Overview
Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, features homes and buildings perched along its twisting canals, all of which are a testament to the city's glorious past and still very much a part of Amsterdam today. No matter how many bridges you walk over, how many canals you cross, you'll never tire of seeing the sites here. It's on the streets off the canals that you see all the things that make Amsterdam a unique and wonderful city.
Be sure to explore the neighborhoods outside the city center. That's where the locals are - in their cafes, restaurants and shops. If you happen to be a museum nut, you'll find Amsterdam has dozens. Many of them are concentrated in a single square mile of the city. To get around, it's best to do like the locals and put yourself on a bicycle. You can rent bikes all over the city. Just remember to lock them up, because hundreds of bikes are stolen each day.
Sights/Landmarks/To Do
Dam Square: Dam Square is the hub of the historic district of Amsterdam, also known as the Old Center. The city was literally founded there when a dam was built on the mighty Amstel River. It's a great orientation spot to begin your tour of the city.
Where: Follow Damrak south from Centraal Station into the Nieuwe Zijde; Raadhuisstraat leads from Dam to intersect main canals.
Rijksmuseum Vincent Van Gogh: One of the most popular museums in Amsterdam is dedicated to the famous painter Vincent Van Gogh. The line for tickets is usually fairly long, but if you plan ahead, you can purchase your ticket online, print it out, and skip the line entirely. The museum has one of the greatest collections of Van Gogh's works, and it's laid out so that you get an understanding of the man's life and influences. His career as an artist lasted only 10 years, but in that time he completed 1,100 drawings and 900 paintings. He is easily considered the world's greatest expressionist painter. And to think he only sold two paintings in his lifetime. Don't forget to try the audio tour at the museum - you won't regret it!
Web: www.vangoghmuseum.nl
Where: Paulus Potterstraat 7
Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse: A popular day trip is the Keukenhof Gardens, just 30 minutes outside Amsterdam, in the town of Lisse. In the 14th century, the land was used to grow herbs and vegetables for the kitchen of the Countess of Holland. Today, you can go there to see millions of bulbous flowers.
Web: www.keukenhof.nl
Anne Frank House: Anne Frank and her family went into hiding at 263 Prinsengracht. They stayed there completely isolated for two years, during which time she wrote her diary. The house and the secret annex have become one of the most significant attractions in Amsterdam.
Web: www.annefrank.nl
Address: Prinsengracht 267
The Red Light District: No tour of the city of Amsterdam would be complete without a lovely walk through the Red Light District, which is a debauchery of sorts. Even if it's not the most distinguished place in the city, you don't have to be afraid of walking alone there. It's a big tourist attraction.
Web: Red Light District
Hotels
The College Hotel: Housed in a restored 19th-century school building, the College Hotel is run by supervised students from the Amsterdam Hotel School. They're aiming for a chic but affordable feel, and the rooms and suites have absolutely no resemblance to dorm rooms. It's a lovely, stylish, boutique hotel.
Web: www.thecollegehotel.com
Houseboat rentals: If you want to stay right on the water, literally, look into renting a houseboat. They can be open, spacious and simply designed. The boats are stable and have toilets and showers. Some houseboats have two sleeping quarters, but all houseboats are different. Do an Internet search on houseboat rentals in Amsterdam, and go from there.
Food/Restaurants/Bars
Raw Herring: When you're exploring Amsterdam, sample herring. You can easily get it from one of the many herring stands on the street. The locals enjoy it raw, rolled in chopped onions, with a few pickles. If you like sushi, it's fine. However, you'll definitely want a breath mint afterward.
Brown Cafés: Brown café is the term people use to describe the traditional sort of pub in Amsterdam. Its tobacco-stained walls have typically turned brown over the course of time, hence the name.
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