The Nordland Museum in the city centre covers the history and culture of Nordland county, with particular emphasis on the coastal communities that depended on fishing and maritime trade. The collection includes traditional boat types, Sami cultural artefacts, and exhibits on the fishing industry that shaped this part of Norway. The Anna Karoline — an 1876 nordlandsjekt — is the centrepiece of the maritime section and the finest object in the collection.
The museum also houses exhibits on the German occupation and the bombing of Bodø in May 1940, which destroyed the majority of the city and killed a significant number of civilians. This is useful context before wandering a centre that looks entirely mid-century: almost every building you see was built after 1945. Opening hours vary seasonally; allow ninety minutes for a thorough visit.