Interesting Things to do in Roermond, Netherlands

Roermond is a little known secret by those in Germany and the Netherlands as a shopping destination. It has one of the largest and best outlet malls in this part of the Europe. You can score great prices on designer items ranging from big brands to local specialties, and from clothing to house wares.But Roermond is more than one big outlet mall. There is a charming town square with festivals and carnivals, walking streets for shopping, restaurants, and easy access to one of the largest National Parks in the Netherlands for hiking, biking, and horseback riding. Come along to see why this jewel in the south of the Netherlands should be on your destination list!

Designer Outlet Roermond

The designer outlet is the first destination for many. You can park there for 3 euro for the day. I’d recommend leaving your car and walking from there to the center of Roermond when you’re ready for a change of scenery. In addition to all the large designer brands, the Designer Outlet has some unique smaller European Brands.Walk through and enjoy the beautiful flower plantings. The Netherlands, after all, is often known for its flowers. There is a largest whimsical carousal for children, as well as a splash pad fountain that is fun during the warmer months.If you get hungry while shopping, I recommend stopping for crepes at the outdoor crepe stand or walking into Roermond for a full meal. There is also a large movie theater and casino attached to the Designer Outlet, so if you get tired of shopping you can stop over for a movie.

Cathedral and Town Square

While in Roermond, you can easily walk from the Designer Outlet through the walking mall to the town square. There you will find a classic old Cathedral as well as a variety of cultural events. Every Wednesday is the local market, which draws a range of produce vendors, fish sellers, and other vendors selling various ethnic foods or trinkets.While some weeks are larger than others, there is a core market that is always there on Wednesdays. There are also often carnivals like circuses set up in the square, with rides and booths of food and games. It is a fun way to stretch your legs and explore a bit.

Restaurants

While Roermond isn’t known for its hopping restaurant scene, there are a number of very good options. In addition to the restaurants in the outlet mall (which tend to be overpriced and not very fresh), I like the following:

Bagels and Beans

This Dutch chain offers organic coffee, mushroom coffee and tea. They also have a full menu ranging from snacks to full meals, which of course feature delicious homemade bagels. They are very good at accommodating special diets and have several delicious vegetarian options.

Japanese

There are two good Japanese restaurants in Roermond. Both are a bit pricey and have unusual hours, but if you are there at dinnertime you can definitely get in. One is called Izumi and the other is Momoya. Both are located near the central square.

Il Genio, Karken

This Italian restaurant is actually about a 25-minute drive from Roermond, but I had to include it because it has the best pizza and pasta in the area. An Italian family runs it and they make everything fresh. If you call a few days in advance, they can even source all organic ingredients for your order.I recommend the manicotti with vegetables, or one of the many pizzas. You can also share the incredible tiramisu with a friend for dessert – as it comes on a dinner plate!

The Mill, Dalheim

Again, this is not in Roermond, but the Mill is a perfect stop after hiking in the Meinweg forest. It is set just across the German border with a working water wheel spinning in a nearby stream. Sit outside on a sunny day or inside by the warm fire and enjoy a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate and traditional German comfort food. I recommend the waffle with cherries and whipped cream to refuel after a day of exploring.

De Meinweg Forest

Leaving Roermond, you can follow the signs to the Meinweg forest, a large National Forest that spans the border of Germany and the Netherlands. There are many trails for walking as well as biking or horseback riding. If you come in August, the fields of honeysuckle will fill the air with their sweet scent.Bring your phone if you don’t have a strong sense of direction, as it is easy to get lost. There is good cell phone reception in the Southern part of the forest, but if you go too far north, you will probably lose reception. You can also ask the friendly hikers who may – or may not – be as disoriented as you! Actually, if you come as far as the Meinweg forest, send me a message and I’ll come out to meet you!

Small town, big opportunities

As you can see, getting off the beaten path in the Netherlands takes you to a place where the locals come for their holidays. You can enjoy fantastic deals at the Designer Outlet, take in the cultural center of Roermond, and then revitalize yourself in the natural beauty of the Meinweg Forest.

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Until next time,Kimberly

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