Top things to do

Average visit duration: 1-hour guided tour

Distance from LS: 63 km (about 65 minutes)

Moose Garden in Orrviken offers a unique opportunity to meet moose up close in a natural setting. Join a guided tour and encounter the giants of the Swedish forests. Besides the moose farm, there’s a café open in summer and a small shop. It’s definitely a top choice for animal and nature lovers looking to connect with the true king of the forest.

Average visit duration: 3 to 4 hours

Distance from LS: 52 km (about 50 minutes)

Jamtli is the cultural hotspot of Östersund: an open-air museum combined with an indoor museum and art exhibitions at the National Museum. The open-air museum lets you travel through centuries with historic buildings, farm animals, and playful educational programs. In summer, Historieland, a living history experience, is one of the most popular attractions—where you meet people from different eras and can join role-playing activities. The National Museum section of Jamtli is a modern art and design space opened in 2018, featuring rotating exhibitions with works by renowned artists such as Bruno Liljefors, Rubens, and Rembrandt. There are also workshops in the Art Studio and lectures for all ages. It’s a wonderful place to combine painting, design, and creative thinking with relaxation in the art lobby and quiet spaces for reflection. Perfect for families, culture lovers, and foodies — plus, there’s a café and souvenir shop.

Average visit duration: full day

Distance from LS: 46 km (about 50 minutes)

Storsjöbadet is the ultimate adventure pool in Östersund, perfect for families and anyone young at heart. You’ll find three thrilling water slides, an adventure pool with a trampoline and rapids, and a 25-meter lane for lap swimming. For relaxation, there’s a spacious wellness area and café. During summer, the outdoor pool opens, featuring a 50-meter swimming pool, diving tower, and a beach volleyball court.

Average visit duration: 2 to 3 hours
Distance from LS: 39 km (about 40 minutes)

Just outside Östersund, at the Östersund-Optand airport, you’ll find Teknikland: an intriguing museum dedicated to military and civilian aircraft, tanks, bombs, and vehicles. It boasts a large collection of jet fighters and heavy weaponry, vintage cars and buses, along with educational workshops for children. For enthusiasts of technology, aviation, and military history, it’s a highly recommended destination for an original excursion.

Average visit duration: half day
Distance from LS: 85 km (about 75 minutes)

The region around Lakeside Sweden offers unforgettable dog sledding experiences — not only in winter, but all year round. At Majik Mushing Training Camp, you can head out on an adventure with their own sled dogs in every season. In winter, the dogs guide you along snowy trails, with a stop for a traditional Swedish fika by a crackling campfire — a moment of peace surrounded by silence and snow. In summer, they offer energetic cani-hikes: after meeting the dogs in the kennel, you head out together on a scenic hike, powered by the dogs’ boundless enthusiasm. For those willing to travel a bit further, there are also several other providers of dog sledding adventures in the region, including Åre Sleddog Adventures, Jet Sleddogs, and Wild Spirit Sleddog Adventures.

Average visit duration: 2 hours
Distance from LS: 55 km (about 55 minutes)

A short hike on Frösön takes you to Frösötornet, a lookout tower offering panoramic views over the city and Lake Storsjön — complete with a café at the top. On the same island, you’ll also find the Frösö Rune Stone, one of the northernmost runestones, featuring stories from both Sami and Viking heritage. It’s an ideal outing for hikers and culture seekers alike, combining natural beauty and historical significance in one trip.

Average visit duration: full day
Distance from LS: 50 km (about 50 minutes)

Badhusparken is the vibrant watersport and relaxation hub of Östersund, located on the shores of Lake Storsjön, where each season brings its own unique charm. In summer, it becomes Sommarparken, featuring playgrounds, mini golf, picnic areas, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. Teens and active visitors head to Surfbukten — a beach zone with diving platforms, beach volleyball, sunbathing areas, and stand-up paddleboard rentals. In winter, the park transforms into Vinterparken, with ice-skating rinks, snow sculptures, sledding hills, and fire pits to warm up with a hot chocolate. The park is perfect for both relaxation and activity, with direct access to the lake, scenic walking paths, and mountain views. 

Read more about the many faces of Badhusparken via the buttons below.

Hiking distance: 7 km (one way)
Distance from LS: 40 km (about 45 minutes)

This scenic hiking trail follows the Forsaån River, taking you past waterfalls, ponds, and even a fish ladder. Forsaleden is perfect for those who love varied nature and want to enjoy a refreshing dip in beautifully sparkling clear water along the way. Thanks to the limestone bedrock, several rare plant species thrive here, giving the water its magical color. The paths are easy to follow and pass by several wind shelters with fire pits. Don’t forget your lunch and camera — the waterfalls are especially photogenic.

Hiking distance: 4.3 km (circular)
Distance from LS: 23 km (about 20 minutes)

The Stuguberget trail is a varied 4.5 km hike starting at the hembygdsgård in Stugun, leading you through forest paths and open areas to the top of Stuguberget. Along the way, you’ll pass landmarks like Lilla Stuguberget and a radio mast, with the highlight being a panoramic view over Stugun, the surrounding valley, and the Indalsälven river. Here you can rest in a wind shelter and enjoy your packed fika. The route is marked with red signs, suitable for hikers with some climbing experience, and offers both tranquil forests and expansive views. After descending via Åtegården, the trail loops back to where you started at Stugun’s hembygdsgård.

