Tivoli, Copenhagen

Kiddy rides and toilets with snake-like queues, screaming children in strollers, sizzling afternoon heat, do you want me to say more? Sorry if I burst your bubble but Tivoli ain't fun during daylight. Better for you to come at night when it's all calm and awashed with lights.

Unique Suggestions: Go there at night!!!

Fun Alternatives: Pop by during the summer weekends, they have fireworks and laser lights display.

My first impression on Tivoli is the closeness it is to the central station. It probably is the most centrally located theme park in the world. It seriously is just across the road.

Unique Suggestions: Stroll around Tivoli. It really isn't that big, but the atmosphere is quite ambient. At least enjoy the different theme across the park, the Chinese theatre, and there is performance on every once a while.
When I was there in June, there was a massive play about H.C. Andersen's story characters (It's his bicentenary anniversary this year). It is very enjoyable

Fun Alternatives: The Dansk Design Center is just opposite the main gate (Address: HC Andersen Boulevard) It gives you the best Danish design can offer

Upon hearing that I would be visiting Copenhagen, practically everyone with any knowledge of the city prodded me to go to Tivoli, go see Tivoli! Well, I went to Tivoli, and I have to say it was a total letdown. First of all, they charge a steep entry fee just to gain access to the grounds. But after we got inside we discovered that the entry fee gets you absolutely nothing at all. You must pay extra for all the rides, which frankly weren't anything special and certainly not worth paying for. Sure the gardens were fairly scenic, but still nothing compared to the endless acres of beautiful gardens you can see all over Europe for free. In my opinion going to Tivoli will do nothing to enrich your Copenhagen experience and will instead serve only to gobble up time you could be spending visiting more worthy sites.

This is the famous amusement park of the city. It is now very commercialised and a little on the pricey side. It is also packed with hundreds of people who have it high on their list of places to see.

Unique Suggestions: Go on at least one of the rides.

Fun Alternatives: Bakken, Klampenborg Forest is a much bigger amusement park (about 3 times as big).

Not really a tourist trap per se...I thought Tivoli Gardens was lovely. There was some head scratching in my party, wondering what the big deal is. It was built in 1843, so don't come expecting a modern amusement park. Yes there are rides, but there are also beautiful gardens, music performances and theatrical events. Every Saturday night there's fireworks. There's more photos in the travelogue.

I am sure many people would disagree...but I felt Tivoli' was a bit of a trap! But maybe I have been to one too many amusement park! Still...you should probably check it out if in Copenhagen!