Category Archives: Open Sunday

Easter Markets and Fun

Carnival may be over, but there is still fun going on before the Easter holiday. Check the links and information below. Öcher Bend Fun Fair (Carnival Rides) at Bendplatz, Aachen March 26 – April 11 1400-2400 (Bonus, this is right … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Castles, Craft/Home decor, Kids, Open Sunday, Other markts, Things to do | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Serious Request by 3FM

I gave this Serious Request presentation during my monthly Information Exchange class at the A&FRC. While 2016’s Serious Request will be in Breda, this article is here to explain the yearly event that you will likely still hear about on the radio. A … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Christmas Markets, General Local Info, Open Sunday, Things to do | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Unique Christmas Markets and Other Holiday Events

While the holiday season is over for 2015, many of these markets will be back next year. Click on the links to find out the dates for the upcoming year. The Schinnen Public Affairs Office has compiled a list of … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Castles, Christmas Markets, Kids, Open Sunday, Shopping, Things to do, Upcoming Events | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Fall Fun – Pumpkins, Apples, Corn Mazes and more

Updated Sept 25, 2016 Many of you already know I am a volunteer at the Geilenkirchen A&FRC. I’ve been heading up the Information Exchange that happens every month and free coffee or cappuccinos are provided. Each month is a different … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Castles, Kids, Open Sunday | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Oorlogsmuseum Overloon, NL – War Museum

Let me start by saying this is the biggest museum dedicated to World War 2 that I have ever seen. The amount of vehicles and history exhibits is huge. Oorlogsmuseum Overloon is between 1 and 1.5 hours away, depending on where … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Open Sunday, Rainy day items, Things to do | Leave a comment

Classic Remise Dusseldorf – Classic Cars

There are plenty of benefits to living in Europe, but one of my favorites is being close to cars that we don’t get to see often back home. I like it even more when I can see these cars for … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in NO COST, Open Sunday, Rainy day items, Things to do | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Spielplatz de Gitsap (Playground Gitsap)

This playground is on the property of the restaurants Aan de Hoeve and de Huifkar Hoeve, so there is a fee to play on the playground (and you’re NOT allowed to bring your own food, since there are 2 restaurants … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday | Leave a comment

Kinderspieldorf Pee Wee – Posterholt NL

I saw an article in a German newspaper, so I clipped it and decided to do some research so I could share another indoor/outdoor play area and petting zoo with you. This place goes by a few names….Pee Wee Posterholt … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Things to do | Leave a comment

Hallerbos – Bluebell Forest near Brussels

Have you heard about the beautiful Bluebell Forest in Belgium? It’s not a far drive from us and it’s FREE to see. Hallerbos is a sizable forest where the bluebells cover the forest floor each year, usually in April or … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in NO COST, Open Sunday, Parks/pools, Things to do | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Ice Skating (Indoor and Outdoor) in Geleen

Do you miss being able to skate on ice that sees a Zamboni from time to time, or where the threat of rain won’t stop your plans? You can find such a place in Geleen just off of the main … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Rainy day items, Sports Clubs and Classes, Things to do | Tagged | Leave a comment

Boerderij Daalhoeve (Maastricht Petting Farm)

Boerderij Daalhoeve (referred to as Farm D) is FREE. They just ask that you be respectful and gentle with the animals. Sounds fair to me! There are many types of farm animals to visit with, as well as a barefoot … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Things to do | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Kasteelpark Born

Kasteelpark Born (http://www.kasteelparkborn.nl/) Address: Kasteelpark, Born,  NL Admission is as follows: Adults: € 7.50 Children from 2 to 12 years: € 6.00 Children under 2 years: free Free parking Summer Hours of Operation (1 March 2015 – 1 November 2015) … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Things to do | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Kommern Living Museum Christmas Market -1st Weekend of Advent

About 1.5 hours from the Tri-Border area is an open air museum near the town of Kommern called LVR-Freilichtmuseum Kommern. There are open air museums scattered throughout Europe. The main goal of these museums is to educate people about the … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Christmas Markets, Kids, Open Sunday, Things to do, Upcoming Events | Tagged , | 3 Comments

Val Dieu Abbey and Brewery – Aubel, BE

I was first inspired to visit the Abbey of Val Dieu by this article on CheeseWeb, an expat blog based in Belgium. The abbey is about one hour away from the Tri-Border area, and entrance into the grounds, gardens, and … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in NO COST, Open Sunday, Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Eisparadies Penners- Ice Cream in Tuddern

This ice cream cafe is a staple for many of us residing in the Selfkant region, but remember, Tüddern is just across the border from Sittard, so don’t let the distance be a deterrent from visiting at least once.  Eisparadies … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Ice cream, Kids, Open Sunday | Tagged | Leave a comment

Royal Greenhouses of Laeken (Brussels), BE

The Royal Greenhouses are only open to the public for a short period of time each year. This year, they are open April 17-May 8, 2015 and admission is 2,50 per person over 18 years old. Children admission is free. … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Open Sunday, Things to do | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Zaanse Schans – Windmills!

