Museums and other activities
Museum of Contemporary Arts/Bildmuseet
The museum of fine arts at the university arts campus by the river is a nice (and free of charge) experience. It shows varying exhibitions. Info on exhibitions, opening times (fairly generous) etc. can be found at http://www.bildmuseet.umu.se/en.
Guitars, the Museum
Guitars the Museum is a private museum downtown, combining a music store, bar, restaurant with one of the worlds finest privately owned collections of guitars. Guided tours are available at 12, 15 and 17 Monday to Saturday, or by appointment (more expensive, we need to be at least 10 people). It does not take too much time and is really worth a visit!
Museum of Västerbotten/Gammlia
The regional museum is situated fairly close to the main university campus, and offers various activities for all ages. In particular, during summertime they have various traditional farm animals on the grounds to show how a typical farmstead worked in olden times. There are also various exhibitions indoors.
Museum of Women’s History (“Kvinnohistoriskt museum”)
At the rather new culture house (“Väven”) in the city centre, there are, apart from various cafés, stages, and the city library, the Museum of Women’s History, providing some interesting perceptions and discussions regarding gender, power, identity and history.
Klabböle energicentrum
The first hydroelectric power station in the region now functions as a museum both for hydroelectrics, but also various other ways of human use of water power (mills, log driving and such). Unfortunately, regular opening hours are from June to August, but the museum may still be open on the weekend.
Nature
Holmön
For a full-day tour, the Holmön Islands may definitely be worth a visit. Travelling there using public transport may take some planning, but is absolutely possible. More information can be found at http://www.visitholmon.se/ and http://www.holmonsbatmuseum.se/, but please don’t hesitate to ask us.
Bird watching and nature reserves
Bird watching is a popular activity in the Umeälven delta, using the many vantages provided more or less close to the city. Hiking opportunities are also available in e.g. Grössjön (nature reserve) and Tavelsjön (hiking trail). Please ask us for directions (and maybe company) if you are interested.
Canoeing on Sävarån
For a (slightly) more physical experience of the nature around Umeå, one can hire a canoe in Sävar and follow the creek downstream to Skeppsvik. At Skeppsvik, Skeppsviks Mansion Restaurant provides a nice dinner (though booking a table may be advised). Please check their opening times (or let us do it) before heading there.
Archeology
Petroglyphs at Norrfors
For the archeaologically minded there are a number of petroglyphs and other ancient sites around Umeå. Specifically, the northernmost petroglyph collection in Sweden can be found at Norrfors, about 10km upriver from Umeå, close to one of Sweden’s largest hydroelectric power stations. Another acheaological northernmost lies in the other direction, at Mjösjön, where a bronze age stone ship can be found, along with two cairns. If you are interested and want to spend two hours, please feel free to ask us for assistance and guidance.