Wheelchair-Friendly Adventures in Amsterdam!

Rijksmuseum

Why Visit?

Wheelchair-Friendly Guide to the Rijeksmuseum, Amsterdam

Start your cultural exploration at the Rijksmuseum, the Dutch national treasure house of art and history. This grand museum is fully accessible, making it a perfect destination for visitors with wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

Getting There

The museum is located at the Museumplein in Amsterdam, easily accessible by public transport. Trams 2 and 12 from Amsterdam Central Station will drop you at the Rijksmuseum stop. Alternatively, buses 347 and 357 also provide convenient access. The museum features designated parking spots for disabled visitors near the entrance.

Exploring the Museum

Begin your visit by picking up a free wheelchair or renting a mobility scooter at the museum entrance, ensuring you book in advance to secure availability. The museum offers lifts and ramps throughout, allowing easy navigation between its floors and exhibits.

Must-See Exhibits

Don’t miss the Gallery of Honour, a majestic corridor leading to works by Vermeer, Hals, and Rembrandt’s masterwork, "The Night Watch." This gallery is spaciously designed, offering an unobstructed visual and physical experience. The museum’s layout ensures all visitors get a front-row view of the Dutch Golden Age.

Spotlight on Accessibility

The Rijksmuseum goes the extra mile with accessible toilets, free entry for caretakers, and tactile maps for visually impaired guests. They also host occasional "Ongehinderd" (Unhindered) events focusing on visitors with special needs, enhancing the experience with guided tours and tailored workshops.

Take a Break

Relax and reflect on your visit at the museum café, featuring an accessible design and an outdoor terrace that overlooks the serene gardens — a perfect spot for a leisurely lunch or a refreshing drink.

End Your Visit

Conclude your tour at the museum shop. It’s spacious and accessible, offering unique souvenirs and art reproductions that let you take a piece of Dutch culture home.

Enjoy a day steeped in art and history at the Rijksmuseum, your accessible gateway to the Dutch Golden Age.

Wheelchair-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to wheelchair-friendly travelers.

Hermitage Amsterdam

Why Visit?

Wheelchair-Friendly Tour: Hermitage Amsterdam

Morning Arrival

Start your day at the Hermitage Amsterdam, easily accessible by public transport. Trams 9 and 14 stop right outside at the "Waterlooplein" stop, offering a smooth ride from the central station. For those driving, there are parking options available at the nearby Markenhoven car park, which has spaces reserved for disabled visitors.

Exploring Hermitage Amsterdam

Upon arrival, head to the main entrance, where you"ll find wheelchair-accessible doors. The museum, a branch of the famous Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, Russia, offers spacious exhibitions rooms and wide corridors, allowing free movement for wheelchair users and those on scooters. All floors are accessible via lifts, and accessible restrooms are available on each floor.

As you explore, don"t miss the museum"s spectacular highlights such as the Portrait Gallery of the Golden Age and the temporary exhibitions that often feature artworks from the vast collection of the Russian sister museum. The museum provides free wheelchair rental, and service dogs are warmly welcomed.

Lunch Break

For lunch, the museum"s Café-Restaurant offers a delightful range of options with accessible seating arrangements. Enjoy a light meal or a cup of coffee while overlooking the beautiful Amstel River.

Afternoon at the Museum Garden

Post-lunch, take a leisurely stroll around the museum"s classical-style garden, fully accessible and designed to provide a tranquil escape amidst historical sculptures and manicured flower beds.

Departure

As the day winds down, exit through the gift shop which is also accessible, perfect for picking up souvenirs without hassle. The nearby tram station provides an easy route back to the city center or your accommodation.

Interesting Fact

Hermitage Amsterdam itself is housed in a former retirement home, Amstelhof, dating back to 1681, seamlessly blending centuries of history with modern accessibility features.

Wheelchair-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to wheelchair-friendly travelers.

A’dam Lookout

Why Visit?

Wheelchair-Friendly Day at A’DAM Lookout and Surrounds

Embark on an exhilarating adventure in Amsterdam with a visit to the A’DAM Lookout, the ultimate spot to get panoramic views of this historic city, tailored for accessibility.

Morning: Arrival and Ascend to A’DAM Lookout

Start your day by catching a ferry from Central Station to Buiksloterweg, a short and scenic ride that’s free of charge and operates frequently. The ferry is wheelchair-accessible, ensuring a smooth ride across the IJ River. Upon disembarking, it’s a brief, easy roll to the A’DAM Tower. The Lookout is equipped with elevators and offers accessible restrooms, making your visit comfortable and hassle-free.

The Highlight: Over the Edge Swing

For the thrill-seekers, A’DAM Lookout hosts Europe’s highest swing, "Over the Edge". While this might not be accessible to all, the viewing deck itself is fully wheelchair-friendly, allowing everyone to enjoy the breathtaking vistas over Amsterdam’s skyline.

