Apeldoorn Things to Do Tips by vtveen

‘Paleis Het Loo’ was built in 1686 Stadtholder William III and used for almost 300 years as a (summer) palace by members of our Royal family. Queen Wilhelmina lived here till the year of 1972.After a huge restoration palace and gardens are back in their original state. Since 1984 ‘Paleis Het Loo’ is a national museum and open for public.

Roughly there are four parts of the museum, which can be visited:
- Just behind the ticket booth are the Royal Mews with carriages and old cars. In one
building is a yearly changing photo exposition of the Royal Family in the 20th century. Here is also a café/restaurant.
TIP: this part can be visited free of charge !

- Two wings of the palace: the East Wing with the Museum of the Chancellery of Dutch Orders and a art collection (open from 13.00 hours). In the West Wing are always temporary exhibitions.
- The main building with lots of rooms to visit (guided or unguided). Rooms are decorated with original furniture, china, portraits, court-dresses and so on. They display the lives of the members of the Royal Family who lived in the palace. In the main building is another café/restaurant and the museum shop with unique ‘royal’ gifts.
- The gardens. Here you will understand why ‘Paleis Het Loo’ is called ‘Versailles of the North’.

Be aware you will have to do a lot of walking when visiting the palace. From the car park through the palace to the end of the Upper Garden will be a couple of km’s !!

Special Events
- Around Christmas "Christmas at the Palace Het Loo".
- A Royal View over the gardens: the roof of the palace is open for public on Eastern, Queensday, Whit Sunday and Monday and on Wednesday’s of June, July and August;
- Monthly concert: every last Friday in the Ballroom of the palace (see for more information www.paleisconcerten.nl).

Openinghours and admission see website (Dutch, English, French and German).

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Phone: 055-5772400
Address: Koninklijk Park 1, Apeldoorn
Directions: By car: follow the signs 'Paleis Het Loo' along the highways A1 and A50.
By public transport from the railway/bus station: lines: 102 and 104 - stop 'Paleis Het Loo'; lines: 5, 10, 96 - stop 'Gedenknaald'.
On foot: 40 minutes from the railway/bus station.
Website: www.paleishetloo.nl
Other Contact: info@paleishetloo.nl

It was already a long time ago since my last visit to the Apenheul, the primate park in Apeldoorn. I really have to admit that there have been a lot of changes within the park and I almost did not recognise it. The setting in the middle of the woods of ‘Park Berg en Bos’ is amazing with bamboo bushes, lots of flowers and everywhere small streams and ponds. Sometimes I felt walking in the ‘rain forest’ (perhaps because it rained cats and dogs during my visit).

Absolutely highlight of the Apenheul is the fact that many of the monkeys are allowed to mingle with the visitors. And it is so fascinating seeing them running, playing, fighting, eating so close to you.
Specially the feedings are worth visiting (at the entrance of the ‘zoo’ you get a leaflet with a schedule of these feedings). Other groups are living on large islands surrounded by water.
There are almost 30 species of primates in Apenheul among them gorilla’s, urang utan's, barbary macaques, sifakas, gibbons, bonobos and squirrel monkeys.

But the ‘Apenheul’ offers more: as well other animals as playgrounds for the kids. There are also two restaurants and a gift shop.

Some remarks for a visit:
- be aware it is a rather long walk from the car park to the monkeys;
- ask for a brochure of the ‘Apenheul’ at the cash desk;
- also at the cash deck a cheaper token for the car park;
- at the entrance of the ‘Apenheul’ you get a monkey proof bag for all your belongings;
- it is strictly forbidden to feed the animals !!!

2006:
Apenheul is open from 1 April till 1 November, daily from 9.30 am till 5 pm. (July and August till 6 pm). Entrance fee: adults euro 15,00 / children 3 – 9 years euro 12,00.

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Phone: + 31 55 3575757
Address: J.C. Wilslaan 21 - 31, Apeldoorn
Directions: By car: Apenheul is very well signposted.
By public transportation: from the railway station by local bus line 3.
Website: www.apenheul.nl
Other Contact: office@apenheul.nl

C(ultuur) O(nder) D(ak) A(peldoorn) is an unique museum with a mixture of old and new.

CODA matches the former Historical Museum and the Van Reekum Museum for modern art, the Public Library of the town and the local archives.

CODA is situated close to the centre of town in a brand new building. Take a look at their website for the current exhibitions.

CODA has a small shop (also accessible for non-museum visitors) with some interesting gifts and a lot of books of Apeldoorn's history. There is also a cafe.

