Things to see & do


Wooden Dreams

Zaans Museum
6 June 2026 to 6 September 2027

In the mid-20th century, wooden houses and windmills in the Zaan region are threatened by industrialisation and modernisation, as factories and housing replace the traditional landscape. To preserve this disappearing heritage, a unique rescue programme is launched, resulting in the creation of Zaanse Schans.

Treasured

Zaans Museum
May 30 to October 11, 2026

an intimate exhibition about the Zaanse artists Nelly Honig (1879–1945) and Tine Honig (1894–1957). The museum will display a selection of works by two artists who have remained underexposed in (Zaanse) art history.

Art from the Zaan Region

Zaans Museum
Daily

The permanent collection at the Zaans Museum contains historic, modern, and contemporary works by various artists who drew their inspiration from the Zaan Region. Regularly, you will find a new display of artworks in Art from the Zaan Region from the Zaan Museum’s permanent collection.

Claude Monet in Zaandam

Zaans Museum
Daily

Claude Monet visited Zaandam in 1871. The famous French painter was so impressed by the Zaan landscape, the windmills, the wooden houses, and the Zaan river that he created an astounding 25 paintings and 9 sketches of the landscape.

Verkade Experience

Zaans Museum
Daily

Right at the heart of the museum, you will find the Verkade Experience, a treat for young and old! Here, you will be transported back to the chocolate and biscuit factory of the early twentieth century.

Verkade Treasure Hunt

Zaans Museum
Daily

Take part in all kinds of fun activities while the biscuit and chocolate machines are working at full-steam.

Make your own wrapper!

Zaans Museum
Daily

Create your own design for a Verkade chocolate bar wrapper and wrap your chocolate bar in using the mini packaging machine!

Typisch Zaans

Zaans Museum
Daily

Halfway through the nineteenth century the Zaan region underwent a rapid change as a result of the growth of industry. Local historians and collectors captured this part of history in books and collections. Be amazed by the themes and objects that are characteristic of the Zaan region.

De Zaanstreek maakt het

Zaans Museum
Daily

Step back in time with an interactive windmill spectacle and experience an age of hard work and discover the typical Zaan worker mentality and entrepreneurial spirit.

The weaver’s house

Zaans Museum – Zaanse Schans
Daily

Discover everything there is to know about the traditional Dutch craft of sailcloth and windmill cloth weaving at the Weaver’s House on the Zaanse Schans. In the eighteenth century, two families lived in the Weaver’s House, right in-between the five looms.

Cooperage

Zaans Museum – Zaanse Schans
Closed

The Cooperage is located at the Zaanse Schans. Here you’re introduced to the old craft of making barrels.