This is a must see if your in Oslo! The museum takes about an hour to see. I would recommend…read moredownloading the free app which gives you some context as you walk around. Before you enter there is a small cafe and a free place to lock up your backpack (required). The ships are amazing! Fully restored and much of them are original. The stories behind the ships and the recovery are so interesting. After the Viking Ship Museum I would walk to the Fram Museum which is a short walk away.

The Viking Ship Museum is a must-do, if you're ever in Oslo. Ticket prices for adults are 100 NOK…read more($12 USD) and entry is free for children. However, I recommend purchasing the Oslo Pass, since it grants you free admission to all museums and public transportation. There are about 6 museums located in this area of Bygdøy. The Oseberg Viking Ship and the Gokstad Viking Ship are impressive. There is also a visual presentation of viking history every 15 minutes. The museum has many viking artifacts. It's small. You can probably see the whole thing in about one hour or so. The gift shop is also the cheapest of all the museum gift shops. 4 stars. Wonderful museum.

Fantastic experience! From the stuff to the exhibitions, everything felt like a true Norwegian…read moreexperience

Highlight of our Oslo trip hands down!…read more There are indoor and outdoor exhibitors, making this museum agreeable to whatever the weather has in mind for the day. While the indoor exhibits are fun and educational, my family and I found the outdoor displays especially interesting and fun. Tons of photo opps, and lots of places with shade if you're worried about sun exposure. Inside there are even legos and books (in Norwegian) for children. Be sure to look for: -Kong Oscar church (absolutely beautiful) -the horses! -staff dressed up in traditional Norwegian clothing Keep in mind: -outdoors has some inclines (not the most stroller friendly, but doable) Tip: bring a selfie stick to get some photos in front of some of the very tall outdoor displays!

After touring the nearby Fram museum we visited this one on our combo ticket. This story I was…read moremore familiar with than the Fram but there was much to learn. The free audio headsets really helped bring the story alive and filled in the gaps without having to read hundreds of information panels. We probably spent one hour here (a bit less time than at the Fram). How all these people stayed alive is amazing. We now need to find the documentary movie on this voyage and see more detail. Thumbs up!

Thor Heyerdahl built a balsa wood boat and sailed it across the Pacific to show that it was…read morepossible that the Polynesians used such a craft in their travels. That ship as well as his reed boat Ra II, used to cross the Atlantic, are on display as well as numerous displays of his very well documented journeys. I'm not sure if it is worth the price of admission as our entrance was covered by our Oslo city tour. Right across the parking lot is the Frammuseet, another museum showcasing a famous ship, in this case the Fram.

We had seen very positive reviews of this museum so we hopped on a ferry from pier 3 in Oslo and…read moreventured out to this area. It was quite busy given it was a Saturday at the height of tourist session. We were able to get a good discount and got the combo ticket to also visit the Kon Tiki museum next door. The museum is quite good and did a nice job of telling not only the story of the Fram and it's many expeditions but the story of other related explorers and explorations to the Artic and Antarctica. Most of this was new to me so it was quite educational. The two ships were fun to walk through and the many displays contained a ton of information (frankly way more than I could absorb). They do have a small snack area but it has a pretty basic selection if you are counting on it for lunch. Overall a worthwhile visit.

The Fram ship was used in polar explorations. It is the world's strongest wooden ship and is on…read moredisplay in this museum. One can walk through many parts of the ship. If you are prone to seasickness, be aware that at times rolling seas are projected on the walls and ceiling of the building housing the ship. Informative displays are arranged throughout the ship and the building. I'm not sure if it is worth the price of admission as our entrance was covered by our Oslo city tour. Right across the parking lot is the Kon Tiki museum.

Beautiful museum!! Free tickets on Wednesdays starting at 6pm. They had multiple different floors…read morewith different artists.

Excellent modern museum. I learned so much. There is an extensive history of his life, his family…read moreand his studies, including an interactive mock-up of his home. Plus of course many of his works including a rotation of three of his "The Scream" works. Some aspects of the exhibit are a bit depressing as he was a very troubled person with many medical issues. There are also sections with adult content so parents with children should be aware. Be sure and have a drink at the rooftop bar for excellent views.

One of the lesser known historical spots in Oslo. Located in a residential neighbourhood this…read moremausoleum dedicated to Emmanuel Vigelands is the completely opposite to his brothers work in Vigelands park. He painted this mausoleum before he died and his ashes are located just above the doorway to the mausoleum. It's only open on Sundays from 12:00-16:00 and there is an entrance fee. Once inside you are in an echo chamber and you can hear a pin drop for well over ten seconds. You have to be silent and enter the dark room and once your eyes adjust to the darkness more of the paintings on the walls will appear and it's amazing. The walls depict the cycle of line and the whole chamber is covered top to bottom with paintings of different scenes through this cycle. An extremely unusual experience and the art work is amazing. Plan to spend 15-20mins in here as it takes a while to adjust in the dark. If you are afraid of dark spaces this is not the place for you. Very few people know about this place and you need a car or a good walk from the tram to get here. A not to be missed sight in town if you happen to be here on a Sunday. There were only about 20 people there when it opened and almost all Norwegian except me :-) A colleague of mine who is a lover of art brought me here and I am so glad he did :-) A special place in Oslo.

