Situated 15 mi/25 km west of Amsterdam, Haarlem has beautiful medieval houses, a 13th-century city hall, tulips and the Teylers Museum (science, technology and Dutch art). If that's not enough, continue with the Frans Hals Museum (Dutch masters).
At St. Bavo Church, you can see a 5,000-pipe organ that Mozart played as a child. Once a decade, Haarlem hosts Floriade, a massive horticultural exhibition with plants from all over the world.
Just west of Haarlem is Zandvoort. Because it is so easily reached by train, Zandvoort is Amsterdam's most popular beach resort. Also famous for its motor-racing circuit, Zandvoort used to host the Dutch Grand Prix. Although rumor has it that the Grand Prix may return to Zandvoort, for the time being, racing enthusiasts will have to content themselves with the other competitions held there.
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