Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

Norsk Folkemuseum, Oslo Two buildings make the case for this one. The stave church from Gol, dated to around 1200, shows the medieval end of Norwegian life, while the Apartment Building on the same grounds carries the story into city homes with eight period interiors, so you can compare a farm living room with a town apartment in one afternoon. Its Christmas fair brings out hosts in period costume. Outside the summer months, check the hours before going: the museum has been opening from 11:00 to 16:00, Tuesday to Sunday, and closing on Mondays.