Amsterdam may be relatively small for a European capital city, but it's bursting with history, world-class attractions and plenty ways for visitors of any age to get to know its charms and people. Here are the top things to do in Amsterdam for a travel experience you couldn't have anywhere else.
1. Take a Canal Cruise
© 2009 Shannon McAllister, licensed to About.com
If you only do one thing in Amsterdam, make it a canal cruise. Amsterdam's canals are its signature and arguably most charming feature, and cruising these criss-crossing waterways puts the city in perspective while offering unique views of dozens of spectacular Amsterdam sights in a short period of time. Consider the different types of canal cruises in Amsterdam, then sit back and relax -- whether on a volunteer-run open-top boat with a small group of friends or a cozy vessel that resembles a floating fine dining room -- as you take in the 17th-century mansions, humpbacked bridges, quirky houseboats and stunning architecture ranging from medieval to modern. Sunset and night cruises are especially beautiful.
2. Visit Amsterdam's Best Museums
Amsterdam's museums rank among the city's most popular visitor attractions, especially theRijksmuseum, the Van Gogh Museum and the Anne Frank House. Home to fine historical artifacts, the works of treasured Dutch artists and the somber story of a little girl whose impact on the world is nothing less than extraordinary, these are by far the first Amsterdam museums visitors should check off their lists.Those who have visited "the big three" should move on to the more than 40 others that make Amsterdam's attractions as diverse as the city itself. Be sure to read:
3. Experience the Café Culture
© 2009 Shannon McAllister, licensed to About.com
One of my (and most locals') favorite things to do in Amsterdam is to sit at a café -- whether for lunch, coffee, happy-hour drinks or dinner -- for an undetermined amount of time, people-watching and generally enjoying the time to relax. Café culture is a big part of the Amsterdam experience and you should try a few different kinds of cafés in which to soak it up. Cozy bruin cafés and eetcafés are to the Dutch what pubs are to the British and Irish, local spots where friends gather to catch up over a beer or glass of house wine. In fair weather, Amsterdam's best café terraces are a must. On cooler or wetter days, try one of these heated or covered café terraces so you can still watch life pass by on the busy streets.
4. Walk All Around the City
Courtesy of Amsterdam Tourism and Convention Board
Amsterdam is a compact city meant to be walked. With 1,000-plus bridges to cross, eye-candy architecture to photograph and countless cozy cafés for breaks along the way, exploring Amsterdam by foot offers hours of sightseeing. I prefer self-guided walking tours (with a good guidebook for occasional reference) because I like to make my own discoveries around unknown corners. Be sure to walk the canal districts at night, when you'll be rewarded watery reflections of lighted bridges and peeks into the windows of stately homes (the Dutch don't mind; they rarely close their curtains). I've outlined some of my favorite areas to wander here:
5. See the City by Bike
© 2009 Shannon McAllister, licensed to About.com
Biking is a way of life in the Netherlands and it's by far the fastest way to get around Amsterdam. I've hosted several visitors here who couldn't believe they ever waited for a tram once they experienced how quickly (and with how much childhood-flashback joy) they could cover so much ground on two wheels. There's no doubt you'll enjoy feeling oh-so-Dutch cruising along the canals with the locals. That said, biking in a busy city takes some getting used to and isn't necessarily for everyone. Before you hop on, consider these resources and rules of the road:
