This trip we want to visit other places outside Amsterdam. We will be coming from Bremen, Germany, headed to Antwerp. We have several days (give or take/flexible) and would like to see some of Netherlands outside Amsterdam (we had an extensive stay there a few year ago) on way. What should we see? Why?
Coming from Bremen, you could do worse than stay one or two nights in Zwolle for visiting the string of former Hansa cities along the IJssel river. Besides Zwolle you'll find Kampen (beautiful river front), Deventer (nice churches) and Zutphen (the most picturesque of this bunch).
Instead of almost over-visited Amsterdam you can stay in Utrecht (famous for its two-level canals), Haarlem (Frans Hals and Teylers museums), Leiden (largest historical city centre after Amsterdam), Delft (a little bit touristy) or Dordrecht (situated on a busy river crossroads). All historical cities and a good base for things around. Don't miss the Mauritshuis in The Hague for its famous Vermeers and Rembrandts. Or the river ferry from Dordrecht to the windmill complex of Kinderdijk.
Tons of things to do.
Indeed, there are more options like:
Friesland, with many lovely little towns and villages like Hindelopen and Sloten.
If heading to Zwolle a boat tour in Giethoorn is to consider.
Historical shipyard Bataviawerf in Lelystad.
Near Arnhem Kröller Müller (van Gogh) Museum, further the Open Air Museum and museums about Operation Market Garden.
‘s Hertogenbosch has an attractive city centre, worth a visit nearby fortified Heusden.
Much overlooked but Breda is worth a stop too and more west also fortified Willemstad.
You can explore the Delta Region, but you need a car for that.