After our arrival and subsequent adventure after landing, it was time for a proper exploration of Copenhagen.
As I went through my photos of our trip, I noticed that we did a lot of sightseeing. Our first day was surprisingly wet. It was June, and yet the rain was falling, and the weather was chilly. I am so used to no rain in June or some rain, but then it’s also humid, so you don’t need a raincoat as much as you need an umbrella. I made that mistake while living in Brisbane, Australia. Then again, I was a dumb 20-year-old who didn’t pack an umbrella for my months-long study-abroad session but did bring reams of paper for my classes. Make that make sense. (It’s so I wouldn’t have to buy any supplies once I arrived!) Anyway…
It rained. It rained almost the entire day.
Cue the Annie Lennox. Here comes the rain again.
Rain can play several illusions on our minds. It can make something deep look shallow. It can make something look smooth when, in fact, it’s bumpy. It can also make you think, “This isn’t that bad. I can handle this.” Then immediately find someplace dry to hide out for a moment as you gather yourself and decide where you are headed next.
Popping out of the train station and wandering to the city’s main shopping street, Strøget, made us reflect on how dry we’d like to be. This prompted us to wander into various stores and peruse their wares even if we had no intention of buying anything. I was, though, on the hunt for a Danish national team soccer jersey. I like to collect soccer jerseys from countries I’ve visited, and I wanted a Danish jersey. Popping in and out of stores, we made our way, eventually, to a strange sight: a store for rubber ducks.
When I tell you that they had a duck for every occasion, I mean it. Birthday duck, they got it. Graduation duck, yeah. Star Wars duck, duh. Mermaid duck, Hans, yes. These ducks made for great tiny gifts for friends and family back home that wouldn’t take up space in our luggage.
After garnering a gaggle of rubber waterfowl, it was time to head to our intended destination: the Museum of Illusions. Entrance to this museum was included with our purchase of the all-important Copenhagen Card. As I have aged, I have come to appreciate the value of museums. As a child, I loathed going to them. Natural history? Yawn. Art? Gag me with a spoon. Now, as an adult and member of society, I have come to find them engaging and important (as they were always meant to be). As a child, I just didn’t see the point in them. I am also educated enough to know when I like something and when I don’t. I’m looking at you, pretentious modern art!
The Museum of Illusions is a grand experience. It offers a hands-on way to see how things can trick our minds. The subtle ways in which our perspective can change how we view an object are examined here. It really is a fun place for people of all ages. I am going to share a mini gallery of some of the things we encountered there. Some of them I could not photograph because the perspective of my cameraphone did not do the illusion justice. Gah! Still, it was an enjoyable way to spend our morning.
Click on the images to get a better look at the illusions.
Even with the photos I shared above, some don’t match up. You’ll have to go for yourself and see them in person. Oh darn!
After taking our brains on a walk with us through the museum, it was time for us to head back outdoors and into the rain. We knew our next adventure was coming, so that was a plus. Our legs had done a lot of work so far, and we needed a break. The next activity for us would be a waterway tour of Copenhagen.
Luckily for us, the boats were covered.
What followed was a wonderful trip around the town. We went through the canals and were treated to Copenhagen from a new perspective.
What followed was a relaxing, informative, and very dry (in both the physical and humorous senses) tour of Copenhagen. We saw beautiful buildings, ancient archways, and the boat Chef Carmy and Marcus lived on for the TV show The Bear.
It really was something to see the city from the water. You can really see how waterways and the ocean influence and shape a culture and a country. There is also something about being by the ocean, isn’t there? The air feels cleaner. The breeze is a tad salty. The ocean is never to be trifled with. Always respected. The Danes, Vikings, and Scandinavians as a whole live by cold ocean waters and have built thriving societies. WTF are we doing back home?
