When I want to enjoy being outdoors and learn something about culture and history of the Netherlands, I go to one of the Open air museums. It is a full day fun. And they are plenty to choose.
Let's start with the Must Visit Open-air museums:
- Madurodam in Den Hague. It's not completely a museum, but a small outdoors miniatures park. This has mini-copies of major buildings and specialties of the Netherlands. Come here to get an overview of what the Netherlands has to offer to visit, get a glimpse of what to plan to see.
- Open Air museum in Arnhem (app.100km from Amsterdam): It's a large area (this even has own tram line!) shows life of ordinary Dutch people: old schools and farms, typical houses.. You'll also learn about history of the country, e.g. about reasons for migration from and into the Netherlands. This museum is more than fun - it gives you insights into who are the Dutch people.
-
- To make the most out of the trip to Arnhem area, combine visiting the Open Air Museum with attending the Royal Palace Het Loo. You'll learn about day-to-day life of Dutch royal family (incl. about favorite sleighs of the King when he was a child:) ). The palace has a gorgeous collection of paintings and arts and a beautiful Versailles inspired garden.
-
- It might be a good idea to spend a weekend in this area and to enjoy the Hoge Veluwe forest-park, which in addition to amazing cycling routes through safari looking dunes has a few wonderful museums inside
- Zuiderzee Museum (app.80km from Amsterdam, in Enkhuizen): Life and culture of the Netherlands is shaped by the Sea. The Zuiderzee museum shows life of fishermen in the Zuiderzee region. After this you'll look differently at the Haven of Enkhuizen and you'll understand better what's behind cuteness of the picturesque villages of Marken en Volendam.
- Marine museum in Rotterdam is another must see place of the Netherlands, considering how much the country depends on the Sea, Ships and Ports.
Would you suggest any other Must See open air museum?:)
Travel Dutch way - Rent a bike:
Open Air Fun – Must See Museums