Rotterdam yes or no?
 

My husband is going to Rotterdam in the late fall on business. I can go along pretty much for free, but I can't decide if it would be worth the pain of jet lag. Does anyone know the city? Think it would be worth a trip or not?
thnx

Rotterdam is a vibrant and very interesting city. Escpecially if you like modern architecture. The city was bombed in WW II and instead of rebuilding the 'old' city, Rotterdam became sort of a showcase for modern architecture. So don't except canals and other typical Dutch-city features! It is also one of the largest harbours in the world.
Their are a lot of interesting musea, restaurants, some shopping. So yeah, if you can go for free, it really is a fun city to visit.

Btw; The Hague, Delft, Leiden, Amsterdam and a lot of other interesting historical cities are no more than one hour (A'dam) away by train!

And there is the old dock where the Pilgrims left from for the New World after having fled England's tyranny to Dutch tolerance.

So many great places within a short hop - go for it.

Agree with what TommieG said. It'a short train ride to many other towns in Netherland.

If you like art, don't miss the Boijmans Museum. It is fabulous!

If you like modern architecture, yes Rotterdam is the place.
From there and not that far away are places like:
the old small town of Delft, (Vermeer..),visit Poceleyne Fles and see how Delft Blue is made. In the church in city-center dutch royals are buried.
Or make a tour to Kinderdijk, by car or boat and visit the old windmills.

Is your husband planning to fly directly into Rotterdam or through another city?

Gosh, jetlag isn't *that* painful, especially when the trip is free. I'd jump at the chance to go anywhere in the Netherlands. So get planning already, you're going to Rotterdam :)

Thanx for everyone's ideas. I think I'm now leaning toward going.
We would go through A'dam at one end of the trip, which I have been to and like a lot. Delft sounds like a good day trip. I've traveled in the baggage before, if you haven't tried it can be pretty draining to wander around by yourself all day in a strange city.
nj

Aanother nice city is Dordrecht (about 15 minutes by train to the south, whereas Delft is about 15 minutes to the north). It is a nice historical city, beautifully located by the river.

You can also take the Fast Ferry, a fast boat connecting Rotterdam and Dordrecht. Works just like a bus with regular departures. www.waterbus.nl (in Dutch).

But you are rigth. Wandering around alone in a strange city can be evry draining. Maybe the tourist information has some group-activities you could join?

Forgot to mention; In Ridderkerk the Fast Ferry (waterbus) has a connection tot the Kinderdijk (a famous place to see 19 (!) windmills on a row in the Netherlands).

It is also possible to rent a bike in Rotterdam and then take in on the fast ferry. So you could for instance even bike from one stop to another and then take the boat agian!