Utena with children

It’s a real treat to experience new cultures, unheard-of cuisines and extraordinary nature when you travel abroad. But we often forget how many great places we have in Lithuania. To make it easier and simpler for you to explore and discover different Lithuanian cities, together with the Utena Tourism Information Centre we have prepared the Utena City Guide – Utena with children. Here you will find all the most interesting places to visit in the town with children.

Travelling around Lithuania brings many new experiences and impressions to our families every year. It seems that we are constantly learning about new museums, parks or other spaces that we are looking forward to visiting and share with you. However, we often miss having a coherent information when travelling about what places to find in the city and its county, where to visit and which places are really family-friendly. That’s why this time we’ve compiled the following list about the city of Utena and its surroundings. In Utena with children – an article full of ideas on things to do in and around this north-eastern Lithuanian city.

Utena with children

Where to go for entertainment in Utena with children

1. Boating in Lake Tauragnas
2. Children space FUN
3. Rabbit Valley
4. Utena stud farm excursion
5. Pot ringing education at the V.Valiusas Ceramics Museum
6. Education and games room in G.Mazuras ceramics studio
7. Workshops at the Witch Museum
8. Canoeing at the Mincia watermill

What to see in Utena

1. Dauniskis Park and fountain
2. Tauragnas Valley holiday resort
3. The shore of Lake Alausas
4. Oak tree Nature Trail
5. Vyzuona forest Nature Trail
6. Rase Park walking trail
7. Vyzuonaitis Lake walking trail
8. Vyzuona Park
9. Krokule spring and stone
10. Seimyniskes exposure with conglomerate rock
11. Vytautas Valiusas Ceramic Museum and Art Centre
12. Sculpture “Eternal Tourist”
13. Utena Museum of Regional History
14. Utenis Square
15. Museum of Witches
16. Giedrius Mazuras Ceramic Studio and Unconventional Sculpture Park
17. Utena Stud Farm
18. City Garden Park
19. Tomas Kleinis Aukstaitija region antiques museum-exhibition
20. Uzpaliai Manor Stables
21. Imagination park “Fairy Tale” and the house “Dragon’s Jungle”

Where to stay in Utena town and district

1. Mincia watermill
2. Vilija Cepuliene homestead
3. Jonas homestead
4. Homestead “Geltonziede liepa”

Places to visit in Utena, museums and activities with children

Children space FUN

The children’s area FUN is a great place for little ones to play and have fun in safety. The room is designed to ensure that children have fun. Here you will find colourful slides, trampolines, ball pools with basketball hoops. Also a space where children can develop their musical skills by singing their favourite karaoke songs, ride-on cars and much more. Little ones will also find plenty to do, with a mini-kitchen and other developmental toys.

FUN, a children’s play space in the city centre, also invites you to celebrate children’s birthdays, graduations or other fun occasions by eating sweet cake and hunting for piñatas with a theme of your choice. Be sure to visit, when you are in Utena with children!

Rabbit Valley

More than 50 different breeds of rabbits are kept in a 4.5 hectare fenced area: Belgian Giants, German Spotted Giants, French Rams, Great Light Silver, Great Chinchilla, Bugundi, Marder, Vienna Blue New Zealand White and Red, California, Japanese, Rex, Angora, Ornamental, etc.

The Rabbit Valley also has red deer, fallow deer, Cameroonian and Boer goats, sheep, alpacas, llamas, camels, kangaroos, horses and donkeys, Watusi cows, chinchillas, a wide variety of birds such as ostriches, pheasants, turkeys, ornamental chickens, geese, ducks, quail and other inhabitants of the valley.

In addition to the animals, the valley also offers a variety of activities for children: pony rides, trampoline, swings, sandpit. There is also a gazebo where you can enjoy coffee, ice-cream and snacks, as well as nature.

