Author: Bert van Essen

Almost every municipality in the Netherlands will have a few ‘fun things’ for kids to do. This can come as a blessing to some parents, since most Dutch schools do not have extra curricular programs for their pupils. Luckily, your child will not have to twiddle his or her thumbs during the school holidays. This page contains tons of fun ideas and resources for keeping your offspring occupied and engaged, outside of the classroom.

Find out what’s on Offer

The best way to seek out fun kids activities is to:

• Just ask around. Fellow parents and colleagues are bound to have recommendations
• Check your local online ‘gemeentegids‘
• Give your municipality a call, and ask about your options

Fun Opportunities

Here are just a few examples of what you might find:

• Carpentry
• Painting
• Music
• Dancing
• Art
• Cooking
• You name it!

Playing in your Dutch Neighborhood

If your kids are getting bored and restless, why not simply take them out to play in your local neighborhood? The Netherlands is generally a very safe country, and this is still a common and popular practice.

Dutch Sports Organizations

The Netherlands is a very sporting nation. Encouraging your kids to join one of the many sports organizations can be a great way for them to get regular exercise, meet friends and experience being part of a tight team. The most popular organizations are:

• Tennis
• Field hockey
• Gymnastics

Alternative Sports

If these do not interest your kids, there are many less main stream options for them to try, such as:

• Judo
• Basketball
• Baseball
• Soccer
• Dancing
• Horseback-riding
• Cycling (of course)
• And many more!

Scouting clubs, for both girls ad boys, are very popular in the Netherlands. Here’s how they work:

• The scouts get together almost every Saturday afternoon
• Fun and educational activities will have been arranged for them to participate in
• Occasionally, the groups will go camping for an entire weekend
• Week-long summer camps are often organized during summer vacations too

Other Camps in NL

If you do not have a scouting camp nearby, there may be another kind of out-of-school camp for you kids to get involved with, such as:

• Horseback-riding camp
• Sailing camp
• International schools sometimes arrange camp-like activities for their pupils during the summer months. Even if your kids attend a Dutch school, you can ask whether they could come along
• Some municipalities arrange a ‘day-camp‘ during summer vacations. These typically consist of a full program of activities for the children. Drop-off time is usually early in the morning and pick-up time is late in the afternoon
• Once again, we recommend that you check your gemeentegids or ask someone at the municipal offices about what’s on offer in your locality

Dutch Petting Farms

Petting farms are a very popular form of entertainment for little kids in the Netherlands

• Farms can be found in almost every town and city in Holland
• They usually have: goats, sheep, rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, ducks, pigs, a pony, some cats and the occasional donkey
• Not only do kids tend to love it, but they often get educated about about the animals while they are there
• Are you looking for a pet rabbit? The petting farm is a good place to buy one from. They often have a few extra bunnies hopping around
• If you do not happen to have an actual petting farm in your municipality, you may well be able to find something called a ‘hertenkamp’
• These an enclosed areas where herds of deer graze peacefully. They are very gentle animals, and kids are often allowed to feed them

Other Children’s Activities

If your little ones are not animal lovers, there are plenty of other things to do with them:

• Playgrounds can often be found in Dutch towns and cities. At the very least they tend to have: swings, slides, seesaws, sand boxes. Most zoos in the Netherlands also have great children’s playgrounds. You can find more on zoos a little later on this page
• Traveling circuses are another quintessential part of Dutch summer time
• Fairs can be another fun place to take your offspring. They are called ‘kermis‘ in Dutch. Their arrival is announced well in advance, so you can set aside time for a fun day out with the kids
• Rainy days: they are fairly frequent in the Netherlands! Luckily, there are plenty of covered playgrounds. Some examples are: Ballorig, Playcity, or Kidzcity. At these playgrounds, your kids can play on: humongous slides, intricate rope-climbing structures, merry-go-rounds, trains, you name it
• In some bigger Dutch cities you will find activity centers. Here, children learn to build tree houses, floats and other complicated contraptions

The Netherlands is home to some fantastic amusement parks and museums. Here is a comprehensive list:

