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Haarlem Family-friendly activities

Our most recommended Haarlem Family-friendly activities

Haarlem: Dutch Windmill and Sightseeing Spaarne River Cruise

1. Haarlem: Dutch Windmill and Sightseeing Spaarne River Cruise

Explore the Spaarne river on a sightseeing cruise. Stay comfortable aboard ships that are semi-open in the summer and fully-heated and covered in the winter. Get carried away on the Spaarne river and see the city center and the Unicorn and Adriaan windmills from the water. Check in at the activity provider's office and board the river boat. Settle into your chair and have the option to purchase snacks and drinks as you sail along. Capture pictures of the 18th-century Adriaan windmill. Glide past the historic Waag weigh house. Take in views of the Teylers Museum of art, natural history, and science. Make your way past colorful houseboats and verdant parks as you go towards Heemstede. Go by the 17th-century Unicorn windmill before heading back to the starting point of your cruise.

Haarlem: Teylers Museum Entry Ticket

2. Haarlem: Teylers Museum Entry Ticket

Follow in the footsteps of Napoleon, Einstein, and so many others with this admission ticket to the first museum in the Netherlands, The Teylers Museum. Walk through the stunning antique interiors and gain access to the temporary and permanent exhibitions of art and collectibles within. Exchange your admission ticket at the front office and enter a world dedicated to art and science. Be in awe of the preservation of the space as you stroll through one of the most beautiful 18th century interiors in the world. Visit the various exhibitions on display showcasing valuable artefacts of art, coins, metals, instruments, books, fossils, and minerals. Receive access to the Pieter Teyler House, an additional wing of the museum that is included in this admission ticket. Be in awe of some of the best-preserved historical interiors from the 18th-century Netherlands.

Haarlem: Interactive City Discovery Adventure

3. Haarlem: Interactive City Discovery Adventure

Your challenge starts at Grote Markt, in front of the church’s entrance. All the information you’ll need for your exciting adventure will be found in an email delivered to you before the game. You’ll then embark on a special mission of solving 12 unique riddles, each leading you from one hidden location to the next and unlocking local recommendations and fun facts about Haarlem's history along the way. Curious facts: Get to know more about the city, discover the secrets of the main attractions, and learn about curious facts that you won't read elsewhere. Find monuments and hidden secrets: Our local creator created an interactive walk through the city. Cryptic indications make you wind through the cities streets, inviting you to pay attention to details which you usually won't notice. Once you've arrived at the next stop, you will have to solve a question: open your eyes and mind and use your location to find the right answer! Enjoy: While doing this discovery trail, you will get to know the city from another point of view. Even locals discover new facts while doing secret city trails! Discover unique locations around town that even most locals don’t know about. See renowned landmarks from a different angle, literally. Find independent cheese and candle making shops, discover the cutest courtyards and learn about the city’s curious statues.

Haarlem: Open Boat City Highlights Cruise

4. Haarlem: Open Boat City Highlights Cruise

Join this guided boat trip along the Spaarne River and see the sights from Haarlem’s oldest open canal. Immerse yourself in the stunning views of Teylers Museum, St. Elisabeth Gasthuis, St. Bavo Church, and many more famous buildings. Meet your guide and fellow travelers at the pier to begin your tour. Jump aboard, take a seat and enjoy the scenery from the open boat.  Cruise along the magnificent Spaarne to the Nieuwe Gracht. Admire the Wildemansbrug, Begijnebrug, and Korte Jansbrug bridges. Glide along the river and listen as your guide tells you about Haarlem’s history as you glide along the river. Make sure you take photos of iconic sights and monuments, such as the former hospital De Egelantier, de Nieuwe Kerk, the new church, and the city theater. See iconic sights such as the Kathedraal Sint Bavo, club Patronaat, Barnaart residence, the medieval horse stables, Adrian’s Windmill, Teylers Museum, and the St. Bavo Church.

Frequently asked questions about Haarlem

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Other Sightseeing Options in Haarlem

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What people are saying about Haarlem

It was amazing how this museum, with the extraordinary experts work here, can united people and can make the time stop. For me it was moment of turning to myself and also to open my mind for the important things. The power of the knowledge and the wisdom of the memory.

You can also see sides of Haarlem that you otherwise only get to see to a limited extent as a tourist and can get a first impression. However, if you want to experience the sights of Haarlem, you should do the Haarlem Boat Tour.

Wasn't completely up to date, because on the square behind the town hall there was a statue that we couldn't reach. The entire area had been cordoned off for some time. Rest went well.

Great self guided tour. Got to see a lot of cool places in the city without the large groups of people you get in a normal tour. Highly recommend.

It was really nice, you heard a lot about Haarlem, a festive feeling to spend a Sunday afternoon like that. Recommended