Utena Stud Farm

This is a horse stud located in the city, offering a unique attraction – a horse-drawn carriage ride around the city. It’s like a tour of the city, during which you will learn many interesting facts and stories about it, its buildings, people and their lives. You will visit all the most famous, memorable and beautiful places. It is a very interesting way to get to know Utena and take a ride in an old rural vehicle. Families with children will love it!

Vytautas Valiusis Ceramics Museum and Art Centre

In 2001, the potter Vytautas Valiusis, who is now known as the first king of pottery in independent Lithuania, founded the Ceramics Museum. The museum’s exhibition halls display around 700 authentic examples of old ceramics, which differ in form, purpose, production technique and decoration. New ceramic works and ethnographic exhibits are displayed alongside them. Guided tours and educational sessions are available, led by the founder of the museum himself.

Ceramics studio of Giedrius Mazuras

The studio is located in the homestead of Giedrius’s great-grandparents. Here, visitors are welcome to come and spend time with us. In this studio, you can watch the clay being transformed into a work of art. Also buy them or get involved in the process and learn the secrets of moulding. Conveniently, there is even a separate playroom for children, so even the little ones won’t be bored.

After the education, you can take a stroll in the courtyard of the homestead. Here you will find a park of unconventional sculptures. This park is really interesting and unique, as you will see sculptures of famous Lithuanian people, sculptures of cartoon characters, sculptures of logos and much more. So anyone who wants to take a photo with a ninja turtle, the Pope or a giant Facebook logo sculpture is definitely welcome to come here. You can also wander through the educational maze and play in the playground.

Witch Museum

The only unique and exclusive Witch Museum in Lithuania, where you can get to know this character better and learn not to be afraid of her. The museum houses many toy witches, their brooms, hats and other mystical exhibits. The walls of the museum are decorated with beautiful artwork. So if you’re visiting outside of working hours, come and take a look and a photo in front of the witches decorating the building. During the warmer months, there is also an extreme sensations area and a snack bar.

There are educational sessions where children and adults can get creative and make different crafts. Witches’ treats and special herbal teas are available for pre-booked meals.

And if you have any witches at home that you would like to donate to the museum, be sure to bring them. They will surely find their place here and will amaze other curious visitors.

Dauniskis Park and fountain

This is a lake in the very centre of the city. On the shore of which the residents and visitors of Utena can stroll along the paths and have fun with their families. The surroundings are very tidy and beautifully maintained, with colourful flowers, a fun children’s playground and benches to sit and enjoy the tranquillity of the park.

In the evenings, the park is illuminated, so you can enjoy a pleasant stroll in the dark. There is a bridge on the lake, with an observation deck and railings, where a handful of people gather in the evenings to watch the colourful fountain that was installed in the city of Utena 13 years ago. This fountain is special because it not only shines but also plays music. A truly spectacular sight after a day of adventure in Utena.

Tauragnas valley holiday resort

Tauragnas, the deepest lake in Lithuania, welcomes visitors to Aukstaitija National Park. The lake’s winding lines, high banks and clear water add to its charm. The shores of this lake are a summer sanctuary for nature lovers. Families with children, friends, fishermen and travellers gather here.

The resort is fully equipped for family leisure. There is a car park, gazebos, fireplaces, outdoor furniture, a volleyball field, a children’s playground and changing rooms. So you can picnic, refresh yourself in the water, do sports and have fun. And you can see the whole area in the palm of your hand when you climb up to the lookout points.

In addition to all the fun and entertainment, this corner of nature is also educational, with a variety of displays about the fauna and flora of the valley, rare and endangered insects and the inhabitants of Lake Tauragnas.

Boating in Lake Tauragnas

When you arrive at the Tauragnas valley resort, you and your family can have fun sailing on the lake on the boat “Tauragnas”. The captain will guide you in the water for about an hour. Inside the boat, you can sit comfortably in colder weather and enjoy the views of the surrounding area on the roof terrace when the sun is shining.

