The Museumspoorlijn STAR is the longest museum railway in the Netherlands. On the border between Groningen and Drenthe, it offers a historic train journey. If you are planning a trip, check the travel dates in advance. The Museumspoorlijn STAR Museum features an extensive exhibition about the history of its railway line. The train journey and exhibition offer different ways to explore railway history.
Railways, waterways and regional history
The Stadskanaal Canal is also one of the region’s distinctive names: it is part of the Veendam–Stadskanaal–Ter Apel waterway. The name places it within a longer waterway connection, without requiring you to take part in any particular activity.
The Streekhistorisch Centrum is a museum with an extensive archive on the history of the Kanaalstreek and Westerwolde. It also organizes a variety of activities. If you would like to plan your visit around them, check the current dates. Here, a regional perspective on history is complemented by an archive, while the Museumspoorlijn STAR focuses on the history of its railway line.
Crafts, houses and places of remembrance
In Mussel, the Museum Stelmakerij Wever is housed in the former wheelwright’s workshop of the Wever brothers. The workshop once made agricultural equipment, including flails and farm carts. The museum is open on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from May to October. Outside this season, it opens for groups by appointment; check the opening times before your visit.
Huize ter Marse also tells a specific story of its construction: the house in Stadskanaal was built in 1884 for the Maarsingh family, who were farmers and peat entrepreneurs. The Winkeltje bij de Sluis offers a smaller glimpse into the merchandise of the past, displaying old-fashioned groceries in their original packaging.
The Municipality of Stadskanaal’s Stolpersteinekaart links the locations of the Stolpersteine to information about the Jewish community during the Second World War. It also shows cycling and walking routes to interesting places in the municipality. Ask locally about the map’s availability.
Discover village history and nature
Smeerling in the Municipality of Stadskanaal is designated as a protected village landscape. The village has authentic regional farmhouses built in the 18th century. The green surroundings are ideal for walks in nature. This allows you to experience the village landscape, historic farmhouses and time outdoors as different aspects of the place.
Pagedal includes Pagebos and Pageplas, a natural pond. Pageplas is connected to the striking De Rode Loper bridge. Another nature area was created from former settling basins in the Municipality of Stadskanaal; it is particularly suitable for birdwatching. The Julianapark in Stadskanaal is also a Rijksmonument.
Onstwedde on foot and at the Oogstfeest
Onstwedde is home to two buildings of markedly different ages: the Gothic Nicolaaskerk was built around 1500, while the Juffertoren is over 41 metres tall and at least 150 years older than the church. The six-kilometre Westerwolde Walking Route 10 passes both buildings. If you would like to walk this route, check the route file before setting out.
At the Oogstfeest Onstwedde, bread and Spekdikken are among the foods baked. If the festival fits your travel plans, check the dates for the current edition.
Discover more destinations: Onstwedde, Stadskanaal, Mussel, Alteveer, Vledderveen, De Marne, Loppersum, Haren.
Go to the overview of destinations: Groningen.
