This fun family park features boat and train rides, an adventures playground, plus a petting zoo. Take a look at our highlights walking route. The capital of the Netherlands, The Hague, also makes for an easy excursion, and is well worth visiting for its fine old palaces. A fun and exciting way to work on team building! Another fun water activity is the Splash tour. A few kilometers east of Rotterdam is the country's fourth largest city, Utrecht, popular among sightseers for its picturesque setting and well-preserved medieval architecture. Walk under a waterfall, go on an adventure with the unearthly creatures of Hieronymus Bosch, learn to time travel and surround yourself with paintings by Dutch Old Masters such as Van Gogh and Mondriaan. Address: Molenkade Nederwaard 1, 2961 AS Kinderdijk. At the Culture Campsite in Delfshaven, you sleep in art objects made from already existing material. The ship was one of the last lavishly decorated liners and was finally retired in the year 2000. Fun things to do during a rainy day in Rotterdam, Fun things to do in the surrounding areas of Rotterdam, this walking route around the Ackerdijkse Plassen. On the River Noord, just 23 kilometers east of Rotterdam, is the beautiful little village of Kinderdijk. The 19 windmills stand proudly and have been restored to their original condition and are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The building has a triangular shape that points towards the sky at a protruding angle. The kids can easily sail the model boats themselves and the boats are powered by electric motors. 15 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in the Netherlands, 24 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Amsterdam, 18 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Rotterdam, 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Delft, 18 Top Tourist Attractions & Things to Do in The Hague, 15 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Leiden, 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Breda, 14 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Utrecht, 12 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Haarlem, Where to Stay in Amsterdam: Best Areas & Hotels, 11 Top Things to Do in Winter in Amsterdam, 10 Best Places to Visit in the Netherlands, 16 Top-Rated Attractions & Things to Do in Antwerp, 22 Best Places to Visit in the United States, 20 Best Luxury All-Inclusive Resorts in the World. Book online: Rotterdam Zoo Skip-the-Line Ticket. Then to brave the rain again with your umbrella and still admireall the sights of Rotterdam! And, if after your visit the kids still have energy to burn, pay a visit to Plaswijckpark. Just a short commute to the north is the country's porcelain center of Delft, known for its famous Delftware, a type of pottery that has graced shelves and dining room hutches around the world since the 17th century. Learn more about the port during this cruise. The towers stands at 606ft and with its antenna it is the tallest building in Rotterdam. Official site: www.miniworldrotterdam.com/ENGindex.htm, Museum Rotterdam | Maykova Galina / Shutterstock.com. Everything is surprisingly detailed. You travel by train to Tilburg and from here you take the bus to the Efteling (bus lines 300, 301, 136 and 801). TIP: Buy your ticket for the Euromast here. Official site: https://kubuswoning.nl/en/, Het Nieuwe Instituut | Oliverouge 3 / Shutterstock.com. Really a top place for a family outing in Rotterdam! The Markthal is a stunning piece of architecture that was constructed in 2009 and serves as both an office building and a marketplace. Also with a view of our city, of course! Translated literally as "The New Institute," this modern museum focuses on the development of various architectural movements over the decades. While walking you experience the work of art. I will make sure Ill do everything! Fun things to do include exploring the museums located in the Blookwer and Nederwaard mills, as well as the Wisdom pumping station. Surrounded by the Kralingse Bos, this lake is the place where the Rotterdammer goes during a summer day. This sumptuously decorated vessel is now a hotel and museum, and one of the favorite things to do here is have lunch or dinner in its dining room. For a truly memorable experience, check into tickets for the museum's occasional opening of the "depot." coffee company SEO is one of her best skills and she ensures that the platform is always up to date. St. Bartholomeuskerk, founded in the 13th century and notable for its tendency to lean off the vertical, has stalls carved with scenes from the life of Christ. For instance, you can go for a ride on the watertaxi. Madurodam offers all kinds of fun attractions and activities. You can