Amusement Parks in NL

De Efteling
A huge park offering several days’ worth of entertainment. It is a fantasyland, full of fairytale woods, wild rides on rollercoasters, castles, fairytale figures and more.
Europalaan 1, Kaatsheuvel (near Tilburg)
www.efteling.com

Corpus
Take your kids on a ‘journey through the human body’! On their way, they will see, feel and hear how the human body works. They will also find out about the importance of a healthy diet, a healthy lifestyle and regular exercise. Corpus offers education and entertainment, as well as a vast number of permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Willem Einthovenstraat 1, Oegstgeest
www.corpusexperience.nl

Safari Park Beekse Bergen
A place where you can take a drive or a walk amongst more than 100 wild animals. Your trip could take more than a day!
Beekse Bergen 1, Hilvarenbeek (near Tilburg)
www.safaripark.nl

Duinrell
A fantastic water festival, with attractions, a ski valley, a wild pool and lots of entertainment.
Duinrell 1, Wassenaar
www.duinrell.com

Pony Park Slagharen
A place where you can experience life in the Wild West! You will find an amusement park, a shopping street, ‘Wigwam World’, Colorado City and much more.
Zwarte Dijk 37, Slagharen
www.slagharen.com

Planetarium Franeker
Where, more than 200 years ago, Eise Eisinga made a scale model of the solar system in his living room. It has a mechanism that keeps planets and pointers in motion, and still works to this day.
Eise Eisingastraat 3, Franeker
www.planetarium-friesland.nl

Walibi World
A huge outdoor swimming and water paradise in the Netherlands. This world has more than 50 attractions and shows, providing entertainment and adventure.
Spijkweg 30, Biddinghuizen
www.walibi.nl

Madurodam
A miniature version of the Netherlands, including Schiphol airport, the Delta works, the center of Amsterdam and more.
George Maduroplein 1, The Hague
www.madurodam.nl

Museums in NL

NEMO Science Museum
A scientifically oriented play / educational center. NEMO offers kids a trip of discovery, through fantasy and reality.
Oosterdok 2, Amsterdam
www.nemosciencemuseum.nl

Children’s Museum at The Tropical Institute
This is called the ‘Koninklijk Instituut voor de Tropen‘ in Dutch. Contemporary, non-Western cultures are brought to life for children between the ages of 6 and 12 at this museum. It can also be booked for children’s parties.
Linnaeusstraat 2, Amsterdam
www.kit.nl

Louwman Museum
The national automobile museum of the Netherlands. The Louwman is great for anyone who is car crazy! You will learn about the history of automobiles, from the first horseless carriages to motorized, steam and electric vehicles.
Leidsestraatweg 57, The Hague
www.louwmanmuseum.nl

Open Air Museums in NL

Open air museums are called ‘Openluchtmuseum’ in Dutch. The Netherlands is host to a lot of these establishments. Here are a few of the most popular:

1. Nederlands Openluchtmuseum
Daily life in the Netherlands between 1600 and 1970
Schelmseweg 89, Arnhem
www.openluchtmuseum.nl

2. Orientalis
A glimpse of the world 2,000 years ago in the Middle East. This museum focuses on Judaism, Christianity and Islam.
Profetenlaan 2, Heilig Landstichting
www.museumparkorientalis.nl

3. Zuiderzeemuseum
Life in a fishing village around 1900.
Wierdijk 12-22, Enkhuizen
www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl

Animals are always a big hit with kids! Luckily, the Netherlands is full of zoos. As we mentioned earlier, Dutch zoos have extensive playgrounds. So your kids can blow off some steam in-between the big cats and the reptiles. Usually, there will also be indoor facilities for rainy days, and child-friendly cafeterias.

