Tidaholm is a small city situated south east in the region Västra Götaland. Tidaholm has a small city centre with a number of shops, cafés, restaurants (pizza, Thai, Italian, sushi), cinema, convenient stores. There is also a museum with exhibitions on the Swedish match (once Tidaholm had the largest match factory in the world) and on trucks, cars and firetrucks that were produced here over a hundred years ago. Located in the same premises you find 'Barnens hus' (Children's house) where children age 0-12 can have fun and play (perfect a rainy day). In the centre of Tidaholm, on the banks of the river Tidan, you find the idyll Turbinhusön, a well-preserved cultural environment. The island is a popular area for walking with its long promenade and beautiful plantings. In summer, the cultural buildings are filled with activities, exhibitions and cafés.

Tidaholm is a rural municipality with lots of nature. The nature reserve 'Hökensås' offers wild forests and up to 50 lakes. A perfect place for family activities, such as hiking, fishing, pick berries and mushroom. The lake Lilla Havsjön has a small beach, jetty, fire place and parking (20 min by car). For those looking for a quick swim the closest beach is in Fröjered, 7 min. drive from the city centre, where you can swim in the river Tidan. They also have a small mini golf course.

Another thing I have never tried, but at Gate Bison you can even go on a bisonsafari!

Tidaholm is also a good starting point for trips in our part of the region. Neighboring municipalities (Skövde, Falköping and Hjo) are only approx. 30 minutes away by car and offer many activities. The larger city, Jönköping is 50 minutes drive away. Skara Sommarland, Scandinavia's largest water park with lots of slides, pools and attractions in all its forms, is 40 min. away.

Our favorite excursions are:
-Åsle Tå, 20 min. Away, an open air cultural heritage museum and café/restaurant. Small entrance fee.
-Hjo, 25 min., walk in the historical city centre with its beautiful wood houses, swim in the second largest lake in Sweden 'Vättern', eat home made ice cream. Why not go on a tour with the tourist train or visit one of Hjo's many flea markets?
-Karlsborg, 50 min, visit the fortress built to protect Sweden from the eastern enemies around 200 years ago. They offer guided tours that take you into the tunnels under the fortress. The tourist agency also has a fun treasure hunt with a small prize if you solve the mystery. Small fee for the treasure hunt. Finish off with a meal or ice cream next to Göta Kanal.
-Forsvik, 50 min, visit the Forsvik Lock and watch as the boats lock at Göta Canal. Have coffee and cake at café Ada and visit Forsviks bruk, one of Sweden’s oldest industrial sites; a beautiful, unique environment with a works railway and historic buildings housing a smithy, a foundry and a wood pulp mill for manufacturing paper. They also have a treasure hunt for children. Small entrance fee.
-Varnhem and Hornborgasjön, 30-40 min, visit the the magnificent Varnhem abbey. The monastery ruins are almost a thousand years old! The grave of Kata is also interesting and there is a short hiking way (Rosens stig) along a nice stream. Of course there is a nice café here as well, with a huge garden to sit in. Drive another 10 minutes and reach the bird lake Hornborgasjön and Naturum, the visitor's center, for those interested in bird watching and learning more about the lake's bird life, in particular the famous crane, that arrive to Hornborgasjön in thousands to dance in the early spring. At Naturum Hornborgasjön you can look forward to meeting knowledgeable guides and finding a variety of activities for children free of charge (we have tried bird watching, raking for water insects, lending an 'adventure bag' with different tasks, a treasure hunt).
-Skövde has an adventure indoor swimming that is great for rainy days!
-In Stenstorp (15 min) you find Dalenium science centre, a great place for children to experience and learn natural science through play, experiments, etc. Another great trip for rainy days :)

And much more...!

More information on almost all places mentioned above (and many more!) can be found at:
https://www.vastsverige.com/en/