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126 LEISURE
Kid‘s fun
Centrum Nauki Experyment N-4, Al.
Zwycięstwa 96/98, Gdynia, tel. (+48) 58 735 11
37, www.experyment.gdynia.pl. A rather small but
nonetheless fun distraction for the kids on a day when
the weather has driven you inside. Following the path
laid by similar places around the world. Experyment is
the kind of place which encourages you to learn about
the world around you by pushing, pulling, jumping and
experiencing rather than simply looking. Learn how and
why different phenomenon in our everyday lives work
thanks to the English translations that can be found
on rotating blocks next to each exhibit including the
opportunity to understand blue screen technology by
presenting the weather on TV. The rather good Eureka
restaurant can be found on level -1 in the adjacent
building. QOpen 10:00 - 16:00, Wed 10:00 - 20:00.
Closed Mon. Admission 12/6zł. Y
Dinosaur Park ul. Karwieńska 3, Gdańsk (Oliwa
Zoo), tel. (+48) 509 82 26 57, www.malpijar.pl. Set
in the woodland of Gdansk Zoo, you’ll find a dinosaur
park featuring all your favourite dinos hiding amongst
the tress. Q Open 10:00 - 18:00. By prior arrangement.
Admission 6/4zł , family ticket 15zł.
Gdańsk Zoo ul. Karwieńska 3, Gdańsk (Oliwa), tel.
(+48) 58 552 17 51, www.zoo.gd.pl. One of Poland‘s
best zoos, set in the forests of Oliwa and at a fraction of
the price of visiting a western zoo. On show are a host of
wild animals with the kids‘ favourites being the elephants,
hippos and chimpanzees. The zoo has invested a lot in
recent years in updating the animals’ accommodation
and the monkeys and zebras have both benefited in recent
years from investment in new spacious enclosures
and more recently the zoo’s two bears have finally been
relocated to a brand new enclosure next to the tigers.
The addition of 4 giraffes recently in a new giraffe/zebra
enclosure is the result of years of donations from zoo
patrons. On a pleasant day it is quite possible to spend
most of the day here as the park makes for a pleasant
and quite exhausting walk and there are additional attractions
such as staggered feeding times, a train tour
of the whole park, a dinosaur park and a central food
area with some small kids’ rides. There is also stuff
for the grown-ups with a really challenging high ropes
course which also offers one for the kids. In addition to
the cheap fast food outlets in the zoo, the nearby Oliwa
district offers a couple of very decent food and drink
options including the city’s best pizzas at Margherita
Pizza and more upmarket dining at Palac Opatów (the
Abbot’s Palace) in Oliwa Park. Both of these places are in
the shadow of the beautiful Oliwa cathedral. Bus N°222
runs from the Oliwa Pętla stop all the way to the front
gate. Q Open 09:00 - 19:00. Last entrance 60 minutes
before closing. Admission 16/8zł. Y
Loopy’s World Al. Grunwaldzka 229, Gdańsk
(Oliwa), tel. (+48) 58 347 73 10, www.loopysworld.
pl. A Swedish-born chain of entertainment centres aimed
specifically at kids aged 12 and under. This place is as
mad as they come, with features including electric cars,
mini-basketball, penalty shootouts, slides, trampolines
and even a train. The new face of playgrounds, and the
sort of place that has you wishing you were a nipper.
QOpen 10:00 - 20:00, Fri 10:00 - 21:00, Sat 09:00
- 21:00. Y
Tokary Golf Club Tokary 16, Przodkowo, tel. (+48) 58
694 01 82, www.tokarygolf.pl. The golf course is open
during the warmer months and costs 50-100zł per game.
There’s also an outdoor driving range costing 9zł/34 balls.
Out of season you’ll also find two indoor simulators.
Sierra Golf Club Pętkowice, Wejherowo, tel. (+48)
58 778 49 00, www.sierragolf.pl. One of the two most
popular golf clubs in the area with this one located near
Wejherowo. They offer 18 holes, with green fee and there are
also two simulators. QOpen 08:00 - 20:00. Simulators cost
60-100zł per hr. Driving range 15zł for 30 balls.
Spa, beauty & wellness
Grand SPA by Algotherm M-4, ul. Powstańców
Warszawy 12/14 (Sofitel Grand Sopot Hotel), Sopot,
tel. (+48) 58 520 60 85, www.sofitel-grand-sopot.com.
Find a wide range of Sopot spa treatments in the luxurious
surroundings of Sopot’s signature Grand Hotel, overlooking
the gardens and beach. Also available are a hammam, sauna,
gym and swimming pool. QOpen 09:00 - 22:00.
Hotel Haffner Spa M-3, ul. Haffnera 59, Sopot, tel. (+48)
58 550 98 53, www.hotelhaffner.pl. Located in the plush
Haffner Hotel a range of spa and beauty treatments are available
for guests and non-guests. Included in their offer are facials at
180zł, massages at 50zł as well as Kanebo and Babor face and
body treatments with prices starting from 100zł. Haffner also
has a pool, weight room and sauna available. Q Swimming pool
07:00 - 22:00. Treatments 08:00 - 21:00 by prior reservation.
The Spa at Sheraton Sopot M-4, ul. Powstańców
Warszawy 10, Sopot, tel. (+48) 58 767 19 00, www.
sheratonsopotspa.pl. The finest spa in Sopot, possibly
Poland. Featuring select Anne Sémonin treatments pleasures
that await include a dazzling swimming pool, Finnish
sauna, steam room and a comprehensive range of massage
therapies. For the full low-down check our dedicated spa
feature. Q Swimming Pool & Fitness Open 07:00-22:00
(Pool for children under 16 11:00-18:00). The Spa experience
(saunas, hammam, hydrotherapy pool, rasul) Open 09:00-
22:00. All other therapies and treatments Open 10:00-22:00.
