After the HCA Marathon: Andersen's Odense
The Route: Odense station → Andersen quarter → Brandts → Funen Village Logistics: Odense is compact and most sights are within walking distance. The light rail covers the one longer hop. Marathon Month: September Duration: Day trip
Odense station ──(short walk)──> H.C. Andersen House ──(short walk)──> Brandts Art Museum ──(bus or taxi)──> The Funen Village
The race finishes in a stadium on a Sunday, and Monday is the day to hand your legs over to a town that does not ask for much. Odense is the birthplace of Hans Christian Andersen, and the marathon carries his name. The tourist board describes most places in the city as within walking distance, which is the point of the day.
September in Odense. Early autumn is cool and the light is low. Museums keep their regular hours, but open-air sites such as the Funen Village may close for the season, so check dates before you set out. Bring a waterproof, because showers pass through quickly.
Morning: the Andersen quarter
The H.C. Andersen House is the obvious first stop, and the tourist board lists it first among the city's family attractions. It includes a children's area called Ville Vau, described as a fairy-tale world where Andersen's stories come to life. The building is a museum with seating and level indoor floors. Check September opening hours and ticket prices on the museum's website, and book ahead in busy weeks.
The streets around the house are the old quarter of Odense, with low houses, cobbles and a number of cafés. Cobbles are harder on stiff quads than they look, so take small steps and use the pavement. Stay at one of the quarter's hotels if you want the museum on your doorstep. Hotel Odeon and Comwell H.C. Andersen are both listed by the tourist board.
Afternoon: Brandts
Brandts Art Museum has interactive exhibits that let visitors touch, climb and explore the art, according to the tourist board. It is indoors and level, so it suits a runner in no mood for stairs. Check the current exhibitions and the Monday opening hours, since some Danish museums close on Mondays.
If you want railways instead, the Danish Railway Museum is in the city centre. Check hours before going.
If you have a car or a taxi: the Funen Village
The Funen Village is an open-air museum of rural life on Funen in the 19th century, with historic farmhouses, gardens and fields. It involves walking on uneven ground, so choose a short visit, and check whether the site is open in late September.
Back to the station
The central station is the hub for trains to Copenhagen and the light rail to the sports park. If you are leaving the next morning, buy your ticket the evening before.