Copenhagen, Denmark: Boats, Beaches & Deer in the Forest
Copenhagen makes it all look easy — family travel, dog-friendly parks, public transit, and seriously good food. We brought a teen, a dog, and zero Danish language skills, and still had one of our best trips yet. It’s beautiful without being too polished, organized without being boring, and full of moments that make you think, “Okay, I could live here.”
WHAT WE DID
What We Loved
We came for the canal views and cozy vibes and stayed for deer parks, seaside walks, treetop towers, and a few unexpected surprises — like a wild little neighborhood with graffiti, good coffee, and a total “otherworld” energy.
🎡 Tivoli Gardens – An enchanting amusement park that seamlessly blends thrilling rides with beautiful gardens and live entertainment. Whether you’re seeking adrenaline or a peaceful stroll, Tivoli delivers.
🦌 Deer Park (Dyrehaven) – A tranquil escape just north of the city, this expansive park is home to free-roaming deer amidst ancient woodlands. It’s perfect for leisurely walks and picnics. No dogs allowed, which was fine for us, as Rex would have lost his mind.
🐠 National Aquarium Denmark (Den Blå Planet) – As Northern Europe’s largest aquarium, it offers immersive exhibits and a mesmerizing sea tunnel that brings you face-to-face with marine life from around the globe.
🛥️ Canal Tour – Exploring Copenhagen’s waterways provided a unique perspective of the city’s historic architecture and vibrant neighborhoods. The narrated tour was both relaxing and informative.
🎨 Nyhavn (New Haven) – The postcard view of Copenhagen. Colorful buildings, boats bobbing in the canal, and just the right amount of touristy energy.
🌲 The Forest Tower (Skovtårnet) at Camp Adventure – This architectural marvel stands 45 meters tall and offers a spiraling walkway that ascends above the treetops, culminating in a 360-degree panoramic view of the South Zealand landscape. The journey begins with a scenic 3.2-kilometer boardwalk through the Gisselfeld Klosters forest, leading up to the tower.
🏖️ Brøndby Strandpark – We bundled up and headed to the coast, and even in the winter chill, it was totally worth it. The beach was quiet, moody, and beautiful in that stark Scandinavian way. Rex loved the wide-open space.
🛴 Segway Tour – Honestly way more fun than we expected. It’s a great way to cover a lot of ground without exhausting everyone’s feet. The tour was smooth, informative, and even Dylan was into it.
🎨 Freetown Christiania – A self-proclaimed autonomous neighborhood full of street art, funky architecture, and an alternative vibe that’s unlike anywhere else in the city. You’ll feel like you stepped into another world — part art commune, part protest, part peaceful hangout. Not ideal for young kids, but older teens will find it fascinating.
🧜♀️ The Little Mermaid – Tiny, iconic, and honestly… a little underwhelming. But you kind of have to see her. We passed by on our canal tour and again on segway tour, and both times felt like checking off a box on the Copenhagen bingo card.
If We Had More Time…
There’s always something you miss, no matter how much you plan. Here are a few spots we didn’t make it to this time — but they’re on our list for next time.
🪑 Designmuseum Danmark – We’re big fans of Scandinavian design, so missing this one hurt a little. It’s packed with cool furniture, fashion, and industrial design, plus hands-on areas for kids and teens.
🎨 The Round Tower (Rundetaarn) – A classic Copenhagen climb we meant to do but ran out of time. No stairs — just a long spiraling ramp to the top with killer city views.
🖼️ Glyptoteket – An art museum founded by the Carlsberg beer guy, with everything from ancient statues to Degas and Monet. Also: it has a palm-filled winter garden and rooftop café.
🔬 Experimentarium – A massive science and tech museum just north of the city with tons of hands-on exhibits. Would’ve been perfect for a rainy day with Dylan — and Rex could’ve had a nap.
🌿 Botanical Garden – Right next to the Natural History Museum and home to tropical greenhouses, butterfly rooms, and quiet garden paths.
WHAT WE ATE
Danish food is simple, hearty, and sneakily addictive. We didn’t do a deep dive into restaurants this time — but here are four standouts we kept going back to.
Smørrebrød – Open-faced rye sandwiches topped with everything from shrimp to roast beef.
Churros – Hot, crispy, and dipped in chocolate at Tivoli Garden, or on many street corners.
Irish Coffee – Found everywhere, made strong, and served with a thick layer of cream.
Frikadeller – Danish meatballs, often served with potatoes and gravy. Comfort food level: elite.
WHERE WE STAYED
We stayed at the Imperial Hotel the first time — centrally located, easy to get around, and just a short walk to Tivoli. It had a solid breakfast, friendly staff, and a cozy vibe even in the middle of winter. Great base for first-timers in the city.
On our return trip, we booked an Airbnb in Hvidovre, a quiet residential neighborhood just outside the city. It was peaceful, had more space (especially for Rex), and felt like we were living like locals. Bonus: easy access to the train and plenty of green space nearby for dog walks. You can get more info about hotel here and the airbnb here.
Should You Visit Copenhagen?
Yes. Especially if you’re into cities that manage to be both efficient and charming. Copenhagen is clean, calm, and full of character — with just enough weird (hello, Christiania) to keep it interesting. It’s great with kids, easy with a dog, and packed with things to do even if you don’t have a full week. If you like your cities walkable, waterfront, and quietly cool, put it on your list.
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