Hjemkomst CenterLocation: 202 1st Avenue North, Moorhead, MN
Along the Red River of the North in Moorhead, the Hjemkomst Center celebrates Scandinavian culture and heritage.
What to do:
Visit the Clay County Museum to view local artifacts and brush up on the history of Moorhead.
Take a tour (in person or virtual)! The Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County offers tours of the Hjemkomst viking ship and also the Moorhead Stave Church.
Check out the viking ship. Named Hjemkomst, which is Norwegian for “homecoming,” the ship celebrates the history, folklore, and myths of the Vikings. The ship was donated to the City of Moorhead and has been displayed at the Hjemkomst Center since 1986.
Visit the Hjemkomst Center for one of their special exhibits or events.
Explore Viking Ship Park — hike or bike its newly paved and lighted trail 1.5 mile trail.
Check out the Moorhead Farmers Market in the Hjemkomst Center parking lot Tuesdays, June to October, from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m., and then enjoy free admission to the Hjemkomst Center (from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m.).
Why we love the Hjemkomst Center:
It’s a great spot for local history and to learn about Norwegian heritage.
At 72 feet tall, the Moorhead Stave Church is a full-scale replica of the Hopperstad Stave Church located in Vik, Norway.
The Hjemkomst ship is based on the story of the Gokstad burial ship that had been unearthed from a burial mound near Sandefjord, Norway, in 1880.
And admission is free on Tuesdays from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m.!
Good to know about the Hjemkomst Center:
Open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sundays from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Extended hours are on Tuesdays from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. (and it’s FREE!).
The cost is $12 for adults, $8 for kids up to the age of 18, and children four and under are free. Tuesdays from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. are free admission!
Check out the Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County website for information regarding current events and exhibits.
Looking for more fun things to do in Moorhead? Check out our post Explore with Kids: Gooseberry Mound Park.
