The Stedelijk Museum is Amsterdam's answer to MoMA, the Musée d'Orsay and other worldwide temples of modern art. Its Museumplein location has been temporarily reopened to the public (until January 9, 2011) in the midst of renovation and expansion for two contemporary art exhibits – an excellent window of opportunity for art lovers!
Head northward and let culture secede to consumerism on P.C. Hoofdstraat, Amsterdam's own Champs-Élysées. Upscale chains line the street; rub elbows with their well-heeled clientele as you browse Hermes, Louis Vuitton, and other exclusive retailers. Or just skip on over to the Vondelpark, the verdant heart of Amsterdam, for a late afternoon stroll or one of the abundant indoor and outdoor activities in the park.
Celebrate the close of your 48 hours in Amsterdam with one last typically Dutch experience: eat rijsttafel at Sama Sebo, one of the top Indonesian restaurants in the city. Rijsttafel, which literally means "rice table", is like tapas on overdrive: a feast of small Indonesian dishes, plus rice, that tests even the heartiest appetites. Not traditionally Indonesian, rijsttafel is a Dutch colonial invention that allowed colonists to sample dishes from all over the islands. So eet smakelijk ("bon appétit!"), and have a toast to your next 48 hours – or more – in Amsterdam!
