Two weeks in Amsterdam

[HattietheManatee]

Hi all
We're off to Amsterdam for 2 weeks in early August. Any recommendations for things to do, places to visit, where to eat etc? We will have two 16 year olds plus a 5 and 4 year old. We are self catering but will have street food, cake, ice cream and any local specialities when out. So far we have Artis Zoo evening late, NEMO and Anne Frank museum (for older kids) on the must do list. Would like to do a canal tour but they were coming up quite expensive! Suggestions of playgrounds and water parks also very welcome!

If you’re there for two weeks I’d definitely suggest heading to the beach...Zandfoort is only 25 mins on train and costs about €7 or Scheveningen is an hour away. Both are lovely.
No direct recommendations for Amsterdam itself though sorry.

Rijks mesuem is by far the best attraction in Amsterdam. I would spend two or three days on it. Van hogg mesuem is also good but not amazing. Only one day for that one at most.

Apart from the obvious tourist attractions, the EYE film museum is worth a look. You can go into the building and visit the cafe and shop even if you don't pay entry for the museum. It's an unusual building and you access it via a free ferry from behind Centraal Station which is fun.

Have you booked for the Anne Frank museum? If not there's no way you'll be able to visit, it's online booking at least 2 months in advance...

Also don't miss Chipsy King for chips and mayonnaise.

I want to go to Amsterdam now! Very envious of you spending 2 weeks there. I've visited about 6 times, I love it.

I recommend IJscuypje for amazing ice cream, we were there almost every day!

I agree with the recommendation for the Reijk museum. It's wonderful

Also the Foodhallen is fun.

Go on a double decker train to the Hague.
Eat Indonesian food.

Go to The Hague and the beach.

If you have 2 weeks you should visit Utrecht and The Hague as well. Also the villages of Volendam and Markem.

There's free theatre in the Vondelpark every weekend and it's got lovely play areas and wet paddling areas.

You can get the tram to IJburg which are reclaimed islands and they gave a lovely beach vibe - a pp said zandvoort too which is lovely - there's a centre parcs there so not sure if you can get a day pass like you can in uk? We've been to Utrecht too and that was gorgeous - wonderful cathedral and interest history.

For the 16 year olds (or the adults for that matter) check if any bands are playing at Die Melkweg or Die Paradiso.

The East India man ship in the harbour is definitely worth a visit.

Kantjil & de tijger serve fantastic Indonesian food. The service can be patchy but the food is wonderful. They do takeaways.

Pucccini Bomboni (there are a couple of branches) has the best chocolate I've ever eaten.

Puccini Bomboni.

You can join the line after 1pm for entry into Anne Frank House, if you forgot to book online. We waited 2 hours, it was worth it.
Visit Utrecht, about 30mins by train from Amsterdam, we loved it , it has an underground Roman Town, Miffy museum, lovely churches and parks. Amsterdam has a museum area which is where you will find the Van Gogh gallery and The Banksy/Dali gallery is close by, as is the Reijk. There is the Cat Boat where rescue cats live on a houseboat, have a google for that.

Obviously also the van Gogh museum. It is next to the Stedelijk museum which is modern art, including the works from the De Stijl movement.

Nemo musuem was wondeful.. And brilliant roof to spend a few hours.

Without a doubt visit efteling!! We did day trip to Amsterdam from efteling it took about 1hr 20 v easy straight drive. Perfect for your younger dc. If your going in July or August try and stay over night there or near by. Your youngest will love it. It's not like any theme park here it's just wondeful.

Again for the teenagers there are lots of excellent retro/vintage clothes shops in the "9 Streets" area around Wolvenstraat.

Hire bikes and cycle along the river and out into the countryside. There are some fabulous little villages and towns.

We spent hours last year playing in the fountains at the back of the Rijks Museum. Visit the mousehouse (huge dolls house) in the ground floor of the library. Also take a trip to Zaanse Schans to see the restored windmills, traditional crafts and interesting museum.

If you have your own transport then 30 mins south of Amsterdam is a town called Vinkerveen. There are lakes where you can hire a boat and an island with a man-made beach and swimming areas.

An hours drive east is Hoge Veluwe National Park. There's a really interesting ecology museum, fabulous scenery and a large number of bikes that you borrow to cycle round the park.

Lots of potential for days trips, eg Edam, Delft, Zaanse Schans Windmills, Volendam. Definitely hire bikes and get out and about.

Thanks so much for all your tips, am blown away with your replies. You've kicked me into gear and I've booked my Anne Frank museum tickets now. Will digest the suggestions and get back to you all. Thanks again.

Hi I'm an Amsterdam blogger and have loads of suggestions on the blog that meet your criteria www.amsterdamwonderland.com. Always happy to help with specific questions if you need advice x