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Family Friendly Museums

Maritime Museum
The museum mostly exhibits objects and utensils relating to fishing and seafaring in general. It also displays various reminders of local trade, industry, and medicine from times past. The collection is in a commercial building, “Gamla búð”, built in 1816. Hours of Operation: June, July, and August: 13:00 - 17:00 daily or by arrangement with the manager, tel. 470 9063
Technical Museum of East Iceland
The Technical Museum of East Iceland has opened again and with the exhibition Búðareyri: A story of transformations The exhibition explores the history of Búðareyri from 1880 to the present day and the transformations of settlement, industry, society, and nature that have taken place there. These changes tell not only a local story, but also reflect on a much larger history of technological advancements and societal changes in Iceland and beyond over the past 150 years. The exhibition is housed in and around the premises of Vélsmiðja Seyðisfjarðar (Seyðisfjörður Mechanical Shop). After the company ceased operations in 1993, the space has been used for exhibitions by the Technical Museum of East Iceland. The history of Búðareyri is characterized by significant transformations, which are explored through several themes, overlapping with each other: The beginning of settlement The Mechanical Shop Communications and the telegraph The occupation years The harbor and the fjord Trade and commerce Natural conditions and landslides Opening hoursMay - AugustMondays - Saturdays at 10 - 17 Saptember Mondays - Fridays at 10 - 16 October - AprilBy agreement : tekmus@tekmus.is Admission feeAdults: 1500 krChildren: 1500 krPensioners and students: 1000kr
Museum of Natural History Neskaupstaður
A new and interesting museum which displays the best of Icelandic nature; Icelandic mammals, shellfish, birds, insects and stone collection as well as specimens from the East Icelandic flora. Hours of Operation: June, July, and August: 13:00 - 17:00 daily or by arrangement with the manager, tel. 470 9063
East Iceland Heritage Museum
The East Iceland Heritage Museum was founded in 1943 and since then its aims has been to preserve the history of East Iceland by collecting and preserving things that reflect the society, culture and everyday life of people in the area, from past to present day.  The museum has two permanent exhibitions, one about the reindeers in East Iceland and one about the old rural household in the region. The museum also has diverse temporary exhibitions through the year.  Reindeer in East IcelandThe East is the only part of Iceland where you will find wild reindeer. They contribute to the unique nature and are strongly connected to the region’s history and culture. The focus of the exhibition is on their nature, characteristics, and survival, as well as reindeer hunting and how reindeer products have contributed to a creative development of fashion design and handcraft.  The old rural household as a self-sufficient entityOn display are items from the historical, rural community in East-Iceland up until the mid-20th century. Some items relate to a practical role in everyday life, while others bear witness to the fact that life was not only about basic survival but also about creating beautiful things for decoration and pleasure. Among things on display is a living room (baðstofa) of an Icelandic turf house.  For more information, please visit www.minjasafn.is
Steinasafn Petru
Ljósbjörg Petra María Sveinsdóttir was interested in stones all her life and started to collect them in earnest in 1946. Most of her stones were found in Stöðvarfjörður and other places in East Iceland because Petra didn´t go much looking for stones in other parts of the country. In 1974, Petra decided to open her home for all those that wished to look at her stones.  Petra´s receives many visitors each year and it has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in East Iceland. It´s obvious to all those that visit Petra´s, that she was an efficient stone collector but not many people know that she collected more than stones.  Petra collected marked pens, cups, and numerous other small paraphernalia and for most of her life, she collected eggs, shells, and conches. For sure, Petra´s house has slowly acquired the appearance of a nature museum, but first and foremost, it´s a home. Open from May 1st to October 31st, seven days a week from 09:00 am to 5:00 pm. Kaffi Sunnó In the year 2015, an old dream came true when Kaffi Sunnó was opened. The guests can buy delicious soups and bread, hot and cold drinks and something sweet. Open from May 1st to October 31st, seven days a week from 09:00 am to 5:00 pm. 
Skriðuklaustur, Centre of culture & history
Skriðuklaustur is the former home of the famous author Gunnar Gunnarsson (1889-1975). Since 2000 it has been open as a centre of culture & history with various activities and exhibitions. It houses a museum about the author with personal guidance about his life and career as well as the adventure of building a mansion in Fljotsdalur valley in 1939. The house itself is one of Iceland’s most treasured buildings, donated to the Icelandic nation by the author in 1948. It was designed by the German architect Fritz Höger. At Skriðuklaustur, you can also have a look at the ruins of a medieval Augustinian monastery from the 16th century which was excavated at the beginning of the 21st century. The ruins are accessible all year round, close to the author's home. The exhibition about medieval life and the excavation can be found in the cultural centre which also houses the restaurant Klausturkaffi.  Opening hours April - May: Open daily 11am - 5pm June - August: Open daily 10am - 5pmSeptember - October 17th: Open daily 11am - 5pm    
Wilderness center
Wilderness Center of Iceland - Center of Recreation The Wilderness Center is an authentic and peaceful hideaway, located right on the edge of Northern Europe´s most extensive wilderness. One can experience the spirit of the past through a variety of services, such as unique accommodation, local food, exhibitions, horse riding and hiking, stargazing/Aurora station, day tours, escorted tours, super jeep tours, and tailor-made tours. The center's tranquil and pleasant location, as well as the distinct choice of accommodation and unique setting both indoors and out, will draw guests into adventures of the past and offer a unique atmosphere. Delicious food from local ingredients is cooked from scratch in the open home-style kitchen. Cakes and bread are also home-made. The Center offers a variety of activity and services. One can go hiking along waterfalls, cross the river on a cable-bridge, go horseback riding, rent mountain bikes, go fishing, gaze at the stars in the stargazing hut or visit the creative museum about the history of the Icelandic wilderness, where one can walk into the adventures of the Icelandic wilderness and be touched by the dramatic struggle between the forces of nature and the Icelander´s fight to survive. Many different day tours can be made from the Wilderness Center either self-drive or escorted. For example to Hengifoss, Laugarfell hot springs, Snæfell area, Hafrahvammagljúfur canyons and many more. Multi-day, tailormade tours can also be arranged, all year around. MUSEUM - HIKING - RIDING - MOUNTAIN BIKING - FISHING - STARGAZING - ACCOMMODATION - LOCAL FOOD - GUIDED TOURS TEL: +354 440 8822 / info@wilderness.is / www.wilderness.is

Family Friendly Art Festivals

BRAS
BRAS – Children’s Culture festival will be held for the second time in Austurland in September and October. A number of parties participate with children and for children to create an environment for diverse and exciting artistic creations under the theme “expression without language”.
List í Ljósi
Every year the award-winning List í Ljósi festival celebrates the return of the sun to a remote, East Iceland fjord.