Best things to do in Haarlem: arcades to historic hofjes

It's Friday afternoon and your phone is buzzing nonstop. "Feel like doing something tonight?" a friend texts, followed by a string of laughing emojis and then... nothing. Nobody has an idea, you already ticked off the cinema last month, and a terrace outing will probably get cancelled anyway with this Dutch weather.

Just as recognizable is the Saturday morning when the kids already find whatever you suggested "boring" within ten minutes, while the teenager in the corner can't put their phone down. You want something the whole family, from the youngest to the most critical teen, can get excited about. Something active, something fun, and without endless waiting in line.

Luckily, you don't have to look far. Haarlem is bursting with options, and in this guide we've rounded up the best things to do in Haarlem, from active and modern to relaxed and cultural. That way you'll know exactly what there is to do in Haarlem today, this weekend, or during the next school holiday, with a number one pick that gets every age group raising their hands.

1. Gamestate Haarlem: the best thing to do in Haarlem for everyone 🕹️

At Drossestraat 16 in Haarlem you'll find Gamestate Haarlem, a neon-lit arcade hall that's rightfully one of the best things to do in Haarlem. Where other outings often target just one audience, Gamestate entertains everyone: toddlers as young as four to adults still chasing their own high score. With more than 90 life-size games under one roof, you won't need a second location for a complete day or night full of action.

Something for every age, from toddlers to critical teens

The youngest visitors find their spot at the ticket redemption corner, where skee-ball and claw machines earn tickets that eventually turn into something fun from the prize wall. Teens who "think nothing is fun" change their minds fast the moment they put on a VR headset for Beat Saber, or climb behind the wheel of a racing simulator. And for the whole family together, there are air hockey tables and basketball hoops ready to go, ideal for a little sibling rivalry or parents wanting to prove they've still got it.

The convenience of the Playcard system

Instead of lugging around loose coins, you load credit onto your [Playcard](https://gamestate.com/nl/playcard), so you can just play without any hassle. Got credit left over? No problem, it simply stays ready for next time. A tip for anyone who likes to plan ahead: register your Playcard online in advance, it saves time on arrival and immediately gets you a bit of extra advantage.

Winners Wednesday and flexible opening hours

Wednesday is no ordinary day at Gamestate Haarlem. During [Winners Wednesday](https://gamestate.com/nl/winners-wednesday), most games are half price, which makes this day perfect during school holidays or for anyone planning a budget-friendly day out. You never need a reservation, you simply walk in whenever suits you. Gamestate Haarlem is open Sunday through Thursday until midnight and on Friday and Saturday until 1am, which also makes it a great last stop after a day full of other activities in the city.

The location is easy to reach from Haarlem station, within walking or cycling distance, and there are several parking options nearby. Check the full [Gamestate Haarlem location page](/en/haarlem) for current opening hours and the complete game lineup.

2. Teylers Museum: the oldest museum in the Netherlands 🧪

On the Spaarne, right in the heart of the historic city center, you'll find Teylers Museum: the oldest museum in the Netherlands, home to a stunning collection of fossils, scientific instruments and drawings by old masters. The nineteenth-century oval room alone is worth a photo, and for teens interested in technology and science, this corner of Haarlem is surprisingly captivating.

Connection with Gamestate

Teylers Museum makes an excellent morning activity for the cultural part of your day out. Where the museum closes its doors at five, the evening at Gamestate Haarlem is just getting started. Combine a morning full of fossils and science with an evening full of racing simulators and VR, and you've got a day in Haarlem that appeals to every age group.

3. Molen de Adriaan: a view over Haarlem 🏰

On the Spaarne, with a recognizable spot in Haarlem's skyline, stands Molen de Adriaan. From the viewing platform you get a beautiful view over the city, and inside you'll learn more about the history of the mill that burned down in 1932 and was later rebuilt. It's a fun, low-key outing of an hour at most, ideal to combine with a walk along the Spaarne.

Connection with Gamestate

After climbing the mill's stairs, kids especially still tend to have energy to burn. Gamestate Haarlem is just a short distance away and is the perfect place to burn it off, while parents will probably be ready for something active themselves after an afternoon soaking up culture.

4. Haarlemmerhout: walking, playing and getting some fresh air 🌳

The Haarlemmerhout is one of the oldest city parks in the Netherlands and a favorite among families with young children. There's a playground, plenty of room to run around, and in summer it's a popular picnic spot. On rainy days it's obviously less appealing, but on a dry afternoon it's a lovely place to simply have nothing to do.

Connection with Gamestate

Rain in the forecast, or is your afternoon not going quite as planned? Gamestate Haarlem is fully indoors and climate-controlled, making it the ideal backup if the park unexpectedly turns into a puddle. Plan a morning in the park and finish the day dry and active at Gamestate.

5. Boat tour on the Spaarne: Haarlem from the water ⛴️

A boat trip on the Spaarne shows you Haarlem from a completely different perspective. You'll sail past historic façades, drawbridges and the mill you may have already visited from the inside. For families with young children, this is a calm moment between two more active activities, and for couples a boat tour makes for a romantic little break too.

Connection with Gamestate

A boat tour usually takes no longer than an hour, leaving plenty of time for something more active afterward. Combine the calm of the water with the energy of Gamestate Haarlem, and you've got a day that shifts from relaxed to competitive, exactly how a great day out should feel.

Opening hours at a glance

| Activity | Opening hours | Reservation needed? |

| --- | --- | --- |

| Gamestate Haarlem | Sun to Thu until midnight, Fri and Sat until 1am | No |

| Teylers Museum | Tue to Sun, usually until 5pm | Recommended during school holidays |

| Molen de Adriaan | Varies by season | No |

| Haarlemmerhout | Always accessible | No |

| Spaarne boat tour | Depends on provider and season | Yes, book in advance |

What this comparison makes immediately clear: Gamestate Haarlem is the only activity on this list that stays open late into the evening and remains accessible without a reservation. Exactly the kind of flexibility you need on a day that doesn't go according to plan, or had no plan at all.

Ready for your visit to Gamestate?

Whether you choose a morning full of fossils at Teylers Museum or an afternoon of fresh air in the Haarlemmerhout, chances are your day will end best at Gamestate Haarlem on Drossestraat 16. Feel free to combine your day in Haarlem, and wrap it up at Gamestate Haarlem well into the evening. Plan your visit smartly on a Wednesday for Winners Wednesday, register your [Playcard online](https://gamestate.com/nl/playcard) in advance, and come by without any worries, even in the rain. That's how your outing in Haarlem becomes just that bit more Next Level.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Haarlem

**Do I need to make a reservation for Gamestate Haarlem?**

No, at Gamestate Haarlem you can always walk in without a reservation. That makes it an ideal plan B for rainy days, or simply when you spontaneously feel like an evening of playing.

**Is Gamestate Haarlem suitable for young children?**

Definitely. From around age four there's plenty to do, from the ticket redemption corner to air hockey with the whole family. Teens and adults find their own favorite games there too.

**What exactly is Winners Wednesday?**

Every Wednesday, most games at Gamestate Haarlem are half price. Ideal during school holidays or for anyone planning a budget-friendly day out.

**How does the Playcard work?**

You load credit onto your Playcard and use it to play all the games, no loose coins needed. Any leftover credit simply stays on the card for your next visit. Register the card online for extra benefits.

**Can I combine Gamestate Haarlem with other activities in the city?**

Absolutely. Since Gamestate Haarlem stays open late (Sun to Thu until midnight, Fri and Sat until 1am), it's the perfect way to end a morning or afternoon at a museum, park or boat tour in Haarlem.