Utrecht Things to Do Tips by planxty Top 5 Page for this destination

Beer Heaven.

As you might have guessed from the line on my homepage, I am quite fond of a beer now and again (and again and again!). When i went to this place to meet some Dutch friends, I really though I had died and gone to heaven. I dislike the current overuse of the word awesome, but this place really does merit it in it's proper sense - it certainly inspired awe in me.

What is this nirvana, I hear you say. It is the Cafe Belgie in the Oudegracht, right in the cnetre of town.

It is a fairly typical Dutch beer bar, but the selection of beer is quite staggering. there are 20 draught beer taps, of which at least 17 are in operation at any one time. Added to this, there are somewhere in the region of 170 different bottled beers including some very odd things. Please see the photo for the menu and that's not even all of them. I tried the banana beer (much to the amusement of the barman) and found it very pleasant. I did, however, have to draw the line at the coconut beer. the staff are friendly and very knowledgeable about the products sold. They will even give you small taster glasses if you are not sure what you want.

If you like beer, this is an absolute "must see", although I suggest you go there in the evening or you won't get to see very much else in this interesting town.

Address: Oudegracht 196, 3511 NR Utrecht.

Directions: On the Oudegracht, not far from the Dom tower. Just ask a local, everyone knows it.

Phone: +00 31 (0)30 231 2666

Website: http://www.xs4all.nl/~patto1ro/utrepubs.htm#belgie

A great cafe / bar.

With so many really good bars and cafes in Utrecht, it almost seems churlish to single out one for particular mention, but I really enjoyed this place. the staff were frinedly, the music policy was good (I discovered a great new band), and, best of all, they had a pinball machine (the Flintstones, if you must know). They also double as a live music venue.

Address: Lange Jufferstraat 58, 3512 EE Utrecht

Directions: At the north end of Lucasbolwerk just before it joins the main road. the webpage given (in Dutch) has a map.

Phone: +00 31 (0)30-2369913

Website: http://www.cafedestad.nl/

Quick one before the train?

I always like to know where I can grab a quick beer either before I travel, or having arrived somewhere, and I make a point of finding the nearest watering hole to the Station wherever I am. Well, this is it. Situated on the station concourse, this is a pleasant little cafe, typical of it's type worldwide. Clean, with friendly staff and decent beer, what more could you want? They also do the usual range of Dutch bar snacks. A Hawaiian tosti (toasted sandwich) will set you back €3.

I have only one slight complaint about the place. It obviously used to be a typical Station bar, and it has some interesting old railway photos and memorabilia about the place. Why then they felt the need to go with a Wild West theme is beyond me. There are absolutely incongruous life-sized mannequin gunslingers there, huge plastic cacti, and a glance at the photo will show you what they have done to the exterior! It's only a minor grumble, however, about what is a decent place for a beer and a snack.

Address: Stationshal 6, 3511CE, Utrecht, Holland.

Directions: On the Central Station concourse, close to platform 12.

Other Contact: +00 31 3-4304574 (fax)

Phone: +0031 (0) 30 2331462

All aboard for the Railway Museum. Museums Review

My paternal grandfather was a railwayman, so I suppose trains are in my blood. I've always loved railway travel. Finding, by accident, the Spoorwegmuseum (Railway Museum) therefore made it an absolute must see. Entrance is a fairly hefty €12:50 for adults but it was worth every cent.

I don't really know where to begin. The Museum is housed in the old Maliebaan station, which is hugely impressive in itself. Indeed, if you are a real railway enthusiast, there are special trains several time a day linking the Central Station to here, so you can actually arrive by train.

Passing the splendour of the Station, you go out the back to a huge hall where there are old trains of every shape and size. Have a look at the photos for a general idea.

As well as the trains, many of which you can actually get on, there is a train driving simulator and an interactive tour round de Arend,which was the first train in Holland in 1839. Apparently, it was driven by an Englishman! There is a "ghost train" which carries you through all sorts of old trains etc. in a supposedly haunted goods yard.

Outside, there are yet more trains, carriages and whatnot to see. There is an old turntable, a recreated signal box from Groningen, a water tower and numerous other interesting things.

There are all sorts of things for youngsters outside, including their own kiddies train and handcarts which they can propel along a short track. The foul weather prevented my wandering into the maze! If you're wondering why the weather looks so good in some of the photos, I took those on Monday, when the Museum is shut. When I actually visited, it was pouring down!

Although I visited on a November weekday, the place was quite full and I suspect it gets very busy in the holidays. I must admit to having had a bit of a camera frenzy, to the extent that I'm going to have to create an album on my homepage to accomodate more of the photos than I can here. Have a look.

This well thought out museum will absolutely delight kids of all ages. Thoroughly recommended.

Address: Maliebaanstation, NL-3581 XW Utrecht, Holland.

Directions: Going from the Oudegracht or Domplein, walk into the Museumkwartier away from the Oudegracht, and it's well signposted.

Phone: (0)30 230 6206

Website: http://www.spoorwegmuseum.nl/en/index.html

Walk the Museumkwartier. Old architecture Review

A really interesting thing to do is to take a walk through the Museumkwartier. Cobbled streets and beautifully maintained old buildings (some of which date to the 17th century) make for a very pleasant stroll.

You can tell you are in the Museumkwartier as they have different street signs here.

It is not that big that you will lose yourself, but you could easily spend a couple of hours just wandering about - I know I did.

Directions: It is the area that runs generally East from the Domplein as far as the Maliebaan.

Website: http://www.utrechtmuseumkwartier.nl/

You won't get me up there. Dom church and tower Review

The Dom Tower is undoubtedly the major feature on the skyline of Utrecht. It isthe tallest tower in Holland and rises over 300 feet in the air. It was built in the 14th century and is hugely impressive from ground level. After ascending 465 steps (so I was told) the views are quite stunning. I say I was told, because I'm not very good with exposed heights, and there is just no way I was going to go up there, not even for the benefit of you good VTer's. Sorry. Having looked at some photos from the top, though, I would recommend it for you bolder souls who can handle heights.

Speaking to one of the locals, I was told that a few years ago, during a cultural festival, they erected a temporary lift (elevator) on the outside to convey visitors to the top. It must have been terrifying!

Entry to the Tower, including a tour is €6:80 for adults.

Address: Domplein 9, Utrecht

Directions: Just look up anywhere in the middle of town and you'll see it.

Website: http://www.domkerk.nl