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Things to do and Attractions in Utrecht : Day 6 of Eurotrip

Cuby+blizzard rock band

After taking an hour ride from Amsterdam to Utrecht, we arrived at the Utrecht Central Station. Here, we went straight for our familiar breakfast and coffee at Albert Heijn!

$1euro coffee from Albert Heijn's coffee machine
$1euro coffee from Albert Heijn’s coffee machine

Hoog Catharijne is a huge and mazy shopping mall that is just next to the Utrecht Central Station. Here we had our breakfast as we watched the morning crowd rush by. We then headed outdoors towards our first destination Domkerk.


Town Square Utrecht

Hoog Catharijne next to Utrecht Central Station
Hoog Catharijne next to Utrecht Central Station

As we headed outdoors, we noticed that the traffic light was somewhat different. Can you notice it in this video?

Yes! The red and green man of the traffic light are actually Miffy! So cute! You would have known by now that Utrecht is the home town of Dick Bruna who created Miffy – affectionately known to the locals as Nijntje.

Not long after, the skies started to turn grey. But in the midst of the storm, we can still see the rainbow!

Rainbow in Utrecht
Rainbow in Utrecht

While we were trying to find the Domkerk, we came upon this structure…

Water Museum in Utrecht
Water Museum in Utrecht

The structure actually looked like a watch tower of sorts to us. However, it turned out that the tower is actually a water museum. However, it has since ceased operation. After taking some shots, we left in search of Domkerk. Along the way, we were suddenly hit by this…

A hail storm out of nowhere! We were carrying our umbrella in the light drizzle when it hit us, making loud thumping noise as it hit our umbrella. So we went to the side to seek shelter and took a video of the hail. Have you been hit by a hail before? A light one such as this was ok, but a huge one may be very dangerous!

Domkerk and Domtoren Utrecht

Not long after that ordeal, we came upon the Domkerk!

Domtoren Utrecht
Domtoren Utrecht
Domkerk aka St. Martin's Cathedral Utrecht
Domkerk aka St. Martin’s Cathedral Utrecht

Domkerk and Domtoren in Utrecht are famous landmarks in Utrecht. Domkerk is also known as St. Martin’s Cathedral and was built in the 13th century.

After walking for another 20 minutes, we finally came upon Dick Bruna Huis! Well, the reason why we came to Utrecht in the first place was because of Miffy! There was a newspaper report that covered all the famous rabbits as it was the year of the rabbits in the chinese calendar. One of these famous rabbits was of course Miffy. We sort of stared at the newspaper cutting each morning during breakfast and we took it upon ourselves to visit. And here we are!

Entrance to Dick Bruna House to see Miffy
Entrance to Dick Bruna House to see Miffy

Centraal Museum Utrecht

The price of entry ticket to Dick Bruna House was inclusive of entry to the Centraal Museum in Utrecht as well. Here we chanced upon famous designs such as this rag chair

Rag chair Centraal Museum Utrecht
Rag chair Centraal Museum Utrecht

as well as designs from Riet Veld who inspired Dick Bruna in his work.

Utrecht Centraal Museum Rietveld room
Utrecht Centraal Museum Rietveld room

The museum was actually quite interesting with its different sections at different levels and it holds quite an extensive collection of artworks as well, given that it looks relatively small from the outside. Next we headed to Dick Bruna Huis!

Dick Bruna Huis Utrecht

Play area for kids in dick bruna huis
Play area for kids in dick bruna huis

At the entrance of Dick Bruna Huis is the souvenir shop that has all kinds of Miffy stuff ranging from baby toys to soft toys, bibs to cutlery. Of course we did quite a bit of shopping ourselves there as well!

Get some Miffy souvenirs on the way out of Dick Bruna Huis Utrecht
Get some Miffy souvenirs on the way out of Dick Bruna Huis Utrecht

Before entering Dick Bruna House, you’ll walk past this huge golden Miffy greeting you at the entrance!

