Lillehammer town is best known as the place where the 1994 Winter Olympics was held. But there are many other attractions in the town.
Location
The town is located in Oppland county. This is at the south central portion of the country. You can get to the town by train from Skien and Oslo to Trondheim.
What to See
The Olympic site is definitely the main attraction. The site for the ski jumping used in the Olympics is now available all year round. You can hike there or use the chairlift. From the jump tower you will get to see the K120 jumping hill. Another attraction at the Lillehammer town is the Norwegian Olympic Museum.
Another interesting place is the art museum. Other attractions include the rock carvings at Drotten, Sjusjoen. This is a skiing destination with beautiful terrain and forests.
History
The town has been inhabited since the Iron Age in Norway. There are records stating that the site was utilized for council as far back as 1390. By the 1800s, the town had prospered and was known for its lively market.
On 7 August 1827, it was given rights as a merchant city. On January 1 1838, the town was declared a municipality. On January 1, 1964, the municipality was combined with the Faberg municipality.
Of course, it is best known as the setting for the 1994 Winter Olympics. Today, the site is still used as a staging area for many winter sporting events. Today, it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Norway. Today, there are many restaurants in the area too.
Cost
The chairlift costs 40 kr. If you want the bobsled simulator, there is an extra 25 kr charge. Costs of hotels in the country range from 150 to 400 Euros.
Other Info
Visitors to the town may also want to check out the Maihaugen. This is the biggest open air museum in Northern Europe. There are more than 200 buildings here. One of the most notable is the Garmo stave church built c. 1200. This is open everyday 10 AM to 5 PM during the summer. During the winter it is open from 11 AM to 4 PM everyday.
The Olympic site in the Lillehammer town is open 9 AM to 8 PM during the summer. During spring and fall, it is open from 9 AM to 5 PM. During winter, the site is open 11 AM to 4 PM.