Amersfoort Zoo

• This large zoo near Amersfoort has provided its animals with increasingly spacious and comfortable habitats over the last two decades
• This puts it on a par with all the other large zoos in the Netherlands
• It is encircled by a ‘Savannah’, from where you can watch the animals as they graze and drink peacefully
• A Japanese Garden and a lot of daytime activities are also part of the package

DierenPark Amersfoort, Barchman Wuytierslaan 224, Amersfoort
www.dierenparkamersfoort.nl

Apenheul

• Apenhaul is home to 30 species of apes, monkeys and prosimians – some of whom are allowed to roam free!
• Their group areas are extensive and imaginative, providing them with familiar surroundings and all manner of activities to keep them occupied
• Monkeys and apes are not, however, the only animals you will meet at Apenheul
• Macaws, pudus, anteaters, gundis, tortoises, and many other creatures live there too
• Please note that Apenheul closes for the winter

Apenheul, J.C. Wilslaan 21, Apeldoorn
www.apenheul.nl

Artis Zoo

• Artis was founded more than 175 years ago
• Its winding paths, majestic trees and monumental historical buildings still give it a special, 19th-century atmosphere
• There are more than 8,000 animals in the zoo
• Artis also houses a Geological Museum, a very sophisticated Planetarium, a magnificent and recently renovated Aquarium, and a ‘Micropia’: the only microbe-museum in the world!

Artis, Plantage Kerklaan 38, Amsterdam
www.artis.nl

Avifauna

• Avifauna is one of the largest bird parks in the world
• The birds come from all over the world, from the tropics to the cold Northern Hemisphere
• Over 450 species of birds are kept in beautiful settings, which are expertly and lovingly taken care of
• Avifauna is not only a bird ‘zoo’. It is also actively involved in the breeding programs and bird protection activities for endangered species
• Children can be educated on nature protection programs too

Vogelpark Hotel Rederij Avifauna, Hoorn 65, Alphen aan den Rijn
www.avifauna.nl

Rotterdam Zoo

• Walk from continent to continent, meeting fascinating animals that feel perfectly at home in their surroundings, that emulate their natural habitat
• There are plenty of covered facilities, in case of rain
• These include Taman Indah and Oceanium
• Oceanium contains: sharks, king penguins, sea lions and and jellyfish
• You can also visit Gorilla Island, travel up Crocodile River and visit the African Vulture Rock.

Rotterdam Zoo / Blijdorp, Blijdorplaan 8, Rotterdam
www.rotterdamzoo.nl

Burgers’ Zoo

• Come to a modern, but genuine jungle in the Netherlands!
• This zoo, located near Arnhem, covers more than 45 hectares and houses more than 3,000 animals
• It has a spectacular tropical rain forest, a living desert and a large animal population
• Bighorns, red lynxes, and many more creatures can be admired in their natural surroundings
• A large number of hoofed animals and birds live with the lions in the ‘Safari Park’
• There is a wonderful indoor water world too

Burgers’ Zoo, Antoon van Hooffplein 1, Arnhem
www.burgerszoo.nl

Dolfinarium Harderwijk

• At Dolfinarium, you can visit the Lagoon. Here, dolphins, fish, seals and sea lions all live together
• The Lagoon is a 15 million-liter closed saltwater ecosystem
• Aqua Bella, the dolphin show, should not be missed either
• The modern rescue and research center for sick or injured dolphins is worth a visit too, as are the walrus and seal shows
• Weather permitting, you can sunbathe, swim or ride in a paddle boat near the Park Beach
• Dolfinarium’s program is continually changing. So, before your visit, be sure to check the website to see what’s going on

Dolfinarium Harderwijk, the World of the Sea, Strandboulevard Oost 1, Harderwijk
www.dolfinarium.nl

Wildlands Emmen

• This park’s habitats represent the continents of the world
• Animals reside in the part of the world that they originally came from
• The zoo has a very spacious feel about it and all the animals enjoy a great amount of freedom in their enclosures
• You can spend hours enjoying the Jungola jungle, the Serenga Savannah, or the cold rocks of Nortica

Noorder Dierenpark Emmen, Hoofdstraat 18, Emmen
www.wildlands.nl

Naturalis
At Naruralis, nature is exhibited in all its colors and diversity. The museum is a combination of natural history and high-tech multi-media in a modern, artistic and technologically advanced setting, representing but a selection of two centuries’ worth of collecting animal and plant specimens, fossils, stones and minerals. Exhibition rooms have seven permanent displays (including a walk through the Ice Age, with dinosaurs), while Naturalis hosts many fascinating temporary displays as well. There is also a Nature Information Center where amateur researchers can search through a wide range of books, magazines, slides, photographs, videotapes, computer files and reference collections.
Naturalis, Darwinweg 2, Leiden.
Museum entrance: Pesthuislaan 7, Leiden
www.naturalis.nl

