Zaans Museum — Attraction in Zaanstad

Zaanse Schans is an incredible place to experience Dutch history and culture all in one spot — a must-visit if you're anywhere near Amsterdam! I started off at the Zaans Museum, which is a great intro to the area’s rich industrial and cultural past. You can buy an all-in-one pass there that gives you access to all the windmills, the windmill museum, and various other attractions around the park — definitely worth it.

There’s so much to see and do. The walk around the park is beautiful, and you really get a feel for what life was like in the Netherlands centuries ago. You’ll find several charming restaurants, and one bakery in particular stands out — they serve these unbelievably good cinnamon apple pastries. Honestly, I could have eaten five of them, but I managed to hold back and only have one (no regrets, though).

Along the way, there are lots of interesting stops — including a clock museum and plenty of little workshops and displays that show traditional crafts and trades. I learned that the idea of gathering the windmills here began over 20 years ago, and they’ve continued to expand and improve it ever since. It's clearly a labor of love and pride.

One unique highlight: while walking along the path to one of the windmills, I came across a man selling fresh orange juice — perfect for a hot June day. It was cold, fresh, and incredibly refreshing. Highly recommend grabbing a bottle if you see him.

Back at the Zaans Museum, they’ve got a lovely little café where I stopped for a quick espresso to recharge. I also tried their apple pie, which was surprisingly good — classic Dutch and just sweet enough.

Pro tip: Get there early! The parking fills up fast, and the area gets pretty warm and busy as the day goes on. Morning is the best time to enjoy the peacefulness and take your time exploring. And yes — there are tons of souvenir opportunities if you're looking to bring something home - especially cheese wheels. They have a cheese store where you can taste the different cheeses too.

Overall, Zaanse Schans was one of the highlights of my trip. A full day here is well worth it — fun, educational, and delicious...

Our family memory was Destroyed by the museum Staff's Behavior. The staff member who singled us out and treated us harshly was neither a young temporary employee nor a senior staff, and unfortunately, she did not wear a name tag.

Here is the story.

Amsterdam is a beautiful city with a rich history and welcoming people. Windmills and this area's historical and practical significance were truly fascinating to explore. However, our experience at Zaans Museum on June 8th ‘25 was overshadowed by a deeply upsetting event.

It was an unusually cold and windy day for June, with temperatures about 10℃. During unexpected heavy rain, my family—along with many others—stood near the entrance for shelter. While others remained undisturbed, we were singled out and aggressively shouted at, forced to either enter or leave immediately.The excessive and humiliating treatment felt like we were being made an example of.

We had only been waiting for about 10–15 minutes—shorter than some other visitors—and our children (one in elementary school and one in middle school) were not running around or causing any disturbance. While sheltering, we spoke with other families about the unexpected rain and where to find rain gear.

Seeing other visitors sitting in café seats without purchases and being left alone only made the experience more frustrating. We sincerely hope this was not discrimination, but as an Asian family, it felt unfair and deeply disappointing.

What should have been a wonderful family moment in a historically rich setting became a distressing memory, leaving us angered and saddened. I sincerely hope that other visitors experiencing a lifetime event in this place will never go through...

The Zaans Museum is a cultural and historical museum located in Zaandam, the Netherlands, near the famous Zaanse Schans. It offers a fascinating look at the industrial and cultural heritage of the Zaan region, which played a crucial role in Dutch economic history.

What to See at the Zaans Museum?

Dutch Industrial History – Learn about the region’s contribution to the Dutch Golden Age, including windmills, shipbuilding, and food production.

The Verkade Experience – This section of the museum recreates an early 20th-century chocolate and biscuit factory, where visitors can see old machines and even smell the delicious aromas.

Traditional Dutch Crafts – The museum exhibits wooden clogs, cheese-making tools, and traditional Dutch costumes.

Zaanse Schans Connection – The museum provides historical context to the nearby open-air museum, where visitors can explore working windmills and historic houses.

Art and Photography – A collection of paintings, photographs, and artifacts showcasing daily life in the Zaan region over the centuries.

Why Visit the Zaans Museum?

It’s an interactive and family-friendly museum that brings Dutch industrial history to life.

The Verkade chocolate factory experience is fun for visitors of all ages.

It’s the perfect starting point before exploring Zaanse Schans, one of the Netherlands' most famous cultural...