Top Things to do in North Holland Province
Top Restaurants in North Holland Province
What to do and see in North Holland Province, The Netherlands: The Best Free Things to do
Mostly jutting northward from its largest city of Amsterdam and its capital of Haarlem, the Noord-Holland region has much more to offer beyond those two wonderful cities. At Muiden is the magnificent Muiderslot Castle, as if it stepped out of a fairy tale. Showing more wear but no less interesting is Brederode Castle at Santpoort. At Zaanstad is Zaanse Schans, one of Holland’s top tourist destinations and a family-friendly open air museum of windmills, traditional buildings, crafts and shops.
Restaurants in North Holland Province
1. Vondelpark
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24,690 reviews
Amsterdam's most famous park was designed and built in 1850 and today is a popular place for tourists and residents who can enjoy a variety of outdoor activities such as biking, hiking, jogging and picnicking.
Reviewed By KatieRT1 - Princes Risborough, United Kingdom
Such a pretty park and the perfect location if you’re hiring bikes and worried about cycling on the road! The park also offers and restaurant and a pub so you don’t even have to leave for refreshments.
2. The Jordaan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,726 reviews
This charming neighborhood is Amsterdam's Greenwich Village, with its narrow alleys, leafy canals lined with 17th-century houses, quirky specialty shops, cafes and designer boutiques.
Reviewed By rickcardo - St. John's, Canada
Wander around and see all the quirky shops and the market.Then take a cruise on the canal se it all from a different perspective.So many unique buildings and odd decorations on homes.Safe too.
3. Zaanse Schans
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 8,189 reviews
This open air museum recreates a Dutch village with wooden houses and windmills dating from the 17th and 18th centuries.
Reviewed By irashafran - Winter Park, United States
Best day trip and real taste of Dutch life and a most beautiful and charming small town with windmills, small shops and great old hotel.... Setting gorgeous surrounded by picturesque waterways and homes with backdrop of a massive dam .... Ingrid lives there and showed us her beautiful home
4. Zandvoort aan Zee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 900 reviews
Reviewed By 935susannek - Stockholm, Sweden
Going to Zandvoort aan Zee was a great bonus to our Amsterdam vacation. Only 30 minutes with train from Amsterdam Central you think that you are in Greece, Spain or Italy. A seemingly endless, clean beach with the possibility to find something to eat and drink a long the way. If the weather permits, I will plan for a day at Zandvoort aan Zee the next time I go to Amsterdam.
5. The Corrie ten Boom House
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 969 reviews
Reviewed By Dahlke8 - La Vernia, United States
The Ten Boom family’s incredible sacrifice to help the Jewish people and the Dutch Resistance during WWII is carefully preserved and retold by passionate and caring guides! Dina introduced us to the Ten Boom’s, their incredible faith in Christ, and then walked us through their home, to include the Hiding Place. This is a must visit, as is the beautiful town of Haarlem, if you are in Amsterdam.
6. Landgoed Zonnestraal
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 68 reviews
The Sanatorium Zonnestraal by architect Duiker is one of the earliest and most important examples of architecture of the Modern Movement. Apart from a high point in architectural history, the complex is also an important social landmark. Conceived as a follow-up colony cure tuberculosis sufferers prepare for their reintegration into society, is the brainchild of Sunbeam trade unionist Jan van Zutphen (1863-1958). His ideal is realized with money that the diamond workers union brings together the TB Patients on its members to help.Monthly tourEvery last Sunday of the month there are tours (1 ½ hour) provided by a professional guide. These tours start at 12.00 hours and 14.00 hours from Dresselhuis Pavilion (nr. 19). One should specify in advance to Landgoed Zonnestraal
7. Geitenboerderij Ridammerhoeve
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 192 reviews
Reviewed By Wellsie17 - Amstelveen, The Netherlands
A must visit when wandering around the Bos, where the kids can wander freely amongst the goats, pigs and chickens, feeding them and brushing the goats. Also a good play area and maze to run around. Fab restaurant to enjoy local produce.
8. Clara Maria Cheese & Clog Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 253 reviews
The Clara Maria Cheese Farm and Clog Factory is set in the pastoral polder landscape just southwest of Amsterdam. This historic 160-year old farm creates an inviting atmosphere for visitors to step back into old-world charm. The original barn has been charmingly transformed into the wooden shoe factory and the cheese making room, with a spacious, nostalgic gift shop that has a large variety of Dutch souvenirs. Visitors are welcome to drop in for a tour and to taste a variety of our delicious, freshly made cheese.
Reviewed By StuartFamAbroad - Brussels, Belgium
Our family had the pleasure of spending a few hours at Clara Maria last weekend. We had an absolutely AMAZING time! Not only did we get to learn all about clogs, make and taste cheese, and enjoy coffee and yummy dutch apple pie, but we also got to know the farmer, Kees-Jan, and his wife, Katrina. They are incredibly warm and welcoming! This is not a commercial type place, this is a working family farm. Kees-Jan took our kids out to the hay barn to climb through the tunnels, let the kids pet and feet baby cows, and spent a lot of time telling us about how things work on the farm. The entire staff treated us like family and welcomed us with open arms. We stocked up on yummy cheese, several Holland souvenirs, and left with smiles on all our faces. It was absolutely the highlight of our weekend in the Netherlands. We will absolutely be back!
9. Kennemerduinen an der Nordsee
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 111 reviews
Reviewed By PierreW258 - Brussels, Belgium
There are trains every half hour to Overveen, just 24 minutes, the park is one kilometer from the station. Just after the entrance you reach a small lake suitable for a bath or swim, this area is mostly aimed at small children with sand, dunes, forest. Then you can follow the blue trail, 10 kilometers through the pristine nature to the sea and beach and back, on the way back it passes an island where birds nest.
10. Grote Markt
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,190 reviews
Reviewed By springlering - Marietta, United States
We have been in Haarlem for several days, and have visited the Square each day. Our own home has a classic town square, and we’ve grown to appreciate how they change character each visit, as does this one. Surrounded by excellent shopping, quaint streets and alleys, with a stunning church and historic buildings, there are nice restaurants to hang out at, a bustling Saturday market, and for those of you who might share our secret vice, lots of Pokestops to hold your interest. The VVV (tourist information) on the square has several nice brochures featuring historic or memorial walks. Or (and this is the nuttiest tourist tip you’ll ever get) download Pokemon (a free app). Real world locations (or “Pokestops”) are points of interest that locals have added to the game. Particularly in Haarlem, we’ve found all kinds of local buildings, small statues, architectural features and more unique and easy to miss features and oddities we never would have noticed had other players not flagged them on the easy to follow 3D map that is part of the game. Pop into St Bavo’s and see if you are lucky enough to catch an organ rehearsal or concert. The little visitors center next to the big visitors center has a beautifully produced film with a history of Haarlem that is worth seeing.