Just a 20 minute train ride from Amsterdam is the Netherlands we all thought of before moving here. Zaanse Schans is filled with quaint houses surrounded by canals, windmills, wooden shoes, boats and bikes.  Most parts are open 1000-1700 everyday … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Open Sunday, Things to do, Travel | Leave a comment

Leisure Dome – Movie Theater, Bowling, Mini-Golf, Play Place in Kerkrade

A new entertainment complex has opened up in Kerkrade and it has something for everyone. Here’s a summary of what they have to offer. JT Movie Theater – This theater boasts the largest movie screen in South Limburg. There are … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Kids, Open Sunday, Rainy day items, Restaurants | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Haus Hamacher – Gangelt Restaurant

A beautiful restaurant and delicious place to eat, you’ll enjoy a nice dinner out. They have some unique menu options including a Greek schnitzel where they put tzatziki sauce on your schnitzel! (It was heaven!) We loved our experience so much that we are actually … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in German, Open Sunday, Restaurants | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Irrland farm adventure oasis: Kevelaer-Twisteden

Just a hop skip and about 1 hour from GK is the “Farm oasis” called Irrland. It is known as a low cost, high fun adventure park for children. Obviously boasting a children’s petting zoo and a few rides, this … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools, Things to do | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

La Trappe Brewery – Tilburg, NL

Just outside of Tilburg in the Netherlands is Koningsheoven Abbey and the only Trappist brewery in the Netherlands. The Brouwerij de Koningshoeven, founded in 1884, provides a large assortment of beers through their La Trappe brand. The monastery also makes … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Drinks/Beverages, Open Sunday, Travel | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Kölner Dom – Cologne

The Kölner Dom is a huge landmark in the middle of Cologne. It’s always an impressive site, no matter how many times you see it. You can roam around the inside of the cathedral for free (with an option for … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Cologne, NO COST, Open Sunday | Tagged , | 1 Comment

Corio Center -Mall

This mall is located nearby in beautiful Heerlen. Larger than some of the other nearby malls, there is something for everyone inside. It is centrally located so parking is a breeze in town or in their parking garage. Also, just outside … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Malls, NO COST, Open Sunday, Rainy day items | Leave a comment

Gruut – Gent’s Brewery

Gruut is a must see if you are spending any time in Gent. Unlike many breweries in Belgium, this brewery is very new, being founded only in 2009. As such, Gruut reminds me more of a micro-brewery you would find … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Drinks/Beverages, Open Sunday, Things to do, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Maastricht Underground

Maastricht is a very old city. One of the ways to experience its history is by taking a tour underground. There are three types of tours offered: Caves, Casemates, and Fortress. All stand-alone tours are €5,75 for adults and €4,75 … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Open Sunday, Rainy day items, Things to do | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

“Ice” skating in Heerlen

You can stop by Minli Schaatsparadijs almost anytime as they are open for skating 7 days a week (doors open at 11am). This is a great indoor activity without the cold because the “ice” is actually synthetic. It didn’t feel … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Rainy day items | Leave a comment

Maasmechelen Village Outlet Shopping

There are over 100 stores in this shopping center. You can definitely spend some time here at least window shopping. Most stores are designer, although we did see some reasonably priced stores as well. There are a couple of restaurants, … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Appliances, Clothing, Craft/Home decor, Open Sunday, Shoes | Leave a comment

Euroscoop Maasmechelen Movie Theater

Here’s another movie theater option for you. It is located just across the Belgian border next to the Maasmechelen Village Outlets. Prices are slightly cheaper than Foroxity and they have €5 Tuesday movies as well. There is a restaurant connected … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Open Sunday, Rainy day items, Things to do | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Augustusburg Palace and Falkenlust

Schloss Augustusburg and the smaller hunting lodge, Falkenlust, are one of four UNESCO World Heritage sites in NRW. Located in Brühl, about 20 mins from Bonn, the drive from GK is an easy one and parking is easy to find around … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Castles, Open Sunday | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Füchschen Altbier Brauerei in Düsseldorf

Altbier is typical of Düsseldorf, just like Kölsch beer is unique to Köln. There are several breweries in Düsseldorf where you can try it right out of the barrel. Füchschen is one of four breweries in the Altstadt, the others being … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Drinks/Beverages, German, Open Sunday | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Burg Eltz

Burg Eltz is about a 2 hour drive from GK and is located between Koblenz and Trier. Construction on the castle started before 1157 and was completed around 1530. It is one of only a few castles in the Rhineland-Palatinate … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Castles, Open Sunday | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Carolus Thermen – Thermal Baths in Aachen

With the cold of winter quickly approaching, new and creative ways of warming up, aside from staying at home, are definitely on the mind. One option is to visit Carolus Thermen. They are open daily, from 9am to 11pm and … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Open Sunday, Parks/pools, Rainy day items, Things to do | Tagged , | Leave a comment

