Activity Overview
The Hans Christian Andersen Museum is located in The Book Loft building in Solvang, California, which is about 30 miles outside of Santa Barbara. It is dedicated to helping the public understand and enjoy the works of famous Danish writer Hans Christian Andersen, who wrote beloved fairy tales like "The Little Mermaid", "The Ugly Duckling", "The Princess and the Pea", and "The Emperor's New Clothes". The museum features a variety of exhibits related to his life and works, as well as hundreds of editions of his fairy tales.
Things to Do
- Learn about the life of Hans Christian Andersen, including his unrequited love for a famous singer. You can also see a model of his childhood home and antique tools used to make wooden shoes that are similar to the ones his father used.
- Explore the collection of volumes of his tales, including first editions, beautifully illustrated editions, and Danish versions.
- See other artifacts from Andersen's life, including poetry and letters he wrote, photographs of the writer throughout his life, and whimsical cutouts that he created to entertain his friends and their children.
Hans Christian Andersen Museum Insider Tips
- The museum is the perfect attraction to visit if you have limited time in the area or are trying to save money since it's small and free!
- Once you've explore the museum, check out the popular bookstore and cafe downstairs to buy a book or relax with a refreshing drink.
- Don't visit with extremely high expectations for the museum - it features many informative exhibits, but it is not very big.
