Nordhorn between the Vechte, museums and cycling routes

Nordhorn can be explored in a variety of ways: the Vechte shapes boat trips and waterways, while museums focus on textile and local history. There are also cycling routes of varying lengths and a nature trail in the zoo. For planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between these highlights: whether you want to visit exhibitions, experience the town from the water or choose a cycling route, Nordhorn offers specific ways to do so.

Textile and local history

The Industrial Museum in the NINO high-rise building presents Nordhorn’s textile and fashion history across more than 1,200 square metres. The exhibition uses a changing selection from the museum collection of more than 100,000 photographs, fashion magazines, original garments made from NINO, Povel and Rawe fabrics, and hundreds of pattern books and fabric samples. It also includes collection catalogues and advertising materials from the history of NINO, Povel and Rawe. You will encounter the textile and fashion story in various forms, from images to fabric samples and advertising. Visitors with a particular interest in clothing can try on historical garments themselves in the museum’s “Dressing Room”.

The Town Museum in the Povelturm takes a different approach: it is dedicated to Nordhorn’s history, particularly the town’s development as a border town in north-western Germany. The top gallery offers views across Nordhorn. This brings the study of local history together with a bird’s-eye view of the town.

Nordhorn from the water

The Vechte City Cruise goes around the island in the town centre, past the Old Church on the Market Square and onward through Nordhorn’s waterways. The approximately two-hour “Vechte Ranger” discovery trip goes around Nordhorn’s town centre and Lake Vechtesee. On board, participants can use binoculars and a hand net to explore wildlife and plants in and around the water. The approximate duration gives you a concrete timeframe for planning this trip.

If you would like to combine a walking tour with a boat trip, “Nordhorn on Foot and by Water” pairs a walk through the town centre with a ride on a Vechte boat. The options therefore differ in focus: the city cruise passes the island in the town centre and the Old Church; the Vechte Ranger includes exploring the waterside and an approximately two-hour trip; and the combined tour brings together a town-centre walk and a boat ride.

Cycling routes of varying lengths

The cycling options also offer a range of possibilities. The 54.40-kilometre “Along Towpaths and Church Paths between the Vechte and the Ems” route starts and ends at the VVV Tower in Nordhorn. The 30.27-kilometre family cycling route “Border Adventures for Families” is described as easy, starts and ends at VVV Nordhorn, and passes the historic lock on Lake Vechtesee and Klukkerthafen harbour. It is the shorter of the two routes mentioned and is specifically classified as easy. VVV guided cycling tours pass through the town and by significant architectural monuments. This lets you choose between named routes with specific starting and finishing points and guided tours through Nordhorn.

Nature trail and Vechte Farm

At Nordhorn Zoo, the Vechte Floodplain Nature Trail teaches children and young people about animals and nature through educational games and information boards. The trail runs along boardwalks through a floodplain forest biotope beside an old arm of the Vechte, continuing to the historic Vechte Farm. There is also a petting zoo with piglets of the Bunte Bentheimer breed. At Vechte Farm, the “De Malle Jan” inn serves visitors homemade cakes and tortes. Nature, learning activities and Vechte Farm are all part of the same outing here.

Old Church and weekly market

The Old Church on the Market Square was built in the 15th century in the Late Gothic style. During the summer months, guided tours of the church that include climbing the tower are offered. A weekly market selling regional specialities takes place right in front of the Old Church on the Market Square on Wednesdays and Saturdays. For planning purposes, it is helpful to note the distinction: church tours are seasonal, while the market takes place on the two days of the week mentioned.

Discover more destinations: Hoogstede, Laar, Lage, Getelo, Emlichheim, Bad Bentheim, Engden, Itterbeck.

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