As much children’s play station as museum, NEMO is the number one place to hit with kids if it’s a rainy day. Housed in a magnificent, pale green, ship-shaped building designed by Renzo Piano, this interactive science center introduces kids to science and technology…but never feels like school. Through games, experiments, and demonstrations, they learn how chain reactions work, search for ETs, blow a soap bubble large enough to stand inside, and other fun stuff. NEMO’s broad, stepped, and sloping roof is an attraction in itself: a place to hang out, have a light meal (there’s a restaurant), and take in the views. At the top, you are 30m (100 ft.) above the IJ waterway and have sweeping views over the Old Harbor and Eastern Dock.  

NEMO’s broad, stepped, and sloping roof is an attraction in itself; a place to hang out, have a beer or catch the sun in summer, and take in the views. At the top, you are 30m (100 ft.) above the IJ waterway and have sweeping views over the Old Harbor and Eastern Dock, plus the fast-changing new architectural horizon around the River IJ.