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Day Trip Advice (from Amsterdam)

Posted by (Columbia, SC, USA) on

Hi, again--
I will be in Amsterdam and Utrecht this summer (for the Grand Depart of Le Tour de France--so excited). Anyway, I need some input on a day trip idea. We will have seen Haarlem on the early end of our trip (if the planning pans out!); I'm looking for one more exploring day before we return to the States. We return to Amsterdam from Utrecht (we already have lodging reservations, so I'm not inclined to change that) and have two days before our departure. I know one day will be in the city for last minute sights and shopping, etc. But on that exploring day, what do you think of the options below? (I have an interest in history and art and getting lost and stopping for a snack and people watching while lost; my travel companion will be on his first trip to Europe, and he likes beer, nature, architecture, and people watching..)

I've considered:
---Maastricht (and Margraten) for the WW2 interests and the US cemetery. (But it feels like a back track once we're back in Ams, from Utrecht). I think this is the longest train time, too, which might be less attractive.
---Den Hague
----Delft or Gouda or Leiden (because they are suggested in every guide book)
----Antwerp (this is my latest favorite for no particular reason other than it's in a different country, and that seems fun)

Any opinions toward any of these as either Yes! Eh. or Skip it? I know nothing about places north of Amsterdam---any suggestion on that end, rather than the ideas I listed...?)

thanks!
--J

Posted by
15777 posts

Delft for me is a half-day. It is a charming little place, about a 20-minute tram ride from The Hague (Den Haag in Dutch). It's kind of a mini-Amsterdam, quieter, smaller, cleaner, but not so much to see. You could combine the two. The Hague has fine art museums, a beach, interesting architecture, but no canals to speak of or picturesque-ness. Many years ago I enjoyed a day trip to Rotterdam. Sadly I haven't been the others you mention.

Posted by
2084 posts

Leiden: lovely typical Dutch city center and three interesting museums (Ancient History, History of Science and Medicine, Naturalis Biodiversity Center)

The Hague: Agree with what Chani says, art museums like Mauritshuis, Escher, Gemeentemuseum Den Haag. The Peace Palace has a Visitors Centre and limited guided tours.

Rotterdam: Becomes more and more interesting about modern architecture (Cubic Houses, Markthal, Central Railway Station, etc. Maritime Museum and art from all periods in Boijmans van Beuningen. With the waterbus you can go to the mills of Kinderdijk.

Just north-east of Amsterdam for cycling lovely countryside Waterland, places like Durgerdam, Broek in Waterland etc. North-west Zaanse Schans, further north places like Edam, (avoid tourist trap imho Volendam), Hoorn and Enkhuizen with the open air Zuiderzeemuseum.

Antwerp is certainly a bit different and worth to consider. Fine Art Museum is closed for renovations. MAS houses several museums, further smaller but interesting art museums like Rubenshuis, Mayer van den Bergh. Diamond District and if printing is of interest UNESCO listed Plantin-Moretus.

Regarding what these places has to offer, skip to my opinion Delft or combine if Delftware is a must for you.

Posted by
44 posts

Thank you much, Travelers. I think we will be taking in Antwerp--and might be adjusting our reservations a bit--which I did not expect! :)

Now, I'll head over to the Belgium board to poke around a bit.

Thank you for your input!

Posted by
68 posts

I loved the Kroller Muller museum (way better than the VanGogh museum) and Hoge Veluwe national park near Arnhem. The Airborne museum is also pretty awesome if you are a history person. Arnhem would be a good day trip from Utrecht if you can work it in. I thought Gouda was a tourist trap and high tailed it out of there.
Antwerp is one of my favorite cities so you do need to go there (try to spend the night if you can, the nightlife is great).

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