Lunch: A’DAM Tower’s Panorama Restaurant

Enjoy a meal at the Panorama restaurant inside the tower. The restaurant offers accessible dining options with spectacular views. Indulge in some local or international cuisine while you take in the city from above.

Afternoon: Eye Filmmuseum

Post lunch, head next door to the Eye Filmmuseum. This modern museum is fully accessible and offers a fascinating glimpse into the world of cinema. Explore exhibits, watch a film, or simply enjoy the architecture.

Evening: Enjoy a Canal Cruise

Conclude your day with a wheelchair-accessible canal cruise from one of the nearby docks. Many operators offer accessible boats ensuring everyone can partake in this quintessential Amsterdam experience. Float under the city’s famous bridges and past 17th-century buildings, all from the comfort of your seat.

Every step of your journey today promises not just accessibility but a chance to experience Amsterdam’s charm, history, and culture in comfort.

Wheelchair-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to wheelchair-friendly travelers.

Brouwersgracht

Why Visit?

### Wheelchair-Friendly Day Tour at Brouwersgracht, Amsterdam

Morning: Start your adventure at the historically rich Brouwersgracht, named Amsterdam’s most beautiful canal. Begin at the serene Noordermarkt, easily accessible and bustling with local vendors on Monday and Saturday mornings. Enjoy the organic produce and vintage finds — a delight for all senses! The cobblestone market area is navigable for wheelchairs, though a bit bumpy in spots, so a powered wheelchair or mobile scooter is recommended.

Getting There: Noordermarkt is best reached by tram or bus. Take Tram 3 or Bus 18, 21 from Central Station and disembark at the ‘Marnixplein’ stop. From here, the market is a smooth and flat 500-meter ride along paved paths.

Lunch: Roll down towards Café Thijssen, located right at the corner of Brouwersgracht and Brouwersgracht Canal. This spot offers a cozy ambiance and an accessible entrance, perfect for a leisurely lunch. Try the Dutch classic "broodje kroket" and gaze out at the picturesque views of the canal.

Afternoon: Post-lunch, explore the charming boutiques and art galleries lining Brouwersgracht. Most shops here are accessible, with step-free entrances and spacious interiors. Don’t miss the Het Grachtenhuis Museum, just a short ride away. This museum showcases the history of Amsterdam’s canals with accessible exhibits and an engaging multimedia tour.

Getting There: Loop back toward the canal and continue eastward. The museum is about a 15-minute ride from Café Thijssen and is equipped with ramps and elevators for full accessibility.

Evening: Conclude your tour with a serene evening cruise tailored for mobility scooter and wheelchair users. Several companies offer accessible canal boats, allowing you to soak in the sunset and the shimmering reflections of historic buildings along the water.

Interesting Fact: Brouwersgracht translates to "Brewers" Canal" and was historically home to many breweries during the 16th and 17th centuries, thanks to its pristine water quality.

*Tip:* Always check ahead with attractions for the latest accessibility information and to confirm reservations where necessary.

Wheelchair-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to wheelchair-friendly travelers.

Ripley"s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam

Why Visit?

### Wheelchair-Friendly Tour of Ripley"s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam

#### Morning: Arrival and Exploration

Start your adventure at Ripley"s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam, located in the heart of the city at Dam 21, just a stone"s throw from the iconic Dam Square. Easily accessible by public transport, the closest tram stop is Dam, serviced by lines 2, 12, 13, and 17. For those arriving by train, Amsterdam Central Station is just a 10-minute walk away, offering a flat and scenic route along the bustling Damrak.

Ripley"s Believe It or Not! Amsterdam is fully equipped to welcome visitors with wheelchairs and mobile scooters. Enter through automatic wide doors into a world of oddities and curiosities, spread across five floors of accessible fun, connected by a spacious elevator. Start your tour by marveling at the real shrunken heads from the Amazon and a 7-meter tall robot made of car parts.

#### Midday: Interactive Exhibits

Head to the interactive exhibit featuring optical illusions and a vortex tunnel, which is specially adapted to be enjoyable for those with mobility aids. Learn about different cultures and their unique beliefs, showcasing how diversity is celebrated around the world.

#### Afternoon: Rest and Reflect

By early afternoon, take a break at Ripley’s 5D Moving Theater. The theater is wheelchair-friendly, providing spaces for wheelchair users to enjoy the animated shows with special effects. After the show, visit the lounge area which has accessible seating. Enjoy a cup of coffee and some Dutch stroopwafel while reflecting on the fascinating things you"ve seen.

#### Evening: Souvenir and Scenic Route

Before leaving, visit the gift shop accessible by elevator. It offers everything from postcards to replica shrunken heads. Exiting the building, consider a gentle stroll around Dam Square, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere of Amsterdam’s historic center, a perfect backdrop for those memorable vacation photos.

Wheelchair-friendly, intriguing, and wonderfully weird, Ripley’s offers an accessible journey into the unbelievable, right in the heart of Amsterdam.

Wheelchair-Friendly Tips: Check for specific amenities and accessibility features relevant to wheelchair-friendly travelers.