I'm working on my winter Europe travel with husband and our 2 teenagers. We are both savvy art appreciators and we've been gradually introducing our kids to art over the years. One of the sites that must be present in our trip is the Kroller-Müller Museum. I read a lot of glowing reviews for the museum, its collection is impressive and there is also its famous sculpture garden which appears to be extremely big! I'm very exciting of finally having the opportunity to visit the museum and the sculptures and I think my kids will like it as well. Here are my questions: -> does snowfall close the sculpture garden of the museum? Is heavy snowfall common in central Netherlands in December/January? -> has anyone here visited the museum in winter? Does it detract much from the experience? -> there is no train station near the museum, so maybe I will rent a car. Is it better to rent a car in Amsterdam and drive to Otterlo, the small city where the museum is, or take a train to somewhere else, then rent a car?
Posted by
New York, NY, USA
11294 posts
I have never been to the Kröller-Müller Museum. But in Rick Steves Amsterdam, Bruges, and Brussels, he has very detailed directions on how to get there from Amsterdam, both by car and by mass transit. Although it's complicated, you can take trains to buses to the museum.
Posted by
Atlanta
995 posts
It's a lovely museum and park! Can't predict the weather, but think it would be equally beautiful in snow. In good weather there are bikes available for visitors, but during winter you definitely need a car. I would try to rent a car in Amsterdam, somewhere in the outskirts that you could get to easily by train.
Posted by
Wyckoff, NJ, USA
7887 posts
Even though you said it's a "must", I'd like to suggest Den Haag as a better winter alternative. The small cluster of museums around the Gemeentemuseum is almost a full day of indoor activity for a family. And with the Mauritshuis closed for renovation, their collection is even better than usual - they have highlights from the Mauritshuis. (Warning: Girl with a Pearl Earring is in Japan.) I imagine it's an easy train ride from Amsterdam, and then a tram to right in front of the Gemeentemuseum. If the weather turns out to be good, there's always the rest of Den Haag, and Delft next door. Utrecht also has several good museums.