Best for
Families with children roughly age 4–12, rainy-day plans in Gjøvik
Time needed
1.5–2 hours
Worth it?
Yes for families — modest in scale but genuinely engaging for kids
Skip if
You're travelling without children or expecting a large national-scale science museum
About Vitensenteret Innlandet (Innlandet Science Centre)
Vitensenteret Innlandet is the regional science centre for Innlandet county, established in 2007 and housed in Brennerigata in central Gjøvik. It follows the familiar Norwegian 'vitensenter' model — hands-on, kid-driven exhibits over static displays — covering physics, energy, technology and natural science through things you're meant to touch, push, pedal and experiment with rather than read placards about.
It's squarely aimed at families and school groups rather than adult day-trippers: weekday openings during term time are largely reserved for pre-booked educational visits from schools and kindergartens, while the centre opens to the general public on weekends and throughout Innlandet's school holiday periods, including a daily summer stretch from late June to mid-August.
Read the full storyShow less
As science centres go it's a modest regional facility rather than a flagship national one — don't expect an Oslo- or Bergen-scale operation — but for a family already in Gjøvik with restless kids, particularly on a rainy day, it's a reliable couple of hours that costs less than most cinema trips and comes with an annual pass option if you're a local or repeat visitor.
Pricing is refreshingly simple and flat: the same rate applies to both adults and children over 4, and a family ticket covers two adults and two kids, which makes it easy to budget for without hunting through a tiered price list.
What to See: Highlights
- 1Hands-on exhibits on physics, energy and technology
- 2Flat, simple pricing — same rate for adults and children over 4
- 3Family ticket covers 2 adults + 2 children
- 4Open daily through the summer school holiday period
- 5Central location, an easy walk from the train station
Insider Tips
Check the school-holiday calendar — weekday visits outside holidays need to be pre-booked as a group
Weekends year-round are reliably open to the general public
Good rainy-day option paired with a Gjøvik town walk
Annual pass (475 NOK) only makes sense for local families or repeat visitors
Budget 1.5–2 hours if travelling with younger children who'll want to try everything
Getting There
Brennerigata 1, 2815 Gjøvik
Open in Google Maps →- 15-minute walk from Gjøvik stasjon (train station) and the town centre.
Where to stay
Hotels in Gjøvik
Compare prices across hundreds of hotels near this attraction — from budget hostels to luxury stays. Free cancellation on most rooms.
Affiliate disclosure — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Powered by Booking.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know before you visit.
Is Vitensenteret Innlandet (Innlandet Science Centre) worth visiting?+−
How long does a visit to Vitensenteret Innlandet (Innlandet Science Centre) take?+−
Who is Vitensenteret Innlandet (Innlandet Science Centre) best for?+−
Do I need to book tickets in advance for Vitensenteret Innlandet (Innlandet Science Centre)?+−
Is Vitensenteret Innlandet (Innlandet Science Centre) included with the Gjøvik city pass?+−
Should You Visit?
Visit if...
- You're travelling with kids roughly aged 4 to 12
- It's a rainy or cold day and you need an indoor activity in Gjøvik
- You want a low-cost, low-hassle couple of hours with simple flat pricing
- Your visit lines up with a weekend or the summer school holiday window
Skip if...
- You're travelling without children and want adult-focused cultural content
- Your visit falls on a weekday in term time and you haven't arranged a group booking
- You've already visited a larger vitensenter elsewhere (Oslo, Trondheim) recently
More to See in Gjøvik
Gjøvik Olympic Cavern Hall (Gjøvik Olympiske Fjellhall)
The world's largest public hall carved into solid rock — an ice hockey arena and swimming pool built 120 metres inside a mountain for the 1994 Winter Olympics.
Fastland Friluftsbad
Gjøvik's free outdoor swimming spot on the shore of Lake Mjøsa, a 10-minute walk from the centre — diving tower, kids' pool and grassy lakeside park, busy with locals on any warm summer day.