Fat Golden Miffy at the entrance of Dick Bruna House
Fat Golden Miffy at the entrance of Dick Bruna House

Once you’re in, you’ll be first greeted with the room with all the Miffy books written in many different languages!

Walls filled with Miffy Square Books in different languages Dick Bruna House
Walls filled with Miffy Square Books in different languages Dick Bruna House

Miffy in Fashion or Nijntje De Mode is a tribute by designers to Dick Bruna. These designers were inspired by the works of Dick Bruna and decided to come together to put up this display in recognition of his works…

Winner of Miffy in Fashion commemorating 5th year of Dick Bruna Huis
Winner of Miffy in Fashion commemorating 5th year of Dick Bruna Huis

On the way back, we stopped by this asian chow place at the Utrecht Central Station and had some of its noodles @ 9.80euro. Very expensive for Singapore standards!

Asian restaurant @ Utrecht Central Station
Asian restaurant @ Utrecht Central Station
9.80euro noodles with beef and brocoli in oriental sauce
9.80euro noodles with beef and brocoli in oriental sauce
7euro doner kebab x 2 with fries and coke
7euro doner kebab x 2 with fries and coke

Conclusion

Utrecht was definitely worth a day visit. If the weather had been better, we would have enjoyed a beautiful stroll along the canals as well. Do not miss the Dick Bruna Huis for you Miffy out there!

Hotel Deals

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Utrecht right here!

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Pray - The Miffy on the poster of Miffy in Fashion Dick Bruna House Utrecht

Dick Bruna House : Home of Miffy the Rabbit | Things to do and Attractions in Utrecht

There are so many things to do and attractions in Utrecht! Besides the Domtoren and Domkerk of Utrecht, the other must visit attraction has got to be Dick Bruna House, the home of Miffy the rabbit!

Entrance to Dick Bruna House to see Miffy
Entrance to Dick Bruna House to see Miffy

How to get to Dick Bruna House

Dick Bruna House also known as dick bruna huis is located on Nicolaaskerkhof 10, Utrecht, the Netherlands and is actually just opposite of the Centraal Museum. If you go by public, the bus number 2 stops close to the Centraal Museum.

First glimpse of the entrance to dick bruna huis
First glimpse of the entrance to dick bruna huis

Opening Hours of Dick Bruna Huis

Tuesdays to Sundays : 1100 to 1700

The museum is closed every Monday except for Whit and Easter Monday.

Prices/Admission Fees

The price of admission to Dick Bruna Huis is as follows

18 to 64 yrs old : 9 Euros
65+,groups of 10, U pass holders : 7 Euros
13 to 17 yrs old and student pass holders : 4 Euros

Free entry for children under 12 years of age. Tickets also include admission to the Centraal Museum on the same day.

Introduction

Miffy the rabbit is a creation of Utrecht illustrator Dick Bruna (born in 1927). His simplistic use of shapes and colours in creating Miffy has won fans from all over the world. Besides Miffy and her family, Dick Bruna also created many unforgettable characters such as Poppy Pig, Boris Bear, Little Dog Snuffy and Little Black Bear (aka Zwarte Beertje).

Miffy and Friends!
Miffy and Friends!
Fat Golden Miffy at the entrance of Dick Bruna House
Fat Golden Miffy at the entrance of Dick Bruna House

Inside Dick Bruna House

After passing by the fat golden Miffy, you will enter a tiny room with Miffy storybooks (also known as Nijntje in Dutch) of many different languages. It has been said that because of the fame of Miffy, the series has been translated to more than 50 languages!

Walls filled with Miffy Square Books in different languages Dick Bruna House
Walls filled with Miffy Square Books in different languages Dick Bruna House

Every Miffy storybook has a standard rectangular format consisting of 12 prints and 12 four-line verses which tells the story. Dick Bruna will first draw the story with pictures before coming up with the text for the story. His wife Irene, will then check and see if she loves it before sending to the publishers.


