for the locals mostly!)

Hans Nielsen Hauge, bronse statue av billedhugger Sigurd Nome - This impressive bronze statue…read morecaught my attention during my walk through the area. The craftsmanship is excellent, and the sculpture has a strong and dignified presence. I appreciated learning more about Hans Nielsen Hauge and his importance in Norwegian history. The monument is thoughtfully placed and blends nicely with its surroundings, creating a peaceful atmosphere for reflection. Even if you are not specifically interested in historical figures, the artistic quality of the statue makes it worth a stop. I found it to be one of those landmarks that quietly enriches the experience of exploring Oslo.

Aker Brygge lekeplass - This playground is a fantastic place for families visiting Oslo. The…read moreequipment is modern, clean, and well maintained, while the location near the waterfront makes it even more enjoyable. I was impressed by the thoughtful design and the variety of play options available for children. The area felt safe and welcoming, with plenty of nearby seating for parents. It is great to see such a high-quality public playground integrated into one of Oslo's most popular districts. A wonderful place for children to have fun while adults enjoy the surroundings.

This "district" or community is fantastic!…read more Built my the marina. There are residential buildings, a multi-building shopping mall, multiple museums, art installations, beutiful scultpures, a playground, food hall, many food establishments. Very shoppable, very livable, very artistic, very photogenic, very Instagrammable.

Tigeren på Jernbanetorget - This famous bronze tiger statue is one of Oslo's best-known symbols and…read moredefinitely worth a stop. I really liked how naturally it fits into the busy square in front of the station. It is a popular photo spot, and of course, I took some pictures here as well. The statue is impressive both in size and in the quality of its details. The area around it is full of life and creates a pleasant atmosphere. It is one of those landmarks that you immediately associate with Oslo after seeing it for the first time.

Tigeren, the iconic tiger statue outside Oslo Central Station, is a must for photos and one of the…read morecity's most recognizable landmarks. It's bold, striking, and makes for a great memory of Oslo. My only hiccup? A young lady refused to budge while I was taking pictures, so her bum is now a permanent feature in my Oslo photo collection. I suppose she's part of the city's art now too!

Bus terminals of this size and that run with this frequency are not common in the United States, so…read morethis was a new experience for me. The station is pretty clean and has wi-fi. I didn't do much exploring, as I went straight to/from my buses. I took the bus to Oslo Airport, which costed 180kr/adult, and was packed. You can buy your ticket at a machine inside the building, right by the door to the bus. You can also get it on the bus, but that is much more inconvenient and causes back up. The bus was spacious, clean, and fairly modern with air conditioning. If back in Oslo, I would take this bus again.

Oslo Bus Terminal is the main bus station serving Oslo, Norway. It is located beside Oslo Central…read moreStation and serves local buses to Akershus as well as domestic and international coaches. The station is five minutes walk from Oslo Central Station as well as the rapid transit station Jernbanetorget and the tram and city bus services at ground on Jernbanetorget. On the east side of the station is a tram station named Bussterminalen Grønland that allows the quickest transfers to the Ekeberg Line. I think they need to get a better bus system. It is way too overcrowded (heaven for pick pocketers), there is no air condition and most of the drivers are inconsiderate. They drive too fast not thinking of people standing up with nowhere to hold on to. I would rather walk.