Live like a local: TOP 10 summer experiences in Nuuksio and nearby
If you are looking for summer experiences in Nuuksio and nearby to complement your summer trip, the good news is that there is plenty on offer. The trick, however, is knowing what to look for.
Last year, we shared a blog post featuring hidden gems definitely worth a visit – check it out for many good tips. But there is much more to explore, so here is our updated top 10 list of great summer experiences near Nuuksio and Hawkhill. Come and discover local life!
1. Nummela market place
When and where: Wednesdays and Saturdays at 7:00-13:00, Pisteenpolku, Nummela, Vihti
Website: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1032573810224276/?locale=fi_FI
We have a lively market in Nummela, if you just come by at the right time! Usually in the summer, you can find for example fresh berries, fruits and vegetables, locally produced bread and other bakery products, fish, flowers and locally made handicraft.
2. Vihti church village – museum, cinema, theatre and more
When and where: Vihti post code 3400
Website: https://www.visitvihti.fi/en/tag/vihdin-kirkonkyla/
Vihti’s original church village is a lively place, offering an idyllic sneak peek into local life. It is definitely worth visiting, particularly for those interested in culture.
Besides the church itself, Vihti’s museum is located in the village. Vihti’s open-air summer theatre is very popular among the locals. The local cinema, Vihdin Kino, offers an authentic nostalgia trip to the cinema experience of old times – with the newest films to watch, of course.
If you are visiting in August, remember to check out if the annual traditional market even Wuosisatamarkkinat is taking place while you are here. It brings together everything Vihti has to offer, with guaranteed fun for families and people of all ages.
3. Eat like a local – our restaurant picks of the season
When and where: Nummela and Veikkola
Websites:
https://www.hiekkahentunen.fi/
https://www.cafeneilikka.fi/
https://ag-nummela.fi/
There are too many great restaurants in Vihti to write about them all, including many taste experiences of world cuisines. Our previous article listed these more extensively, however the three we selected here offer local food, as the locals like it.
Café Neilikka in Nummela emphasises on a more modern trend among Finnish lunchgoers – healthy salads and soups – with some traditional hits also regularly available. It is also a nice place to visit if you just want to sit down for a cup of coffee.
Mummola Kahvila in Veikkola is worth a visit just to experience its beautifully retro, homely atmosphere. It is also equally good for lunch and coffee. Check the opening hours before visiting.
The AG grill, on the other hand, represents another side of authentic Finnish food: those delicious burgers and plates that we enjoyed on a night out years before fast-food chains arrived here.
4. Puuhapark – for a day of fun activities
When and where: Jussinrinne 1, Ojakkala
Website: https://www.puuhapark.fi/
Located in the village of Ojakkala, near Tervalampi and a short drive from Nummela, Puuhapark is a must-visit for families and adventurers of all ages. It is a large outdoor park with activities too many in number to list, from bouncy castles and trampolines to climbing walls, hobby horses and different sports you can do there. Puuhapark also has its own restaurants and an area in which you can barbeque your own food, so you can easily spend the entire day there.
5. Wine in the Woods at Haltia
When and where: Saturdays, every second week, at 18:00-20:00
Website: https://shop.haltia.com/fi_FI/finlandnaturally-wine-in-the-woods
We have previously written about Haltia – Finnish Nature Centre – and the many ways to explore Nuuksio National Park from there. For a truly unique experience for adults, however, we recommend Wine in the Woods. It is a guided two-hour exploration combining the multisensory experience of the forest with the rich aromas of wine tasting. It is quite popular, so be sure to book in advance.
6. Swim like a local – our picks of the season
When and where: Myllylampi, Otalampi and Iso-Parikas
Website: https://www.vihti.fi/asuminen-ja-ymparisto-2/yleiset-alueet/uimarannat/
Vihti is a place of many lakes, but where to go for a swim? For lively beach days, head to Myllylampi or Otalampi, popular spots buzzing with locals on sunny days. They are well-maintained and popular – full of life and fun when the sun is out and the water is warm. For trekkers and explorers, our pick of the season is Iso-Parikas. Located just north of Hawkhill, it is surrounded by a quiet forest.
Important: Before swimming in any lake, check the blue-green algae situation from Vihti municipality’s website.
7. Veikkolan kartano
When and where: Veikkolantie 130, 03100 Vihti (book in advance)
Website: https://www.veikkolankartano.fi/
Veikkolan kartano (Veikkola Manor in English) is a 19th-century manor situated on an active organic farm just 50 kilometers from Helsinki city centre. For anyone interested in local history, its guided tour is definitely worth a try. Henrik, the owner of the manor, will show you around the estate, which is also his home. Book a tour in advance and dive back in time into the life of the manor’s lord.
8. Hevoslaakso stables
When and where: Heinojantie 67, Karkkila
Website: https://hevoslaakso.fi/
Situated near the border between Vihti and Karkkila, Hevoslaakso offers a variety of activities, from forest walks to afternoon tea. Our pick for an authentic experience, however, would be their “day at the horse stables” programme in which you can join the life at the stables and help with the everyday work there. Riding lessons and pony riding are also available.
9. Sunset and daytime canoe tours in Nuuksio
When and where: Kaitlampi, Vihti
Website: https://greenwindow.fi/
Explore Nuuksio lakes in a comfortable and fun way. To enjoy the tranquil atmosphere of the evening, you can choose to go on a sunset canoe trip with your family. Equally, for more explorative paddling, you can rent a canoe for the day.
10. Trekking picks of the season
When and where: Palakoski, Kokkokallio, Konianvuori
Websites:
https://uuvi.fi/en/area/palakoski/
https://www.visitvihti.fi/en/seikkailu/kokkokallion-huiputus/
https://www.visitvihti.fi/en/seikkailu/konianvuori/
Palakoski is a great place for seasonal berry picking, with beautiful cliffs and rapids to admire. Kokkokallio is for ambitious adventurers – the way there is not signposted, however the stunning views over the Hiidenvesi lake are an unforgettable experience worth the climb. Konianvuori is a lookout point on the shore of Lake Moksjärvi, and you can also discover authentic “giant’s kettles” (hiidenkirnu) there. They are kettle-shaped formations drilled into solid rock that formed back when the bedrock of the area was covered by a glacier.
We are happy to recommend more summer experiences near Nuuksio
Here at Hawkhill, we believe in the power of local and regional collaboration. More information on local things to do and places to visit can be found in all of our cabins. We are aware that a lot of the local information is only available in Finnish, and therefore we are always more than happy to help our guests by providing information and recommendations regarding things to do in the region.