Things to Do in Solvang, CA: Danish Town with Food, Museums, Shopping
Feel as though you've been transported to Denmark when you visit the city of Solvang, California. There are a handful of places in the United States that look like you've traveled across the globe and Solvang is certainly one of those places. It has its charm and quaintness that makes you feel like you're either in a romance film or about to be in one. Make the trip! Whether you venture to a couple wine tasting rooms or want to learn about Danish culture, there are plenty of things to do in Solvang, California.
Solvang is a small Danish city in Santa Barbara County, California. It's nestled in the Santa Ynez Valley and often referred to as "The Danish Capital of America" or Little Denmark. Drive or stroll down Copenhagen Drive to get a feel of the Danish village. Solvang has bakeries, wineries, and just about anything you need to feel like you've teleported out of the United States for a few hours.
When you visit Solvang, CA you might see notable Danish icons such as Little Mermaid Statue Fountain, five windmills, the big red clog, as well as the Round Tower.
Did you know that the word "solvang" in Danish translates to "sunny field" in English?
Food
Food lovers will thoroughly enjoy tasting their way through Solvang, California. Find foods and Danish bakeries in abundance. It feels like you're getting a taste of Denmark with options like Danish pancakes and pastries.
There's a lot of food and Danish delights to munch on. Make sure to try Æbleskiver (Aebleskiver) which are round sphere-shaped pancake balls. The name literally translates into "apple slices."
Cafe Dolce Belgian Café Big Bopper Drive-In if you're in the mood for a 50s-style drive-in with both indoor and patio seating. Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, Cecco Ristorante for rustic Italian cuisine, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, Mortensen’s Danish Bakery, Pho 805 for Vietnamese food, and much more. Learn more about food, restaurants, and eateries on the Solvang website!
Full List of Restaurants and Eateries in Solvang, CA
Cafe Dolce, Belgian Café, Big Bopper Drive-In, Birkholm’s Bakery & Cafe, Bit O’ Denmark Restaurant, Brekkies, Cailloux, the Solvang Cheese Shop, Cecco Ristorante, Chomp Burgers, Fries and Shakes, Copenhagen Sausage Garden, Danish Mill Bakery, Domino’s Pizza, First & Oak Restaurant at the Mirabelle Inn, Fitzpatrick’s Tavern, Good Seed Coffee Boutique, Mad and Vin at the Landsby, Mortensen’s Bakery, Old Danish Food Farm/Fudge Kitchen, Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, Osteria Grappolo, Panino for sandwiches, Paula’s Pancake House, peasants FEAST, Pho 805, Ramen Kotori, Red Viking Restaurant, Silk Roads Kitchen - Mediterranean Flavors, The Solvang Bakery, Solvang Brewing Company, Solvang Restaurant, Subway, Succulent Cafe, The Coffee House by Chomp, Toscana Pizzeria, Tower Pizza, Viking Garden Restaurant, California Tacos, Leonardo’s Ristorante & Pizzeria, New Frontier’s Natural Foods & Deli, River Grill Restaurant & Bar, Taco Roco, A J Spurs, Ballard Inn Restaurant, Firestone Walker Brewing Company, Hitching Post II, Los Olivos Wine Merchant & Cafe.
Wine Tasting
Downtown Solvang, California hosts around 20 wine tasting rooms for you to choose from. Santa Ynez Valley offers delicious wines, wine tastings, wine bars, as well as craft beer from Solvang, Buellton, Ballard, Los Alamos, Los Olivos and Santa Ynez. There are more than 120 wineries in the vicinity. Check the events for wine tasting events in the Santa Ynez wine country. You can do a wine tasting tour by walking to a couple places!
The Oscar-winning film "Sideways," starring Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church, Virginia Madsen, and Sandra Oh, was filmed almost entirely on-location throughout Solvang and the Santa Ynez Valley. Get a sample of the local Santa Ynez Valley wineries while you're in the area and head to a wine tasting room.
Solvang CA California Danish Village Novelty Souvenir T-Shirt. Shop it on Amazon.
Boutique Shopping
Exit through the gift shop! Whether you're on the hunt for a good antique at A Piece of the Past Antique and Vintage Mall or want to check out t-shirts at Copenhagen T’s & Gifts, there are plenty of shops and boutiques in Solvang Village.
Solvang has a bustling range of businesses ready for you to patronize. Shops include Book Loft, Edelweiss (collectible dolls, jewelry, and other gifts), Mole Hole, Old Danish Food Farm/Fudge Kitchen, Pavlov Art Gallery, Solvang Shoe Store, Inc. and much more. You can find a gift for everyone. Learn more on the Solvang Conference & Visitors Bureau website.
