Cookie travels

Continued from Easter break in Tampere

It was not difficult locating Särkänniemi Adventure Park with the help of our GPS. We decided to purchase the Winter Key ticket at 20 Euros per person coz this price already included admission to all open attractions in the winter season: Näsinneula Observation Tower, Aquarium, Planetarium, and Dolphinarium. After we bought our tickets and took some refreshments at the ground floor, we were ready for our Särkänniemi adventure. Somehow, it was not a complete adventure coz the rides and zoo were missing in our adventure, and we didn’t go to the art museum. Nevertheless, we were able to watch all open attractions. But as soon as we were done watching the last attraction at the Dolphinarium, we had to rush back home coz our daughter was feeling worst. Hubby had to carry her already. She even slept throughout the Dolphin Show. It was not a fun-filled family outing this time (aside from our sick girl, it was very cold and a bit snowing also) but we enjoyed the attractions.

entrance to Särkänniemi Adventure Park

get adventurous with half pipe ride

outside Särkänniemi, parking area below and frozen harbor

To be continued: Näsinneula Observation Tower

Särkänniemi Adventure Park is the most popular amusement park in Finland according to Wikipedia. It is one of Tampere’s a main family destinations offering the following attractions: Aquarium, Dolphinarium, Planetarium, Näsinneula Observation Tower (the tallest in Finland with a revolving restaurant), Sara Hildén art museum, Children’s Zoo, and Rides where everyone has a chance to ride even the handicapped. These attractions are open all through out the year except for the Rides and Children’s Zoo which are open only during summer.

From the brochure I had, there are 34 rides to enjoy ranging from children only to over 100 cm, 120 cm, 130 cm, and 140 cm. Rides for children would be: Little Ladybird, Piggy Train, Red Baron, Regatta, Convoy Truck Race, and Turtle Train. For over 140 cm there’s: Trombi, Half Pipe, Tornado, Jet Star, and Time Carpet. For handicaps, there are also suitable rides for them: Tornado, Rapids Ride, Troika, Log River, Magic River, Pavilion Carousel, Candy Carousel, and Crazy Bus. These rides require an escort who goes free with the ride.

If you want to see all open attractions in the winter season, it would be better to purchase a Winter Key ticket at 20 Euros compared to the Single tickets: Aquarium, Dolphinarium, and Näsinneula Observation Tower at 8 Euros each, while Planetarium ticket is at 10 Euros. For a child less than 4yrs old, they are admitted free of charge to Särkänniemi area and all its attractions.

Better still, a summer trip is advisable for a full Särkänniemi experience when all the attractions, games, restaurants, small savories, fast foods, kiosks, cafes are open. If you are coming in group, you can also ask for group rates at the sales office. So jump in for a great adventure at Särkänniemi.

Särkänniemi Adventure Park
Opening hours: better check the website coz this varies according to season
Address: Särkänniemi, 33230 Tampere (or Laiturikatu 1 -if using GPS)
Tel: +358 (0)207130200
Sales: +358 (0)207130212
Email: myyntipalvelu@sarkanniemi.fi
Website: www.sarkanniemi.fi (for English click here)

Särkänniemi Adventure Park © Wikipedia

Särkänniemi Adventure Park brochure © Särkänniemi

We traveled last Easter Sunday to Tampere, Finland’s third largest city. Our itinerary was to visit Särkänniemi Adventure Park in the morning and hear English Mass in the evening. It was about 2-3 hours journey by road from Pori to Tampere including the stops we had along the way. Along the road we saw ice on the rocks, frozen lakes, and snow capped fields and trees (slightly). The weather was cold and getting colder as we approached Tampere. We passed by many municipalities and road signs especially the ones with elk picture. The road trip was uneventful (no elk crossed the road). The kids slept during the trip. Our daughter was not feeling well. She begun to feel dizzy and pain in her stomach as we left Pori. When we saw the Tampere sign post on the road side, the kids started to get excited. They knew that in a few minutes we should be in Särkänniemi Adventure Park.

beware of elks crossing the road

Tampere sign and coat of arms means we are now entering Tampere

To be continued: at Särkänniemi Adventure Park