The Hague

The Hague is a small city in the Netherlands that is the seat of the Dutch government. It's a pleasant place to visit because it has good attractions, bustling squares, and breezes off a lake. It also has an interesting blend of quintessential Dutch rowhouses juxtaposed against a modern skyline of unique skyscrapers. 

The most important place to visit in The Hague is Escher in the Palace! This is a wonderful museum displaying the works of Dutch graphical artist M. C. Escher. His life is described and you come to know why he made the works that he did. It's very interesting! The museum is in a beautiful palace that was owned by Dutch royalty, and it's in Lange Voorhout, a square full to the brim with rows of trees.
Around the corner from Lange Voorhout is the prettiest part of The Hague, Binnenhof Castle, where the government offices are located. Its architecture is full of atmosphere as it is 13th century gothic. Come and admire the gate, turrets, towers, and archways. Binnenhof is located on Lake Hofvijver, with an island in the middle. Next to Binnenhof is Maurithuis, which is one of the cutest buildings in Holland! It is built perfectly symmetrical, in colors of pale yellow and maroon. It also sits on the lake. The inside is not as lovely as the outside, but it is interesting enough to browse the old Dutch art. 16th century Dutch art isn't the most inspiring, as it is heavily influenced by Calvinism and the long dark winters. Religious scenes were not commissioned, nor grand works. And so it consists of mostly small paintings: still lifes, portraits, somber scenes of everyday life in small dark rooms, and landscapes in low light. Girl with a Pearl Earring by Vermeer is the museum's most famous painting.
Next to Binnenhof is Het Plein, a big cobblestone square. When I first visited it, I was impressed with its fun atmosphere and interesting views of Dutch gingerbead-style rowhouses backed by tall, wonderful skyscrapers in red and green. But the last time I visited it was crowded with messy-looking random items, and I'm not sure what was happening. It felt dirty, like a street full of nightclubs. It turns out it is a nightclub spot, with five clubs, so it must have been after a busy night.
Another square, smaller and triangular, is Plaats. It is located next to the high end shopping streets, and a nice place to stop a while on a summer day, with a breeze off the water.
There are some interesting government buildings to check out in The Hague: the Supreme Court building on Korte Voorhout has six sculptures of seated judges which I like, and there is Noordeinde Palace and its gardens, with a playground for children, walking paths, fountains, and ponds. I haven't visited it yet but wish to check it out next time.
There are plenty of coffee shops full of young people near the train station on Herengracht, plus a small city park with separate bike and walking paths called Koekamp. It has deer, geese, and good views of the pretty skyscrapers. 
Muzenplein is a fairly dark square with unique and beautiful skyscrapers above it, and many flowers in pots. 
A ten minute drive from The Hague is Scheveningen Beach, Pier and Boardwalk. It has a strong sense of place because of the beautiful Grand Hotel Kurhaus that stands across from the pier. Here you can visit Sea Life Aquarium, full of unique sea creatures you haven't seen before, stroll the boardwalk, and dip your toes in the North Sea.

Directions

Den Haag Centraal, the train station, is a short walk from everything, and an easy way to arrive at The Hague.

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