The Lake Alausas shore

Sudeikiai, a town in the Utena district, is home to Lake Alausas, the tenth largest lake in the country, with an area of 1071.8 ha. This shoreline is not inferior to the Tauragnas holiday resort, as it also has gazebos with benches to hide from the sun, a beach volleyball court, a footbridge and a children’s playground. And in winter, everyone gathers here for ice-skating and hot tea.

Oak Tree Nature Trail

Families looking for nature, relaxation and exploration can enjoy this short nature trail, which is really manageable for children. The trail along the Vieša stream has 14 educational stops where you can learn interesting facts about the protected species of animals and plants that live in this oak forest.

The trail itself is separated from the car park by ~700 m, the trail is 1.6 km long one way, and you can go back the same way or a longer route of 2.4 km. As a protected zoo-botanical reserve, you won’t find many wooden paths here. The main trail is a forest trail, so be prepared to overcome various obstacles. We recommend that you come with older children, as it can be uncomfortable with a stroller, especially in poorer weather.

Vyzuona forest Nature Trail

A seven-kilometre-long nature trail, which will take you to the burial mounds, the botanical reserve and Lake Balcis. There are information boards all along the trail, which you will find at each of the six stops. They provide information about the flora of the trail. This calm and active day’s education will bring the family closer together, you will learn something new and see the most beautiful corners of Lithuanian nature.

Rase Park walking trail

A new 1.4 km long hiking trail has recently been built in the park, where you can enjoy the beauty and uniqueness of the surroundings of Utena. Nearby is another attraction – the Wedding Hill and the shore of the Utena (Kloviniai) pond, where wooden, handmade sculptures depicting old Lithuanian wedding ceremonies were built almost 40 years ago, and the sculptures have been renovated since then.

Vyzuonaitis Lake walking trail

Utena is a land of lakes. The environment of all the water bodies here is very tidy and suitable for recreation with children. Lake Vyzuonaitis is no exception, and there is a pedestrian trail that stretches across the lake. Most of it can be walked with a stroller. There are also children’s playgrounds, a beach with a ramp and a volleyball court. So you can sit here for longer periods of time, swim and enjoy nature.

Vyzuona Park

Vyzuona Park is the largest in Utena. Walking in this park, you will find as many as seven bridges around the Vyzuona and Utena rivers, outdoor fitness equipment, a BMX bike track, sports areas and playgrounds. The park is also close to the town’s very beautiful church. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find friendly squirrels climbing the trees and eating nuts or other treats you’ve prepared.

Krokule spring and stone

A spring with a temperature of 7-9 °C in all seasons is mentioned in writings dating back to the 19th century. All visitors to the town come here to refresh themselves, rest and pray. The water of the Krokulė spring is said to bring good luck and can cure various illnesses. The site is a state-protected natural heritage site.

Seimyniskes exposure with conglomerate rock

A conglomerate is an unusually shaped formation consisting of cemented sand, pebbles, cobbles and boulders carried by glacial meltwater. There are only a few of these in Lithuania, so many of them are protected objects. In Utena, you can see this rock by climbing the steps up to the Seimyniskes exposure, which offers a green panorama in the summer.

Sculpture “Eternal Tourist”

Almost a year ago, in September 2023, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Utena Tourism and Information Centre, a bronze sculpture was erected in the courtyard at the entrance. It is the work of sculptor Lukas Šiupšinskas – a cute character with a “Hemingway-esque” beard, ready to explore the world and well equipped with tourist gear.

Regional History Museum of Utena

A museum that has been in existence for 95 years, with three branches located in Utena and its region. The museum has rich collections of exhibits and displays. You can also visit the museum virtually, walking through the exhibits and hearing stories and tales from the guide. The guide speaks only in Lithuanian language.

Utenis Square

A square in the centre of the city with illuminated and dancing fountains where children can refresh themselves on a hot summer day. A great place to sit down and relax after a day of adventures visiting the town’s attractions and museums. It is also the venue for the town’s various festivals and commemorations.