Hiking distance: 4 km (circular)
Distance from LS: 79 km (about 60 minutes)

You’ll walk right through a landscape that used to be a wild, rushing river — now completely still: this is Döda Fallet. What was once a powerful waterfall was transformed by a disaster into an empty riverbed full of stories. As you follow the well-marked 2-kilometer wooden trail along deep gorges and rugged rocks, you’ll learn all about what happened at this site over 200 years ago. It’s a perfect outing for those who enjoy nature walks with a dramatic edge and a captivating story.

Hiking distance: 7.3 km (circular)
Distance from LS: 86 km (about 80 minutes)

Hoverberget is no ordinary mountain — it’s a quirky giant full of surprises. You’ll hike through deep gorges and dense forests up to a lookout tower with breathtaking views over Lake Storsjön and the mountains of Jämtland. Along the way, you can take a break at the mountain lodge (with fika, of course), or explore the mysterious Hoverberg Cave — one of Scandinavia’s largest fissure caves. The atmosphere is rugged, quiet, and a little magical. Don’t forget to stop by Kossans Café och Gårdsmejeri, a charming spot offering homemade treats and local cheeses. All in all, Hoverberget is the perfect destination for a varied day trip!

Hiking distance: Between 2.7 and 7 km (circular)
Distance from LS: 55 km (about 50 minutes)

For bird lovers and those seeking tranquility , the nature reserves of Tysjöarna, Andersön, and Ändsjön (on Frösön) are perfect. Here, you’ll walk near wetlands with trails and birdwatching huts — ideal for spotting various bird species. Head to Andersön for a refreshing swim and a beautiful hike, featuring rocky areas and distant mountain views. Ändsjön also offers a swimming beach and, of course, great opportunities for birdwatching. These spots provide plenty of peace, nature, and photography opportunities.
Read more about the different nature reserves and hiking options via the buttons below.

Hiking distance: Between 2.5 and 15 km (circular)
Distance from LS: 94 km (about 90 minutes)

Gräftåvallen feels like a well-kept secret, tucked away among forests and mountains just outside Bydalen. Here, you can step straight into the wilderness, with trails for every level — from easy family walks to challenging day hikes with views of the Oviksfjällen mountains. In winter, the area transforms into a peaceful cross-country skiing paradise, far from the busy slopes. There’s also a cozy café with a small shop and the typical warm hospitality of Jämtland. It’s perfect for those wanting to unplug without completely disappearing off the map.

Price: SEK 150–200
Distance from LS: 51 km (about 50 minutes)

Dining at Arctura is not just a lunch — it’s an experience at height, literally. The restaurant is located at the top of a distinctive round water tower in Östersund, offering spectacular views over the city, Lake Storsjön, and the surrounding mountains. Inside, you’ll find a relaxed atmosphere with large windows, a bright interior, and a buffet of freshly prepared dishes. Lunch usually includes two hot options, soup, salad, homemade bread, and a sweet treat — all made with seasonal ingredients from Jämtland. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick lunch or a leisurely moment with a view, Arctura is a place where food and surroundings perfectly complement each other. Check the website for the weekly menu and reservation info via the button below.

Price: SEK 300–800
Distance from LS: 52 km (about 50 minutes)

The S/S Thomée, built in 1875, is an iconic steamship that offers summer cruises on the beautiful Lake Storsjön, including lunch, dinner, and themed trips. During the cruise, you can enjoy views of the mountains and islands surrounding Östersund while relaxing on the sun deck or in the cozy interior. The boat sails to destinations such as Verkö Castle, where you can visit an old castle on an island. Onboard, you can choose from lunch or dinner options featuring dishes inspired by Swedish cuisine. The atmosphere is relaxed and authentic, with attention to historical details and comfort. This is one of the most atmospheric ways to combine nature and culture in Jämtland. The boat departs from central Östersund. Find more information about cruises and dining options via the button below.

Price: SEK 150–950
Distance from LS: 35–55 km (about 35–55 minutes)

Since 2010, Östersund has held the title of UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, and you can taste that everywhere in the region. Here you’ll find everything from cozy fika cafés to refined restaurants serving local specialties like reindeer, trout, and berries. At NÒR, enjoy a modern Scandinavian dinner, while Jazzköket & Saluhallen,  restaurant Dalwhinnie , and Bua creatively serve local flavors in intimate settings. For something more playful and international, try Pinchos, a colorful tapas restaurant offering small dishes from around the world — from Swedish classics to Asian street food. During the day, take a culinary walk past small shops with cheeses, cold cuts, and sweets — perfect for those who want to truly taste Jämtland. Outside the city, you’ll also find surprising dining spots like farm cafés, authentic stops  along quiet country roads, and even a local brewery & distillery featuring homemade dishes. The region combines honest cuisine with surprising flavors, all set in a landscape of forests and lakes!