The Netherlands: Things To Do

Canal Cruise "De Tourist" This isn’t the only company that provides daily Amsterdam canal tours, but they’re the only one that eschews the touristy boats in favor of restored, classic salon boats. Prinsengracht 315-331; 011-31-20-523-5224; www.de-tourist.nl
family | culture | smart splurge | history

Ijsselmeer Sailing and motor cruising Holland’s largest lake is a popular local pastime, but the surrounding fishing villages – many practically unchanged since the 1700s – are the real lure. In some places, like Urk and Marken, residents still wear traditional dress.
family | culture | outdoors | history | fishing

Kunststad This former shipyard is now Amsterdam’s hottest counterculture art space with 100 studios shared by over 240 artists, designers, animators, musicians, and architects. Come for innovative art exhibitions, open studios, and film screenings. NDSM-werf; 011-31-20-330-5480; www.ndsm.nl
culture | new | trendy | art

Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen Even casual art fans appreciate this museum’s collections of modern and contemporary art, applied arts and classic masterpieces. Standouts include works by Andy Warhol, Hieronymus Bosch, Van Gogh, and Pieter Breughel the Elder. Museumpark 18-20; 011-31-10-441-9400; www.boijmans.nl/en
family | culture | art

The Keukenhof The world’s largest flower garden contains more than 7 million bulbs, all of which bloom between late March and mid-May. After visiting the gardens, drive or cycle through the tulip fields around nearby Lisse. Stationsweg 166a; 011-31-252-465-555; www.keukenhof.com
family | outdoors | gardens | nature

The Kröller-Müller Museum Located in the middle of a 13,590-acre wooded national park, this top-notch museum is divided into indoor and outdoor sections – the former contains the world’s second-largest Van Gogh collection; the latter is a massive sculpture garden. Houtkampweg 6; 011-31-31-859-1241; www.kmm.nl
family | culture | museum | art | nature

Zaanse Schans This small town, largely unchanged since the 17th century, is both an outdoor museum and a working village. A functioning windmill, small cheese factory, and wooden shoe making shop add to the historic, retro-kitsch experience. 011-31-75-616-82-18; www.zaanseschans.nl
family | culture | history