Maritime Museum

Amsterdam’s Het Scheepvaartmuseum, or Maritime Museum (Kattenburgerplein 1, 1018 KK Amsterdam, Netherlands; phone +31 [0] 20 52 32 222), closed in 2007 for what was supposed to be a two-year renovation; it reopened on Oct. 2 with exhibits ranging from whales to Amsterdam’s Golden Age.

Two life-size replicas, the three-masted East Indiaman Amsterdam and the steamship Christiaan Brunings, are moored alongside the museum, which was built in 1656 as a warehouse for the war fleet.

The museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of maritime memorabilia, including weapons, models, paintings and maps. A multimedia presentation immerses museumgoers in a virtual sailing ship adventure, complete with storms and a sea battle.

Open daily 9-5; closed Christmas, New Year’s Day and Queen’s Day (April 30). Adult €15 (near $21), senior/child €7.50.