Top 5 Things to do in Amsterdam

Happy European Labor Day weekend! The journey is the Netherlands continues–read on for the (PG-rated) list of my top five favorite things in Amsterdam and some photos.

Related:
May Flowers (Tulips from the Keukenhof gardens),
a breakfast post with a photo of Dutch bread sprinkles

TOP 5 AMSTERDAM ACTIVITIES (PG VERSION)

1.  Anne Frank House.  Buy tickets in advance for this.  

The tour takes you through the house where the Frank family and their friends hid for almost 2 years during the Nazi occupation.  The original copies of Anne’s diaries are there, as well as tremendously poignant footage from Anne’s father Otto Frank, and the office staff that helped to keep them in hiding.    

2.  Van Gogh museum.  

This collection does a wonderful job of walking the audience through the live and experiences of Vincent Van Gogh, his family and his contemporaries.  Buy tickets in advance for this.  (Side note: buy tickets in advance for everything in major cities, always) 

3.  Vondelpark. 

I love city parks and this is a great one.  Located close to the museum district, Vondelpark creates a peaceful oasis in the middle of surprisingly busy Amsterdam.  The park is great size for a long walk (you could loop the park in about an hour) on a sunny day and has lots of places to stop for a picnic (or cafes to stop for a glass of wine.  There are interesting art/sculpture displays,  relaxing water features (see photo) and great bike trails.  This is a great stop for a few hours of relaxing–bring a book and your sense of self-righteous judgement for some great people watching.  

4.  Get samples.  

Dutch people are super friendly.  This extends to earnest in-flight conversations about fun tourist activities, thoughtful directions to major sites and lots of friendly banter with bus drivers.  Most importantly, this extends to their food and grocery culture.  You will pass by adorable cheese shops every few blocks.  Try all the cheese.  Go into grocery stores (to look for Dutch bread sprinkles of course).  Try everything at the meat and fish counters.  Go to Urban Cacao (the best chocolate in Amsterdam).  Try all the chocolate.  You get the idea. 

5.  Go to a “brown bar” for a drink.  

The cool, older cousin of the frantic Amsterdam coffeehouse scene, brown bars are historic Dutch pubs sprinkled through Amsterdam with a great selection of beer, craft liquor and Dutch bar food.  It’s a fun atmosphere to unwind and soak up a little bit of Dutch culture.  Check out this 10 Best List for some recommendations-we tried Arendsnest and had a great time (beer list in picture) Next time…a canal trip : )

What activities have you liked in Amsterdam or the Netherlands?  Comment or link to articles below! 

Pictures within this post are mine, but thanks to Javier M. for the banner photo! Check out his work on Unsplash