Museums
As you explore Solvang, CA take some time to dive into a museum or two. Whether you're into rare and vintage motorcycles or want to visit exhibits to understand more about the Danish-American spirit, you'll want to check out these museums and historical spots. You'll find that the Solvang attractions keep you interested with every turn.
Museums and things to see in Solvang:
- Bethania Lutheran Church
- Elverhoj Museum of History & Art (Elverhøj Museum of History Art)
- Hans Christian Andersen Museum
- Old Mission Santa Ines
- Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum
- Wildling Museum of Art and Nature
- Mendenhall Museum
- Solvang Amber Museum - The Copenhagen House (Temporarily closed)
- Santa Ynez Valley Historical Society Museum & Parks Janeway Carriage House
Events
Depending on when you visit, there might be some fun events and things to do in Solvang, CA. There are events like Solvang Julefest, Solvang Grape Stomp, and Solvang Danish Days depending on the time of year you visit.
Dowdle Jigsaw Puzzle - Solvang Danish Village - 1000 Piece. Find it on Amazon.
Solvang Festival Theater
Support local arts at the Solvang Festival Theater, where you can see all kinds of shows, plays, musicals, and more. From June to September, Solvang Festival Theater is home to the professional theater company, PCPA. The rest of the year, it's a venue for a range of events and concerts such as the haunted house in October and the Julefest Nativity Pageant in December.
Outdoor Activities
As you traipse your way through Solvang, CA, soak in the wonderful California temperature with some outdoor activities.
Hans Christian Andersen Park
Drive through the castle arch as you enter Hans Christian Andersen Park. It feels a bit majestic filled with oak trees. Find a rock climbing wall, a little skate park, slides, a playground, and more.
When you come to Solvang, California, the immediate thought is that it's a cute little Danish town, and that it is. But it also has so much history and intrigue to discover, whether it's at the Solvang Vintage Motorcycle Museum, Solvang Festival Theater, or as you sip your way through delicious wine or pastries.
Stop by for a Danish from one of the local bakeries and walk about the town. You'll feel like you took a journey into Europe. Learn about Danish art and history at the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, or as you visit Old Mission Santa Ines. There are so many things to do in Solvang to stay full and entertained as you take in the Danish architecture. What's your favorite thing to do in Solvang?
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What to Do in Berlin in 3 Days: Visiting Berlin, Germany
About me: I write about travel, food, drinks. I've worked with tourism boards such as Visit Long Beach, Visit El Paso, The French Ministry of Agriculture, Visit Reno Tahoe, & Discover Torrance. To learn more about the campaigns I've been a part of, read my Press + Media page.
Visiting Berlin
So, Where is Berlin, Germany?
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3 Days in Berlin Itinerary
Brandenburg Gate
East Side Gallery (former Berlin Wall)
Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe
Tiergarten
The Tiergarten is easily one of my favorite things to do in Berlin. The inner-city park feels like a tranquil haven within the city. Make sure to stop by if you're pondering what to do in Berlin in 3 days. A must-see for those visiting Berlin, great Berlin photo spots.Alexanderplatz
Checkpoint Charlie
Mall of Berlin
Charlottenburg Palace
Berlin Television Tower
Take Me to Church
Museums: What to Do in Berlin in 3 Days
Botanischer Garten und Botanisches Museum Berlin (Berlin Botanical Garden)
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What to See in Warsaw: 45+ Things to Do in Warsaw, Poland
Warsaw, Poland
If the capital of Poland isn’t already on your travel radar, add it to your travel bucket list immediately. You don't have to ponder long on the top tourist attractions in Poland or what to do in Warsaw. There's TOO much, you won't be able to finish while you're visiting! Expect more crowds in the summer.Picture a colorful, well-preserved Old Town Warsaw rebuilt after it was completely destroyed during World War II. This entire city has a wide range of food options: gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, no matter your desires, there's an option for your dietary needs, making this one of the most foodie-friendly cities I’ve visited in Europe.
View from Warszawa Taras Widokowy in Old Town Warsaw Square. |
About Carmen
As a travel influencer, I'm always looking for my next adventure. On most days, I'm a San Diego food, travel, and lifestyle blogger, but since I work remotely, I can travel & work as long as there's Wi-Fi. I spent some time exploring Porto, Milan, & other bits of Europe! Learn more about me here.Buildings & flowers from the University of Warsaw Library Rooftop Garden. |
What to See in the Polish Capital: Castles & Palaces
The nighttime light show at the Multimedia Fountain Park. |
Gardens, Parks, Nature, Best Views
Ogród Saski (Saxon Garden) - I was blown away by Warsawa's gardens. Head over to take a look at the fountain at Ogród Saski, also known as Saxon Garden. Perfect for Warsaw sightseeing & free things to do in Warsaw, Poland.
