Discover the Best Things to Do in Drenthe

Want to get away for a bit and looking for fun activities in Drenthe? Whether you love nature, action, or a day out with the family, there’s plenty to do in this province—from canoeing and hiking to zoos and markets. In this overview, you’ll discover what there is to do in Emmen and the rest of Drenthe.

Fresh Air and Adventure in Drenthe

Do you enjoy being outdoors? Then Drenthe is the place for you. The province is known for its vast forests, heathlands, and nature reserves where you can go for endless hike and bike ride.

One of the most beautiful areas is the Drents-Friese Wold National Park. Here, you can bike along wide forest trails, past sand drifts and ponds. Dwingelderveld National Park is also highly recommended. It is the largest wet heathland area in Western Europe and a beautiful place for a hike or bike ride.

Prefer a varied landscape? Then visit Drentsche Aa National Park, where winding streams, historic esdorp villages, and green meadows alternate. Birdwatchers can head to the Bargerveen, a unique raised bog area home to rare birds and plants.

Are you looking for more action? Then go climbing among the trees at Klimpark Grolloo or Wild Forest Outdoor in Borger. Prefer to be on the water? Go canoeing on the Hunze or the Drentsche Aa, or opt for a relaxing afternoon of stand-up paddleboarding on the Grote Rietplas.

Mountain bikers will also find plenty to enjoy in Drenthe. Around Gieten, Exloo, and the Hondsrug, there are challenging trails through forests and along sandy paths. Do you prefer riding a horse? Then you’ll find dozens of horseback riding trails scattered throughout the province, winding through forests and across heathlands.

Fun Outings for the Whole Family

Drenthe is ideal for a day trip with kids. There’s plenty to do, from zoos to gnome trails and interactive museums. You’ll find fun outings in Emmen, but there’s also plenty to do beyond the city limits.

WILDLANDS Emmen

Located in Emmen is WILDLANDS Adventure Zoo, where you can take a trip around the world in a single day. Stroll through the jungle, spot elephants on the savanna, and explore the Arctic. Along the way, you’ll encounter attractions, educational exhibits, and playgrounds, making the park fun for young and old alike.

Gnome Trails and Play Forests

Drenthe is one big playground for kids. Put on a pointed hat and follow a gnome trail through the woods. In Emmen, you can walk through the Emmerdennen, where wooden gnomes and tiny houses are hidden among the trees. A little further on in Exloo, you can visit Kabouterland, a fairy-tale park full of gnomes, trolls, and small animals. Odoorn and Drouwen also have gnome trails featuring challenges, little bridges, and gnome stories.

Prefer climbing and scrambling? Then head to one of the adventure forests, such as the Boomkroonpad in Drouwen or Speelbos Lorken. Here, you can build huts out of branches, balance on tree trunks, or explore the forest via boardwalks and ropes. In Norg, you’ll find an adventure trail full of playground equipment, and in Paterswolde, you can get lost in a real maze.

Playing at Rensenpark in Emmen

You used to hear lions roar here; now you hear children laughing. The Rensenpark Emmen has transformed from a zoo into a creative space. Amid the art, studios, and playground equipment, you’ll stroll through a unique blend of history and modernity. Kids can play to their hearts’ content while you enjoy a cup of coffee at the kiosk.

Borger Hunebed Center

A visit to Drenthe isn’t complete without seeing a hunebed. At the Hunebed Center in Borger , you’ll discover how people lived thousands of years ago. You’ll learn all about prehistory and can see the largest hunebed in the Netherlands right there.

Experience Active Outings in Drenthe

In the mood for some action? In and around Emmen, there are plenty of activities for those who love excitement, speed, and fun. Perfect for families with teens or a day out with friends.

• Test your teamwork in one of the escape rooms, such as Emmen Escapes or Prison Challenge. Solve puzzles, feel the clock ticking, and celebrate your escape in the city center.
• Is it a rainy day? No problem. At Aquarena Pool, you can swim in the wave pool, zoom down the water slides, or relax in the wellness area.
• Prefer something more active? Bowl a strike at Bowling Emmen or race a go-kart at Karthal Pottendijk. Wrap up your day with a game of laser tag and see who’s the fastest.

Most of these attractions are located close to one another, so you can easily combine several activities in a single day.

Water Activities in Drenthe

Although Drenthe is best known for its natural beauty, it’s also a great place to get out on the water.

Rent a canoe and paddle down the Drentsche Aa or the Hunze, where you can enjoy peace and quiet, nature, and small villages along the way. Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is also becoming increasingly popular. At the Grote Rietplas in Emmen, you can rent a SUP board and head out onto the water to relax.

On warm days, recreational lakes such as the Grote Rietplas and the Blauwe Meer near Hoogersmilde are great spots for swimming, sunbathing, or picnicking.

Experience Culture and History

In addition to nature and adventure, Drenthe has a rich history.

Visit the Drents Museum in Assen, where you’ll learn all about archaeology, art, and the history of the province.

In Veenhuizen, you’ll discover the impressive Prison Museum, housed in a former penal colony that is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Colonies of Benevolence.”

The Kamp Westerbork Memorial Center is also a compelling place where you can learn more about the history of World War II.

Scattered throughout the province are also dozens of hunebeds that are open to the public.

Fun Activities for Rainy Days

Even when it rains, you won’t get bored in Drenthe.

Visit a museum, try an escape room, or set aside an afternoon for WILDLANDS. The ATLAS Theater in Emmen offers cabaret, musicals, concerts, and family shows all year round.

Would you rather relax? Then spend an afternoon swimming at Aquarena or visit a wellness center in the province.

Events in Emmen

Drenthe is bustling with events, including in Emmen. Every Friday, you’ll find the lively Vlindermarkt in the city center, with stalls full of local products, flowers, and secondhand goods.

In the summer, the Grote Rietplas is a great place to be, where you can relax and enjoy the outdoors. For food trucks, music, and fun events, head to Raadhuisplein in downtown Emmen. Prefer to stay indoors? At the ATLAS Theater , you can enjoy cabaret, musicals, and children’s shows all year round.

Wondering what’s happening during your visit to Drenthe? Check out our events calendar and plan a weekend full of fun activities, performances, and great food.

Plan your active day starting from Emmen

Drenthe is large but easily accessible. Emmen is centrally located in the southeastern part of the province and is an ideal starting point for your day of adventure. Are you coming by train? Then you can hop on a bike right away in Emmen. You can easily rent an e-bike right on the station square and be at the heath, the hunebeds, or Wildlands in no time.

Whether you choose a hotel near the Grote Rietplas or a vacation park surrounded by nature, the best activities in Drenthe are within easy reach from Emmen.

Check out our pages featuring activities, places to eat and drink and accommodations and plan your day in Drenthe.