Podcast: Insider's Guide to Copenhagen - Kids in the city
Join American Copenhagener and content creator Annie Samples as she takes radio and television host Esben Bjerre for a stroll through some of her favourite Copenhagen spots and shares what makes Copenhagen unique to her and her family.
When Annie Samples's husband got a job offer in his dream city, Copenhagen, the Texas-born mother of four packed everything up and made the move despite never having set foot on Danish soil. Fortunately, she fell in love with Copenhagen and to her, this is now home. After the initial cultural shock, for instance, coming to terms with the Danish stroller practice, she and her family fell in love with the architecture, flowers, bakeries, and much more.
Join Annie as she shows Esben where she spends his time in Copenhagen and where she brings her kids and international friends.
Listen on Apple Podcast, Spotify or on your favourite podcast app.
Please note that Kafeteria is now permanently closed. Instead, visit SMK's new museum café Magnolia.
Kafeteria
At SMK - The National Gallery of Denmark lies Kafeteria, where Annie has never had anything she didn't like! Still, her go-to is the fluffy pancakes, which Esben quickly takes a liking to. Kafeteria was founded by Copenhagen-based chef and restaurateur Frederik Bille Brahe, with the ambition to create synergy between food and art. Annie often brings her kids here, as the place is very family-friendly. It is also a good place to take a break when visiting the SMK museum.
Østre Anlæg
Copenhagen is filled with green spaces, and Annie loves to take her kids on a stroll through Østre Anlæg, which is right behind SMK. Østre Anlæg is her favourite park because it feels untouched and is very picturesque. It is a park with a lot to explore: There a trees to climb, birds you would not normally see in parks, insects, and a good playground. The park is good for both adults going for a walk or taking a break, and for children who want to play and explore.
Harbour bus
Copenhagen is surrounded by water, so of course, there is a harbour bus to take you from A to B! The price is the same as a regular bus ticket, and you can bring your stoller, your bike, or your entire family on board and still have plenty of space. The harbour bus route has 9 stops located on each side of the water, as the yellow ferries zig-zag between places like The Royal Library, Islands Brygge, Refshaleøen and other places where you can get off and explore.
La Banchina
La Banchina is Annie’s sacred place, where she goes to unwind and let her overstimulated mom-brain have some peace. The organic and rustic room overlooks two things: a harbour bath where people swim (all year round!) and Copenhagen skyline. The view of Copenhagen is breathtaking, and together with the delicious coffee and pastries. If you fancy going for a swim, you can relax in their sauna afterwards. Tak for kaffe!
Copenhagen Contemporary
Annie is "never not delighted" to be at Copenhagen Contemporary, an international art center showing installation art created by world stars and new emerging talents. It occupies the magnificent former B&W welding hall, offering a total of 7,000 m2 of beautiful industrial halls with plenty of space to show the technical and large formats in which many contemporary artists work. Annie brings her kids here, as the immersive nature of the museum is interesting to all ages.
Connie-Connie
"You can't go wrong" says Annie about Connie-Connie, the cafe linked to Copenhagen Contemporary. Approximately 25 diverse artists, architects, and designers were commissioned to craft personalized stools, chairs, and benches for the café's 150-square-meter area, which serves coffee, light meals, and pastries.
Hart
In Copenhagen's gourmet bakery landscape, Hart is a strong contestant. It has multiple locations around Copenhagen, but the one on Refshaleøen where Annie and Esben enjoy their pastry, the nordic minimalist design contributes to a calm atmosphere. The man behind Hart is Richard Hart: Trained in the science of baking, he was the baker at Noma, before he opened up his own bakery.
Want to visit more places on Annies' list?
Annie and Esben mention many places in Copenhagen, and below, you can find a list of honourable mentions.