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Address: Vosselmanstraat, Apeldoorn
Directions: Within walking distance from the city centre of Apeldoorn
Website: www.coda-apeldoorn.nl

Close to Apeldoorn you will find the 'main' station Beekbergen of the so called 'Veluwsche Stoomtrein Maatschappij'.

This organisation of volunteers does have a big depot with a museum, a restored station building, a new platform, a huge hall for maintenance of the several steam locs and lots of other 'steamy' stuff.

For their (steam)train rides they use the 100 year old railway between Apeldoorn and Dieren. Most of the rides take place during summer and some school holidays. But there are also rides on other days, even in the winter.
Check the complete schedule on their website.

A very special journey is the combination between a ride with the steamtrain from Apeldoorn to Dieren, a boat trip from Dieren to Zutphen over the river IJssel and back to Apeldoorn with a regular train.

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Address: Dorpstraat 140, Beekbergen
Directions: Easy accessible by car or bicycle.
By bus: take line 43 from Apeldoorn or Dieren and leave at the stop "de Kerk" in Beekbergen, then you have to walk about 15 minutes.
Train rides leave also from the railway station in Apeldoorn.
Website: www.stoomtrein.org
Other Contact: info@stoomtrein.org

A great way to explore one of the finest parts of my hometown is to make a walk through five city parks.

Just start at the office of the VVV (Tourist Information Centre) and take the 'Kerklaan'. After a couple of hundred metres you will come at the 'Oranjepark'(extra picture 1). This is the oldest park in town, opened in 1876 in the presence of King William III. Cross the bridge and pass our local war memorial and a large bench.

On the other side of the street is the smallest park we do have in Apeldoorn: 'Prins Hendrikplein' (extra picture 2). It is a gift to the council, provided that it always has to remain a public park. In front of the school turn right and immediately turn left into the 'Oranjelaan'.

After 100 meters you will reach the 'Wilhelminapark' (extra picture 3), named after one of our Queens. Take the small bridge (on your left hand another monumental bench) and turn right at the first path. At the end (on the other side of the road) you have to follow the wooden fence to the left. Enjoy the view of the villa 'Marialust'.

At the end of the fench cross the road and follow the 'Van Haersma de Withlaan', on your right hand side is the 'Prinsenpark' (extra picture 4). Again with a lovely pond. Cross the bridge and turn right to another war monument. On the road you have to turn right.

On the crossing go straight on and you enter the last of the five parks: 'Verzetstrijderspark' (main picture). Most remarkable is the impressive white building of the villa 'Marialust'. It has been built in 1825 and is the only remaining rural estate from the 19th century. On this side of the town of Apeldoorn were three of these estates and two of them were sold and subdivided from the year 1875. Nowadays a highly appreciated residential area with lots of beautiful houses. Here ends your walk, you can turn back to town along the 'Wilhelminapark' or stroll through the streets of this area and find your way back to the city centre.

See also my tip: Monuments in the parks of Apeldoorn.

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Directions: 'Parkenbuurt', Apeldoorn

In the city parks of Apeldoorn there are a lot of interesting monuments and memorials.

Oranjepark: a stone bench as a reminder of H.C. van Oordt the founder of our oldest park; the bench has been placed there in 1892.

Prins Hendrikplein: in 1933 a tree was planted just opposite the school as a reminder of the birth of Prince William of Orange in 1533; the tree is surrounded by an iron fench with the both dates and some symbols of the House of Orange.

Wilhelminapark: another monumental bench as a tribute to one of our mayors: H.P.J. Tutein Nolthenius; it was unveiled March 9 in the year of 1932. In former days this mayor lived just opposite the bench at Wilhelminapark number 7.

Close to Prinsenpark: an oak planted on January 7 in the year of 1937on the occasion of the marriage between Princess Juliana and Prins Bernhard. Around the tree there are six stones connected with iron tubes; on these stones are the first letters J and B and those of their four daughters.

Verzetstrijderspark: just before the bridge is another memorial bench, this one is for Mister M. van Wijhe, one of the city councillors. The bench was unveiled in 1934. There is a wonderful view over the pond from this bench.

See also tip: 'a walk through our city parks'.

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Directions: 'Parkenbuurt' Apeldoorn

Apeldoorn has a strong bond with the house of Orange (Oranje). So it is not strange at all to find a bike tour called 'Oranjeroute', starting in Apeldoorn. This route is a mixture between some royal (Oranje) highlights in the city, with perhaps some of the most scenic areas on the Veluwe.

We could pick up the route 75 metres from our home, but for visitors the best starting point may be the station. In front of the station starts the 'Stationsstraat', just enter this street and soon you will see on of the hexagonal signs 'ORANJE route'.

