Things to do in Hamar
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Skibladner
Skibladner, the world’s oldest paddle steamer, is a wonderfully relaxing way to explore lake Mjøsa. First built in Sweden in 1856, the boat was refitted and lengthened to 165ft (50m) in 1888. From late June until mid-August, the Skibladner plies the lake between Hamar, Gjøvik and Lillehammer. Most travellers opt for the route between Hamar and Lillehammer (one way/return Nkr220/320, 3½ hours) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, which can be done as a return day trip (from Hamar only, Nkr320). Jazz evenings aboard the steamer cost Nkr450, including food (but not drinks).
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Hedmark Museum & Glass Cathedral
West of town (1.5km), the extensive open-air county museum includes 18th- and 19th-century buildings, a local folk-history exhibit featuring the creepy Devil’s Finger, the ruins of the castle, and the extraordinary showcase ‘glass cathedral’ (Domkirkeodden). The cathedral, whose ruins stand poignantly beneath the glass-and-steel roof, and castle dominated Hamar until 1567, when they were sacked by the Swedes. Take bus 6 from the town library (Nkr32, hourly).
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Viking Ship Sports Arena
Hamar’s stand-out landmark is this sports arena, a graceful structure with the lines of an upturned Viking ship. The building, which hosted the speed skating during the Winter Olympics, holds 20,000 spectators, encompasses 9600 sq metres of ice and is 94.6m long. Both in scale and aesthetics, it’s an impressive place. From late July to mid-August, the ice is open to the public for ice-skating (Nkr80).
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Norwegian Railway Museum
Established in 1896 to honour Norway’s railway history, this open-air railway museum, lies on the Mjøsa shore. In addition to lovely historic stations, engine sheds, rail coaches and steam locomotives, you’ll learn about the extraordinary engineering feats required to carve the railways through Norway’s rugged terrain.
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Norwegian Emigrant Museum
Around 10km east of town, the fine open-air Norwegian Emigrant Museum focuses on exhibits and archives from Norwegian emigrants to America from the 1880s. There’s also a research library open to members (Nkr150).
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Stallgården
The downstairs café here is particularly popular for its outdoor tables in summer, while the upstairs restaurant is more formal.
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