Christiansborg Slot
Voted one of the top attractions in Fodor's Essential Scandanavia 2009, the Christianborg Slot is where the giant granite Christianborg Castle is surrounded by canals on three sides. It is here that the queen officially receives guests though it is no longer used as a residence. The castle is of neobaroque and neoclassical style. Free tours of the Parliament House (Folketinget) are given July to mid-September during weekdays. Tours given in English begin at 2 p.m. English speaking tours of the Royal Reception Chamber (Kongelige Repraesantationlokaler) are at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m., May through September. Don't miss the ruins of Bishop Absalon's Castle, which are open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 011 (+45) 3337 5500 for more information on the Parliament House, 011 (+45) 3392 6492 for the Royal Reception Chambers and 011 (+45) 3392 6492 for the ruins.
Nighttime at Tivoli
This is perhaps one of Copenhagen's most well-known attractions but what many may not realize is that nighttime is a far better time to enjoy this sophisticated amusement park. Here there are a pantomime theater, open-air stage, 38 unique restaurants, concerts, flower exhibits and sometimes fireworks display before closing time. Fireworks, rides and the magical nighttime feel aren't the only things that make Tivoli special in the dark; there are more than 100,000 colored lanterns lit near the Chinese pagoda and the main fountain. Tivoli is generally open from mid-April to mid-September.
Tivoli
Vesterbrogade 3
1630 Copenhagen V, Denmark
011 (+45) 3315 1001
Experimentarium
For those interested in science or the natural world, just 5 miles north of Copenhagen is the Experimentarium in the coastal town of Hellerup. At the Experiementarium, there are more than 300 exhibits (in English) on the "Discovery Islands." Each exhibit explores a different aspect of science, technology or natural phenomena. According to Fodor's Essential Scandinavia 2009, more than a dozen exhibits are hands-on, enabling visitors to do things like experience an earthquake, blow extremely huge soap bubbles, play ball on a jet stream or stir up magnetic goop. Take bus 14 or 1A from downtown Copenhagen or take the S-train to Svanemollen and walk north for 10 minutes.
Experimentarium
Tuborg Havnevej 7
2900 Hellerup, Denmark
011 (+45) 3927 3333