That last paragraph went a bit awry, didn’t it? Anyway, as the tour went on, we passed the Little Mermaid statue again, and even our guide said it’s disappointing in person. We also saw how colorful the houses and buildings are in the area. Vibrant oranges, pastel yellows, and deep reds pop off the walls and draw your eyes in.
I confess, those last two photos were not taken from the boat. This is just a super-famous row of buildings that underscores my earlier point about the colorful buildings seen from the water.
The rain was still falling as we walked the streets after our tour. The weather was giving “Let’s have a pint” vibes. I mean, at least it was for us. I can’t say the same for my partner’s parents. But seriously, where else were they going to go? We bring the fun everywhere we go.
That brings us to our next stop, Carlsberg Brewery.
Carlsberg might not be the most recognizable beer in the States, but it is one of the most successful beers worldwide. The tour was also included with our Copenhagen Card. Pro tip: Advanced bookings are required!
We went on an interactive, informative guided tour that took us through some of the original buildings of the first brewery. It was really something to wander the building and see where it all began. And also to see just how cramped the spaces were! They packed a lot into a tight space.
As we wove our way through the tour, we also observed some multimedia elements. Actors portraying the founders and other brewery members appeared on screen, recounting the history and brewing process of Carlsberg. I think it was a nice element that added some realism to the tour. Instead of just reading, we were presented with living memories through texts and letters from the past.
After hearing about the past, we moved into a more physical space. These were some of the coolest things, in my opinion. There was this one sculpture made from old Carlsberg bottles that resembled a pillar. Was is structrually sound? Most definitely not, but it looked nice.
There is one reason Carlsberg is truly known around the world: sports. Specifically, soccer (football). For several years, they were the front shirt sponsor of Liverpool FC, the nemesis of my beloved Everton. The tour has an entire room dedicated to Liverpool. Jerseys, photos, and replica trophies littered the space. And I mean “littered”. I took one look at the red and hurried through the room. They’re a storied club, and I respect their success, but I also would be lying if I said I didn’t envy it. Being an Everton supporter is like a never-ending, undulating rollercoaster. You never quite reach the top or the bottom, but there are many peaks and valleys along the way.
After passing the Kopites, we found ourselves in a collector’s dream.
Hundreds, if not thousands, of bottles were illuminated in shelving in this “bottle shop” (if you will). The entire space showcases a range of Carlsberg brands and styles, along with bottles collected from around the world! I am certain you could spend hours in there poring over the various vessels. The photo above is but a small taste of the selection on hand.
After all of the walking and learning, it was time for a much-needed, celebratory beer. One beer per person (of-age adult) comes with the admission. From this bartop, you could enjoy a pint and take in the stables that were next door.
This was a great way to end the tour. The space is welcoming. The vibes are chill. The beer is delicious. (They do have other, non-beer-related drinks available for those who do not drink beer) The horses were, neigh are, wondrous creatures. The space provided a much-needed respite to enjoy the beer and our surroundings, and to ruminate on the brewery’s history.
As I sort through my photos of our first full day in Copenhagen, I thought that this was the last thing we did. I could have sworn we went on this tour, then had dinner nearby, and then headed back to the hotel.
Well, we did all of that plus some more walking!
Our final jaunt of the day took us to the Amalienborg Palace. It is the official home for the Danish royal family. Not much was happening as we walked the grounds, but if you time it right, you can observe the changing of the Royal Guard. There is also a museum on site that provides a look into the rooms of recent members of the Monarchy. And guess what? That is also included with the Copenhagen Card!
The thing pays for itself pretty quickly. If you take one thing away from my trip to Copenhagen, it is to get the Copenhagen Card.
Across the water, and beyond the fountain, is the Opera House. The Opera House could also be seen from our boat tour, but to see it directly across from the palace was a (I’m assuming deliberate) sight to behold.
This was a lot. We jammed what probably could have been two days into one. But that is what happens when you have a limited amount of time in a city. The next day would be our last full day, and then the trip would shift to a road trip of Swedish meatball-sized proportions.
