Any advice on where to visit in Amsterdam?

[munchbunch12]

Me, DH and the DC (aged 15 and 8) will be there for 3 entire days in the Spring Bank Holidays. Does anyone have any tips on good value things to do there? We enjoy most things, so will probably go to the Rijkmusuem and Van Gogh Museum, go on a boat tour, visit some of the parks and maybe the Johan Cruijff Arena, but is there anything else that you’d recommend? Also anything to definitely avoid? We won’t have a car with us, so will be on foot or public transport.

Thanks in advance X

There's also the Maritime Museum and NEMO (science museum). Amsterdam Noord/North is also worth a visit if you have time. You can take the free ferries from behind the central station. The ferry to Buiksloterweg gets you to This is Holland and the A'dam Tower (huge swings up on the roof). There's a ferry to the NDSM Wharf area too which is a trendy, up and coming area (converted warehouses, arty and so on) .
Have a wonderful time whatever you do. Oh and make sure you go to the tourist information centre, just opposite the entrance to the central station, as they can advise you what best tickets to get for public transport.

Thanks for your reply @TreesAtSea . Was the big swing on a Travel Man programme? When you mentioned it, it sounded familiar! The science museum looks really good. 🙂

My daughter went to the Anne Frank house at about 15 and found it an incredibly powerful experience- would definitely recommend (you need to book, ideally on the day booking opens).

On a completely different note, the Tony Chocolonely superstore is fun and you can create your own bar and have it made.

We had a great day out at the Windmills, very easy on the local trains
If you plan on doing a lot of museums the Iamamsterdam pass may be worth it
Anne Frank museum needs booking well in advance
And of course a trip on the canals

We enjoyed Anne Frank’s house (museum), but it depends if DC would be interested in it?

I'm not sure, possibly. Haven't actually been on it myself but it's on my list of things for my next visit.
Great suggestion too from PP re the Iamsterdam pass. Definitely worth looking into.

Thanks for all the responses, when I posted I was worried no-one would answer! You've given me lots to look into @KnitterNat @Quisquam @TreesAtSea @Ted27 . 😄

We were there in the Summer. Another vote for the Anne Frank museum. We loved the Mouse Mansion nearby too. It's a shop (free to enter) filled with miniature handmade scenes involving cloth mice. Both my teenage boys loved it.

Mouse mansion definitely sounds like something we'd enjoy @iloveblue ! There are quite a few people saying Anne Frank's house. I'd like to go there but am a bit concerned that my 8 yo would find it upsetting.

Loved the church in the attic. Had a lovely feel.

Is that 'our lord in the attic' @BarrelOfOtters ? It looks beautiful, definitely somewhere I'd like to visit.

Yes that's it. We loved it and it wasn't too busy.

There are some amazing hot chocolate shops too.

I lived in Amsterdam for a while and one of my favourite things was the markets. There's the Bloemenmarkt for flowers and Waterlooplein for second hand stuff, plus several others including farmer's markets.

If it's still going, there used to be a lovely old boat that did tours, once owned, IIRC, by Winston Churchill.

For a nice wander about, the Jordaan, in the north, is lovely and gives a taste of the old city. There used to be some fantastic brown bars in that area.

You won't need a car it's very compact.
I would recommend booking in advance for both the Van Gogh Museum and the Rijksmuseum (best gallery in Europe!). They both get very busy, and the Rijksmuseum will be especially so if the Vermeer show us still on when you are there.

Thanks @Hbh17 @Tricyrtis2022 . We're up for plenty of walking about and will book the popular places in advance! DH will certainly be up for Churchill's boat too, if it's still running! 😀

My favourite gallery is the Stedelijk. Absolutely breathtaking

Thanks, I hadn't thought of this one!

I just love walking around Amsterdam, it isn’t huge and has a great feel to it, one of my favourite places!

I recommend getting snacks here, great with teens, and they don’t provide those kind of snacks 🫣😆
www.holland.com/global/tourism/destinations/amsterdam/febo-amsterdam-2.htm

Spent many weekends in Amsterdam. I definitely recommend the Anne Frank House. First time we went to Amsterdam my DH was certain he didn't want to go, changed his mind once in the city and was glad he did. I'd also suggest getting a 72 hour tram ticket. You can hop on and off the tram and Metro network at will for 72 hours from the first time you use it (other durations are available). Buy at kiosks in the airport or at the terminal outside Centraal Station. Can also buy online in advance (for a postage fee), but allow enough time for the post. Can also recommend climbing the tower of the Westerkerk, just round the corner from Anne Frank.

Westerkerk Tower... Highest church tower in Amsterdam. Fantastic views but a long climb! Anne Frank mentions hearing the bells in her diary...
I only found out about it because a friend told me at a party.

@Justlovedogs ...We must have posted at the same time!! 🤣 🤣

Can I hijack a little - also planning a trip to Amsterdam - where are some great and not too expensive places to stay?

I've been to Amsterdam quite a few times! And some of the more inexpensive accommodation included Hotel Casa which is right opposite Amstel metro station so super easy to get into the centre of town and a video game hotel, called the Arcade Hotel. I'm going for my birthday next month and have booked Hotel Estherea which is on the pricier side but I think during the cooler months the price drops.

If you're cat fans, maybe the Poezenboot? A cat sanctuary on a boat- when I visited it was full of massive, affectionate poezen who enjoyed climbing on me 😊. Free, but donations appreciated.