Curator’s statement
Amsterdam is full of charm with its winding canals, cobblestone streets and colorful tulips. However, it's more than just museums, flowers and the Red Light District — there are excellent hotels with world-class dining that will surprise anyone who has only traveled there during their college study abroad program. Amsterdam is a a diverse and exciting food destination that has the hits (warm stroopwafels!) and unexpected surprises in its food halls and fine-dining restaurants.
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Things to do in Amsterdam
Photo by Merna Rakha of tulips for sale
A trip to Amsterdam wouldn't be complete without a visit to the Museumplein, the large square surrounded by its famous museums like the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum and modern Stedelijk Museum. But there are also other quirkier and unique museums like the Diamond Museum that can be fun to explore, especially with kids. During the holidays, Museumplein is filled with Christmas markets, leading into an "electric fireworks" New Year's celebration (along with an early-bird "midnight" countdown for the kids to participate in).
Schedule a visit to the Anne Frank House and then spend an afternoon wandering through the Nine Streets (De 9 Straatjes) in the Jordaan neighborhood, exploring the local boutiques and restaurants — including fondue at Restaurant Smelt.
If you time your trip in the spring (March through May), the tulips can't be missed. You can see varieties in the floating flower market in town (Bloemenmarkt), or travel just outside the city center to see the rows of colors at Keukenhof Gardens.
And, of course, try a warm stroopwafel while wandering the canals — but make sure to look out for passing bikers!
Places to eat & drink in Amsterdam
Stroopwafels make a great gift to bring home (Photo by Melike B)
During your wanderings in the 9 Streets, stop by the Pulitzer for a drink — warm drinks and fondue in the winter, a glass of cold wine in the summer — in their garden.
For high-end dining at a (relatively) affordable price, snag a reservation at De Kas, housed in a series of greenhouses where you'll be served vegetables grown in the restaurant's garden.
For a modern, inventive meal, try Restaurant Wils by the Olympic park, where the theme of flames starts with an open kitchen and stretches to baked, wood-fired and grilled meats and vegetables. Sit at the kitchen counter for the best view.
For an excellent lunch on the go, grab a sandwich at Zero Zero, where the bread and meats compete for the best bite.
Amsterdam is filled with delicious bakeries — try Broodbakker Simon Meijssen by the museums or Saint-Jean by the Jordaan neighborhood. Of course, you can't leave Amsterdam without eating a warm stroopwafel — try van Wonderen.
For a fun experience, stop by Foodhallen, which is just what you guessed — a food hall filled with stalls of diverse food from around the globe.
Need to know
Amsterdam is famous for its tulips in the spring, but there is also a certain charm of visiting in the colder months when the city is dressed up for the holidays and the canals are the perfect backdrop for sitting by a warm fire in a hotel lobby over a perfectly crafted cocktail. Even better, the Museumplein is filled with holiday shops in December and the city does a great New Year's celebration — at midnight, the city erupts in fireworks across the canals, which is truly an exhilarating scene!
Travel Advisor
Melissa Zimm
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For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Amsterdam page.