Kuopio Off The Beaten Path

The City of Kuopio has vast amounts of forests, lakes, and islands (as you can see e.g. from the top of the Puijo Tower).

Rent a boat or a canoe and find an island for yourself! There are plenty of excursion harbours near Kuopio. In most of them camping or staying overnight in a shelter is an experience to remember. For rental boats and canoes see http://www.kuopioinfo.fi/english/perussivut/aktiviteetit/kesa/kesa.php

The available islands and most interesting paths and resting places you'll fínd in the Internet Map and some general information in www.pohjois-savo.fi/trailmaps.

Special Tip: If it's hot and you want a cooling visit to an island, try Hietasalo (you'll find it on the Internet map). Clean water for swimming, sandy beaches, several campfire places (bring your own drinking water, packed lunch and matches!!), and a cruising boat service to and from the island.

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The Riuttala farm was first mentioned in a map of 1650 and it was a big farm with a lot of workers, almost a village of it's own. With 20 buildings, this museum area has a lot to offer. They have everything from a cowhouse to a smokesauna to a blacksmith's to a windmill not to mention old machinery, parafernalia, household utensils, etc. We saw there also horses, sheep and rabbits. You should reserve enough time to explore in order to get the most out of it.
There's also a cafeteria and a small gift shop in a modern but old looking building where they aso sell the tickets.
The museum is located on a lake side about 45 km to the west of Kuopio so you need a car to get there. And I don't think there's public transportation. It is actually in the outskirts of the municipality of Karttula; find road number 5542 (a gravel road) and just follow the signs saying Riuttalan talomuseo.

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Valkeinen is a small pond near the center of Kuopio and they have a nice shore park with a lot of roses and other flowers. Nice benches, a gazebo, and a swim strand, too. Go for a walk around the pond. Address: Valkeisenkatu (for instance) is a good starting point.

Since the seat of the archibishopric of the Finnish Orthodox Church is established in Kuopio, it is only normal that the city have an orthodox church. Called St. Nikolaos' Cathedral, the church appears simple but its bright colours catch the eye.

You may ask yourself, why did I put this church in the Off the Beaten Path section if it is so important? Simply because the church is slightly out of the way of everything and unless you go looking for it, chances are you will pass just a few blocks from the church without ever seeing it. By the time we found the church, it was closed (opening hours are 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. if I remember correctly) and we never got to see the inside.

The church is located at Sepänkatu 7, at the corner of Hallituskatu. It is across the street from Piispanpuisto Park.

Kuopio nature is amazing with water and forest around. A great opportunity to who ever like to spend his time in the nature, hiking or cycling.

This "what ever" it is was in the city park, not sure how to call it or the purpose of it, but here it is as it seen in my camera.

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There is very nice city park with small lake in the middles and some nice flowers and gardens around. You can walk in short time all around this small lake.

There is very nice cemetery in the city centre where you can walk around, have a break from by the shade of the trees and check out the names on the graves.