Landing Point - Nice beachy spot by the Vistula River. Play water sports, relax all day.
Travel influencer? Photo lover? Take a photo at the University of Warsaw Library Rooftop Garden. Jeans: Liverpool Jeans in Peyton // Shop these exact Liverpool Jeans here. Shoes: Fila Disruptors // Shop these exact Fila Disruptor sneakers here. |
University of Warsaw Library Rooftop Garden - Do not miss this rooftop garden, easily one of the best free things to do in Warsaw. As far as what to see in Warsaw, you can savor a lovely view of Poland's capital from various points of the University of Warsaw Library Rooftop Garden. *my personal favorite.
Palace of Culture and Science 30th Floor Viewing Point - The best Warsaw sightseeing option to view the city from above. I talk more about the Palace of Culture and Science down below. *my personal favorite.
Warszawa Taras Widokowy - Awesome view of Old Town Warsaw Square / Old Town Market Place. Super afford Warsaw sightseeing. *my personal favorite.
The Warsaw Mermaid in Old Town Warsaw Square with colorful buildings in the background. |
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Mermaid in Old Town Warsaw Square - Snap a photo at this Instagram hotspot. The mermaid is an iconic symbol of Warsaw. See how many mermaids you count throughout the city. *my personal favorite.
Warsaw Citadel - Built in the early 1800s as a fortress, the Warsaw Citadel houses the Katyn Museum. Take a photo at the Citadel for Warsaw sightseeing & what to see in Warsaw.
Gdański Bridge - What to see in Warsaw? Stop by the Gdański Bridge, a steel truss bridge worthy of a look. Don't forget to take a photo. One of the easier things to do in Warsaw. *my personal favorite.
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Located within Piłsudski Square, two soldiers always stand guard at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Tourist spot for photos & what to see in Warsaw.
Goofing around outside the Neon Museum. Great for Warsaw sightseeing! |
Interesting Things to Do Warsaw: Education & Museums
Warsaw Rising Museum (Warsaw Uprising Museum) - The Warsaw Rising Museum / Warsaw Uprising Museum is a tribute to Warsaw residents who lost their lives fighting for Poland's independence.
Heritage Interpretation Centre - The Heritage Interpretation Center is the starting point of the Cultural Route of Old Town Cellars.
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History Meeting House - History Meeting House stands as the city of Warsaw’s municipal institution of culture, promoting history the history of the capital city through organized exhibitions, discussions, workshops, & other cool things to do in Warsaw.
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Things to Do in the City of Warsaw: Polish Food & Drinks
Hala Koszyki - A food hall with restaurant, grocery, & culinary options.To Lubie (To Lubię) - a small, sweet cafe located in Warsaw's Old Town. Don't leave without trying their Dominican mead. *my personal favorite.
Bar Prasowy (Press Bar) - A classic take on a Polish classic, the milk bar. Milk bars come from the Communist area as a way to make affordable food available to working people.
Bar Gdański (Gdańsk Bar) - Another milk bar.
Lokal Vegan Bistro - Incredible vegan alternatives to some of Poland's most popular authentic dishes. I'm drooling just thinking about the meal I had. *my personal favorite.
Things to Do in Warsaw: Shopping
Złote TarasyArkadia Shopping Mall
Galeria Mokotów
Mokotowska shopping street
Mysia street
Szpitalna street
What to see when you visit Warsaw: Another mermaid. There are mermaids all over the city. |
Did I forget anything? Leave me a comment! But don't bust my chops - there is a ridiculous amount of things to do in Warsaw. You'll never have to wonder what to do in Warsaw. There's an endless amount!
After sharing my Warsaw Poland experience with my Instagram family, one of my followers messaged me to say, "I was talking to my boyfriend about what you shared about Warsaw & we are adding to the list of places in Europe we would like to go someday."
It's truly the biggest compliment that is something I experienced & shared from my own perspective influence someone that they wanted to add it to their own list. I feel like I should mention that this type of feedback is so important & heartwarming & seriously makes me smile. Your message or comment can really make a difference!
What to do in Warsaw: Look out on Old Town Warsaw Square from Warszawa Taras Widokowy. |