Ouwehands Dierenpark
This is a wonderful family zoo, close to Arnhem, but off the beaten track. It was established more than 75 years ago and has retained that early-20th century cozy feel. It has a huge bear habitat with rescued circus bears, and a gorgeous polar bear pool, where kids can press their noses up against the glass and be inches away from these huge white animals, a seal show, and much more. Extra-special is its huge, indoor, all-wood-mulch-and-sand playground for children (RavotAapia), with rope-bridges, sand games, waterplay, huts, caves and slides – at no extra charge. Even if the weather doesn’t clear up all day, making it impossible to see the animals, you can still spend a full day in this indoor children’s habitat and have the children begging you to go back soon!
Ouwehands Dierenpark, Grebbeweg 111, Rhenen
www.ouwehand.nl

Are you struggling to find a circle of like minded friends, now that you have moved to the Netherlands? Try connecting with fellow expats at one of Holland’s many international clubs! Of course, it is so important to befriend your Dutch neighbors and colleagues. However, this takes time when you do not speak the same language, and they might not be able to relate to your experience as a Netherlands newbie. Meeting others, who know exactly what it’s like to be an outsider in a new country, can really help you to settle in. Below is a detailed list of the international social clubs you could become a part of in Holland.

ENGLISH-LANGUAGE GROUPS AND CLUBS

ACCESS
American Women’s Club Amsterdam
American Women’s Club The Hague
Andrew’s Society of the Netherlands
British Club The Hague
British Society of Amsterdam
CADS (Commercial Anglo Dutch Society)
Canadian International Club Amsterdam
Club of Amsterdam
Connect International, Groningen
Connecting Women, The Hague
International Almere
The International Rotaract Club in ­Amsterdam
International Women’s Contact The Hague
International Women’s Contact Amsterdam
International Women’s Contact Breda
International Women’s Contact South ­Limburg
International Women’s Contact Utrecht/Amersfoort
The Irish Club-Netherlands
Newcomer’s Club
Petroleum Wives Club, The Hague
South African Club
Toastmasters in the Netherlands
The Hague Online Social Club

FRENCH-SPEAKING CLUBS

Accueil des Francophones de La Haye
Alliance Française
Institute Français
Union des Français à l’Étranger

GERMAN-SPEAKING CLUBS

Deutscher Klub in den Niederlanden
Deutsch-Niederländischer Verein

SPANISH-SPEAKING CLUB

Asociación Hispánica De La Haya

Do you fancy an interesting outing, but can’t stand the idea of being jostled by a crowd of tourists? Take a look through this list of places undiscovered by the masses in the Netherlands. Whether you are after education, entertainment, or natural beauty there will be something for you on this page. The following attractions have been recommended by the Dutch themselves, and they know the lay of their land! By visiting these sights, you can see and enjoy the riches of the Netherlands, without the queues and the flashing cameras.

TEYLER’S MUSEUM IN HAARLEM
Aside from being the very first museum in the Netherlands, Teyler’s Museum was the third museum to be made in Europe! It followed in the footsteps of the Oxford Ashmolean and the British Museum. It was once a living theater in which colleagues discussed the inventions of the times. They would listen to speakers and chew over the discoveries of science and art. Experiments and demonstrations would take place in the laboratory as well. Today, we can peer into the past through the museum’s collection of:

• Microscopes and telescopes
• Newtonian measuring equipment
• Fossils, rocks and gems
• Paintings
• Drawings
• Etchings and sketches

Teyler’s also has an amazing library, containing Important Documents. These include: the Diderot Encyclopedia (the first in Europe), James Cook’s travel journals, Darwin’s scribbles and the works of other world-renown scientists and explorers.
Spaarne 16, Haarlem
www.teylersmuseum.nl