Miffy Square Books inside Dick Bruna Huis

History of Dick Bruna and Miffy

The next room shows the history of Dick Bruna and his work, including his famed character Miffy.

History of Dick Bruna and Miffy
History of Dick Bruna and Miffy

The room also has video interviews of Dick Bruna, telling how he got the inspiration for Miffy, who influenced him in his work and how he typically completes a Miffy storybook.

There are also old artworks done by Dick Bruna such as this picture using shapes and colours to show contrast…

Dick Bruna's first pieces of art with block colours and shapes
Dick Bruna’s first pieces of art with block colours and shapes

Play area for kids

The next room is simply a play area for kids

Play area for kids in dick bruna huis
Play area for kids in dick bruna huis

In this area, kids can play with puzzles and do some drawings. There’s also cushion toys they can play with and cases of Miffy figures on display.

Figures of Miffy by Miffy fans from Japan
Figures of Miffy by Miffy fans from Japan

Miffy in Fashion / Nijntje in de mode

There was a feature exhibition at our time of visit called Miffy in Fashion or Nijntje in de mode.

Miffy in Fashion / Nijntje in de mode
Miffy in Fashion / Nijntje in de mode

At a young age, Dick Bruna wanted to be a designer. However, his father wanted him to take over the family’s publishing business. So he began work in the company but only as a graphic designer. This exhibition appealed to an international group of designers who attributed to Dick Bruna’s work as a source of inspiration.

Enjoy the pictures from Miffy in Fashion of Dick Bruna House

Miffy in minimalistic style
Miffy in minimalistic style
Miffy Pink with Buttons Dick Bruna House
Miffy Pink with Buttons Dick Bruna House
Miffy with coloured bows Dick Bruna Huis
Miffy with coloured bows Dick Bruna Huis
Miffy after picking flowers
Miffy after picking flowers
Miffy with braiding dress Dick Bruna House
Miffy with braiding dress Dick Bruna House
Winner of Miffy in Fashion commemorating 5th year of Dick Bruna Huis
Winner of Miffy in Fashion commemorating 5th year of Dick Bruna Huis
Miffy in Festive Fur
Miffy in Festive Fur
Miffy in 3D Dick Bruna Huis
Miffy in 3D Dick Bruna Huis
Rabbit Happiness Dick Bruna House
Rabbit Happiness Dick Bruna House
Miffy with blue scarf
Miffy with blue scarf
Miffy with beaded butterfly
Miffy with beaded butterfly
Tropical Miffy Dick Bruna House
Tropical Miffy Dick Bruna House
Puffy Dress Miffy Dick Bruna Huis
Puffy Dress Miffy Dick Bruna Huis
Bling Bling Miffy
Bling Bling Miffy
Miffy in vintage YSL
Miffy in vintage YSL
Pray - The Miffy on the poster of Miffy in Fashion Dick Bruna House Utrecht
Pray – The Miffy on the poster of Miffy in Fashion Dick Bruna House Utrecht

Here is a video in Miffy in Fashion / Nijntje De Mode

Conclusion

If you are a fan of Miffy, the dick bruna huis is definitely a must visit attraction in Utrecht. Even if you’re not, you would definitely be inspired by his use of his signature black outlines, bold colours and excellent use of simple shapes.

Even if you’re not the arty kind, if you have a girl friend or wife, bringing her there will score you some brownie points!

You can also visit the dick bruna huis store on the way out and get some souvenirs or toys for friends back home!

Get some Miffy souvenirs on the way out of Dick Bruna Huis Utrecht
Get some Miffy souvenirs on the way out of Dick Bruna Huis Utrecht

For your convenience, we have arranged for the best hotel deals in Utrecht right here!

If you enjoyed our content, “Like” us on Facebook Today!

Related Posts

Things To Do And Attractions In Utrecht, The Netherlands!

Things To Do And Attractions In Utrecht : Day 6 Of Eurotrip

Dom Tower And St. Martin’s Cathedral Aka Domtoren & Domkerk | Things To Do And Attractions In Utrecht

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