{"id":9192,"date":"2025-12-08T11:47:39","date_gmt":"2025-12-08T10:47:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/tips\/activity-in-emmen\/"},"modified":"2026-11-12T16:53:47","modified_gmt":"2026-11-12T15:53:47","slug":"activity-in-emmen","status":"publish","type":"tips","link":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/tips-en\/activity-in-emmen\/","title":{"rendered":"Activity in Emmen"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section class=\"pane pane--white\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"row g-4 g-lg-8 g-xl-15 justify-content-center\">\n                                                <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-8\">\n                        <div class=\"pane__text\">\n                            <h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Things to Do in Emmen: Discover What You Can Do Today<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Looking for a fun activity in Emmen? Here, you can take a boat ride through the peatlands, go on a safari at WILDLANDS, or stroll through the historic downtown. Everything is within easy reach and can be easily combined. Whether you\u2019re coming for nature, culture, or just a nice day outdoors.   <\/span><\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-8\">\n                        <div class=\"pane__text\">\n                            <h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/wp-content\/themes\/ontdek-emmen\/assets\/img\/blocks-title.svg\" class=\"text-figure me-1 me-lg-2 mt-n1\" width=\"24\" height=\"18\" alt=\"\" \/> <span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">20 Things to Do in Emmen<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Active Outings in and Around Emmen<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Want to enjoy some time outdoors? Emmen offers plenty of opportunities. Here, you can easily go for a walk or bike ride right into nature. But if you\u2019re looking for something athletic or exciting to do, this is the place for you, too.   <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Cycling and Hiking Through the <a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/bargerveen\/\">Bargerveen<\/a>: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Hop on your bike and explore the Bargerveen. You\u2019ll ride past ancient peatland landscapes, water, lookout points, and small villages. Along the way, there are plenty of places to stop for a cup of coffee or a picnic.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Boating on the Veenvaart: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">A peaceful and unique activity in Emmen is a boat trip. Between Erica and Ter Apel lies a special waterway: the Veenvaart. You can rent a boat yourself or join a guided tour. Along the way, you\u2019ll see locks, bridges, and plenty of greenery.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Climbing, go-karting, and escaping from an escape room: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">In the mood for some action? Go rock climbing at Outdoor Grolloo, challenge your friends on the go-kart track, or try to escape together from <a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/escaperoom-emmen\/\">an escape room in Emmen<\/a>. Great for a day out with friends, family, or coworkers.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/activities\/wildlands-adventure-zoo-emmen\/\">WILDLANDS<\/a>:<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 300\">One of Emmen\u2019s most famous attractions is WILDLANDS. This zoo is located right in the heart of the city and features different parts of the world. You\u2019ll travel from the jungle to the savanna, spot polar bears, and go on an adventurous safari tour. It\u2019s an activity in Emmen for all ages.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Events and Festivals: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Did you know that Emmen hosts more than 300 events each year? From music festivals to food truck festivals and sports tournaments, there\u2019s something going on all year round. Check out the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/agenda\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">event calendar<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 300\"> for all upcoming events here.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Art and Culture: Another Side of Emmen<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Emmen is also a place rich in culture and history. Here you\u2019ll find art, heritage, and remarkable stories in places you won\u2019t soon forget. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Rensenpark:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\"> Rensenpark is now located on the site of Emmen\u2019s old zoo. Here you\u2019ll find artists\u2019 studios, workshops, and exhibitions. It\u2019s a nice place to stroll through or just pop in for a quick look.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Van Gogh in Nieuw-Amsterdam\/Veenoord: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Did you know that Vincent van Gogh lived in Emmen for a while? The original Van Gogh house is located in Nieuw-Amsterdam\/Veenoord. You can visit it and get a glimpse into his time in Drenthe.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">UNESCO Geopark<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">The Hondsrug is the only UNESCO Geopark in the Netherlands. Here, you can hike among dolmens, burial mounds, and ancient traces of the past. At the Hunebedcentrum in Borger, you can learn more about prehistory and how this landscape was formed.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\">Brands Museum Collection: <span style=\"font-weight: 300\">The home of collector Jans Brands is located in Nieuw-Dordrecht. Here, you can literally walk through his former home, which is filled with unique items: books, photographs, old household objects, and more.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Need a break? Here are some relaxing activities in Emmen <\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Sometimes you just want to do nothing for a while. You can do that in Emmen, too. There are plenty of places to relax, whether outdoors or indoors.  <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Relax at the Bourtanger Moor:<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\"> This is a unique nature reserve where you can hike for hours. Spot rare birds, vast peatland landscapes, and beautiful sunsets. This area is also easily accessible by bike.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Picnicking in the Emmerdennen or at the Grote Rietplas: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">The Emmerdennen Forest is located near downtown. Here, you can go for a walk and have a picnic among the trees. Or bring a blanket to the Grote Rietplas, where you can sunbathe, swim, or simply enjoy the view and gaze out at the water.