Fram Museum, Oslo (must see)

The Fram Museum stands as a tribute to Norwegian polar exploration, recounting its history and tales. Situated on the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo, it shares space with a cluster of other remarkable museums, including the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Viking Ship Museum, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum. Nearby, one can find the Bygdøy Royal Estate, the designated summer retreat for the King of Norway, and the historic Oscarshall.

Established on May 20, 1936, the Fram Museum commemorates the broader journey of Norwegian polar exploration, with a special focus on three renowned explorers – Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, and Roald Amundsen. Within its walls, visitors can also encounter captivating visuals of the polar region's wildlife, including polar bears and penguins.

Central to the Fram Museum is the original exploration vessel, also named Fram. Preserving its authentic interior, the museum invites visitors to step inside the ship and witness its history firsthand. The creation of Fram was overseen by Colin Archer, a shipbuilder of Scots-Norwegian origin, who designed the vessel based on the specifications outlined by Norwegian Arctic explorer Fridtjof Nansen. In 1891, Nansen secured funding from both the Norwegian government and private sources to bring this ship to life.

In May 2009, the Fram Museum and the Norwegian Maritime Museum entered into a collaborative agreement, granting the Fram Museum the responsibility of showcasing the Gjøa, the first ship to successfully navigate the Northwest Passage. In 1906, Roald Amundsen and his crew achieved this remarkable feat after a three-year expedition. Housed in its dedicated building within the museum complex, the Gjøa was made fully accessible to visitors in 2017.

Why You Should Visit:
This museum is the most comprehensive exhibit on polar exploration that you're likely to see.
The collection includes many photographs, maps, and equipment; the displays have timelines, journal entries, and historical contents.
There are also several specific rooms that simulate the conditions in the Arctic (and the Antarctic), like the one you go in freezing and windy conditions.
The facility offers lockers, snacks, and drinks so there's no need to rush out of it.

Tip:
Consider buying the museum pack that gets you into the 3 museums all right next to each other: Fram, Kon-Tiki, and the Marine Museum.