Kay2

I have the option to book my return from Europe in September with a 20 hr layover at AMS. So my only cost would be the hotel and local expenses to spend an overnight in the Netherlands. I'd arrive in the afternoon and leave late Monday morning.

I've been to the Netherlands once before for a few days in December. In Amsterdam we visited the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Anne Frank House, and walked a lot in the rain along the canals, looking at houses, etc. We also went to an open air folk museum. We took a day trip to Delft and toured the factory, ate split pea soup.

I'm thinking my goal would be to visit the flower auction on Monday early a.m. Maybe I'd even just take a hotel by the airport for convenience.

My question is what would you see/do on a Sunday late afternoon/evening on your own with AMS as the base? I'm a 50-year-old female who likes history, architecture, culture, and am not above being a tourist. I don't care about dining or drinking.

I don't want to end up just sitting in a hotel room on Sunday night wishing I had continued home after my week long business trip. What Sunday afternoon/evening experiences have you enjoyed? All I have found so far is a canal boat cruise.

rhkkmk

i was going to suggest the flower market, but i think i read in the last year that they have made significant changes there...check it out first...it is near the airport btw

spaarne

This question has been asked a lot and there are plenty of answers on the Fodor's Forum. You could use the Search the Forums: box above and enter *hours in amsterdam*.

You could meet the locals. Even though you are not into drinking I recommend the Cafe Hoppe at the Spui. Best watering hole in Holland. Business and professional clients. You will have friends in minutes. Your generation. Go in the side door.

If you like sidewalk sitting go to the Cafe Luxembourg a few doors away. This is one of the best in Holland. There is an open air and a glassed in section, plus a large indoor area. Good food. Check the menu on their web site. International newspapers. Friendly folks.

Kay2

I will check further on changes to the flower auction. I have their website and brochure. I understood it to be 6:00 or 6:30 am start. Walk on catwalks over the auctions.

As for Sunday afternoon/evening, I have found a few museums/attractions I didn't see the last time that are open until 5pm and would appreciate comments:
Houseboat museum
Van Loon mansion
Canal boat tour
Our Lord in the Attic
Resistance Museum Sunday

I still have the canal boat ride as a "maybe".

I have seen/done most of the suggestions in the posts about 5-hour layovers in Amsterdam, including walking certain neighborhoods and parks.

Thanks for the suggestions of cafes, but I just usually eat somewhere convenient to what I want to see or where I am staying. I may meet up with a German friend who is living/working in Amsterdam for dinner or coffee in a cafe, but it is too far off to know his schedule.

menachem

When in september will you be in Amsterdam?

10-11 september is "european heritage" day, when all kinds of places in the city center open their doors. usually only for the one weekend. it's the occasion to gain access to buildings you might otherwise not be able to visit and a great way to see what's going on behind the facades on the canals (beautiful gardens mostly, hidden from view)

http://www.amsterdam.nl/gemeente/ope...rdam-heritage/

might be just the thing for a sunday afternoon

another option is the area in the northern docklands, NDSM, for an afternoon by the waterside, visiting this creative "breeding ground" where 80 artists have their studios.

http://ndsm.nl/

the trip out there is already nice, with the (free) ferry from behind central station to NDSM. Y-kantine is right off the ferry at the other side.

menachem

Museum van Loon is interesting, but only briefly,

Houseboat museum I would give a miss.

Our lord in the attic is magical, but the area where it is isn't where I would want to be for an extended period.

Resistance museum is interesting, in fact that entire area (the plantage) is good for walking. There is the Royal Tropical Institute, not too far away and at the other end the Portugese synagoge and the Jewish historical museum.

Another suggestion is FOAM (photography) and House Marseille

http://www.huismarseille.nl/en

dro

The flower market is fascintating and worth the visit. It is easy to reach by public bus. We got the bus near the Anne Frank house. On the corner by the church. It drops you off right at the market.