helsinki resources
HOTELS
Hotel Indigo, Bulevardi 26. Tel: 1-877-859-5095. Pleasant contemporary design. Excellent Finnish breakfast on offer. From $200. www.ihg.com
Hotel Lilla Roberts, Pienie Roobertinkatu 1. Tel: 35809-689-9980. Classic art deco old school luxury. In the midst of high end shopping district. From $225. www.lillaroberts.com
Klaus K Bulevardi 2-4. Tel: 358-20-770-4700. Super stylish boutique hotel with loft-style lodgings. Serves as the starting point for Tom of Finland Experience walking tours. From $250. www.klauskhotel.com
DINING
BLINIt. Sturenkatu 9. Tel: 358-40-090-0603. Russian in a rush: blinis meet fast food…a tasty good deal. www.blinit.fi
Bryggeri. Sofiankatu 2. Tel: 358-10-235-2500. Brewpub with 12 taps and hearty beer-friendly food. www.bryggeri.fi
Salmon Blinis
Lonna Restaurant. Lonna Island. Tel: 358-44-7199410. Lodge like small dining room with locavore menu including vegetarian options. May-Sept. only. Lower level is a more casual waffle joint. www.lonna.fi/en/services/restaurant/
Old Market Hall. Eteläranta. Tel: 358-93-102-3550. From smoked fish to fresh farmers cheese to summer berries to reindeer meatballs. Vendor stalls and casual dining areas. www.vanhakauppahalli.fi
Sea Horse. Kapteeninkatu 11. Tel: 358-09-628-169. Stick-to-your-ribs traditional Finn din-din. Tom of Finland ate here! www.seahorse.fi
NIGHTLIFE
DTM. Mannerheimintie 6B. Tel: 358-05-3270176. Twinktastic drinking and dancing to a Europop-heavy soundtrack. www.dtm.fi
Fairytale. Tel: 358-09-870-3226. Friendly and untrendy. Gay watering hole in hipster Harju neighborhood. www.fairytale.fi
Hercules. Pohjoinen Rautatiekatu 21. Tel: 358-09-6121776. Largest gay dance club in Finland. Open to 4 A.M. every day. www.hercules.fi
Trillby & Chadwick Detective Agency. Katariinankatu. Tel: 358-40-180-3199. Speakeasy-style cocktail bar. www.trillbychadwick.fi
Why Join the Navy When You Can Be a Pirate Eerikinkatu 5. Tel: 358-40-654-3111. Bar/lounge that attracts mixed young creative crowd. Wide gin selection. Good place to meet locals. www.whyjoin.fi
SIGHTSEEING
Helsinki Central Station. Kaivokatu 1. Art deco masterpiece and transit hub.
Kaisa House. Fabianinkatu 30. Tel: 358-29-4123920. University library with breathtaking modern architecture. www.helsinki.fi/kirjasto/en/librarylocations/main-library
Kiasma. Mannerheiminaukio 2. Tel: 358-29-4500501. Contemporary art museum designed and curated to be user-friendly and accessible. www.kiasma.fi.
Temppeliaukio Church. Lutherinkatu 3. Tel: 358-92340-5940. Saucer-shaped subterranean church with glass and copper dome.
Tom of Finland Experience. Tel: 358-44-502-0066. A highly informative must-do tour for gay visitors to Helsinki. www.happyguidehelsinki.com
SAUNAS
Lonna, Tel: 358-44-719-9409. An island escape 20 minutes from downtown. Reservations required. www.lonna.fi/en/services/sauna/
Löyly. Hernesaarenranta 4. Tel: 359-96-128-6550. Modern sauna with huge outdoor sundecks and café. www.loylyhelsinki.fi
Helsinki Sauna Guide. www.myhelsinki.fi/en/seeand-do/activities/8-public-saunas-in-helsinki
SHOPPING
Artek. Keskuskatu 1 B. Tel: 358-10-617-3480. Furniture and housewares by Alvar Aalto and colleagues. www.artek.fi/artekhelsinki
Iittala. Pohjoisesplanadi 23. Tel: 358-2o0-439-3501. Functional and decorative glassware by acclaimed designers. www.iittala.com
Marimekko Pohjoisesplanadi 33. Tel: 358-09-6860240. One of Finland’s most famous textile design companies, showing a full line of fabric, clothing, and housewares. www.marimekko.com
Tre. Mikonkatu 6. Tel: 358-29-170-0430. Concept store offering a launching pad to up-and-coming Finnish fashion and houseware designers. www.worldoftre.com
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Finnair “Stopover Finland” program. www.finnair.com/us/gb/stopover
Helsinki Pride. Information on annual queer festivities. www.helsinkipride.fi/en
My Helsinki. City-sponsored tourist information with excellent detail, including LGBTQ content. www.myhelsinki.com/fi
