The Open-Air Exhibition
Fishing boats, harbor life, and outdoor fun
Explore the world of fishing
Not many decades ago, ports like Esbjerg were teeming with fishing boats and people who made their living from and with the sea.
At the Open-Air Exhibition, you can explore the heyday of fishing, with its cutters, harbor scenes, and old workshops.
There’s also plenty of room to play here. At the playground, children can climb and slide, and in the E1 universe, you can board a real Esbjerg fishing boat, explore the hold, and pretend to be fishermen out at sea.
Climb aboard a real fishing boat
At Friland, you can board the legendary Esbjerg cutter E1 Claus Sørensen and immerse yourselves in the life of fishermen at sea.
In the hold, the fish are on ice; in the galley, the food is on the stove; and in the wheelhouse, you can turn on the radio and imagine that you’re heading out to catch herring or cod.
The fun continues around the cutter. Here, you can climb on structures inspired by old rescue ladders and explore among the salvaged cargo. What exciting treasures will you find?
Play with the ocean as your neighbor
At the playground, the children can climb, slide, and have fun.
Crawl through the giant fishing net, take a ride on the slide, and compete to see who can pull the fishing boat ashore first using the winch—inspired by the winches that were once used on the beaches of the West Coast.
Meanwhile, the adults can take a break with a cup of coffee and enjoy some fresh air while the children continue playing.
Stop by the Ice Cream Shop
At Friland, you'll find the Ice Cream Shop, which is the perfect place to stop when you need a break from the fishing boats, the playground, and the harbor life.
Here you can buy old-fashioned ice cream, soft-serve, and ice cream bars from Hansen Is, as well as good coffee and snacks.
The Ice Cream Shop's hours of operation vary, so please check the signs at the museum when you visit us.
