Amsterdam in August with a toddler? Madness?

[MamaHobgoblin]

DH has a conference he's going to there, and our normal practice is for me to get a cheap flight, share his hotel room and then we stick on a few days at the end of his conference for holidaying. That was in the pre-baby years.

Now we'll have a 17 m toddler in tow and I have no idea if it's a good idea to try and take a city holiday, esp. in august, when it'll be v crowded and possibly hot, with a probably fractious toddler. Negotiating the public transport with a buggy, looking for stuff I can do with him (if I were on my own, I'd window-shop, go to the Rijkemuseum (sp) and eat lots of pancakes!)... is it a daft idea? DH's hotel and conference venue is in the suburbs, so we'd have to schlep into the town centre with the buggy. Is there anything I can do with DS that will make him happy? Zoo, nice parks, etc?

Go for it, a holiday is a holiday!

If you're having to travel in from the suburbs anyway you could probably just as well go to the seaside, 'tis close.

There is a zoo in Amsterdam (Artis) but I've not been, DP says it was a bit depressing but it was years ago that he went.

The Vondelpark is a massive park and there are often things to do there.

Erm, I'm sure there's more good stuff too, I'll post again when it comes back to me!

I know, but it might be more hassle than it's worth! Believe me, I'm desperate to get away somewhere, it's just that I'm worrying about struggling with DS, the buggy and the trams! I have been there before, went to things like the Anne Frank house, the big museums/galleries, and walked a lot.

Suppose I could take the train out of the city altogether and go somewhere else, but it seems a waste. Just not sure DS wants to be carted round a hot, crowded city all day. hmmm. What to do?

go on a canal ride/s
hire a bike with toddler seat and ride around vondelpark
there are fountains and pools in vondelpark i seem to remember
take him on the trams
visit the miffy store or take a short train ride to Utrecht and visit Dick Bruna's house

Nooooo, going to the seaside is never a waste!

Ooh yes, I remember seeing loads of those bike trailers to put small children in! The streets are a bit scary, because all the native bike riders ride like psychos! but a park would be great.

He'll only be about 17 m, not sure about Miffy, although that's a lovely idea too.

Amsterdam is small and easy. Do not hesitate. It's a young and friendly city
I'll say to rent a bike with child seat. Have fun throwing bread to ducks and birds on the canals. Streets with canals are not always easy with a buggy because of stone pavement. Not so hot in august. Write to the tourism board and ask for children's activities. Parks, flower market, children enjoy museums too, especially the modern art with crazy colours and statues. Bell concert at the west church. List is long, but I have DS" with chicken pox so i have to be short!

Go and have fun, the 3 of you

Go for it - it'll probably be quiet as the Dutch will have loaded up their cars and motorhomes and headed off to the south of France! August is always dead quiet in Brussels.

There's a joke that the dutch speakers in Belgium are in fact Amsterdam Caravan owners that got lost on the way to the Riviera.....

We went with our dd in november last year when she was 15mo. Have a nosey here and we didn't get to go but this place is only twenty minutes on the train. I will say we had trouble finding places to change nappies, but maybe we weren't in the right place at the right time. Also visit the library near the train station - it's amazing and has a great view and cafe at the top.

Agree with Porteoufino - Holland can be v quiet in August (no idea re Amsterdam tho!) Beaches busy if weather good tho.

Zaans Schans is great - very Dutch - lots of things to see like clogs and cheese being made, a new biscuit making factory (only pretend biscuits tho , a boat ride across the river/lake; windmills and a nice pancake cafe.

Delft is worth a trip too if you dont mind the train ride.

Agree with Porteoufino - Holland can be v quiet in August (no idea re Amsterdam tho!) Beaches busy if weather good tho.

Zaans Schans is great - very Dutch - lots of things to see like clogs and cheese being made, a new biscuit making factory (only pretend biscuits tho ), a boat ride across the river/lake; windmills and a nice pancake cafe.

Delft is worth a trip too if you dont mind the train ride.

Ooh thanks, lots more suggestions! Ok, you're convincing me...

Go, go, go.

Agree with hiring a bike, taking a picnic to the park.

We loved the beach at Imjuden, I think that you can get a train out there, but the station is a bit far from the beach, iirc. We have been often as the ferry leaves from there.

The little town of Haarlem is lovely too and not far from Amsterdam.