SnowWorld Indoor Ski Park in Landgraaf

One of the largest indoor ski parks is just 30 minutes away in Landgraaf, NL. SnowWorld boasts two main slopes at about 520m in length, one of which currently has moguls on one side. There are also two smaller slopes … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Kids, Open Sunday, Rainy day items | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Roermond Outdoor Outlet Mall

This designer outlet has it all. Think of just about any name brand and you can probably find it here. Of course just because it’s an outlet doesn’t mean you can afford it all! A beautiful area to walk and the parking … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Clothing, Malls, Open Sunday, Shoes | Leave a comment

Kinderstad -Heerlen

When it’s raining, this is the place to go with the kids. Perfect for the adults to sit down and enjoy a coffee or snack whilst the children burn their energy running through this warehouse of fun. With bouncing, climbing, … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools, Rainy day items | 2 Comments

Koopzondag – Sunday Shopping in the Netherlands

Shops are generally closed on Sundays in the Netherlands, but about once a month there is an exception to the rule in almost every city. These days are called Koopzondag and most shops will open their doors and operate their … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Open Sunday | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

SnowWorld Outdoor Park

The outdoor park just opened in May, and is a great reason to visit SnowWorld. The website describes the outdoor park. It is basically a giant ropes challenge course, with two levels built on telephone poles and a 5 stage … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

Tongeren – Sunday Antique Market

If your looking for a no cost (unless you buy stuff!) way to spend your Sunday, this is a great trip. About 1 hour and 15 minutes from GK, Tongeren is a beautiful town in Belgium that is known because it … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Markets, NO COST, Open Sunday, Other markts, Used items | Leave a comment

JFC Brunssum- Allied Joint Command Amenities

Brunssum is a NATO base in the Netherlands. Located just a hop, skip, and a jump from our west gate it has facilities that GK does not. Many services must be completed at this base including US ID Card replacement. … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in JFC Brunssum- Info, Kids, NO COST, Open Sunday, Parks/pools | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

GK’s Base Pool

There is an outdoor swimming pool available during the summer. MWA members can enter at a reduced price. Visit the NATO E3-A Newcomers Guide for more information.  

Rate this:

Posted in Geilenkirchen NATO Base - Info, Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Mondo Verde theme/amusement park

Mondo Verde is a theme park dedicated to the enjoyment of nature. This being said, there is also an amusement park located inside that has a variety of fair rides. Adults enter for about 15 euro, children 9. There are … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Monschau-open Sunday

Located within an hour of the GK area, you can take the autobahn or enjoy the scenic route thru the eifel and make your way to Monschau. One of the most beautiful towns I’ve ever visited (and I’ve traveled the … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Cities, Open Sunday | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Margraten Cemetery – NO COST – Open Sundays

Every Memorial weekend has a special ceremony at Margraten Cemetery. Although I was unable to attend this event on Sunday, I did spend Memorial Day with our soldiers. My husband and I rode our motorcycle about 40 minutes to Margraten … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in NO COST, Open Sunday | Tagged , | 1 Comment

AquaZoo- Dusseldorf Germany

Located amongst a plethora of beautiful parks in the museum district of Dusseldorf is the AquaZoo. As its name represents it is a garden of retiles, fish, and other water life including penguins. The facility also houses a small rainforest … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Magic Park- Kids play park – Currently closed

Magic Park has temporarily closed! More information on this will be posted if the situation changes. Thank you! Tucked back in the Industrial/Business district of Geilenkirchen is a gem of a child’s play place called Magic Park. Two stories tall … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools, Rainy day items | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Botanical Garden (Botanische Tuin) – Kerkrade, Netherlands

A beautiful garden that makes for a nice place to stop and visit on a beautiful spring or summer day. Price list is in the pictures. Botanische Tuin St. Hubertuslaan 74 6467 CK Kerkrade Garden open: M-F 900-1700 and Sunday … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Open Sunday, Parks/pools | Leave a comment

Drielandenpunt- NO COST-Open Sunday

This was an easy day trip and is open on Sundays if you are looking for something to do. It was about 30 min from the GK/Brunssum area and was beautifully scenic. If you have a dog that is behaved … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in NO COST, Open Sunday | 1 Comment

Gangelt Wildpark

Although its not your typical zoo, this was a great way to spend the day. We accompanied a two year old for the morning and it had a great picnic area, a beautiful children’s playground, a great walking path to … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Kids, Open Sunday, Parks/pools | Leave a comment

Foroxity Movie Theater – Sittard and Roermond, NL

Almost everyone in the Netherlands speaks English, which is nice for movie goers because the movies will be subtitles in Dutch instead of dubbed. The same occurs across the border in Belgium. There are some nice differences between American and … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Adults, Kids, Open Sunday, Rainy day items | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Hoensbroek Castle, NL

Just 5 short minutes from Schinnen is a castle worth going to see. For a small fee (€8,25 for adults, €5,75 for kids 4-12 and small children are free), you can play the medieval games in the courtyard and view the inside … Continue reading

Rate this:

Posted in Castles, Open Sunday | Leave a comment