Mikkeli offers a plethora of activities for a family vacation: from safe and enjoyable experiences for the whole family to more thrilling adventures in amusement, water, and indoor activity parks. In the city, you can meet animal friends, enjoy the natural beauty of Lake Saimaa, or have a picnic right near the city centre.
There are fun activities for every weather. The whole family can enjoy the warmth of the Rantakeidas entertainment pool, as well as SuperCorner, where you can climb, skate, scoot, adventure, and have fun with various activities.
At the Sampola Water Sports Center in Juva, you can enjoy a relaxing day of swimming and spa treatments in various pools, water massage points, water slides, and saunas.
The Children's Cultural Center Vekkula offers fascinating experiences in its fairy-tale world in Mikkeli. Throughout the year, various themed events are organised. It's the perfect place for all children and the young at heart!
For both young and old, the Muisti Center of War and Peace offers a unique and immersive visit, providing insights into people's wartime experiences. The Mikkeli Theater also has an entertaining calendar of performances for the whole family.
On the outdoor trails of Kalevankangas near Mikkeli city center, you can walk, mountain bike, and ski in winter along ridges, around kettle holes, and by flowing water. Along the trails, there are also shelters for making fires and taking breaks.
There are playgrounds in every town in the region. The Metsäleikkipuisto forest playground in Kisala sports area in Mäntyharju is a year-round play area designed by children, featuring balance tracks, zip lines, climbing walls, outdoor musical instruments, and mountain bike tracks. In winter, bring a sled, ski cross on the mountain bike track or ski trails, or skate on the outdoor ice rink.
In June, the week-long Hulivilikarnevaali carnival offers a variety of programs for children and adults. There are performers, workshops, and various activities around Mikkeli.
In the garden of Kenkävero, you can greet chickens and sheep spending their leisurely summer days there. It's also worth visiting Santa Claus's hideaway in Kenkävero, where Santa spends his summer vacation. Santa might be fishing, but there are many interesting things to marvel at in the hideaway. In the nearby Mikkelipuisto, you'll find cozy spots for picnics among the garden's trees, bushes, and flower beds, and the wide green area is perfect for running around. The Kaihu beach is also nearby.
In July, the St Michel races offer excitement for the whole family, and the nearby Saimaa Stadium has entertaining activities for children.
As part of the Mikkeli Music Festival's On the Move! program, you can enjoy wonderful free music performances at various locations, such as the Stella Shopping Center by the market square. Check the Mikkeli Music Festival's website for the detailed program.
Exploring the natural beauty of Lake Saimaa is a delight with Hop On Hop Off cruises, such as those from Puumala to Pistohiekka. You might even catch a glimpse of the rare Saimaa ringed seal on your trip. The Norppapolku trail in Puumala, winding along the shores, ridges, and pine forests of Lake Saimaa, offers stunning lake views, and the beautiful shelter is perfect for a break. There are also shorter routes to choose from. The region's nature is brimming with charming hiking trails and exploration spots, so let's get going!