Voldendam in North Holland is a popular tourist attraction, as there are plenty of Volendam family travel options to keep everyone amused. This city has its own harbor, and is known for the traditional costumes that many of the townspeople still wear to work. Many people enjoy visiting Volendam because it is much quieter and less crowded than nearby Amsterdam.

Try Traditional Costumes of the Area

The traditional costumes that were once common are now only worn by a handful of locals. However, these costumes are what have made the town famous, and you can still see some people walking down the street in a striped pinafore, white- and blue- striped scarf or baggy woolen trousers. On Sundays and holidays the women dress up a little bit more by wearing a lace cap instead of an everyday cotton cap. The Volendam Museum contains about 37 different traditional costumes once worn in the town. You can also rent traditional dresses from local shop to try them out for yourself.

Visit the Museum

The Volendam Museum is a great place to spend the day. Besides having traditional costumes, it also has exhibits displaying the history of the area, jewelry and diamond cutting exhibits, and a lot of nautical and maritime information, since this city is on the ocean. The Volendam Museum is located at Zeestraat 37, and is open every day of the week.

Explore the Harbor

An area worth exploring is the harbor. There are several statues around the harbor that make good photo subjects. This is also where you will find a lot of the tourist shops as well as plenty of restaurants and cafes. On a sunny afternoon, take a nice walk, look at the boats, and do some window-shopping.

Check out the Windmill Village

There are several working windmills near the city. You can walk right up to them. The windmills tend to be next to the small canals, and you can even see a windmill village called Zaanse Schans.

Learn to Make Cheese

The Henri Willig cheese factory, just outside of town, is one of only a few places left that make cheese in the traditional manner. The farm is between Volendam and Monnickendam. The workers wear traditional costumes, and will show you how to make cheese, using the correct equipment to turn milk to cheese.

Try Various Cuisines

There are also dining options for everyone, with a range of cuisines. A traditional pub and lunchroom is Bistro D’ouwe Helling, with an outdoor veranda that makes this spot a good choice during the summer. If you need a quick bite, then stop at the Backstreet Deli just off the main harbor. There are plenty of options along the seafront, so walk around and see what is appealing.