Haarlem

Haarlem is  about 15 minutes away via train from Amsterdam Centraal Station. It's the place to go when you've seen all the usual sights and want to avoid tourism overload. The city has the main square, pedestrian walking, and the usual sights. The Grote Kerk (Great Church) being one of those sights.

 The bell tower goes off every 15 minutes and loudly on the hour. It's impossible to not know what time it is.

 The church really is this large. Old, impressive, the usual.

 Don't forget to look up when strolling the side streets.

 Fans of architecture of all styles will have something to look at in Haarlem.