find Mooie Boules in a characteristic metal factory in the emerging ZOHO area. Those with an interest in photography should plan on visiting the Netherlands Photo Museum (Nederlands Fotomuseum). Then visit the Dierenwijck and meet the different animals that live there. But where? The Campsite also offers a hot tub and a place for food: a nice terrace and a place where guests can cook. Erlich gave his artwork all the characteristics of a real swimming pool, but as a visitor you can still walk dry on the bottom. Experience virtual reality in Rotterdam! I like to tip the Van Maanenbad in Blijdorp. In addition to countless large freight vessels, you'll see mile after mile of quays and storage facilities built to service the world's busiest port. Rotterdam is located in the southern Netherlands and is the second largest city in the country after the capital Amsterdam with a population of approximately 630,000. One of them, the Show Cube, is open to visitors and contains displays on the design and history of the buildings. Book a ride on the website or order a taxi by phone and get dropped off at one of the 50 locations in the city. Crisscrossing these displays is a 2.3-kilometer-long network of model rail tracks, with some 150 trains buzzing around at any one time, between them pulling an impressive collection of over 1,800 pieces of rolling stock. In addition to two fun escape rooms for kids, you can escape three fun rooms at Escape Mission. Although it is not in the center of our city, it is definitely worth traveling to Hoek van Holland and trying one of their plant-based dishes. The old district of Delfshaven, unlike much of the rest of Rotterdam, survived WWII largely unscathed. This food factory provides a unique experience where you can delve into the food world and take part in workshops, tastings and open markets. It really is a cool and vibrant place to explore and sample some find food and drink. The factory has been completely transformed into a French village square. For those traveling with kids, check out the Kids Marina, were youngsters can captain their own mini-version of a cargo or passenger vessel. Not only can you enjoy the beautiful view over Rotterdam, its also possible to book a table and have a delicious dinner or just get some drinks. This trendy gallery opened in 1992 and hosts a variety of constantly changing exhibits of visual arts, design, architecture, and culture from across the globe. The SS Rotterdam is a large ocean liner that was originally known as the Grande Dame and constructed in the 1950s. The bombing in 1940 destroyed a large part of the city center. Fortunately, there are certainly still traces of the past in our city. The museum is a privately funded initiative of the Dutch art collector Joop van Caldenborgh and displays his personal collection. In addition to tasting the typical Dutch pancakes, you will explore Rotterdam with a boat trip on the Maas. Are you looking for fun activities in Rotterdam? Rotterdam has also long been important as a cultural hub, its early prosperity leading to the birth of Rotterdam's most celebrated citizen, the humanist Erasmus, born here in 1467. Netherlands Travel Ideas: Only 40 minutes from Rotterdam by train, busy Amsterdam is another good base for day trips, especially for art lovers, who can enjoy such art-related attractions as the Rijksmuseum, home of many works by Rembrandt. Tip: buy your ticket in advance for the Maritime Museum here. Then go play inside the Huis in de Heuvel or House in the Hill. For example, book a flying lesson or a sightseeing flight via Sand Air. So you could experience it with more people by booking multiple planes. This truly is a delightful place to visit and the surrounding countryside and network of canals is extremely impressive. If youre visiting Rotterdam for the first time, a visit to the Euromast is the perfect way to spend your day. There is of course a particular emphasis on Dutch styles, but other global design movements are also featured. It may look like a normal bus tour, that will take you to the most special places in Rotterdam. The great thing is that at Kidsmarina they immediately gain insight into the port and its functions and vehicles. From the heart of Rotterdam you can easily reach Island IJsselmonde, a surprisingly varied and undiscovered area. The church is famous for its three Danish organs, the largest of which stands on a marble base on the inside wall of the tower. Download the Rewriters app to follow a street art route in Rotterdam. So its an educational and fun day out in Rotterdam! Here you can stay in one of the 254 rooms with a choice of six different room types. Highlights of this include a number of young elephants, as well as the rare red