Amsterdam 2023: NEMO Science Musuem

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View from NEMO

On our last full day in Amsterdam we decided to visit NEMO Science Museum. Of course, as usual, there was a lot of wandering to get there. Munttoren and part of the flower market:

Munttoren
Bulbs for sale

Another interesting cartouche on a house wall and some almost-hidden street art of Rembrandt:

House decoration
Hidden street art, Rembrandt

Lovely canal views:

Canal view, Kloveniersburgwal
Canal view, Kloveniersburgwal

Advertising for raincoats (which fortunately we didn’t need) and some more modern housing – I can’t remember now what the monument / sculpture is:

Raincoats on Kloveniersburgwal
Urban housing and unknown monument

Another tower (Montelbaanstoren), some random lions, and then finally we were at Oosterdok where the museum is located:

Montelbaanstoren
Random lions
Oosterdok

NEMO is the green building shaped like a ship’s prow in the background of some of the photos below. Oosterdok was busy with boats, and I spotted a washing line. Will Andrew approve?

Botel Elodie
Fleur
Elodie and Fleur
Washing line
Flora

The museum was very busy and very interactive (see general view) and largely aimed at children – other than a rather explicit section on sex! I didn’t photograph much, but liked the water wheel at the entrance and the water clock just inside. From the timeline I chose Ada Lovelace (because women’s history, of course) and Lord Kelvin (because Glasgow connections).

Water wheel
Water wheel
Water clock
Water clock
Ada Lovelace
Lord Kelvin
General view

The best bit of NEMO (in my opinion anyway, and one which you can enter for free) is the sloping roof terrace from where you get great views, as seen at the top of the post and below.

Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum) seen through a sculpture
Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum)
John on the terrace
In summer the central channel is a water feature
View of Scheepvaartmuseum (National Maritime Museum) and beyond
Looking the other way: Sea Palace restaurant, library, Basilica of Saint Nicholas

We wandered home, spotting another few interesting details on the way.

“Once called hope, now called service”?
and breath
“City restoration”?

This was our last evening in Amsterdam, which we spent in a lovely Thai restaurant, Sukhothai Thanee. However, our flight the next day wasn’t till mid-afternoon so there is one final post to come. Stay tuned!

Netherlands ,

57 Comments »

  3. I think I recall that sloping roof terrace from my own visit but I didn’t go inside.
    The lions look that like they have been plonked where they are, very randomly.

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  5. I love those little motifs on the side of the buildings probably denoting what was, or still is, there. I think that museum with the sloping roof was on a show Hu by and I watched. I bet those lions ate meant to be restored….maybe. great pictures and now I must visit your last outing

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  8. Hi Anabel – interesting to see the NEMO museum – and I’d have gone for Ada Lovelace and Lord Kelvin too … a fascinating area to get to and to walk around … love the washing line! You had a great anniversary time … so pleased for you. Cheers Hilary

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  10. You do fit a lot in every day, and get some very interesting photos. Walking is a great way to see a place. You must sleep well every day after all that excercise.

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  12. Hi, Anabel – I love all the great finds that you discover on your walk. I’m glad that you have another day left in Amsterdam (at least for your posts). I look forward to reading how you spent it! 

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  13. We had a bit of fun at NEMO. Years before we did a bike and barge on the Elodie (shown in one of your pics). The owners are Dutch, but we sailed with them in Germany. We did see them when we did our Holland trip. I confess I’ve forgotten the name of that boat. Much smaller, though.

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  14. I always think that’s the best bit of any public building when there’s a roof terrace you can access with views over the area. Bob. BSS.

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  15. The washing is neatly pegged, Anabel, and I’m sure he’s seen worse in India! I liked wandering about more than the museum too, but there’s definitely something for everyone (even if it’s a Thai restaurant).

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  16. Wonder where the lions were destined for- they look quite forlorn! Your posts have inspired us to think about a return to Amsterdam- so much to see and enjoy! Thank you!

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  17. You must know Amsterdam as well as a native now Anabel. You find some great things on your walks. Science Museums are great places for children, mine and the grandchildren have enjoyed a few.

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  24. I like the random lions – they would look very nice in my garden :) - and the water clock looks fascinating. I would have to make sure I was there at 12 o’ clock to watch it in action.

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