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For arts, family-friendly attractions and accessibility, the Scandinavian capital of Copenhagen is a great place for a sophisticated and cultural family vacation.

Copenhagen, Denmark is truly one of Europe's superb cities, an eminently livable, bikable, walkable urban environment of pleasing, older, low-rise architecture, striking contemporary design, canals, museums, parks and more.  Most tourists will stay within the city limits; however, there is much for a family based in Copenhagen to see throughout Denmark (check out FTF's Denmark Family Attractions guide), and the train system makes it easy and economical to do so.  To explore all of the offerings of interest for a family vacation, and to book hotels and tours, go to www.visitcopenhagen.com. 

Our Copenhagen base was the Scandic Hotel Copenhagen, conveniently located at Vester Søgade 6 (+45 33 14 35 35), just 5 minutes from Tivoli and a few blocks from the Copenhagen central train station. The location is quiet, but with easy access to the central city.  Spacious rooms are done in a tasteful, Danish modern style.  The complimentary and impressive breakfast, included in rates, consists of several elaborate buffets for guests who prefer Japanese style rice porridge with condiments to Germanic ham, cheese and hearty breads; Swiss cereal and fruit; or an American bacon and eggs meal. Now, for your tour!

Great Fun for the Kids

(toddler to age 8)

The Little Mermaid
The charming Little Mermaid has stood guard over the harbor since 1909, when a beer merchant commissioned it after being deeply moved by a ballet performance based on the Hans Christian Andersen tale (not on the Disney film version).  She stands on the shore, but rarely alone, as busloads of tourists swarm around. It's only slightly out of the tourist track, just over a half-mile from the Amalienborg Castle area, but an easy bike ride. Note that the original statue will be in Shanghai at the Danish Pavilion of the 2010 Expo from April through November 2010.  But the new casting from the original mold is clearly a must-see for the whole family, who probably won't spot the change.

Rosenberg Castle
Øster Voldgade 4A
Copenhagen, Denmark
+45/3315 3286
This is a classic 17^th-century castle located diagonally opposite the Staten Museum fur Kunst, the National Gallery (Art).   It's a real kid's fairytale version of a castle; a royal house of many rooms full of history, furniture, and royal portraits going back over 300 years. Within the sprawling grounds adjoining the King's Gardens, every day at 11:30am, the Royal Guards begin to march from their resident quarters to relieve the guards protecting Amalienborg Castle.

The Children's Museum at The National Gallery (Statens Museum for Kunst) 
Sølvgade 48
Copenhagen, Denmark
+45 3374 8494
Within the impressive art museum there resides a children's museum with dedicated rooms offering selections from the collection, hung at child level. The exhibitions challenge children to think about and connect different pieces. Scattered among the permanent collections, kids will find "children's stations" where they can experience art in innovative ways. There is also an appealing workshop area and classes with English-speaking teachers offering structured work or free-form fun.  It all makes for a visit worthy of young families.

Copenhagen Zoo (Zoologisk Have)
Roskildevej 32
Frederiksberg
Copenhagen, Denmark
+45 72 20 02 00
The Copenhagen Zoo is one of Europe's oldest, but houses one of the newest pieces of zoo architecture.  The Elephant House was designed by one of Europe's best-known contemporary architects, Sir Norman Foster.  That's only one of the many treats of the large zoological park, home to 3,500 animals of 250 species.  Set in lovely Frederiksberg Have (park), it's worthy of a visit with the family.  The zoo is also no technological slouch, with loaner mobile phones available to provide facts about the animals, tell you about theme tours, and text you 10 minutes before animal feeding times.  They'll also loan you a ZooPC, which will track your route via GPS on your visit and guide you through the grounds.