Helsinki Museum of Technology (Tekniikan Museo)

The basics

There’s a significant charge to enter the Helsinki Museum of Technology, although children under 6 go free, and there are discounts for families, young people, students, the unemployed, and seniors. Thursdays are “pay what you want” days, and the museum is also included in the Helsinki Card city pass. Long-running exhibits are renewed regularly over their lifecycle and generally cover big themes, such as the home—including the infrastructure and resources that underpin modern living—or communications.

Things to know before you go

• The Museum of Technology will interest architecture buffs, technology fans, and families.

• Allow between 30 minutes and 2 hours to enjoy the exhibitions and explore the historic industrial buildings.

• There are accessible bathrooms and ramps, but the museum elevator is too narrow for most wheelchairs.

How to get there

The Helsinki Museum of Technology is in northeast Helsinki, about a 4-mile (7-kilometer) drive from downtown Helsinki. You can catch the #71 or #78 buses from Helsinki Central train station directly to the museum. The stop is called Tekniikan Museo. There’s also bike parking and some limited car parking.

When to get there

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Mondays. Hours vary daily: 11am–5pm on Tuesday and Friday, 11am–8pm on Wednesday and Thursday, 11am–6pm on Saturday, and 11am–4pm on Sunday. Thursdays are “pay what you want” days—an excellent choice for budget travelers.

Helsinki’s best museums with kids

Helsinki can be a rewarding destination for family travel. Dino-obsessed kids will love the Natural History Museum, whose exhibits include Ice Age mammals and dinosaur fossils; the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum lets families discover traditional crafts from staff in heritage costume; and the children’s town at 18th-century Sederholm House lets families learn about the past through playing together.