A Critic’s Guide to New York City’s Art Scene
From cloisters filled with Medieval artifacts to an out-of-the-way performance gallery in Chinatown, uncover the most unique spaces to experience art in the city that never sleeps.
AS CO-FOUNDERS AND and creative directors of Danish design brand Hay, we simply cannot imagine living anywhere else other than Copenhagen. Not because there aren’t any other countries or cities that we find enticing and inspiring, but because our everyday life is just so enjoyable here. Whenever someone visits, we are so proud to show our guests our favorite architecture, art, restaurants, and ways to explore the city on foot, by bike, or from the water.
Neither of us was born in Copenhagen, so that makes it easier for us not to take it for granted. Something we believe to be true for most people is that you tend to forget how beautiful your own city is once you see it every day. I imagine we probably all know the feeling that everything looks and feels exciting when you are out traveling. This sentiment is something we try to remember in our everyday life in Copenhagen as well. We love to explore different places and meet people from all over the world — in fact, those two components inspire our work at Hay tremendously — but we always look forward to coming home.
Architecture and Art
Grundtvigs Kirke
Where expressionist influences merge with Gothic architecture
Grundtvigs Kirke, an impressive church built in the 1920s and named for Danish theologian N.F.S. Grundtvig, is a surprising bit of architecture that contrasts with the buildings you see while strolling through Copenhagen’s city center and adjacent...
Grundtvigs Kirke, an impressive church built in the 1920s and named for Danish theologian N.F.S. Grundtvig, is a surprising bit of architecture that contrasts with the buildings you see while strolling through Copenhagen’s city center and adjacent neighborhoods. It’s located a bit off the beaten path, in the district of Bispebjerg, and merges expressionist influences with Gothic stylings. If you visit in the spring, don’t forget to take a walk in the park to see the cherry trees in full bloom.
Dronningegården
A detailed modernist marvel
Another architectural gem, this one located in the heart of the city, is Dronningegården, a building playing with perspective. Seen from afar, the residential complex appears to be a coherent block of flats. Up close, it becomes clear that the building is...
Another architectural gem, this one located in the heart of the city, is Dronningegården, a building playing with perspective. Seen from afar, the residential complex appears to be a coherent block of flats. Up close, it becomes clear that the building is divided into units with pitched roofs, almost a pictogram of a house, with each gable consisting of an open cell structure of receding windows and balconies. The closer you look, the more details you will discover. Dronningegården was conceived by three key figures of Danish functionalism: Kay Fisker, C.F. Møller, and Svenn Eske Kristensen.
Rudolph Tegners Museum and Statue Park
An artist experience to bring you down to earth
This is a personal favorite of ours. It’s named after architect Rudolph Tegner, who fulfilled his dream of building a museum for his works. Tegner was largely in charge of the design — in terms of both aesthetics as well as functionality. The adjacent statue park shows 14 of his works. The experience is grounding and inspiring at the same time.
Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
A mini day trip not to be missed
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is one of our favorite art museums in the world — and a must-visit museum if you have enough time to jump on the train that takes you up north. We recommend planning half a day for it, as this place can be...
The Louisiana Museum of Modern Art is one of our favorite art museums in the world — and a must-visit museum if you have enough time to jump on the train that takes you up north. We recommend planning half a day for it, as this place can be explored on so many different levels. Not only are the exhibitions themselves outstanding and endlessly inspiring, but the building and surrounding museum grounds are also highlights in their own right. From the restaurant’s terrace, you can see the sea and Sweden’s shores in the distance.
Outdoor Exploration
Bellevue Beach
A beach with design influence
North of Copenhagen, close to our home, Bellevue Beach is a place where we love to walk our dog, nestled into the coastline of Zealand, the island region that encompasses Copenhagen. On and around the beach, iconic designer and architect Arne Jacobsen has...
North of Copenhagen, close to our home, Bellevue Beach is a place where we love to walk our dog, nestled into the coastline of Zealand, the island region that encompasses Copenhagen. On and around the beach, iconic designer and architect Arne Jacobsen has left his mark on the landscape, in the form of blue-and-white striped lighthouses, whitewashed buildings, and even a gas station. The beach is located about halfway to the Louisiana Museum of Modern Art, and the two can easily be connected, by either car or public transport.
Donkey Republic
A bike-sharing itinerary
A rather known fact is that Copenhagen is best explored by bike. We suggest the following route: Start at Nyhavn, the picturesque harbor spot with those postcard-colorful houses, then cross the adjacent bridge, Inderhavnsbroen, and head toward the area of...
A rather known fact is that Copenhagen is best explored by bike. We suggest the following route: Start at Nyhavn, the picturesque harbor spot with those postcard-colorful houses, then cross the adjacent bridge, Inderhavnsbroen, and head toward the area of Refshaleøen. On your way, you will pass the Royal Academy of Architecture, Design, and Conservation, which is worth a look, and you can peek at the restaurant Noma’s famous garden. Watch out for Bjarke Ingels’ iconic waste-to-energy plant CopenHill as well. Once you’ve made it to Refshaleøen, a great place to explore and enjoy both food and drinks is the farm-to-table vegetarian and seafood restaurant La Banchina — you can swim there, too! While you’re here, don’t miss Lille Bakery. On the way back downtown, you can take a different route and pass through the hippie-paradise free state of Christiania. Not too far from there, another architectural highlight will be waiting for you: Olafur Eliasson’s Circle Bridge.
GoBoat Rental
Iconic landmarks with ease
Another way to get around the city is on the water. Simply rent a GoBoat (a small motorboat), and see some of Copenhagen’s top sights, such as the Royal Danish Opera House and the Royal Library, also known as the Black Diamond for its unique color and...
Another way to get around the city is on the water. Simply rent a GoBoat (a small motorboat), and see some of Copenhagen’s top sights, such as the Royal Danish Opera House and the Royal Library, also known as the Black Diamond for its unique color and shape, from the water. You will probably pass Copenhagen’s Old Stock Exchange, as well as the National Bank building, designed by Arne Jacobsen. The latter is a rather mighty building, and it’s worth entering the lobby to take a look inside.
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Where to Eat and Drink
Atelier September
Beloved destination for breakfast and coffee
Atelier September is far from being a secret at this point. Created by our good friend Frederik Bille Brahe many years ago, it has become one of the city’s most loved addresses to enjoy coffee, breakfast, and small dishes in beautiful, soothing surroundings. We love Frederik’s taste in everything he does!
Osteria 16 Haderslevgade
An intimate Italian-inspired meal
Osteria 16’s original restaurant in Haderslevgade has kept things very down-to-earth, even with several offshoot locations added in recent years. Guests sit close to one another, and the Italian-inspired menu is created to be shared, making for a...
Osteria 16’s original restaurant in Haderslevgade has kept things very down-to-earth, even with several offshoot locations added in recent years. Guests sit close to one another, and the Italian-inspired menu is created to be shared, making for a cozy dinner experience. The cuisine relies on simple dishes with a twist, not overcomplicating anything, and for that, we love it.
Our Contributors
Mette Hay Writer
Mette Hjort Hay born in 1978 and raised in an entrepreneurial family that ran one of Denmark’s bigger design shops with national and international design classics. Mette was only 23 when HAY was founded, but she already had work experience, including a job at GUBI, and since then, she has grown with the expanding company.
Rolf Hay Writer
Rolf Hay born in 1968 in Horsens, Denmark and trained as a salesman with furniture agent Peter Biehl. Rolf’s work brought him into contact with the furniture companies Paustian and Gubi, where he met Troels Holch Povlsen, the owner of the Bestseller brand, at a sales meeting.