Turn your phone off, put on overshoes, and try to be as silent as possible. Then enter through the…read more5 ft. door and step into complete darkness. At this point, you have already bowed to the artist Emanuel Vigeland, whose ashes are stored just above the low entrance door. Over the next 15 minutes, your eyes will slowly, slowly adjust to the light, and a whole world will be gradually revealed, frightening or exhilarating, depending on your take on the Bosch-like piles of human shapes from babies to skeletons. Take care not kick one of the chairs in the darkness though, the sound in the completely empty church-like building will be as loud as a gunshot. This was possibly the most unique museum experience of my life! It's worth walking here, not only because of the lack of parking space, but also because there is a plethora of beautiful old and new architecture to be discovered in the residential area around the museum.

Spread across two buildings the Astrup Fearnley Museet is a waterfront museum designed by Renzo…read morePiano that features several modern masters from various schools of thought. Whether one prefers neon or sculpture, shock-art or classic thinking the genre is likely represented. Located at the far end of Aker Brygge expect scenic views amidst quiet, while staff if pleasant and educated.

At the far end of the area called Aker Brygge, modern buildings, lots of restaurants lining the…read morewharf and at the end you will find Astrup Fearnley Museum. It's stunning architecture is mesmerizing. The museum is split into two thou creating one unit. The museum houses contemporary art work, most have a surrealist feel. It took us a few hours to explore every floor and look at all the art work. Some art work was questionable and horrifying. For me, many were disturbing and dark. Though there were some remarkable pieces such as the famous gold porcelain statue of Michael Jackson and his monkey Bubbles and most disturbing was Damien Hirst "Mother and Child" a cow and her calf split in the middle floating in formaldehyde. It's the first thing you see when you enter. Very spacious museum and you didn't feel confined at all. Adult price is $15.00 or 320 NOK. Free lockers are available which is a plus. There is a book store and cafe if you want to relax. There is also an outdoor space for sitting at the cafe which is lovely overlooking Oslo bay.

Amazing subject matter, but the execution leaves a lot to be desired. The space is quintessential…read moreScandinavian; bright, clean, sharp lines, good lighting. Beautiful building overall, and not too big across the two floors. Content was pretty sparse, however. Exhibits were mostly photos of people rather than any meaningful primary objects. I could look at a collection of prominent historical figures anywhere; I was hoping for more depth and uniqueness to the presentation here. Still a decent visit while in Oslo, but don't expect to spend more than an hour here.

I had never known why Oslo has the Nobel Peace Prize and Stockholm has the rest of the Nobel…read moreprizes. That explanation was just one element of visiting this wonderful museum. While the museum in Stockholm for the other awards was totally underwhelming, this museum dedicated to peace was wonderful. First of all the building is majestic and beautiful and worthy of the distinction it holds. Just looking at it from the outside gave me a feeling of awe. Upon entering, the graphics and progressions through the awards are very well done. I learned so much during my hour or so there. It really doesn't need much of an endorsement or description other than to say that if ever in Oslo, this museum should be at the top of your list for visiting.

This is a beautiful Culture Centre (Arts Centre? Not sure of the direct translation) just outside…read morethe centre of Oslo. Even if you're traveling with small kids or fussy "meh, not really into art"-types, Henie Onstad is worth a visit. It's a beautiful site, and the drive from Oslo (we took a car, but local public transportation makes it accessible via bus) takes you along the water. Henie Onstad has an indoor structure with a gift shop and whatever exhibitions are on at the time (note: there is a cost for admission). There is also a lovely cafe serving a variety of options. When we were there most were opting for glasses of chilled wine on a balmy July afternoon, with outdoor seating overlooking the water. I can think of few locations better. The real star of the show, though, is the outside of Henie Onstad. It serves as a great public park space where kids and dogs and local Norwegians sit, and picnic, and sun themselves on the rocks. Because the site is on a point there are both public and more private spots to relax; in the case of the former there are two main swimming areas with great jumping spots to launch off of into the water. Spotted around the grounds are also many sculptures; some abstract, some less so, and it's a great time just walking around trying to pick out all of the art. No wifi, but free parking. Recommended visit. Yelp note: it seems like a destination spot for a lot of locals on a sunny day. Looking out over the marina remember to bring your bathing suit and maybe even a few sausages...the man next to us had a portable grill so you could get lucky and score a cheap meal AND a great swimming hole surrounded by art at no-cost (DREAMDATE).