"The Art of Oslo Norway’s most famous artist, Edvard Munch, was raised and studied in Oslo at the end of the 19th century. It’s here that that the painter, most famous for his work The Scream, decided to move beyond the then fashionable style of Impressionism and embrace Expressionism. “No longer should interiors be painted, people reading and women knitting,” he wrote. “There would be living people, breathing and feeling, suffering and loving.” This summer, Munch, famous for his emotionally charged paintings that retain their compelling vibrancy a century after they were painted, will be seen side-by-side with another artist whose pictorial language is equally compelling: Vincent Van Gogh. Roughly 70 paintings and 30 works from both masters will be on display at the Munch Museum from May 7 to September 6, 2015. If your introduction to Munch makes you want to learn more about the life of this fascinating figure, the Munch trail is an easy bike ride from the city center. Stops include Engelaug østre (his birthplace) and By farm (the birthplace of his wife, Sophie). For more information, visit http://bit.ly/InnovationNorwayOslo Sponsored by Visit Norway"

"Shopping Stroll Karl Johans gate is Oslo’s main street, stretching from the city’s central train station to the Royal Palace. It’s possible to walk the entire length of it in about fifteen minutes, but the point isn’t to hurry. The pedestrian-only boulevard is lined with cafés and bars, while street performers entertain the window shoppers. You can also scratch off a number of must-sees on your list—in addition to the Royal Palace and the train station, the National Theatre and Norway’s Parliament sit off of Karl Johans gate. You’ll find many familiar international brands on the street, but one local shopping favorite is Paléet. This small mall which reopened in late 2014 after being renovated has a few dozen shops and several restaurants. It’s a good stop if you are looking for beautifully designed gifts from your Norwegian trip. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/InnovationNorwayOslo Sponsored by Visit Norway"

"The centerpiece of the city's emerging Vulkan neighborhood, Oslo's very first food hall is a culinary utopia. Let your nose guide you to one (or five!) of 27 eateries peddling everything from cupcakes to tapas to bento boxes. Can't decide? Stop at the Torget stall and order the Taste of Mathallen menu to sample mind-altering dishes from the hall's best restaurants. The communal wooden benches in the center of the hall encourage sharing, so you and your friends can divide and conquer. Finish your visit with a craft beer in the basement pub Smelteverket, which features Norway’s longest bar."

"Sail into the Past Perhaps Norway’s most famous cultural attraction, the Viking Ship Museum should be at the top of any list of must-see attractions in Oslo . It is one of five museums on the Bygdøy peninsula, which sits on the western side of Oslo—the nearby Kon-Tiki Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum are also popular stops. For both kids who are fascinated by tales of raiding Vikings and adults who will appreciate a deeper look at the culture of the people who changed the course of history in Northern Europe, Britain, and, in turn, the world. The centerpieces of the museum are three ships excavated from burial mounds—the lost world of the Vikings will feel alive again when you visit. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/InnovationNorwayOslo Sponsored by Visit Norway"

"A Night at the Opera From the ancient Vikings to the Oslo Opera House is a journey across a thousand years. The building in white marble sits on the banks of the Oslofjord and was designed by Norway’s most famous architectural firm, Snøhetta. Since it opened in 2008, its three performance spaces have welcomed more than a million visitors each year. Even if you decide not to attend a performance, the roof of the opera house doubles as a large public plaza with panoramic views of the city. Another side of contemporary Oslo can be discovered by strolling through Tjuvholmen. Located on a peninsula to the west of central Oslo, the neighborhood has been enjoying a renaissance in recent years with the opening of a number of art spaces, including the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art. It’s also home to the new, and popular, Thief hotel, which takes its name from the area’s Norwegian name—Thief Island, as thieves were executed here in the 18th century. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/InnovationNorwayOslo Sponsored by Visit Norway"