In Dedemsvaart, garden history, culture and nature experiences offer different ways to shape a stay. The Tuinen Mien Ruys and Gashouder Podium provide a window into local cultural history, while paths, water and seasonal activities define other ways to explore the area. When choosing a hotel, you can consider which of these themes you would like to focus on during your stay.
Gardens, Canal History and Culture
The Tuinen Mien Ruys are a municipal monument in Dedemsvaart and consist of more than thirty different gardens. The town itself emerged through the construction of the De Vaart canal and peat extraction in the surrounding areas. This development took place in the first half of the 19th century and provides a historical backdrop to the town’s history.
A visit to the gardens also includes the Theehuis, where visitors can enjoy local treats, coffee, light lunches and drinks. Another cultural venue is Gashouder Podium, which hosts changing exhibitions. The theatre and pop music venue are housed in an authentic Rijksmonument on the historic Kalkoventerrein site.
The Landbouwmuseum Avereest is located in a restored industrial building on Langewijk in Dedemsvaart. Together, these venues offer different points of interest for culture enthusiasts: garden design, exhibitions and stage performances alongside the historic building that houses the museum.
Walking, Cycling and Nature by the Water
The Interactieve Meerpalenroute Dedemsvaart is an 8-kilometre walking and cycling route past eleven houses and buildings. Each location has a post with a QR code that links to an app with audio stories. The listed stops include 't Olde Postkantoor, De Tuinen van Mien Ruys and Huize Moerheim; the route also goes around Kotermeer. Its set length and audio stories give the tour a character of its own, without requiring you to plan your visit for a particular time of year.
The Kotermeerstal nature area is a body of water covering about 13 hectares on the south side of Dedemsvaart. A cycling and walking path runs around De Koter, alongside water, reed beds and a beach, as well as spacious play and sunbathing lawns. The recreational activities vary by season: on summer days, visitors can swim, sail, play football and beach volleyball; in winter, ice skating is possible.
The Kinderboerderij Dedemsvaart, also known as DeKibo, offers encounters with ponies, goats, pot-bellied pigs, ostriches, rabbits, guinea pigs and squirrels. The animals also include birds in aviaries and various waterfowl in the pond. Alongside the paths by the water, this offers a specific opportunity to encounter animals as another possible focus for a visit.
Getting There and Local Events
Dedemsvaart has no railway station. Buses connect the town with Hoogeveen, Zwolle and Hardenberg.
A regular event for adults is the VrijMiBo at Brouwerij Avereest: it takes place on the first Friday afternoon of every month from 5 p.m. in the tasting room. Everyone aged 18 and over is welcome to sample the beers and enjoy a sociable get-together. Check the date before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Schuinesloot, Slagharen, Bruchterveld, Rheeze, Gramsbergen, Balkbrug, Lutten, Bergentheim.
For the overarching travel guide: Hardenberg.
