Amsterdam’s Best Attractions

Although the canals of Amsterdam are not known for their cleanliness taking a boat through one of them is a spectacular sight with bridges arching over the water and restored barges. Tourist boats abound but you can also rent a pedal boat and make your own way around. When the canals freeze during winter months people flock to the ice for skating. As a matter of fact, when the canals freeze over well hundreds participate in the Eleven Cities’ Journey which is a skating marathon through the countryside. This event is usually held in the coldest month: January.

Definitely schedule a trip to the Begijnhof which is an enclosed courtyard, surrounded by small houses, dating back to the 14th century. With one house dated to 1465, the Begijnhof maintains one of the oldest wooden houses in Amsterdam.

If you’re visiting Amsterdam in March many Catholics walk the Holy Way in the Silent Procession event that commemorates the Miracle of Amsterdam. Also in March is the Blues Festival.

One of the best times to visit Amsterdam is in April when, on the 30th, the town comes alive for Queen’s Day. Street parties, music, and beer are part of the festivities. National Windmill Day, in May, the Holland Festival in June, and August’s free performances throughout the city are all must-see events.

Along the main canals you’ll see many Wall Tablets, dating back to the 1700’s. Residents then carved beautiful stone identifiers for their homes, containing the family name, origin, religion and even profession. Some of the stones commemorate happenings in the town, like the first postal service or the old fruit market.

Amsterdam is known for the freedom experienced by citizens where laws are very slack. Taboos from other countries are perfectly acceptable in Amsterdam. The city features gay and lesbian clubs, window dancers, risque theatre and film programs, as well as canal-side coffee shops and pubs.

What’s a trip to Amsterdam without a visit to the Anne Frank house? Afterward, visit the Van Gogh Museum, take a tour of the Heineken Brewery, and see the Royal Palace. The Dam Square, in the center of the city, houses the Nationaal Monument, dedicated to Dutch soldiers and others who died during WWII.

Vondelpark, the largest park in the city, draws thousands each year for skating, jogging and viewing street performances. Surrounded by food venues of all sorts this is a great place to spend the day with your family.

The largest flea market in Amsterdam, the Waterlooplein was a former Jewish neighborhood, featuring inexpensive clothing, paraphernalia, and collectibles. Visit the most famous day market, Albert Cuyp, where cheap textiles, fish markets and other vendors are abundant.

Other interesting agendas include the Nieuwmarkt, Magere Brug, Rijksmuseum, and Caf�© American. Great places to stay are the NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky, the NH Barbizon Palace Hotel, Hotel Prins Hendrik, Toren Hotel, American Hotel, and the NH Amsterdam Centre.

Some of the most fabulous places to eat include Christophe, Mangerie De Kersentuin, d’Vijff Vlieghen, Teppan Yaki Hosokawa, Van Vlaanderen, Dantzig and Vasso.

You’ll truly enjoy your stay in Amsterdam, a fabulous city with much to do and see. Check travel guides and online resources to find schedules, prices and tours.