Living in Amsterdam your commute to work, shopping, even entertainment likely has you on two wheels. With all the bike rental shops around, rent a bike and see Amsterdam like a local. No bike, then you may be commuting by boat. With its canals and massive harbour, this city offers countless opportunities: hop on hop off canal bus, pizza cruise, cocktail cruise, candlelight cruise and many more.
Rather walk? No problem. Just make sure you see everything that interests you, there are tons of masterpieces in the city.
You haven't been to Amsterdam without a stop in a traditional brown café. Named for their wood paneling and walls stained by smoke over the centuries,
brown cafés practically have a cosines on tap, alongside good beer. Most cafes offer specialty coffees, food, and pot, which you can buy numerous ways.
The Vondelpark is the largest park in Amsterdam enjoying picnics, drinking and smoking pot perhaps while rollerblading. In summer months there is a free open air theater and there are an
array of cafes. Great place to relax and people watch. It is centrally located between the Amstelveenseweg, Overtoom and Stadhouderskade streets.
The Pipe or De Pijp, is a multitude of cultures and nationalities. Also known as the Latin Quarter, this area is alive and vibrant with many pubs and shops. Find it on the Albert Cuypstraat between Ferdinand Bolstraat and Van Woustraat, in the De Pijp area of the Oud-Zuid district of the city
The Albert Cypmarkt is the largest street market in the Netherlands with over 300 stalls located in the De Pijp area.
The most popular square in Amsterdam is the Leidseplein Square boasting the most lively cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants. The nightlife explodes here. The square is situated at the end of Leidsestraat Street.
Nine side streets connecting to the main canals is full of shops, restaurants, bars and has a different atmosphere. The Nine Streets (De Negen Straatjes) is a must see while in Amsterdam.
The Red Light District has it's own charm. No matter what your own personal views are, there is something for everyone in this unique part of town, from sex shops to relaxed cafes and fine restaurants. Beware: pickpocketing is common at night and do not buy drugs on the street.
De Wallen, together with the prostitution areas Singelgebied and Ruysdaelkade, form the Rosse Buurt (red light areas) of Amsterdam.
Dam Square, known best for the hippies of the sixties, highlights Bijenkorf (historical buildings), Magna Plaza, The Diamond Center, the Royal Palace, Madame Tussauds Museum and lots more. Located approximately 750 meters south of the main transportation hub, Centraal Station, at the original location of the dam in the river Amstel.
Boutique restaurants and specialty stores can be found in the Jordaan District, one of the more upscale neighbourhoods. It is part of the borough of Amsterdam-Centrum. The Jordaan is clustered between the four canals of Prinsengracht, Lijnbaansgracht, Passeerdersgracht and Brouwersgracht, on the west side of Amsterdam's main ring of canals (called the grachtengordel).
Don't forget Chinatown in Amsterdam. Besides many Asian shops and restaurants you will also find the Chinese Budhist Zedijk Temple also called Fo Guang Shan He Hua. Chinatown is the area between Stormsteeg, Gelderse Kade and Zeedijk.
The Royal Theatre Carre is a must see if you like theatre performances. It is known for flexibility and versatility. Opera, musicals, cabaret, dance and circus located near the river Amstel.
The Amsterdam Dungeon has 11 shows with live actors and promises a memorable experience. It has a fusion of exhibits and live action. The whole tour takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes and takes in many of the most horrific times in Amsterdam’s history. Are you brave enough?
The Artis Royal Zoo, started in 1838, is the oldest in Holland. Here you will find 900 different species of animals and 200 different types of trees, an aquarium, a planetarium, an insectarium and
a butterfly pavilion. It is located in the east of the city, near the botanical gardens, the Dutch Resistance Museum and the Tropenmuseum.
Like Beer?
Lucas Bols spirit is the oldest brand of spirit in the world. The House of Bols has several areas including the Hall of Taste, Bols Flairbooth, the Mirror Bar, the Bols Shop and the Bols Bartending Academy. It's a taste testing museum of sorts. The House of Bols is situated in central Amsterdam.
Heineken, which is one of the more popular beers in the world, offers a tour of the brewery and a journey through the history of Heineken beer. The Heineken Experience is located at Stadhouderskade 78, 1072 AE and the tour is roughly 1.5 hours.
Housed in an old windmill called De Gooyer, you will find the IJ Brewery, Brouwerim't IJ. This
is a small microbrewery that produces organic beer. There is a tour with taste testing in English at 3.30 pm that lasts about 30 minutes. The brewery is situated at the junction of Nieuwe Vaart and Mauritskade.
If you like to visit churches, don't miss the Basilica of St. Nicholas. This church was built over 125 years ago in the Old Center of Amsterdam and is quite stunning with both Baroque and Renaissance styles.
Climb to the top of the Westerkerk Tower (Wester Church) for the best panorama views of Amsterdam.
Museums Galore.....
The Van Gogh Museum, the Museum het Rembrandthuis, the Stedelijk Museum, the Hermitage Amsterdam are definitely for art lovers.
The Anne Frank House Museum is where Anne Frank and her family hid through World War II.
The Amsterdam Museum leaves you with a complete understanding about the city, its history, culture and traditions. Located in the Kalverstraat which is one of the more famous shopping streets in Amsterdam.
Science Center Nemo is a museum with 5 floors of exhibits and hands on experiences. If you are into science and technology you won't want to miss this.
Love handbags? Then you might want to check out the Museum of Bags and Purses with a collection of over 4000 bags dating back to the Middle Ages.
The Electric Ladyland Museum is the only museum that features fluorescent art in its exhibition.
Looking for ancient artifacts from ancient civilizations around the world, including Egypt, Greece and the Roman Empire will take you to the Allard Pierson Museum.
Diamonds are a girl's best friend and you can see diamond being cut at the Gassan Diamonds building. This was originally a diamond factory powered by steam. This is a great tour but could be expensive if your wife falls in love at the diamond shop.
Holland is famous for cheese so of course there is an Amsterdam Cheese Museum. It is located across the street from the Anne Frank House.
Click to see more information about the Rhineland Discovery Viking River Cruise
Then contact Kelley Brown at The Travel Agent Next Door to book your river cruise.
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