OBSERVATORIES AND PLANETARIUMS
Tycho Brahe Planetarium—Named after the famous Danish astronomer, this planetarium hosts star shows under the dome and also shows films in Omnimax format. English-language recordings available. Tuesday-Sunday 10:30 am-9 pm. Exhibitions: 15 DKr adults, 10 DKr children. Omnimax films: 75 DKr adults, 56 DKr children. Gammel Kongevej 10. Phone 3312-1224.
THEME AND AMUSEMENT PARKS
Bakken Amusement Park—Said to be the world's oldest amusement park, Bakken offers a more rustic experience than Tivoli Gardens in a beautiful setting among tall, old trees. The rides are a little wilder than those in Tivoli. Walk about or ride in the horse-drawn carriage (50 DKr per carriage, maximum five people). Many restaurants and games. (Take the train to Klampenborg station, located 25 minutes from Copenhagen. The park is to the left when you get off the train.) Open late March-late August daily 1 pm-midnight. Admission is free. Dyrehavesbakken 38. Phone 3963-3544 (recording).
Tivoli Gardens—This is the amusement park and garden said to have inspired Walt Disney—don't miss it. Tivoli is a park of fantasy, filled with flowers and colorful lights. It's a pleasure even for an afternoon stroll. But Tivoli also offers rides, a pantomime theater, bands, a concert hall and fine restaurants serving everything from hot dogs (polser) to gourmet foods. Although Tivoli is fun during the day, the atmosphere takes on an especially magical glow at night. Watch for fireworks at 11:45 pm on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Tivoli is open daily May-September 11 am-midnight (to 1 am on Friday and Saturday). During the winter season, which usually runs 1-22 December and boasts a Christmas market, it's open daily 11 am-7 pm. Admission during peak season (mid June-mid August) is 49 DKr adults, 25 DKr children younger than age 12. At other times, it's 39 DKr Monday-Friday, 45 DKr Saturday and Sunday. Rides are additional. Vesterbrogade 3. Phone 3315-1001.
ZOOS AND WILDLIFE
Denmark's Akvarium (Aquarium)—More than 300 types of fish from various seas; the North Sea species are an unusual sight for many visitors. (Take the 20-minute train ride to Charlottenlund or the 30-minute ride via Bus 6.) February-October daily 10 am-6 pm, November-January daily 10 am-4 pm. 60 DKr adults, 30 DKr children. Kavalergarden 1, Strandvejen. Phone 3962-3283.
Zoologisk Have (Copenhagen Zoo)—The zoo is very well kept and has a whole village with goats and rabbits that are used for children's activities. Several tropical houses with exotic birds and butterflies. A renovation in 1999 made the facility even more modern. (It's 20 minutes by bus west of Copenhagen.) Tuesday-Sunday 9 am-4 pm (in summer to 5 pm weekdays, to 6 pm weekends). 70 DKr adults, 35 DKr children. Roskildevej 32, Valby. Phone 3630-2001 or 3630-2555.
Recreation
BICYCLING
City Bike Foundation—For 20 DKr you may take a bike from one of the 120 official city bike racks and ride for as long as you like. When you return it, you'll receive your 20 DKr back! For information, call 3254-0079.
Dansk Cyklist Forbund (Danish Bicyclist Association)—Dispenses expert advice, as well as maps in English. Romersgade 7 (just behind the Norreport Station). Phone 3332-3121.
GOLF
Horsholm Golf A/S—A nine-hole course located 25-30 minutes north of Copenhagen. Daily 8 am-9 pm. Greens fees are 130 DKr weekdays, 150 DKr weekends. Gronnegade 2, Horsholm. Phone 4576-5150.
Indoor Golf Center—A huge building in the former industrial harbor area of Holmen was renovated into a state-of-the-art indoor golf center. Facilities include a lengthy driving range, a putting green with 27 holes and a sand bunker. Open 15 September-30 June Monday and Friday 11 am-9 pm, Tuesday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am-7 pm. 60 DKr-126 DKr per hour, depending on time of day. Refshalevej 177B, Holmen. Phone 3254-4332.
Smorum Golf Center—A nine-hole course located 30-40 minutes west of the city. Daily 7 am-10 pm. Greens fees are 110 DKr. Skebjergvej 46, Smorum. Phone 4497-0111.
HEALTH CLUBS
Scala Fitness Club—Monday-Friday 24 hours a day, Saturday 8 am-8 pm, Sunday 9 am-8 pm. 75 DKr. Vesterbrogade 2E (opposite the main entrance to Tivoli). Phone 3332-1002.
Sporting Health Club—Monday-Thursday 6:30 am-9 pm, Friday 6:30 am-8:30 pm, Saturday 9 am-6 pm, Sunday 10 am-6 pm. 75 DKr. Gothersgade 14, 2nd Floor. Phone 3313-1612.
HIKING AND WALKING
Frederiksdal—A fine area for walking, 10 mi/15 km northwest of Copenhagen, with beautiful forests and lakes. Take the S-train to Lyngby, then take a taxi or bus to Frederiksdal.
Kings Deer Park (Dyrehaven)—The largest and most beautiful natural area in Copenhagen. It used to be the royal hunting grounds and is home to the French-style Jaergersborg Castle, an old-time amusement park and the hip beach of Bellevue. Located 25 minutes by train north of the city (Klampenborg train station).
HORSEBACK RIDING
Axel Mattsson's Riding School—Ride through the ancient, beautiful park Dyrehaven, only 25 minutes by train from Central Station to Klampenborg Station. Monday-Friday 6:45 am-9 pm, Saturday and Sunday 6:45 am-7 pm. 150 DKr per hour. Private lessons at the facilities for 130 DKr per 30 minutes. Bellevuevej 10, Klampenborg. Phone 3964-0822.
JOGGING
Copenhagen is relatively flat and offers numerous parks that are both safe and picturesque. Some popular spots with locals include Frederiksberg Garden (a large park in the west of Copenhagen, about 20 minutes by bus from Town Hall Square), Orsteds Park (a smaller park with a lake in the north of the city, near the Norreport Station) and the lake area to the north and west of the city center.
SWIMMING
Public swimming pools in Copenhagen usually include a sauna and solarium. Facilities are immaculate, with showers and hair dryers provided.
Water Culture House (Vandkulturhuset)—This state-of-the-art swimming pool also has a sauna, warm pools and Jacuzzis. It's part of the DGI City sports complex in Vesterbro. Monday, Wednesday and Friday 7 am-7 pm; Tuesday and Thursday 10 am-5 pm; Saturday and Sunday 9 am-5 pm. 40 DKr adults, 25 DKr children. Tietgensgade 65. Phone 3329-8090.
TENNIS AND RACQUET SPORTS
Hotel Mercur—Outdoor tennis courts in a convenient location near the Central Railroad Station. Reservations required. Daily 10 am-4 pm. 130 DKr per hour. Vester Farimagsgade 17. Phone 3312-5711.
Kobenhavns Boldklub—Both indoor and outdoor courts at one of the oldest sports clubs in Denmark (established in 1876). Reservations required. Monday-Friday 9 am-8 pm, Saturday and Sunday 9 am-6 pm. 115 DKr-135 DKr per hour (nonmembers pay an extra fee). Peter Bangsvej 147. Phone 3871-4150.
