Low-incentive places in The Hague
Did you know that 6 million (!) people (Hear Me Foundation) suffer from stimuli to a greater or lesser extent? Stimuli such as noise, light, crowds etc.. But that need not be an obstacle to enjoying a day out in The Hague to the full.
Low-pressure enjoyment in The Hague
Many entrepreneurs and cultural organisations have taken measures to make a visit to them pleasant even for this target group. Think no or soft music in catering establishments or on your socks through a museum. Here is an overview of all these great initiatives and low-incentive places to unwind.
Horeca
Bookstor | Noordeinde 39
Bookstor is a fine coffee shop on the Noordeinde to enjoy a quiet cup of coffee. It is often crowded but the noise is muffled by the many books and rugs. Besides, most people here are reading a book or working on their laptop, so you won't hear them. And with a bit of luck, you can find a spot in the green garden or cosy greenhouse.
Doppio | Frederik Hendriklaan 137
Doppio is a so-called ‘silence café. This means that, especially in the afternoons at quieter moments for them, they can create a low-pressure environment. Report to the staff and they help you by turning the music down or sometimes even off, they don't tease children in your immediate vicinity and they give you peace by not constantly passing by your table.
Greens in the Park | Kapelweg 18
In the beautiful Westbroek Park, you can enjoy delicious food at Greens in the Park. The ingredients of the dishes come straight from the adjacent vegetable garden. It doesn't get any fresher! In the green garden you can sit back and relax. Then recharge your batteries for a walk through the beautiful rose garden.
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Museums
De Mesdag Collectie | Laan van Meerdervoort 7F
Would you like to view Mesdag's collection in the beautiful museum The Mesdag Collection at your leisure? You can do so once a month. There are fewer visitors then, the video screens are off and the lights dimmed (where possible). For more information, dates and reservations, visit the website.
Museum Voorlinden | Buurtweg 90 Wassenaar
Every Saturday and Sunday morning, Museum Voorlinden has the ‘Silence in socks hour’. The museum is then open between 10 and 11 a.m. for just 100 people. For an hour you can enjoy the works of art in complete silence - phones go silent, save conversations for later. A ticket for silence hour can only be booked online in advance.
Kunstmuseum The Hague | Stadhouderslaan 41
Enjoying art with headphones on? Then take the Mindfullness tour ‘Looking with different eyes’ at the Kunstmuseum The Hague. This audio tour is not about knowledge of dates, artists or art movements. It is purely about what you experience and feel, wandering through the building and zooming in on the works of art you choose yourself.
Low-incentive areas
Dunes and beach
A clue, of course, if you are a city by the sea. Ask any Hagenaar or Hagenees where they go to unwind and recharge and often you will hear; the dunes or the beach. Walking through the dunes or gazing at the sea is nice for everyone. Then choose the quiet beach where you won't meet many people.
Celestial Vault | Machiel Vrijenhoeklaan 175
This artwork by James Turrell in the quiet dunes of Kijkduin is a beautiful place. You can relax here day and night (and often undisturbed because most of the time it is not crowded) watching the sky.
Emma's Hof | Galileïstraat 36 & Rusthof | Parkstraat 41-61
Courtyards are quieter places par excellence and if you call yourself Rusthof, expect an even quieter place. What is special about this courtyard is that it sits in the middle of the lively city centre. This is also the only publicly accessible hofje in the city centre. Emma's hof, in the emerging Regentessekwartier district, is an oasis of calm full of plants, sheltered seating areas and beautiful mosaics reminiscent of Gaudi.
Culture
Willibrorduskapel | Oude Molstraat 35
In the historic Hofkwartier (Court Quarter), you will find this chapel of the Brothers of St John. Here you can go for a rest, a moment of reflection or to light a candle. And when you're recharged, pop into the adjacent monastery shop where the brothers sell their home-brewed beer.
Het Nationale Theater | Korte Voorhout 3
At some performances, the National Theatre has an irritant-free foyer and even a rest room so you can start the performance rested. For a list of these performances, go to ‘low-incentive reception’.
What is a low stimulus concert?
In a low-incentive visit, sensory stimuli are reduced for a new perspective on cultural experience. At a low-incentive concert, the volume is adjusted and the number of visitors is limited. The concert takes place during the day and the venue will be low-incentive. This means no background music is played in the bar and foyer, venue staff are instructed on how best to interact with the audience, and a quiet room is available. By reducing environmental stimuli, audiences can enjoy the music to the fullest.
Out with Autism
Through an overview of venue facilities and reviews, Uit met Autisme offers you a helping hand. This allows you to carefully weigh up whether it is wise to go to a location or perhaps postpone it until a quieter time.
This article is being updated as, thankfully, more and more low-incentive places and initiatives are emerging. Do you have any tips? Mail them to: l.wernsing@thehague.com
More low-stimulus culture tips?
