Nieuw-Amsterdam and Veenoord combine a specific episode in Van Gogh’s life with the history of the peat industry. There are also marked trails, cycling routes, a historic tow barge available to rent, and seasonal ice sports. For your stay, you can choose between cultural and landscape themes, as well as activities with different time and seasonal requirements.

Van Gogh and industrial history

Vincent van Gogh stayed at Logement Scholte in Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord from 2 October to 4 December 1883. This precisely dated stay is a distinctive point of interest for travellers interested in Van Gogh’s life.

At the station, two Van Gogh murals can be seen on a former grain silo. On one side is his famous watercolour “De ophaalbrug”; on the other is a Drenthe portrait of Vincent. The images give the town’s connection to the artist a distinctive visual form.

La Paix adds another aspect to the town’s history: the building was the headquarters of the Drentsche Landontginning Maatschappij. The peat industry is also part of this history. The Verlengde Hoogeveensche Vaart and the branch from the Stieltjeskanaal drew a great deal of peat-industry activity to Nieuw-Amsterdam and Veenoord.

The history of the landscape also includes the plantations in the area between Vaartweg, Zijtak and Zwarteweg, as well as along the Dommerskanaal. Thousands of trees were planted there over the years. Together, these historical themes offer different ways to explore the town: Van Gogh, the organisation of land reclamation, and the development of the peat industry.

On foot, by bike or on the water

The “Stay in primeval landscape” walking route is marked across the landscape with brown-and-white signs. Information boards along the way provide additional details. Both the route markers and the information along the way help you find your bearings on this route.

Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord is also directly linked to cycling: two of the three cycling routes offered by Van Gogh Huis Drenthe start there. If you are planning to use Van Gogh Huis Drenthe as the starting point for a cycling tour, you can follow either of these two routes.

Another option is the historic tow barge “Johannes Veldkamp”. It can be rented for half a day or a full day. You can plan the rental period in advance; check current availability as part of your planning.

Seasonal sports and racing tradition

At Sportpark Veenoord, Ijsvereniging Nieuw-Amsterdam/Veenoord has had a 400-metre ice rink and a small-beginners’ rink for the youngest skaters since the 2023/2024 season. The rink is open seasonally and is weather-dependent. If you want to include ice skating in your stay, take these conditions into account when planning your dates.

Another sporting tradition is associated with Veenoord: a race track used for speedway races is located beside the main football pitch of Twedo sports club. Regional, national and international races have been held there since 1954.

Plan your journey and accommodation

Nieuw-Amsterdam station remains open on the Zwolle–Emmen railway line. For your specific journey, it is worth checking the timetable for your travel date, as timetables and service patterns may change.

When planning your accommodation, it helps to match your travel dates to your planned activities: ice skating is seasonal and weather-dependent, while the tow barge can be rented for half a day or a full day. Train travel is also subject to the timetable for the day in question.

Discover more destinations: Weiteveen, Roswinkel, Emmen, Emmer-Compascuum, Erica, Schoonebeek, Zwartemeer

Go to the main travel overview: Emmen.