The best things to do in Eindhoven, from arcade to museum

It's Saturday morning and you're scrolling through your phone for the fifth time, looking for an idea. The kids are lounging on the couch, bored out of their minds, your partner asks for the third time "so, what are we doing today", and outside hangs that typical Dutch drizzle that can't decide whether it wants to rain or not. Sound familiar? Then you're not the only one searching for the best things to do in Eindhoven.

Maybe it's not even a family day, but a Friday night with no plan. Your group chat is full of "does anyone know something fun" and "not in the mood for the bar again". Or you're looking for something more original than yet another cinema date, something where you actually get to know each other (and get to challenge each other a bit).

Good news: Eindhoven is bursting with options, from cultural highlights to pure action. In this guide, we've lined up the best things to do in Eindhoven, topped by the place where active families, close-knit groups of friends, and couples in love secretly have the most fun. Spoiler alert: it involves neon lights, racing simulators, and a prize wall full of temptations.

1. Gamestate Eindhoven: the ultimate mix of gaming, action, and good times 🕹️

Looking for activities in Eindhoven that work for everyone, from age 6 to 60? Sooner or later, you'll land at [Gamestate Eindhoven](/en/eindhoven). And that's not without reason. At Stationsplein 45, right in the buzzing city centre near Eindhoven Centraal station, you'll find one of the largest arcade halls in the Benelux. Think of it as a neon-lit playground for adults and kids alike, with more than 90 life-size games under one roof.

For families looking for a day out

As a parent, you know the scenario: after a morning of walking around the city, little legs are suddenly "so, so tired", but the moment they spot a racing simulator or a skee-ball lane, that tiredness melts away like snow in the sun. At Gamestate, there's something for every age. The youngest ones (from around age 4) have a great time at the ticket games and claw machines, while teens quickly head for the Virtual Reality setups, like Beat Saber or The Walking Dead VR. Meanwhile, parents and kids challenge each other at air hockey or the basketball hoops, which is secretly also a workout for mum and dad.

A tip for smart planning: come by on Wednesday for Winners Wednesday. Most games are half price then, making it perfect for an afternoon during school holidays without your wallet putting up a fight.

For friends, couples, and group outings

Gamestate isn't just a family hotspot. For young adults looking for an original night out, a date that goes beyond just talking, or a hen or stag do with a bit more competitive edge than drinks at the bar, this is the Next Level destination in Eindhoven. A round of Mario Kart Arcade GP DX against your date guarantees fits of laughter and a topic of conversation for the rest of the evening. For groups, the prize wall at the end makes for a great shared moment: everyone pools their tickets and together you decide who gets to pick which prize.

The ease of the Playcard system

One thing visitors mention time and again: the Playcard system makes everything so much easier. Instead of lugging around loose coins, you simply load credit onto a card. That balance and any tickets remain valid indefinitely, so even if you don't use it all up today, you just use the rest on your next visit. This is also ideal for groups: no one has to split the bill or get change, everyone simply tops up their own card.

A useful tip: register your Playcard online before you visit. Not only does that come with an extra bonus, your balance is also protected if you happen to lose the card.

Opening hours and accessibility

Gamestate Eindhoven is located at Stationsplein 45, within walking distance of Eindhoven Centraal station, making it one of the easiest things to do in the area to reach. If you're coming by car, there are several parking garages in the immediate vicinity of the city centre. Opening hours are generous: from Sunday to Thursday you're welcome from 12:00 to 00:00, and on Friday and Saturday the hall stays open until 01:00. No reservation is needed, which makes it a perfect plan B in case of rain, or simply for a spontaneous night out with friends.

| Day | Opening hours |

| --- | --- |

| Friday and Saturday | 12:00 to 01:00 |

| Sunday to Thursday | 12:00 to 00:00 |

Have questions in advance? Feel free to call 040 3047002 or email info@gamestate.com. Also check out the location page for [Gamestate Eindhoven](/en/eindhoven) for current information, and take a look at when the next [Winners Wednesday](/en/eindhoven) promotion takes place.