BIESBOSCH NATIONAL PARK
Situated near Dordrecht, this park is made up of 7,000 hectares of winding gullies, deep creeks and fields of rushes. It was created in 1421 when the St. Elizabeth flood washed away 16 villages and turned a prosperous agricultural region into a freshwater tidal area. Today, visitors can explore the park on foot or by boat, and observe a unique range of plants, animals and birds.
www.np-debiesbosch.nl

THE SINGER MUSEUM
Laren lies near Hilversum in the province of North Holland. It became fashionable with painters in the 1870s, notably those of the Impressionist Hague School. The Singers were an American couple who moved to Laren in 1901. They collected the paintings of visiting artists, and this delightful museum is based on their collection. It is situated in the residential area of a very chic town, which is also home to some upscale local shops.
Oude Drift 1, Laren
www.singerlaren.nl

FRANEKER PLANETARIUM
In 1774, Eise Eisinga, an amateur scientist, built a planetarium in his living room in order to calm the villagers’ fears about the end of the world. Despite his limited knowledge about the conjunction of the planets, the planetarium is a masterpiece of engineering. It still functions perfectly after some-200 years. This makes it the oldest planetarium in the world.
Eise Eisingastraat 3, Franeker (Friesland)
www.planetarium-friesland.nl

RECREATIONAL AREA SPAARNWOUDE
In 1969 the government, five municipalities and the province of North Holland decided to keep the area between Amsterdam and Haarlem ‘green’. Thus, the recreational area named ‘Spaarnwoude’ was launched. It covers a total landmass of over 6,178 acres. Located just outside Haarlem, Spaarnwoude has become one of the most popular recreational areas in North Holland. It is a haven of peace and tranquility, offering its visitors the opportunity to hike, cycle and inline skate through areas of natural beauty. But that is not all! There are also parks, play areas, a golf course, a scaling wall, an educational farm, canoe courses, ‘adventureland’ and the opportunity to go skiing at ‘Snowplanet’.
www.spaarnwoudepark.nl

THORN
A popular subject for posters, advertising the province of Limburg: Thorn is a Dutch village which remains relatively untouched by foreign visitors. It is a wonderfully picturesque town of cobbled streets, white-washed houses and farms that intrude right into the main street. This gives the village, which is located near Roermond, a calm and rural atmosphere. It’s local abbey was founded towards the end of the 10th century.
www.vvvmiddenlimburg.nl

PANORAMA MESDAG
Panorama Mesdag is a panoramic painting. It is more than 14 meters high, and 120 meters in circumference. It depicts a vista of sea, dunes and the village of Scheveningen. It was painted by one of the most famous painters of the Hague School: Hendrik Willem Mesdag. It is the oldest 19th-century panorama in the world in its original site, and a unique a cultural heritage.
Zeestraat 65, The Hague
www.panorama-mesdag.nl

BOSCHPLAAT NATURE RESERVE (ISLAND OF TERSCHELLING)
The reserve is situated on the marshy land of the southern shore of Terschelling, one of the five ‘Wadden’ islands. It is where thousands of waterfowl and migrating birds gather. Nearby you’ll also find lovely beaches of golden sand and clean water.
www.natuurlijkwandelen.nl/boschplaat

THE TROPEN MUSEUM
Not as crowded as Amsterdam’s other large museums, you can discover the culture of New Guinea at the Tropen Museum. You can travel through Africa and South-East Asia, or visit Latin America and the Caribbean, learning about art, culture and colonialism. Other features include an excellent restaurant, which serves unusual dishes from around the world, and a wealth of temporary exhibits. The adjacent Tropentheater presents a mind-boggling selection of cultural performances from around the globe too.
Linnaeusstraat 2, Amsterdam
www.tropenmuseum.nl

WATERLAND NEELTJE JANS (THE DELTA PROJECT)
Through a fascinating exhibition and tour, find out about Zeeland’s endless fight with the sea and the pragmatic response of the Dutch. They built a massive dam and flood barrier, that quite literally closed off the sea! From April-October you can visit a dolphin station and make a round-trip on the Oosterschelde. The Oosterschelde is a portion of the sea that once stretched into the province of Zeeland. Now, due to the dikes, it has become brackish water and a unique natural area. Don’t miss the hurricane simulator either!
Island of Neeltje Jans, Faelweg 5, Vrouwenpolder
www.neeltjejans.nl

