Alkmaar, Hoorn and Enkhuizen in one day?

Posted by MaggieD (Boston) on 02/29/24 11:06 PM

I’m thinking about doing a day trip north from Haarlem on a Friday. Will be traveling by train. Would it be crazy to try to visit Alkmaar (cheese market day), Hoorn, and Enkhuizen all in one day? Sightseeing priorities would be the cheese market in Alkmaar in the morning, then on to Hoorn for the Westfries Museum (temporary version, so probably not a terribly long stop?) and finally the Zuiderzee open air museum in Enkhuizen. Figure the longer train ride at the end of the day will give me a chance to rest what will no doubt be tired legs by then.

If anyone’s done all three in one day, I’d love to hear about your experience! Busy but enjoyable day? Or just too rushed and exhausting?

And if you’ve visited any of these three places and loved or hated it, I welcome that feedback too. The part I’m most on the fence about is the open air museum, though the RS guidebook highly recommends it. If you’ve been, did you enjoy it?

Posted by willhaysnoe

Chico, CA USA

03/08/24 02:38 AM

236 posts

I have not done all three in one day.

I will say, though, that often when I contemplate routes as you are here I use a principle of not scurrying off to one "really good" place while at the same time passing by countless other "really good" places. Meaning that unless the Zuiderzee museum has profound meaning to you there are no shortage of great places you could alternate and minimize the travel.

Personally, I would move to Hoorn tomorrow if I could. it's my favorite so I would never cut a trip there short, myself. I digress, but I just love walking all the streets and the parks, visiting the historic houses and ships, taking a canal-and-harbor boat ride, just being in the square in front of that museum, stopping for a beer and ambience on the waterfront.

On second thought, though, after looking at a map ...... those train rides are all under an hour (though it is four legs) ...... if the schedule works in your favor ..... yeah, you could do it. I mean, if it's June it won't be dark until 2300 anyway.

Posted by willhaysnoe

Chico, CA USA

03/08/24 02:44 AM

236 posts

Actually, this would be a breeze in a car. I bet there's a little curbside office in Haarlem that will set you up with a car for the day.

Posted by MaggieD OP

Boston

03/08/24 06:27 PM

41 posts

Thanks for the feedback! Hoorn is definitely my priority of the three, and your comments just reinforce that. I love to just wander and soak up the atmosphere (and maybe an adult beverage) & Hoorn seems like the perfect spot for that. Weather will certainly factor in to my decision making too. I'll be travelling in May, not June, but definitely excited for the late sunset times!