2. Van Abbemuseum: combining culture with an active afternoon 🎨

Want to combine your day in Eindhoven with something cultural? The Van Abbemuseum is well worth a visit. This modern art museum, located on the Bilderdijklaan alongside the Dommel river, is known for its thought-provoking temporary exhibitions and impressive collection of modern art. For teens who tend to shout "boring" the moment they hear the word museum, this one is surprisingly accessible thanks to its interactive installations.

Connection with Gamestate

Spending a morning wandering among the artworks and then letting loose at Gamestate in the afternoon or evening is a combination that works well for many families and groups of friends. The museum closes early in the evening, but Gamestate simply carries on until midnight (or later on weekends), so your day doesn't come to an abrupt end once the cultural part is done.

3. Genneper Parken: getting active outdoors before heading inside 🌳

If the weather cooperates, Genneper Parken is one of the greenest spots to completely unplug from screens for a while. You'll find walking trails along the Dommel, the historic Genneper Watermolen, and Genneper Hoeve, a petting zoo that always goes down well with the little ones. It's one of the more peaceful things to do in Eindhoven, ideal for a morning full of fresh air.

Connection with Gamestate

After a walk through the park, kids (and honestly, parents too) often have just enough energy left for an afternoon of gaming. Rain on the way? Just flip the order around: start indoors at Gamestate and take that walk through the park once the weather clears up. The beauty of not needing a reservation is that you only have to make that call on the day itself.

4. Philips Museum: technology and history in the heart of the city 🔬

Eindhoven grew into what it is today thanks to Philips, and you experience that whole story at the Philips Museum on Emmasingel. Interactive displays show how innovation has shaped the city for decades. For teens interested in tech and gaming, this makes a surprisingly fun stop, especially combined with other activities nearby in Eindhoven.

Connection with Gamestate

The museum is within walking distance of the city centre, and therefore relatively close to Stationsplein too. An afternoon soaking up technology and history, followed by an evening at the controls yourself at Gamestate's racing simulators or VR setups, is a combination that particularly appeals to tech-minded families and groups.

5. Eindhoven city centre: shopping, dining, and soaking up the atmosphere 🍔

No complete overview of things to do in Eindhoven would be finished without mentioning the city centre itself. Around Stratumseind, the Demer, and the Markt, you'll find a wide range of shops, terraces, and restaurants. From a quick sushi bite to an elaborate Italian dinner, there's something here for every moment. Especially on weekends, the centre is a lively place to unwind before or after an activity.

Connection with Gamestate

Since Gamestate Eindhoven sits right in the city centre, at Stationsplein 45, it makes the perfect start or finish to a night out in the city. Grab a bite on a terrace first, then take on the competition at the dance games or air hockey tables, and finish with a drink further down the street. For groups of friends and couples, this is the formula for a night out that goes beyond the standard pub crawl.

What's on in Eindhoven today?

Don't feel like planning much and just want to know where to go in Eindhoven today, regardless of the weather or the time? Then Gamestate is simply the most flexible choice on this list. No reservation is needed, the hall is fully indoors and climate-controlled, and the doors stay open into the late hours. While museums and theme parks close their doors at five or six, this place just carries on.

What we often hear from visitors is that they walked in with a vague plan ("let's just see what we feel like") and hours later were still going strong on their second or third round of racing. That's exactly why this spot so often comes out on top when people search for the best things to do in Eindhoven.

Ready for your visit to Gamestate?

Whether you chose a cultural morning at the Van Abbemuseum, a refreshing walk through Genneper Parken, or headed straight for the action, in the end each of these things to do near Eindhoven rounds off nicely with an evening at Gamestate Eindhoven, Stationsplein 45, right by the station. Feel free to combine your day in Eindhoven with museums, parks, or a bite in the city centre, and finish up at Gamestate until late in the evening. Check the [Gamestate Eindhoven location page](/en/eindhoven) beforehand for current opening hours and ongoing promotions, and plan your visit smartly on a Wednesday for Winners Wednesday. Register your Playcard online in advance and come by worry-free, even when the weather outside isn't cooperating.