"Sure, it’s touristy. Yes, it’s filled with kitschy stereotypes. But this replica of a Zaanse village is worth visiting just to see how wooden clogs, pewter jewelry, artisanal cheese, and Dutch gin (jenever) were made in the 17th and18th centuries. The free outdoor museum was created by relocating houses, windmills, storehouses, and barns to showcase the traditional crafts and lifestyles of people who lived in Holland long before sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll entered the picture.From late March to September, boat tours offer views of ancient houses and windmills. Bikes can be rented at Zaanse Schans Bike Rent. A cycling path leads past merchants’ mansions in Zaandijk, the pretty village of Haaldersbroek, and Zaandam city center. From Amsterdam Central, take the Sprinter to Koog-Zaandijk, a 20-minute trip. Follow the signs to Zaanse Schans, a roughly one-mile walk." - MATADOR_NETWORK
