Every time I visited Amsterdam, It was either for a layover or a short period. It was good being in the city and taking the time out to see things I've heard about and never got to do.
Anne Frank Museum
A trip to the Anne Frank Museum is one of the hottest tickets in Amsterdam. Immediately after booking your flight and hotel, this is what you should book next. The tickets sell out weeks in advance. On my previous trips, I had no luck with buying tickets while in Amsterdam.
Once inside, you get to relive a 2-year journey for a family that went into hiding to avoid persecution until they were caught and moved to concentration camps in 1945. Anne Frank detailed the experience in her diary.
The Heineken Experience
Venture on a self-guided tour of Heineken's first brewery. The tour starts with a brief introduction to the tour and the rest you can pretty much do at your own leisure. Entry comes with a Heineken bracelet with pins that you can trade-in for two ice-cold beers. There is also a gift shop at the end where you can purchase select memorabilia. For souvenirs, put your name on a bottle of Heineken and keep along with your memories.
The Albert Cuyp Market
In the neighborhood of De Pijp is a visitor's dream. The Albert Cuyp market is where you can sample all of Amsterdam's food in one location. The market also sells clothes and souvenirs. The market is open Monday to Saturday (closed on Sunday). If you plan on visiting Amsterdam for a longer time, here is a great place to buy groceries, as they have a large selection of fish, meats, spices and fruit and over 300 vendors.
Poezenboot
The catboat is the only floating animal shelter in the world. Here you can see cats relax and enjoy their environment. Although admission is free, donations are appreciated. The home is a sanctuary for cats, it offers adoption as well as a gift shop.
Go Cycling
Although cycling itself is free, the cost to rent a bike may not. If you have a friend that can lend a bike, that's always a plus. The app Donkey Republic lets you rent bikes in the city if you don't have access to one. They have convenient locations throughout the city and the bikes are easily accessible. (unlocked via smartphone)
Visit the Redlight District
As a visitor, you need two visits to the Red Light District, one in the day and one at night. During the day, the name is less noticeable but you can visit the Museum of Sex and the Museum of Prostitution. At night, the area is much different from an exhibition not seen anywhere else. The doors with the red lights above them indicate the go-to areas of the night trade. Just be respectful and don't take pictures. (Its also for your safety.)
Take the Train to a nearby town
The Netherlands is much more than Amsterdam. Amsterdam Centraal is connected to some of the most beautiful towns you will ever see. Some of my favorites are Haarlem, Leiden, and Zannse Schans.
Visit a coffee shop
Coffee shops in Amsterdam don't sell coffee, they sell marijuana and CBD products. They draw tourists from near and far with the ease to use recreational Marijuana. Just remember to be careful, especially if it's your first time. The Bulldog carries the reputation of being one of Amsterdams most famous coffee shops but they are a wide range to choose from.
Attend a Kings Day Festival
April 27th is a big day in Amsterdam. It's a holiday and also the day they throw one of the world's biggest parties. The day marks the birth of King Willem-Alexander. I've seen pictures and its on my bucket list of things to do in the near future.
Visit the Fokker 100
The KLM Cityhopper Fokker 100 is an authentic airport experience with a panoramic terrace that gives visitors a unique insight into aviation history. The aircraft made its maiden flight on March 2nd, 1989 and flew its final flight on February 19th, 2010. It has been on my to-do list since finding out about the experience.
Amsterdam has so many things to do and I encourage you all to find out what they are. If you have other things that you like to do in Amsterdam or I didn't mention above, leave a comment below.
Editor’s Note: Opinions expressed here are the author's alone, not those of any parties mentioned. None of the entities mentioned has reviewed, approved or endorsed the content listed in this post.
