Located on the western shore of Lake Päijänne, Jämsä is known particularly for its lake areas and the travel centre of Himos. If you are interested in camping and hiking, visit the Isojärvi National Park. Himos-Patalahti Golf attracts golfers, and the waters around the city can be navigated by boat or canoe. An inexpensive trip to Jämsä is easily arranged around the scenery and the local history museums.
You can easily spend a small city holiday in Jämsä, visiting art galleries and museums. The Kivipankki Gallery offers beautiful exhibits throughout the year. For something exceptional, see the Between Bridges environmental art exhibition. Other places of interest include the Helminauha Toy Museum and Witikkala Manor, which houses the Paavo Virtanen Shop Museum and a charming café.
For an active holiday, visit Himos, which is known especially for its downhill skiing slopes. Enjoy the Rail Park or have some fun on the mounds of Mountain Dew Snow Park. There are plenty of slopes for experienced downhill skiers and small children can visit the sledge hill on the western slopes.
In addition to leisure activities, Himos arranges festivals. The Midsummer festival Himos Juhannus and the popular music festival Iskelmäfestivaali are just two examples of the varied entertainment available. Enjoy an 18-hole golf course or go canoeing, rowing, or fishing at Patalahti Cove.
One famous attraction is the Wanha Witonen Paddling Route, which starts from Petäjävesi and travels through Jämsä to Arvaja. The route is about 47 miles long. Jämsä also has spectacular ravine landscapes, such as Synninlukko and the Ruuhivuori Ravine Lake. Isojärvi National Park offers longer hikes.
Situated on the crossroads of highways 9 and 24, Jämsä is easily reached by car, or by bus from Tampere, where the nearest international airport is located. The trains running between these cities stop in Jämsä, so the city has excellent connections. It is easiest to tour the scenery and museums by car, but Himos, for example, is easily reached by public transport during holiday seasons.
