The Coolest Things To-Do in Amsterdam

Amsterdam

Amsterdam is one of my all time favorite cities. Dutch people are extremely friendly and the city is jam packed with character. Here you will find boat filled canals with picture perfect bridges, and charming homes filled with history. Don’t forget about good beer, dutch apple pie, lots of bicycles and a tulip festival if you are lucky! There is so much to see and do here!

Where to stay

If you are looking for top notch accommodations in Amsterdam nothing beats De L’Europe Amsterdam. The location is divine right across from the famous flower market perched on the canals. The beautiful historic building dates back to 1896 and is stunning with its lights sparkling in the water’s reflection.

Where to stay: An out of this world choice is the Waldorf Astoria Amsterdam. From the exterior you may think you are strolling past another charming city block but inside is a world class hotel, where each room is unique and spacious. The hotel also boasts a pool, a rarity in central Amsterdam!

Where to stay: My last suggestion (a more affordable one too) is this amazing private attic airbnb. It is an easy ferry ride to central Amsterdam in a quiet neighborhood and you have the whole attic & outdoor terrace to yourselves. The best part was by far the HUGE dutch breakfast the kind hosts prepare each morning, it kept us full all day!

What to Do

A Boat Tour on the Canals: I highly recommend hoping on a lovely boat tour of the canals as your first stop in Amsterdam. It is a great way to get oriented with the city, listen to some history and have a glass of wine as you soak it all in. Book your tour here! Have your camera ready too because you get a unique perspective of Amsterdam from the water.

Explore the floating flower market: if you are unfamiliar with the history of the Dutch Tulip Mania (read here) definitely do some research on it, it's a fascinating piece of history. The Dutch sure do like their tulips and a great unique place to see the national staple is the floating market Bloemenmarkt. Bringing some seeds back with you is an easy souvenir idea!

Keukenhof: If you are lucky enough to time your trip just right in the Spring, heading just outside the city to Keukenhof is a MUST! It is arguably the most beautiful garden in the world and also has classic giant tulip fields nearby to frolic in. We came in a colder spring and the tulips had not bloomed yet which just means I have to go back!

Visit Amsterdams World Class Museums: Amsterdam is home to some amazing museums and there is something for everyone in Museumplein. The famous “I Amsterdam” sign is in the center of the district which is worth a photo. The Van Gough Museum was my favorite with so many of his masterpieces - get tickets in advanced for this one it sells out days before. The Rijksmuseum is huge and has gorgeous collections, if you are a library lover check out the gorgeous library inside! and the Museum of Modern Art is also quite impressive. The square is lively and full of locals and tourists alike enjoying themselves. There is a large reflection pond in the middle that turns into an ice-skating rink in the winter! This area is a can’t miss

Tallest Swing in Europe: Across the river from the main city center is a really cool observation deck called A’DAM Lookout with great view and the highest swing in Europe! Get your tickets in advanced so you know your time slot, and take it all in from the top! The building has a rooftop restaurant and bar as well and I thought the shop had some really cool stuff.

Eat Dutch Apple Pie! This one deserves its own spot because it was that special! Papeneiland Cafe is such a cute spot right on the corner of a canal. It’s a small and charming place that has been operating since 1642 (yes you read that right!) perfect for an afternoon snack. Order a slice of Dutch apple pie and a beer and enjoy!

Wander Around Jordaan: This is a stunning neighborhood that makes you feel like you could be in any era in time. There are tons of shops and galleries to pop in, have fun exploring the streets and doing some shopping. This is a popular neighborhood for locals to live, I was quite jealous!

Red Light District: Ah yes the redlight district, probably what Amsterdam is most famous for. I wasn’t there for a party scene so if you’re like me, it is still worth a stroll through to see a very unique neighborhood. At nightfall this place comes alive with red lanterns, men and women in windows, and clubs. There is also legalized weed which has declined a bit in popularity since other countries are slowly catching up. We stopped for a beer and people watched and had a blast. Of course be extremely respectful of everyone! If you don’t like what’s going on then just don’t go

Groenburgwal: The city center is hard to miss in Amsterdam, but be sure to soak it in. Enjoy the window baskets, bridges and bicycles. Here I found my favorite street and photo spot in Amsterdam. Cross an old wooden bridge over the Groenburgwal and look straight at the tower of Zuiderkerk. The canal is wide with boats and trees lining it and this spot was actually painted by Claude Monet!

What to Pack

Hope you enjoyed this post on Amsterdam!