Amsterdam is a city that is highly romanticized by the entire world; it is a beautiful specimen, for sure, which is enough reason for many people to get there and get there quickly, but its 100 kilometers of canals, happy (and very, very tall) people on bicycles, art scene, dark history, and uniquely liberal approach to life is really what brings in tens of millions of visitors every single year. That’s a lot of damn tourists.
I am sad about this city, because it was incredible (an opinion which with almost every single person I know who has gotten the privilege to visit agrees), but I spent a lot of the time sleeping due to my concussed head. Damn dumb concussion. I finally ended up going to the doctor while I was here, who did a physical exam and said I did indeed have a concussion (no way!), and that I should cut back on alcohol consumption and rest as much as I could. I had to agree. Not sure if any of you have had a concussion, but there is a lot of time spent addled, excessively fatigued, and falling off of bikes (more on that later). But just because I needed some serious rest DOES NOT MEAN I did not take some time to enjoy what Amsterdam has to offer.
What to Do
Wander the Waterlooplein Flea Market
The oldest flea market in all of The Netherlands, this 130-year-old outdoor bazaar has a hugely wide collection of books, leather, jewelry, clothing, and souvenirs – the perfect place to buy gifts for your family, friends, and lovers back home!
Visit the Anne Frank House
Visiting the Anne Frank House is I think what initially spurred my fascination with WWII history; I had not known a whole lot about the period after graduating from school, but the whole sequence of events (especially surrounding the Holocaust) is maybe the most horrifying and eye-opening-to-the-barbaric-capabilities-of-the-human-race thing to have happened in recent history. This house is a celebration of Anne Frank’s life and the impact she has had on the people of Amsterdam and the entire world; it is extremely moving, making you want to move through the home as slowly as possible so as not to miss a thing. Because of how important the museum is, there is usually a massive fuxking line wrapping around the block full of people waiting to be admitted, so book tickets in advance if possible.
Visit the Van Gogh Museum
Everyone knows Vincent Van Gogh as the Dutch impressionist painter who struggled with mental illness throughout his entire life, but did you know that the largest collection of his works in the entire world is located right smack dab in the middle of Amsterdam?
Then Visit Rijksmuseum
Located right next to the Van Gogh Museum is a Dutch national museum full of Dutch art and history dating back to the Middle Ages. There is plenty of art by Rembrandt, who is another renowned Dutch artist, as well as by Hals and Vermeer.
See how Heineken is made at the brewery
This really is an “experience”: visitors get to see firsthand how beer is brewed from start to finish, the history of the Amsterdam-founded lager, as well as some fun interactive activities, including a simulator where YOU are the brewing beer! Even more enticing: two free beers at the end to really emphasize how good this beer is and make you appreciate all that goes into it. I love lagers, and Heineken is a staple.
What to Eat
Friets
A popular snack in Amsterdam and served in a grab-and-go cone, friets are a must-eat. Swing by Vlaamse Friets or Vleminckx (or any one of the several holes-in-the-wall serving up great service and tasty fries) and pick up a cone full of friets and your choice of sauce, including mayonnaise, cheese, and satay sauce! Nomnomnom.
Foodhallen
Foodhallen was originally a tram depot, now renovated into an indoor food market with the best food stalls Amsterdam has to offer. It is great for when you are hungry but are not sure what exactly you have a hankering for.
Wok to Walk
Okay, so it isn’t traditional Dutch cuisine, but I am not ashamed to admit that it was one of our favorite places that we had ever been to anywhere. Most people would agree that Dutch cuisine is not world famous for a reason, but it isn’t like Amsterdam has nothing good to eat. It is exactly how it sounds: wok to go in a carry-out box. It was the perfect place to stop for something quick and portable as to not cut into exploring time…and it was absolutely incredibly unbelievably delicious.
Space Cake
So…it had to be mentioned eventually. Amsterdam is well-known for its liberalism, its freedom, particularly its decriminalization of cannabis and the open sale of drugs in the city’s multitude of coffeeshops (which are not cafés and actually dooon’t sell coffee at all, so don’t expect to get your caffeine-fix here). It’s good to be well-informed on the laws in the Netherlands before going hog-wild and getting high every two milliseconds, but some maaayyy say that a trip to Amsterdam is not complete without having a lil somethin’. Personally, the space cakes here were, regardless of any substance they contained, the best damn brownies I have ever tasted in my life.
What to See
Red Light District
Honestly, one of the coolest parts of the culture of this country: The Red Light District. Here is another example of Amsterdam’s tolerant yet controversial allowances. I think this is what we should strive to be as a country. The women working in the Red Light District are businesswomen; this is how they make their living. They rent our their room, set their hours, have a license, and have a ton of police protection. Believe it or not, the crime revolving around prostitution that runs rampant throughout other countries (including the good ole USofA) is seriously reduced in this country. Something I would never be involved in myself of course, but it is SO COOL to me how this sort of forward-thinking tolerance and freedom is in place in Amsterdam, and that the city is benefiting from it.
Dutch countryside and windmills
Amsterdam is known as a cycling city: everyone gets around on his or her bike. Exhibit A:
I went on a bike ride through the countryside of North Holland one of the mornings that I was here (I had to get a special child bike, since the average height in The Netherlands is something like six feet tall, and I am of mere baby-sized). The country outside of Amsterdam was SO charming and picturesque: windmills and traditional villages abound.
Unfortunately, at one point during the ride, I lost my balance and fell straight into a Dutch man riding by on his own bike, who was incredibly angry until he realized I was a small American idiot tourist. My friends were starting to get concerned about my inability to stay upright, as this was my third fall after only about a week into our European trip. As long as your head is not traumatically injured, I would implore you to rent a bike, hop on a ferry, and explore a more rural part of this beautiful country.
Amsterdam’s narrow houses
Look at that thing! Only 3-4 feet wide. The canals of Amsterdam are full of these houses, as we witnessed for ourselves on a little boat ride around the city. I would recommend one of these tours; it was a cheap way to see what there is to see throughout Amsterdam, travel the canals, and learn more about Dutch history from a light-hearted guide.
Jordaan
What was originally a working-class district and is now one of the most expensive and high-end neighborhoods in the city, Jordaan is full of restaurants, bars, shops and art galleries. Though not far from city center, it is generally a little more peaceful (that is, not quite as crawling with tourists) and a perfect place to stroll on a lazy afternoon.
Vondelpark
Vondelpark is Amsterdam’s most famous park and attracts a ton of tourists and locals alike every day. The park has acres of sprawling green, an open-air theatre, and several bars and restaurants. However, Amsterdam, being known for its parks, has other, less crowded options if you’re looking for a reprieve from all the people, including Amstelpark, Rembrandtpark, and Park Frankendael.
Dam Square
Honestly, duh. My advice: always just take some time to travel to the main square in every European city, look around, and be thankful to be alive in such a cool-ass world.
I know I rave about basically every European city I ever visit, so much so that it is probably unlikely to seem very genuine. But I promise IT IS. If there ever comes a time where I don’t particularly like a city, you’ll be able to tell, because I am not one to hide my feelings (honestly, I try, but am just not good at it), and so far I have loved everything…Amsterdam 100% included.