panda, fascinating creatures to watch as they explore the large enclosures designed to resemble their natural habitats. Read more about this unique new attraction in our city and buy your entrance ticket here! This border shows the border of the area that was destroyed in 1940. One of Rotterdam's most distinctive landmarks, the Euromast lies at the north entrance to the Maas Tunnel. One of the most popular places to visit is Bergen op Zoom, a historic old town some 67 kilometers south that is noted for its large squares and pleasant pedestrian zones. The zoo is split into several different themed areas including a Chinese garden, a Malayan Forest, Mongolian Steppes and a crocodile river. Are you already getting hungry? Set in a large warehouse and covering an area of over 535 square meters, Miniworld recreates many of the most recognizable landmarks and places to visit in the Netherlands on a miniature scale. The interior of the church is quite beautiful with many decorated arches, high vaulted ceilings and a variety of stone reliefs and rich religious decoration. There is a Picnic Pasture, a Rosarium with 40 varieties of roses and an English garden with several fountains. TIP: To really have the full experience of living in a Cube house, you can also decide to stay at Stayokay Rotterdam Cube Hostel, which is a hostel in one of the cubes. The inside of the structure has some amazing artwork by Arno Coenen and shows various colourful fruits, plants, insects and flowers. A shop and caf, along with a pleasant garden, are also open to visitors. There are several things on this list Ill have to ask her to show me next time, but I am such a fan of the Water Taxi! Guided tours are available. Also worth a visit are Breda, 52 kilometers southeast of Rotterdam, with its museums and monuments, and the town of Gorinchem, 44 kilometers to the east. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The reconstruction has made Rotterdam as we know it today: a modern metropolis with a lot of unique architecture. The striking Art Nouveau style of this building, make it easily recognisable and the white faade, ornate turrets and decorative roof give it great character. Beautiful cycling routes take you across the island via dikes, woods and river paths. Pele Surf Shack is open all summer, seven days a week. Official site: https://museumrotterdam.nl/en/. In this magical amusement park you will visit the Sprookjesbos (Fairytale Forest), meet the Volk van Laaf and get your adrenaline pumping from a ride in the exciting Vogel Rok (Bird Roc) and Vliegende Hollander (Flying Dutchman). On the ss Rotterdam they offer a special Afternoon Tea. As the port is so extensive and huge, it is silly to try and walk around it yourself A boat tour will provide a comfortable means of transport and you will learn a great deal from the tour guides. If you are looking for the real Dutch experience with the family, you should go with the Pannenkoekenboot (which is Dutch for Pancake Boat). From the best water activities to things to do on a rainy day, you can find plenty of inspiration in this article. Highlights include a broad collection of historical images by a number of Dutch photographers. TIP: check our historic route in Rotterdam. Check out these fun things to do in Rotterdam. During WWII Rotterdam saw extensive bombing and its centre was almost completely destroyed, however after this the city was slowly rebuilt and once again stands as a modern port. Another architectural gem is the White House (Witte Huis). The ingenious system of mill and ground has kept the grounds of Kinderdijk dry for centuries. Children can feel like a captain as soon as they get on one of the childrens boats. The port is huge beyond belief and is a fascinating place to visit, to understand its importance and the role it plays in the cities and countries economy. Of course there are also many nice boutiques and vintage shops in our city. Expect over 650 square meters with Rotterdam polder landscapes, modern and historical architecture and of course the port of Europe. Discover destinations, find outdoor adventures, follow the journeys of our travel writers around the world, and be inspired. Also worth exploring is the zoo's Oceanium, an excellent aquarium featuring a large collection of marine life from the Americas. According to our bloggers Kim one of the most beautiful swimming pools in Rotterdam. Recommended tour: Markthal Tour, Meet & Taste, and Het Witte Huis. Did you know that you can take the Waterbus from Rotterdam to Kinderdijk? Located in Grote Kerkplein, the late Gothic church dates from the 15th century and was built on once marshy ground giving the building a peculiar lean that was only halted after its foundation was rebuilt in 1650.