The only thing you have to do (besides 'some' pedalling on your bike) is to follow these signs and after 35 km's you will return on your starting point. It will take 2½ hours biking, but there are a lot of benches along the route and you also can stop for a drink in Assel or Hoog Soeren.
Although we know the area very well, we noticed again how hilly the Veluwe is. If you are not an experienced biker this trip will be rather challenging.

The highlights along the route:
- Oranjepark*: a real city park
- Grote Kerk*: the church of the royal family, if they are staying in Apeldoorn
- Statue of Queen Wilhelmina*: just in front of the church
- Loolaan: one of Apeldoorn’s most beautiful avenue’s
- De Naald*: an obelisk in honour of the engagement of Queen Wilhelmina and Duke Hendrik
- Man with Two Hats*: monument to mark the liberation of the Netherlands
- Palace Het Loo: just behind De Naald starts a drive way to the palace
- Koningin Julianatoren: an amusement park for children
- Hoog Soeren*: ‘mountain village’ (make a short detour for your coffee or lunch)
- the Veluwe: all the way scenic drive through forests and heath (with some pools)

* see tips on my Apeldoorn page.

For rental bikes see 'transportation tip'.

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Directions: Starting at the train station in Apeldoorn
The Tourist Information Centre (VVV) has a map of the route.

The 'Aardhuis' is part of the so called 'Kroondomein Het Loo'; the forest on the Veluwe, which once belonged to the Palace Het Loo.

It did get its name from the 'Aardmansberg', almost the highest elevation on the Veluwe with 102 metres. The chalet was built by King William III in the year of 1861. Prince Hendrik (husband of Queen Wilhelmina) used it as a hunting lodge. Parts of the building are still the same as in that old days. Specially the hunting room is full of historic furniture, paintings and antlers.

Nowadays the building is a (small) museum with a lot of information about the wildlife of the Veluwe. Each year there is also a special exposition wit a nature theme (for instance in 2006 "Everything about birds of prey and owls").

At the building starts a signposted walk along a huge meadow, through a forest, which allows you to see different kind of (red) deer and wild boars. The walk does take about one hour.

You can have a drink or coffee and there is also a giftshop.
Aardhuis is open from April till October.

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Phone: 055 - 5191337
Directions: Along the 'Amersfoortseweg' - N 344, about 7 km's from Apeldoorn; accessible by public transportation from the train/busstation (route 102 and 104)
Website: www.aardhuis.nl
Other Contact: info@aardhuis.nl

Recently (May 2006) the Veluwe got a new network of bike paths. Now it is possible to create your 'own' biketour with assistance of this new system. And you can decide how many km's you want to do on your 'own' tour.

Everywhere on the Veluwe and also in the city of Apeldoorn are so called 'junctions' with a number. For instance on the picture: number 61. Here you decide to which junction you want to bike next and just have to follow the numbered signs to the junction you have chosen. At last you can return to the point where your started your bike tour.

Besides these bike paths there are also signposted biketours (see for instance tip about Oranjeroute) available in and around Apeldoorn.

The VVv and ANWB-offices do have a map of these new numbered network of bike paths on the Veluwe.

For rental bikes see my 'transportation tip'.

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Website: www.fietsroutenetwerkveluwe.nl

Bussloo is a huge artificial lake (more than 100 hectare), which came into being during the construction of the nearby motorway A1. It is situated between the cities of Apeldoorn, Deventer and Zutphen.

Specially on warm and hot days a lot of inhabitants of these cities are looking for cooling on the beaches of Bussloo. Some days there are more than ten thousand visitors !! It is a really good place for swimming, sunbathing, surfing, diving, walking and biking.
Along the borders are six beaches (even a beach for naturists), food and drink kiosks, play grounds for children and volleyball fields.

One of the kiosks/restaurants offers nowadays ‘18 holes Pitch&Putt Golf’ (http://www.pitch-putt.nl/index_banen.asp?baan_id=19). And specially for the kids there is a so called ‘minihaven’; a harbour with real small boats, which can be sailed by the children itself (http://www.minihaven.nl).

There is NO entrance fee, you just have to pay for the compulsory car parks (high season 4 euro per day). Bussloo is easy accessible by car (10 minutes from Apeldoorn) and bike (30 minutes from Apeldoorn).

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Directions: In the middle of the triangle of the cities of Apeldoorn, Deventer and Zutphen
Directions: http://www.viamichelin.com (enter ‘Netherlands’ and city/area ‘Bussloo’).
Website: http://www.rgv.nl/pages/gebieden/bussloo.php