Imagination Park “Fairy Tale” and the “Dragon’s Jungle” house

If you were surprised by the unconventional sculpture park and are looking for something similar, you will love this park. In the courtyard of the museum you will find more than sixty handmade, fairy-tale themed unique sculptures. If you’ve recently read Charlotte’s Web with your children, come and see this book come to life in the form of sculpture.

Inside the courtyard is a fully restored cattle barn, now known as the Dragon’s Jungle fairy house, the only one in Europe. Its walls are adorned with paintings made of concrete, and poems about how good conquers evil.

City Garden Park

A central garden linking Dauniškio and Vyžuona Parks, where you will find the Lithuanian Freedom Monument and the oak tree of President A.Smetona.

Tomas Kleinis Aukstaitija Region Antiques Museum-Exhibition

Museum lovers are recommended to visit this small museum with thousands of exhibits, which were everyday and indispensable tools and household items of Aukstaitija inhabitants in the last century. Such places are especially interesting with children who have never seen what an ancient basket, chest, tape recorder, how butter was made or how clothes were ironed.

The stables of Uzpaliai Manor

A unique museum in the manor house Uzpaliai, owned by the citizen of Utena. Here you will be welcomed by the owner of the stables, Viktorija. She is the first woman to take part in the Republican Sartai horse race. And will be happy to show you the various exhibits and share her life stories. If you have never seen what an ancient school classroom, handmade fabrics and looms, or other items described in Lithuanian literature looked like, here you will see them up close, taking you back in time to the past, when the world around us looked simpler.

Where to stay in Utena

After a day of adventures by the lake, visiting museums, strolling through parks and nature trails, and watching the city’s fountains glowing in the evening, you can stay comfortably in the city and the surrounding area in exclusive accommodation.

Mincia Watermill

One such place is the Mincia Watermill. Here, in an area of unique beauty surrounded by nature, you can spend the night in a Lithuanian cultural heritage site. In the morning, you will have a refreshing swim in the cascading water of the Mincia stream. And during the day you can extend your family holiday by canoeing, paddle-boarding or in a small boat, learning how to hook an earthworm and catch your first fish. We highly recommend a family stay here for those looking to find a quiet corner of nature, where the birds are chirping and the water is flowing.

Find out more about this wonderful place and what you can find when you arrive – Leisure and entertainment in Mincia Watermill.

Vilija Cepuliene homestead

In a quiet corner of eastern Aukstaitija, in Labanoras forest, a homestead located 6 km from Labanoras town and 1 hour drive to Vilnius, there is a modern countryside cottage that has preserved the authenticity of the old Aukštaitija village. You can choose from a selection of family-friendly cottages of different sizes for overnight stays. And barbecue in the outdoor gazebo for dinner. The property has a sauna and hot tub. A professional sauna master can be booked. The pleasures of the sauna and the clean spring water in the two large ponds will help you regain your strength and vitality. You can start the next day with sports games or canoeing on the lakes and rivers of Aukstaitija National Park.

Jonas homestead

This small homestead is located by the Tauragnai Mound and is just a five-minute walk from Lake Tauragnas. The rooms have all amenities and there is a children’s playground outside. By prior arrangement with the hosts, you can also book a hot tub to relax with your children after the day’s adventures.

Homestead “Geltonziede liepa”

A cosy homestead located in Utena district, where you can stay with your family when travelling in Utena with children. Located on the shores of Lake Vaikesas, the homestead has a large territory with plenty of space for evening games and swimming under the moonlight. You can take a boat to an island in the lake or go fishing, and in the evening take a dip in the sauna. There are four hillforts around the farmhouse, which you can explore the next morning.

We have prepared more comprehensive city guides full of ideas for things to do in Lithuania with children: Birzai with children, Marijampole with children, Siauliai with children: city guide, Siauliai district with children, Anyksciai with children, Klaipėda with children, Activities with children in Vilnius, What to do with children in Kaunas. Let’s explore Lithuania together!

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