Experience The Mountain Town of Solvang with Kids

If you’ve ever wondered how to experience Europe while trapped in the USA (ahem, maybe you felt that way for most of 2020?), visiting this Danish-inspired town in Central California will feel like a dream come true. Here are our favorite things to do with kids in Solvang!

1: Visit OSTRICHLAND, USA

We’re just going to say it: Ostrichland will easily be your kids’ favorite part of visiting Solvang. Are they going to appreciate the Danish architecture? Likely not. Will the giant dinosaur-birds that they can feed be seared into their brains forever? Yes.

Parking onsite is free and admission is $2 for those 12 and under and $5 for anyone over 12 years old. A bowl of ostrich food is $1, though you might find that you want a few extra bowls as feeding ostriches and emus is on a whole other level than feeding farm animals. Ostrichland is a wildlife refuge for large birds, so your money is going to a good cause. And if you or the kids get pecked by one of these beautiful giants, just remember: it's kind of like getting bitten by a dinosaur!

2: Get some aebleskiver

Eating aebleskiver is a lot easier than pronouncing it. This delicious Danish pastry is sometimes served with jam or other toppings and is traditionally served during Christmastime in Denmark, but you can get it any time in Solvang. Visit Solvang Restaurant, Aebleskiver Cafe, or Red Viking Restaurant and sample some for yourselves!

3: Take a family surrey ride

Okay, so there is family game night, and then there is pedaling together on a surrey down the streets of a magical town in the mountains. Which do you think is the better bonding activity?

You can rent surreys (and bikes, and even strollers) at Wheel Fun Rentals at 475 First Street in Solvang. Surrey rentals start at $30/hour for three people (plus two small children can fit in the basket seat in the front). Cruise the streets together and enjoy screen-free time with the family.

4: Get a snack at a Danish bakery

Have you ever heard of a danish? Of course you have. Believe us when we say that it is high time you got to Solvang to sample a deluge of Danish pastries that will keep your sweet tooth satisfied. From Mortensen’s Bakery to Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery to Solvang Bakery to Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe to Danish Mill Bakery, Inc. (whew!), you have a lot of options. Ready, set, pastry time!

5: Explore a fairytale park

Hans Christian Andersen was a Danish author best known for his fairytales. Many of these fairytales were adapted into movies, including hits usually attributed to Disney, such as “Snow White” and “The Little Mermaid.” Step into a park that celebrates Andersen at the aptly-named Hans Christian Andersen Park (745 Atterdag Rd, Solvang). You’ll know it by the castle arch at the entrance!

Inside the the park, you’ll find hiking trails, picnic spots, a skate park, and best of all for young children, a wooden playground surrounded by lush forest. If you do nothing else in Solvang with your younger children, make sure to visit this and Ostrichland. Oh, and…

6: Get some chocolate OR Ice Cream

Have you had enough sweets? No? Good! Enjoy one of Solvang’s sweet shops, such as Ineborg’s Chocolates or Cafe Dolce. Try a stop at the carousel-themed Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor, where you can also purchase tickets for a ride around town!

7: Solvang Trolley

Want to learn more about the town on a horse-drawn trolley? You’re in luck! Two Belgian draft horses pull a honen (meaning “the hen” in Danish, which is the name of a trolley line in Denmark) around town and Solvang’s history is imparted upon the riders of the honen.

The 25-minute guided tour is $16 for adults, $11 for kids aged 3-11, and free for those 2 and under. If you’d prefer to ride an electric trolley instead, the price is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors, and $8 for kids aged 3-11. Get your tickets at the Solvang Trolley Ice Cream Parlor!

8: Visit the Elverhøj Museum of History & Art

Learn about the heritage of Denmark and the history of Solvang in the Elverhøj Museum. Children will be especially thrilled to view the exhibit on Vikings, complete with a Viking-era sword! The Elverhøj is a cost-effective (read: very cheap) way to learn about Solvang and experience exhibitions that will really make you and your children think.

There is no charge for admission, but they suggest a donation of $5 for those over 12 years of age. Hours are Thursdays through Mondays from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Contact the museum (805-686-1211) for special hours for those who are immunocompromised or have special needs.

9: Visit one of the Many Children’s or Babies’ boutiques

We love Solvang for its history and celebration of Danish heritage (and its delicious Danish pancakes at Paula’s Pancake House), but when walking around the town, your children are going to want to stop in one of the many kids’ shops in the area. And so will you! Choose from ONEderchild (in an actual windmill!), Atterdag Kids—Children's & Baby Boutique, Nathalie’s Doll House, Solvang Toyland, Bea’s Barn Babies, Solvang Children’s Shop, and more! Just make sure to assign your kids—and yourself—a budget before you go in, because it is waaaaay too easy to come out of these shops with more cute things than you bargained for.

10: Get an adult beverage (wine or beer)

Yes, this is a list for things to do with kids, but we get that you might want to indulge in one of Solvang’s many wine bars. The nice thing is that a lot of these are pretty child-friendly! Even better, just outside of the town, the Santa Ynez Valley (in which Solvang is located) is known for its wineries. Many wineries are kid—and dog—friendly, and some even cater to children with animals to pet. Carivintas Winery goes the extra mile and has a whole play area for kids, complete with toys, games, and Netflix Kids. Unwind and enjoy, with your kids in tow!

What’s your favorite thing to do in Solvang? Did we miss something important? Let us know in the comments!