Spa closed every first Monday of the month.
Swimming
Aquapark M-2, ul. Zamkowa Góra 3-5, Sopot, tel. (+48)
58 555 85 55, www.aquaparksopot.pl. One of the best
water parks in Poland and found just off the main Gdańsk-
Sopot-Gdynia road (nearest train station Kamienny Potok)
the complex consists of a three-lane, 25m long pool set aside
for those wishing to swim lengths in peace, a recreational
swimming pool featuring cascades and a water grotto and a
pool specially designed for children featuring slides, geysers
and water cannons. A seasonal outdoor pool with slides and
climbing frames is also open during the summer. And that’s
not all. Also find saunas and steam rooms, a six-lane bowling
alley, a ‘wet bar’ in the swimming area and a Wild River. The
recommended Pick & Roll restaurant can be found opening
out on the gardens next door. Adults will appreciate the Thai
massages now available in a number of styles (classic, aromatherapy,
hot coconut oil, etc). QOpen 08:00 - 22:00. 15 zł/
hr. Every additional minute 0.30zł. Day tickets: Mon - Fri 45zł,
Sun, Sat 50zł. Many discounts often available. Y
Gdynia Hotel O-1, ul. Armii Krajowej 22, tel. (+48) 58
666 28 87. A 25 metre pool found inside the Hotel Gdynia
which is available to non-guests as well. QOpen 09:00 - 21:00.
Admission Mon-Fri 12/9zł per hour; Sat, Sun 12/7.50zł per hour.
Gdańsk In Your Pocket gdansk.inyourpocket.com
Water fun
Czarna Perła C-5, Długie Pobrzeże, Gdańsk, tel.
(+48) 519 14 02 01, www.perlalew.pl. The sister
ship of the Galleon Lew offers a similar experience,
only this time with an English and German-speaking
guide on board. Cruises to Westerplatte and back again
are priced at 40/22zł with journeys timed at 09:00 (for
groups by prior arrangement), 11:00, 13:00, 15:00,
17:00, 19:00. Catch the return at 09:35 (for groups by
prior arrangement), 11:35, 13:35, 15:35, 17:35, 19:35.
Find it docked at the quay next to the Green Gate (Zielona
Brama). Q Y
Extreme M-4, Sopot beach (to the right of Zhong Hua
Hotel), tel. (+48) 603 12 08 88, www.extreme.sopot.
pl. If you want to know how to get onto one of those huge
bananas you see flying across the bay pulled by a motor
boat these are the people to contact. Boat rental and hire
of water bananas costs 30zł, miscellaneous inflatables
cost 40zł, para-sailing costs 150zł and water-skiing and
wakeboards cost 70zł (prices are for 10 minute increments).
Water scooter also available for 120zł/15mins
and motor boat rental 500zl/hour. Q Open 10:00 - 17:00,
Fri, Sat, Sun 10:00 - 18:00 though dependent on weather
(not open during rain or high wind). From September open
by prior arrangement.
Galeon Lew C-5, Długie Pobrzeże, Gdańsk, tel. (+48)
519 14 02 01, www.perlalew.pl. Ship ahoy - take a
pirate cruise on a galleon contraption from Gdańsk to
Westerplatte. Cruises leave from the dock down next to
the water close to the Green Gate (Zielona Brama) each
day at 10:00, 12:00, 14:00, 16:00, 18:00 and are priced at
40/22zł. Return journeys from Westerplatte leave at 10:35,
gdansk.inyourpocket.com
LEISURE
12:35,14:35, 16:35, 18:35. Great for the kids, but even
better for the adults (think beer and sea shanties). Once
it has finished cruising for the day it turns into a quayside
bar for the evening. Q Y
Kajakiem po Gdańsku K-4, ul. Żabi Kruk 15, Gdańsk,
tel. (+48) 58 305 73 10, www.kajakiempogdansku.pl.
Rent a kayak and paddle around the Old Town. Available until
mid to late September depending on the weather. QOpen
10:00 - 18:00. Two-person kayak: 15zł per hour, 45zł per day.
Spływy Kajakowe “Radunia” ul. Sezamkowa 5,
Straszyn, tel. (+48) 503 12 14 56, www.kajaki.straszyn.com.
Canoeing from May until the end of September
on the Radunia River.
Statek Pirat M-4, Molo (Pier), Sopot, tel. (+48) 724
24 24 81, www.statekpirat.pl. Kicking off the season
from the beginning of May, take a trip out to the end of the
pier (or the end of it that you can reach while they continue
building the marina) and jump aboard this mock Pirate ship.
40 minute cruises around the bay come accompanied by a
pirate character and although he’s speaking in Polish you
will get English translations out of the on-board speakers.
Strangely therapeutic, particularly when you take advantage
of their on-board bar, the ship gently poodles around the bay
long enough for you to relax without getting bored. Also keep
an eye out for their sunset cruises which are well-worth experiencing
and their on-board galley serving simple but good
Polish dishes. Trips are heavily dependent on weather and in
the case of the sunset cruise require a specific number of
people. Trips run through the end of September. Q Cruises
depart every hour from 11:00 to 19:00 with the Sunset
Cruise at 20:00. Tickets 25/18zł. Children under 3 years free.
May - July 2012
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