NOORBEEK
Popular with Dutch hikers, this tiny village nestles in the side of a valley (yes, they do exist in the Netherlands) in Limburg, near Maastricht. It still retains its authentic atmosphere, with tractors chugging down the high street to deposit hay in the lofts above the farms.
www.noorbeek.nl

ZUIDERZEE MUSEUM
This living museum of 130 buildings sits on the banks of the IJsselmeer. It gives visitors a snapshot of what Dutch life looked like between 1880 and 1932. The original houses, school, church and shops have been transported from 39 locations in the IJsselmeer region.
Wierdijk 12-22, Enkhuizen
www.zuiderzeemuseum.nl

OPEN AIR MUSEUM (NEDERLANDS OPENLUCHT MUSEUM) – ARNHEM
This 44-acre park acts as a time capsule of Dutch provincial life. All the historical customs and traditions have been preserved here. The museum features a cross-section of real historic buildings and houses, literally transported from their original location. Windmills, fully furnished thatched-roof farmhouses and craft shops complete the melting pot.
Schelmseweg 89, Arnhem
www.openluchtmuseum.nl

FOAM FOTOGRAFIE MUSEUM – AMSTERDAM
FOAM aims to inform and inspire its audience, by presenting all facets of contemporary photography. It exhibits world-famous photographers alongside emerging artists, and displays both historical and contemporary work. The museum also hosts major exhibitions and discussion forums.
Keizersgracht 609, Amsterdam
www.foam.org

EYE FILM INSTITUTE NETHERLANDS
EYE Film Institute is completely dedicated to film and the moving image. Film is exhibited as art, entertainment, cultural heritage, and a conveyor of information. EYE offers exhibitions, programs, films for children, educational programs and activities for all ages.
IJPromenade, Amsterdam
www.eyefilm.nl

GRONINGER MUSEUM – GRONINGEN
This eclectic museum juts out into the canal, and defies description. It is home to a variety of exhibits, ranging from arts to crafts to fashion. If the drawbridge entrance happens to be raised for a passing boat, be sure to look at the ‘tongue-in-cheek’ tiles underneath… It is a zany place, through and through.
Museumeiland 1, Groningen
www.groningermuseum.nl

HUNEBEDDEN (DOLMENS)
One of the largest concentrations of Stone Age boulder formations exists in the idyllic province of Drenthe. It is located in the northeast of the Netherlands, where 54 dolmen configurations are scattered throughout the countryside. They are all believed to be the megalithic skeletons of burial tombs, used by farmers in this most ancient area of the Netherlands. One is a capstone, weighing an incredible 20,000 kilos. Amazingly, these structures are almost 2,000 years older than England’s famous Stonehenge, and 1,000 years older than the pyramids in Egypt.
Even more amazing, is how they were transported and lifted into place. To get the lowdown on theories, and to seethe largest hunebed, visit Borger. This is where the ‘Nationaal Hunebedden Informatiecentrum’, is located. In English, it is called the ‘National Dolmen Information Center‘.
Information center: Hunebedstraat 27, Borger (between Assen and Emmen)
www.hunebedcentrum.nl

Settling into your new Dutch town or village, and becoming ‘one of the locals’, takes time and effort. Do not forget to enjoy the amazing tourist attractions the Netherlands has to offer as well! There are lots of them, but we have put together a list of the top 10 must-sees on this page. A visit to any of these attractions makes for a fun day out with friends or family. What’s more, it is a great way to learn more about the culture and history of your new home.

