Norwegian Olympic Museum, Lillehammer

Absolutely great museum that you would never know is hidden up here. Seemingly brand new and huge. Excellent café. Olympic stuff is great and nicely presented, interesting particularly if you're a fan of the Olympics in general. Lovely walk circuit outside around reconstructed buildings from different eras is included (folk museum style with costumed interpretation in summer). You can go in the buildings. Highlight for me were homes from different decades beautifully presented as if the people had just popped out.

I tend to think of the Olympics as simply a competition to prove physical prowess and athletic superiority, but the exhibits here emphasize the cultural significance of the Olympic games, the striving for human excellence, the power of the human spirit, and the celebration of human diversity and perseverance. Very uplifting! Don't miss the powerful video near the beginning, in which various world leaders--including President Bill Clinton and Queen Elizabeth--open the games over the years, and various cultures display their finest dances and celebrations in the opening ceremonies. Powerful and inspiring! (OK, I cried a little.) The museum is small but includes a section on women in sports as well as a very small exhibit on the Paralympics. You can easily get through the museum in 60 minutes. Suitable and educational for all ages.