Things to do in Amersfoort

No. 12 of Family-friendly Attractions in Netherlands

Amersfoort Zoo

Amersfoort Zoo is located on the edge of the Birkhoven Forest in the western part of Amersfoort, offering a tranquil, pleasant, and tree-lined environment. The park features multiple themed areas, such as the Ancient City, Night World, and Giant Land, each showcasing animals from different regions and ecosystems, where visitors can experience diverse natural views. The zoo is home to over 100 species of animals, covering a diverse range of species from tropical rainforests to cold regions. The zoo places special emphasis on education and interactive experiences, offering a variety of family-friendly activities, such as Dinosaur Adventure and Chimpanzee Valley. There are multiple children's play areas in the park, allowing children to learn about animals and nature while they play. In addition, the zoo regularly hosts various cultural events and festivals, such as lectures and workshops, attracting a large number of visitors and local residents.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Van Gogh Museum

The Van Gogh Museum is located on Museumplein in Amsterdam and is a national art museum centered on Van Gogh's works, holding more than 200 of his oil paintings, hundreds of drawings, and a large number of letters exchanged between him and his brother Theo, a collection that ranks among the foremost of its kind worldwide. The origin of this collection is itself a story: after Van Gogh's death in 1890, the paintings were kept by his brother Theo; Theo passed away shortly afterward, and his widow, Johanna van Gogh-Bonger, devoted her life to organizing and exhibiting these works, which had received little attention during Van Gogh's lifetime, ultimately bringing them together into this museum. The permanent exhibition lays out a clear viewing route in chronological order of creation: from the dark-toned "The Potato Eaters" of the Nuenen period in the Netherlands, to the numerous self-portraits of the Paris period, then to "The Yellow House," "The Bedroom," and "Sunflowers" of the Arles period, and finally to "Almond Blossom" and "Wheatfield with Crows" created in the last stage of his life in Saint-Rémy and Auvers-sur-Oise, making Van Gogh's creative trajectory over a brief ten years clear at a glance. In addition to his own works, the museum also displays paintings and sculptures by contemporary artists such as Monet, Gauguin, and Rodin, many of which were personally collected by Van Gogh and Theo at the time; in Gauguin's "The Painter of Sunflowers," the protagonist is none other than Van Gogh, the painter of sunflowers. The building itself is also worth a closer look: the main building was designed by the Dutch De Stijl architect Rietveld and opened in 1973, with exhibition galleries unfolding layer by layer around an open atrium; the oval wing designed by the Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa was completed in 1999 and is dedicated to large-scale temporary exhibitions; and the all-glass entrance building opened in 2015 connects the old and new wings into one. The museum is consistently popular, with dense crowds during peak hours, so if you plan to take a close look at the permanent collection, it is recommended to allow ample visiting time.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Netherlands

Museum Square

Museum Square is located in the center of Amsterdam. It is named for the many museums scattered around the square, including the Van Gogh Museum, the Stedelijk Museum, the Rijksmuseum, and the Royal Concert Hall. The red "Iamsterdam" sculpture in the square is very eye-catching and has become a landmark building for tourists and locals to take photos. Museum Square is also one of the public squares that locals love very much. It is often used to hold large-scale outdoor performances, gatherings, etc. The large lawn next to the square is a good place to rest, where you can take a walk, walk your dog, and have a picnic.

National Military Museum

The National Military Museum is located at the former air base in Soesterberg, Utrecht Province, Netherlands. It officially opened in 2014, merging the collections of the former Army Museum and the Military Aviation Museum to showcase the history and development of the Dutch Armed Forces. The exhibition covers Dutch military history from the 19th century to the present, with a collection of over 400,000 items, including aircraft, helicopters, weapons, and military equipment. Notable exhibits include the F-15 fighter jet suspended in the main hall and the Leopard 2A6 main battle tank on the ground. The museum also offers interactive experiences to help visitors gain a deeper understanding of military history. For example, it features the "Xplore" interactive zone, which is suitable for children and teenagers, simulating military missions and strategic decision-making. Additionally, the museum provides outdoor activities, such as hiking and cycling routes, allowing visitors to explore historical sites on the grounds of the former air base.

2026 Global 100 - Best Things to Do

Rijksmuseum

• A large collection of well-known art treasures, including masterpieces by many well-known masters • Retaining the architectural style of the 19th century, the brick-red walls are all decorated with images of Dutch history and art • The vaulted roof of the renovated museum atrium hall is made of glass, and the floor is paved with Portuguese stone floor tiles. Natural light penetrates the entire hall, which is spacious and bright. △ The building where the museum is located was planned and designed by the designer of Amsterdam Railway Station. It was opened to the public in 1885 and is one of the oldest museums in Europe. △ Go up the escalator and enter the viewing corridor. The corridor is composed of arched brick walls and large floor-to-ceiling windows. You can enjoy the panoramic view of the atrium hall. The library on the same floor as the corridor is not to be missed. The history of the library can be traced back to the 19th century. The spiral staircase is very unique and is also known as one of the ten libraries with beautiful scenery in the world.

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Utrecht

Museum Speelklok/ Musical Clock

The Utrecht Museum of Musical Clocks, located in the historic city of Utrecht, the Netherlands, is a unique museum dedicated to automatic musical instruments. The museum is located in a unique building. Its predecessor was the Monastery of St. Catherine, which was built in 1466. The simple and heavy sense of history complements the collection of musical instruments in the museum. The museum has a collection of more than 350 automatic musical instruments, including precious musical instruments such as music boxes, pipe organs, and street organs from the 18th century to the present. These instruments are not only exquisite crafts, but also carry rich musical history and cultural connotations. For example, the giant pipe organ in the museum has a complex and exquisite mechanical structure. When it plays, the grand music echoes in the ancient building, as if it can bring the audience back to the past. In the museum, visitors can not only appreciate these exquisite musical instruments up close, but also feel the unique charm of automatic musical instrument performance through on-site demonstrations and interactive experiences. The museum will regularly hold concerts, lectures and other activities, inviting professionals to interpret the stories behind the instruments, so that the audience can have a deeper understanding of the development of automatic musical instruments.

2026 Europe 50 - Night Attractions

Royal Palace Amsterdam

• The magnificently decorated royal palace opens 17 halls, rooms, and galleries to the public, and its exquisite interior is truly breathtaking • Retained approximately 2,000 pieces of royal furniture, including sofas, tapestries, and chandeliers, as well as hanging paintings with symbolic meanings • After touring the palace, you can also stroll around the square in front of it, feed the pigeons, or watch street performers to savor the European charm. △ Royal Palace Amsterdam is one of the three royal palaces in the Netherlands. Originally a city hall and courthouse, it served as the political and economic center of the city, as well as an important square for the whole city and a favorite creative subject for painters. To this day it remains full of vitality. The main highlights here are its architectural structure and the magnificent decorations inside the palace. △ Visiting this classical and solemn royal palace allows you to deeply feel the prosperity and flourishing of Amsterdam during the "Golden Age." The entire building was designed by the Dutch architect Jacob van Campen, cleverly supported by 13,569 wooden piles holding up this magnificent structure.

Tuincentrum Eurofleur

AFAS Theater

the Pyramid