1. VAN GOGH MUSEUM
Amsterdam’s top tourist attraction is devoted almost entirely to the work of one of the world’s most popular artists. Yep, it’s Vincent. The Van Gogh museum’s display spans from his early years in South Holland, through his Impressionist stage in Paris, to his final days in St. Rémy. This museum is the perfect size for those with a tight schedule.
Paulus Potterstraat 7, Amsterdam
www.vangoghmuseum.nl

2. ANNE FRANK HOUSE
Possibly the most deserving of all the Netherlands’ major tourist attractions, the Anne Frank House provides a fascinating insight into the Frank family’s life in hiding from 1942 until 1944, during the Nazi occupation. The museum also provides background on the awful plight of the 100,000 Dutch Jews who were killed in the Holocaust. It hosts a variety of other exhibitions too, focusing on issues of persecution and the repression of freedom of expression, both past and present. Please note that entrance tickets are bought online.
Prinsengracht 267, Amsterdam
www.annefrank.org

3. RIJKSMUSEUM AMSTERDAM
This is the largest museum in the Netherlands. It recently reopened its doors after a complete renovation and it houses an internationally renowned collection of paintings. They are from the 17th-century Dutch Republic: the ‘Golden Age’. Works include pieces by:

• Rembrandt, the most famous of which is the ominous ‘Night Watch’
• Johannes Vermeer
• Frans Hals
• Jan Steen

Plus there are exhibits of:

• Silver
• Delftware
• Doll’s houses
• Prints
• Drawings
• Asiatic art
• Dutch history
  Museumstraat 1, Amsterdam
  www.rijksmuseum.nl

4. KEUKENHOF
From late March through the end of May, visitors come in droves to see the display of over 7,000,000 flowers in the famous Keukenhof Gardens. The 70-acre gardens offer a breathtaking and immaculate display of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils and amaryllis. They are planted and tended to by the Netherlands’ leading flower growers. This spectacle is not to be missed.
Open: Mar. 24 – May 16, 2017
Stationsweg 166a, Lisse
www.keukenhof.nl

5. DELFT
Famous for its distinctive blue and white porcelain, Delft continues to charm visitors and shoppers alike. Once home to the Dutch artist Vermeer, it has an abundance of beautifully preserved 17th-century buildings. These include the imposing Town Hall and the Old Church. Visitors also enjoy the town’s picturesque tree-lined canals and plethora of porcelain shops.
www.delft.nl

6. THE KRÖLLER-MÜLLER MUSEUM
This museum is located in the wooded parkland of De Hoge Veluwe National Park. You can either drive or cycle a couple of kilometres through it, to reach the Kroller. It is also possible to borrow a white bicycle at the park gates, free of charge. The collection of art at this museum is ranked as the third most important in the Netherlands. It houses almost 90 paintings and over 180 drawings, in including works by:

• Van Gogh (roughly 50 of which are on display at any given time)
• Seurat
• Monet
• Picasso

The sculpture Garden is fabulous as well, and worth a trip in itself.
Houtkampweg 6, Otterlo
www.kmm.nl

7. DELFSHAVEN
Delfshaven is the place from which the Pilgrim Fathers departed for the New World in 1620. The tiny harbor has been preserved to look much as it did in centuries past, with the addition of some trendy waterfront restaurants. Across the road, at the ‘Spido Landing Stage’, you can buy a boat tour. These tours offer visitors a unique insight into modern life at one of the world’s busiest seaports.
Delfshaven/Spido Cruises: www.spido.nl
www.rotterdamhistorischdelfshaven.nl

8. MADURODAM
‘All of the Netherlands in a day’ is the best way to describe this miniature scale-model town. Visitors can see all of the Netherlands’ major cities and landmarks up close and personal, but on a tiny scale. There are lots of mechanized exhibits, including busy motorways and sailing ships, to enjoy as well!
George Maduroplein 1, The Hague
www.madurodam.nl

9. KINDERDIJK
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Kinderdijk is located by the Lek River, southeast of Rotterdam. It consists of 19 windmills standing along a beautiful, broad canal. Take a cruise down the waterway to better observe this archetypal Dutch scene. Or, if you are visiting during July and August, try to make your trip on a Saturday when the mills are put into action.
www.kinderdijk.nl

10. THE ARCHEON
This archaeological theme park lies in Alphen aan de Rijn, South Holland. It is world-renowned amongst history ‘buffs’. The Archeon is made up of reconstructions of villages from three major time periods: Prehistory, the Roman Period, and the Middle Ages. It is a ‘live’ museum, where people in period dress live and work. This makes it a pleasantly participatory way to see and learn about history!
Archeonlaan 1, Alphen a/d Rijn
www.archeon.nl