Arnhem Things to Do

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The Kröller-Müller Museum, to the North of Arnhem, boasts the second largest collection of Van Gogh's as well as a sculpture garden, and is surrounded by- unexpectedly for Holland- a large area of inland sand dunes, traversed by a single cycle path. Looming out of the desert landscape, it makes for a surreal sight, and nothing like one would have imagined.

Bikes can be hired from the National Park entrance (we walked, but on a hot day, this makes no sense) and deposited at the Museum. As we were staying in Arnhem, we found a ride on a free park minibus which took us to a village outside the park, from where buses to Arnhem were regular.

As we did, this can easily be combined in a day with the Oorlogsmuseum, and will certainly make for a different kind of cultural experience to the stately art galleries and collections of the Dutch cities.

Though somewhat off the beaten track, this museum- the work of a collector, is a fascinating, intricately detailed insight into the events prior to, during and after the Market Garden campaign of 1944. Upon entering the building (a school house used by the Gestapo and Dutch Resistance during the events), there could be no preparation for the scale of the Tardis-like interior. Meticulously, the curator, whose knowledge and enthusiasm far exceeds expected, has compiled a collection of what must have been over 300 firearms, as well as uniforms, maps, furniture and other exhibits (my personal favourite being the motorbike inside a canister, as dropped by the British Army). Well worth the entrance fee, cannot be missed for anyone with any interest in, connection with, or knowledge of Market Garden. Children will be bewildered by the weapons even if the history doesn't sink in.

I spent over an hour walking around looking for internet access, and finally found "Gamewalker Arnhem" right downtown. Very easy to miss as it's just in a row of shops. Reasonably priced. Also has games.

In Arnhem are more castles..I like visit a castle..

guided tour:15 april t/m 31 oktober on teusday t/m saterday 10-17 en sunday 11-17 our. last tour on 16 our. adults € 3,60 and childeren t/m 12 year € 1,60.

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Burgers Zoo was opened on 31 March 1913 for the public. The Zoo was owned by Johan Burgers. Till today the Zoo is still family owned.

Burgers Zoo has arreas with themes. These themes are:

Bush

Enter the colourfull world of the rainforest. You will experience the humid heat, dense vegetation, smells and sounds. While walking through the bush, you will find animals walking around. Like birds, lizzards and fruit bats.

Desert

The desert looks like one from the Sonora & Mojave desert in Arizona (USA) and the north of Mexico. Depending on the season it can be really hot or freezing cold. You will find these plants/trees: cactus, agave, yucca and short leaved trees & bushes. In this rocky landscape there are living colourfull sining-birds & turkey vultures, peccary, bighorn and bobcats.

Ocean

The tropical coral reef. You will find hundreds of colourfull fish, a giant coral reef with corals and sponges.

Mangrove

In the tropics exist special tidal forests. These salt water tidal forests are called mangroves. The trees have there roots in these waters. When you walk through the Mangrove you will find Darters, mangrove heron, river turtles and sail lizards.

Safari

The east African savannah. At the Zoo you will see cheetahs and a lyon family. You can watch them from a wooden observation hut. You will also see giraffes, zebras, waterbucks, kudus and gnus/wildebeest.

Rimba

The Malaysian rainforest. At the rainforest you will find aninmal species that are living up here: Malaysian bears, siamangs, laponders, deers, bantengs and impressive Asian cattles. You will also find pythons and dragons.

You can enter the Zoo every day of the year. Including public holidays.

The fares for the Zoo are (till 31 March 2011):

0 till 3 years free
4 till 9 years € 16.50
10 till 64 years € 18.50
65 years and older € 17.50 (you have to bring your ID with you)

At the till of the Zoo you can buy a coin for the parking place. This will cost you € 3.

Dogs and other pets are not allowed at the Zoo.

Email: info@burgerszoo.nl

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The Open Air Museum is created in a hilly part at the North side of the city of Arnhem. This area was transformed in the 18th century into the Waterberg estate with a forest and farmland by mayor Adriaan Menthen.

The museum was an idea of Frederic Adolph Hoefer, who wanted to conserve old buildings and factories and the related knowledge and art of living.

In 1918 the museum started after 6 buildings were relocated to the park.

The former farmland now is the central meadow; most of the forest with many beech and pine trees is still there, but some part was transformed into the herb garden and nursery garden.

Through the years many more buildings were added and you can easily spend a full day here without getting bored. Many volunteers operate old machinery and show you things in the way they used to be.

In 1996 tram tracks were added. The former Rotterdam and The Hague trams makes the park easier visitable.

Next to the entrance is a shop and food court and a basement cinema.

Throughout the park are several restaurants serving traditional food (pancakes) and other goodies. The brewery has free samples to taste and there are some traditional shops (bread and candy).

Admission fees:
Adults € 14.20
Children 4 - 12 years old € 10.00
Parking (per vehicle) € 4.50

Opening times:
From 1 April to 1 November: daily from 10AM - 5PM.
Check the website for Winter openings and events.

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In September 1944 more than ten thousand British and Polish Airbome troops fought in and around Arnhem. Their objective was to take the Rhine bridge. Six hundred of them managed to reach the bridge. Waiting for reinforcements they fought for four days holding the Northern ramp. The rest of the force, however, didn't succeed in reaching them. Those held out for five more days at Oosterbeek before finally making their way across the Rhine to Allied held ground. Only 2.293 made it back to England.

During the battle the Hartenstein hotel in Oosterbeek was the headquarters of the British divisional commander, Major-Genera R.E. Urquhart. The Airborne Museum is situated in this very building. There you can follow the events of the battle as they materialised: from the air landings, the march to the bridge, the fierce fighting in Arnhem and Oosterbeek, to the crossing of the river. British and German arms, equipment and ammunition, abandoned at Arnhem some dug up in later times, authentic film footage, true to life dioramas and an audiovisual presentation make a penetrating picture of the tragedy for which Amhem and Oosterbeek were the stage in September 1944.

Whatever you do: do not, I repeat do not forget !!! to take a walk around the Museum, there are maps available in the museum . WARNING: This walk will not make you very happy, you can actually feel the pain of those who fought here, you can almost smell their fear and hear their screams... But to my opinion this little walk was the most impressive hour of my life. And probably will be for quite a while. (TIP: visit this museum in the autumn, that makes it even more impressive.)

By the way: This museum has got a much bigger display of weapons, diorama's, maps, videos, etc. etc. than the other WWII museum.

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I hadn't expected to get a castle visit in on a trip to the Netherlands but it turns out Holland has a rich heritage of fortified stately homes. One of the best for location and atmosphere is Kasteel Doorwerth, overlooking the Rhine West of Arnhem. Reconstructed after heavy damage in WW2, it resembles a quite bizarre fusion of Germanic grandeur and English cosiness. There is a museum on the top floor on the theme of ecological management.