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\">Wellness or the movies:<span style=\"font-weight: 300\"> You can also enjoy a relaxing day indoors. Choose a trip to the sauna, go to the movies, or visit the ATLAS Theater. Round off the evening with dinner on the Marktplein for a complete night out.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shopping and strolling through the market<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Prefer to just wander around? There\u2019s plenty to discover for anyone who enjoys shopping or wants to explore local products. The city center is easy to navigate and charming, with shops, restaurants, and markets. So, one of the things to do in Emmen can simply be some relaxing shopping.   <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shopping in downtown Emmen: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">In the city center, you\u2019ll find well-known stores as well as small boutiques. Everything is located around the Marktplein, so it\u2019s easy to walk around. <\/span> <\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Friday Market: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Every Friday there\u2019s a market in the city center, and it\u2019s not just any market. With more than 100 stalls, it\u2019s the largest in the northern Netherlands. You\u2019ll find clothing, food, flowers, and more.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Shopping in Klazienaveen or Nieuw-Amsterdam\/Veenoord: <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">You can also enjoy great shopping outside of Emmen itself. Klazienaveen has more than 140 stores, and parking is free. In Nieuw-Amsterdam\/Veenoord, you can stroll along the waterfront from store to store. It\u2019s a fun way to spend the day in beautiful surroundings.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Great Food and Drink in the Region<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Food is part of the experience, especially on a day trip. In Emmen, there are plenty of options for a tasty break or a good dinner. <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Enjoy lunch at the Marktplein or by the Rietplas<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Try a High Tea or High Wine at one of the cozy caf\u00e9s<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Visit a farm stand or market for fresh local produce<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Dine out at <a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/food-drinks\/cafe-de-brasserie\/\">Caf\u00e9 De Brasserie<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/food-drinks\/world-restaurant-puur\/\">the international restaurant Puur<\/a>, or <a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/food-drinks\/restaurant-de-kamer\/\">De Kamer<\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-8\">\n                        <div class=\"pane__text\">\n                            <h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/wp-content\/themes\/ontdek-emmen\/assets\/img\/blocks-title.svg\" class=\"text-figure me-1 me-lg-2 mt-n1\" width=\"24\" height=\"18\" alt=\"\" \/> <span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Combine your activities in Emmen and stay overnight<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">One of the advantages of Emmen is that everything is close together. It\u2019s easy to combine several activities. Start the day with a walk, then have lunch in the city center, and finish with a trip to the theater or the movies.   <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Are you staying a little longer? If so, there are plenty of places to stay overnight. For example:  <\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Vacation resorts near nature reserves<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Cozy B&#038;Bs in villages such as Erica or Weerdinge<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 300\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Hotels in the city center, within walking distance of shops and restaurants<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/overnachten\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">View all accommodations.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n<section class=\"pane pane--tertiary\">\n    <div class=\"container\">\n        <div class=\"row g-4 g-lg-8 g-xl-15 justify-content-center\">\n                                                <div class=\"col-12 col-lg-8\">\n                        <div class=\"pane__text\">\n                            <h2><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/wp-content\/themes\/ontdek-emmen\/assets\/img\/blocks-title.svg\" class=\"text-figure me-1 me-lg-2 mt-n1\" width=\"24\" height=\"18\" alt=\"\" \/> <span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Frequently Asked Questions About the Emmen Event<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What are some fun activities for families in Emmen?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Wildlands Adventure Zoo is highly recommended for families. You\u2019ll walk through the jungle, across the savanna, and see animals from all over the world. Rensenpark is also a great place for an afternoon outing; kids can play and explore the art studios. There are also many playgrounds in and around Emmen, a water play area at the Rietplas, and fun children\u2019s activities at the market or during events.   <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Can I stay active in Emmen?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Sure. You can go hiking and biking in nature reserves like the Bargerveen or the Emmerdennen. Prefer something more exciting? Go rock climbing, go-karting, or visit an escape room. Boating on the Veenvaart is also a relaxing yet active way to explore the region. And with over 300 events a year, there\u2019s always something to do in Emmen.     <\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What\u2019s a unique activity to do in Emmen?<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 300\">Then visit the Van Gogh House in Nieuw-Amsterdam, Van Gogh\u2019s only original residence in the Netherlands. Or opt for a creative workshop in Rensenpark, right in the heart of Emmen\u2019s old zoo. A boat tour on the Veenvaart is also a fun and surprising way to explore the area. An activity in Emmen for all ages.   <\/span><\/p>\n                                                    <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n<\/section>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1667,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"class_list":["post-9192","tips","type-tips","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tips\/9192","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tips"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/tips"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1667"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ontdekemmen.nl\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9192"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}