5 Museums You Never Heard of in Groningen Province
Visit five hidden museums to enrich your knowledge of the Groningen Province and Dutch culture
Groningen Province is often celebrated for its vibrant student life and picturesque farm landscapes but is less known for its museums. Beyond the idyllic bike lanes and endless fields, lie hidden gems waiting to be discovered. If you decide to make the best out of your stay in Groningen, here are five lesser-known museums in Groningen Province that we promise will offer you a unique perspective of this region.
1. The National Bus Museum
Located in Hoogezand-Sappemeer, the National Bus Museum is a must-see for those passionate about transportation. As the name suggests, this museum showcases the history of buses in the Netherlands and features an impressive collection of vintage buses. The National Bus Museum is also a great pick if you love interactive museums. Plenty of exhibits encourage visitors to engage with them to understand the technological advancements in bus design and operation.
Timetable and Pricing
Opening Hours: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday, 11:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Admission:
Adults: €9,50
Children (5-13): €6,50
Children under 5: Free
How to Get There
By Train: If you live in Groningen city you can take a train to Hoogezand-Sappemeer station. From there you can take a bus, cycle or walk for 20 minutes to the museum.
By Bus: You can also take bus 76 from Groningen, Hoofdstation and get off at Hoogezand, Spoorstraat from which you have to walk 16 minutes until you reach your destination
2. The Tea Factory Museum
Hidden in Houwerzijl, the Tea Factory Museum offers a solid introduction to the world of tea. This museum delves into the complicated history of tea while also spoiling its visitors with an elaborate tea-tasting session. Thus, if you choose to visit this museum you will have the chance to learn about the cultivation and cultural impact of this famous beverage over a delicious cup of tea.
Timetable and Pricing
Opening Hours:
April to October, Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
January to March, Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
November,
Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Admission:
Adults: €5,95
Children (4-12): €2,95
Children under 4: Free
How to Get There
By Bus: If you live in Groningen you can take bus 65 from Groningen to Houwverzijl.
3. Open Air Museum Het Hoogeland
In the bustling village of Warffum, the Open Air Museum Het Hoogeland offers its visitors the chance to go back in time and experience the rural life in Groningen from the 19th and 20th centuries. This museum features over twenty historic buildings, each meticulously restored. Joined by a costumed guide, you can wander around the buildings and take part in workshops that teach you more about the traditional crafts of the Dutch province.
Timetable and Pricing
Opening Hours:
April to October,
Tuesday to Saturday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sunday from 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
November to March,
Saturday, 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Sunday, 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Admission:
Adults: €8,50
Children (6-17): €3,50
Children under 6: Free
How to Get There
By Train: Take a train to Warffum station. The museum is a short walk from the station. Buses are less frequent, so if you want to visit Het Hoogeland we recommend taking the train.
4. Het Legio Museum
Located in Grootegast, Het Legio Museum immerses its visitors into the vibrant world of LEGO®. This museum celebrates the iconic building blocks and its exhibitions touch on both the history of the company and its iconic designs. Nonetheless, this museum is also living proof of the collaborative spirit of the locals as a large part of the exhibition is comprised of the personal LEGO® collections of the Grootegast residents. In fact, anyone is invited to donate their pieces if they wish to help their museum!
Timetable and Pricing
Opening Hours:
From July 6 to July 20
Wednesday, Friday Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
From July 20 until September 1
Wednesday to Sunday 10:00 A.M.- 5:00 P.M.
From September 1 until July 6
Wednesday and Friday, 1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00 P.M - 5: 00 P.M.
Admission:
Adults and Children over 4: €10,00
Children (0-3): Free
How to Get There
By Bus: Take the bus 39 or 89 from Groningen to Grootegast.
5. The Railway Star Museum
The Railway Star Museum (Museumspoorlijn STAR) is located in Stadskanaal and will undoubtedly take you on a nostalgic trip through the history of the Dutch railway. Aside from displaying railway memorabilia, tools and historical documents, this museum operates a heritage railway line. Thus, you can also take a short ride on vintage trains with restored carriages and steam locomotives.
Timetable and Pricing
Opening Hours: Varies with the train schedule online.
Admission:
Adults: €2,00 - €15,00 depending on how much you want to experience from what the museum has to offer
Children (4-11): €7,50
Children under 4: Free
How to Get There
By Bus: Take the bus 73 from Groningen to Stadskanaal.