Reykjavík Grapevine - 01.09.2023, Síða 34

The Reykjavík Grapevine
Best of Reykjavík 2023
34
Best Museum
The National
Museum
Suðurgata
The National Museum (Þjóðminjasafn Íslands) picks up the first place yet again,
but not simply due to its institutional status. What our panel felt made it such
a successful museum in its category was how the curation offers the exact
right scope to view Icelandic history — it’s condensed, but not too condensed.
The past year saw them explore new angles from which to view the Icelandic
national identity, including an exhibit on inheritance that highlighted the stark
poverty of Icelanders prior to the 20th century, as they left their children the
trifles of daily life upon their passing (down to a pair of underwear with a hole
in it). The National Museum has also entered into successful partnerships with
contemporary artists and designers to find new ways to explore Icelandic
history in the making.
Runners-up
Einar Jónsson Museum
Hallgrímstorg 3
Once an imposing castle structure
perched alone atop a barren hill, this
building inspired by basalt hexagons
is unmissable to anyone passing
by Hallgrímskirkja church. A former
home to one of Iceland’s foremost
sculptors, Einar Jónsson, it now
houses his works and the charming
sculpture garden, which plays home
to Einar’s unmissable fascination with
Norse mythology.
The Settlement Exhibition Reykjavík
871±2
Aðalstræti 16
Most of the time, you won’t find
anything more interesting in the
basement of a hotel than a laundry
room or the occasional haunting.
But underneath the Hotel Reykjavík
Centrum you will find the 871±2
settlement exhibition. This exhibition
explores the remains of a viking
longhouse from the settlement age,
which was excavated right on that
spot in 2001 and remains one of the
oldest man-made structures found
in Iceland (from circa 871, hence the
name). What better place to build an
archeological museum but right in
the spot where you found the damn
thing, amirite?
Previous Winners
2022: The National Museum
2021: The National Museum
2020: The National Museum
Best Place to Take the Kids
Fjölskylduland
Dugguvogur 4, 104 Reykjavík
Described as Iceland’s “first holistic
Indoor Playground and Family Center
in Iceland,” this one is sort of like a
private members club for toddlers.
Fjölskylduland is somewhat like
a large indoor playground, full of
stimulating activities for children
0-6 years old. If the playhouse isn’t
enough to keep their attention, you
can enroll them in gymnastics, or
baby yoga. Because you’re never too
young to align your chakras!
Runner-up
The Salvation Army
Suðurlandsbraut 72, 108 Reykjavík
This one took us by surprise, as it’s
not openly geared towards children,
but several panelists mentioned how
well this space served the family
folk of the 108 area. The distinctive
red building was designed by
Teiknistofan Tröð and opened in 2021
as the new HQ for the Salvation Army.
While the overt Christian themes may
be off putting to some, there is no
denying the appeal of the affordable
and spacious café, generous play
area and arts and crafts workshops.
Newcomer
Höfuðstöðin
Rafstöðvarvegur
Set in the beautiful Elliðaárdalur
public park, this permanent
installation by artist Hrafnhildur
Arnardóttir (aka Shoplifter) is not,
strictly-speaking, geared towards
children but our panelists said their
kids find so much to love in the
vibrant colours and soft textures.
Plus, you can chalk that up to a
culturally edifying activity, as it’s
technically an art installation.
Previous Winners
2022: Húsdýragarðurinn
2021: The Maritime Museum
2020: Húsdýragarðurinn
Best Place to Spend a
Rainy Day
Spilavinir
Suðurlandsbraut 48, 108 Reykjavík
The panellists were responsive with
this one, as most residents of Iceland
will have a few of these havens at the
ready. Board game café Spilavinir
got a couple of mentions and for
good reason. Along with the Nexus
comic book store, it’s one of the best
places to get to know the latest in
board gaming — everything from 10
kilo box sets of baroque Euro-style
games to something you can pick up
in five minutes and probably involves
some variation on the Werewolf
game. Be aware that Spilavinir is more
accurately described as being in the
Skeifan shopping area, even though
its address is Suðurlandsbraut.
Runner-up
FlyOver Iceland
Fiskislóð 43, 101 Reykjavík
An interactive special-effects “ride”
with a 20 metre spherical screen,
accented by water mist and scents
to engage all the senses. A bit like the
Sky Lagoon, several panellists had
judged it beforehand as a bit corny,
but it’s surprisingly good fun. If it’s
too crappy outside to see Icelandic
nature with your own two eyes, then
this is the perfect substitute. As
a bonus for Icelanders that spent
all their travel savings on that all-
inclusive in Tenerife, FlyOver Iceland
also runs tours over Canada and the
U.S. on the regular. Yeehaw, eh.
Previous Winners
New category
BEST OF REYKJAVÍK 2023
Activities
Doing stuff is great!