Lear33

My husband and I are finally on our way to Europe for the first time. We have @ a 6 hour layover in Amsterdam and want to see the city. I wish we had time to see the flowers of Keukenhof, but decided we couldn't see anything else if we did. Any ideas for things to do? Love windmills, are there any close enough to Central Station? What about other gardens, besides Keukenhof, near Central Station? Any other itineraries for so few hours? Hubby wouldn't like any museums for sure. What about Anne Frank house? Is it possible on a Thursday mid-morning? Thanks for your help...

annhig

hi, lear,

I'd go with your original suggestion - go to the keukenhof and enjoy the wonderful displays.

you will have hardly any time to see anything worthwhile in a'dam, and you wil resent any time spent queuing, or hanging about.

regards, ann

margyb

Lear 33,

Does the 6 hours start at touchdown and end when the next flight departs? If so, then you really only have about 2 hours, give or take. If you have a full 6 hours, then you can take the train to centraal station and then I'd catch a boat cruise. You can't be sure of how long of a wait it would be at the Anne Frank house...so that may not work.

have a good trip!

margy

Lear33

Margy,
We touch down at 6:30 am depart at 3:10 pm. Figure @ 6 hours are all that's possible for touring.

margyb

Lear 33....since you're landing so early, you may want to check out the opening hours of the places you're considering, such as Keukenhof etc. If they don't open until late in the morning, then your choices will have to be different. Keukenhof is great...my mother and I went 2 years ago and really enjoyed it. I'm guessing you're going soon? It is seasonal, so that's another thing to consider.

Margy

Lear33

We leave this Wednesday afternoon from MN. Do you know if there are any windmills near town?

hetismij

Windmill De Gooyer is near the centre of Amsterdam. A number 10 tram stops right by it, or bus number 22 towards Insulindeweg. Ask the driver and he will tell you the right stop. The address is Funenkade 5.
If you want to go the the Anne Frankhuis then book your tickets online to avoid wasting time queueing.

There is also a windmill the Keukenhof molen at Keukenhof if you want to combine flowers and windmills, plus a couple of others in Lisse.
http://tinyurl.com/3e23mw is a database of Dutch WIndmills.

HappyTrvlr

There is a company that provides tours form the airport to Amsterdam and surrounding countryside for passengers on layovers. Google schiphol tours..

HappyTrvlr

www.hollandtoursschiphol.nl

Dukey

The other close windmills are located at Zaanse Schans which is about a 20-25-minute train ride from Centraal Station (and then another 10-minute walk to the site itself).

There are several mills and at least one is usually in continuous operation and can also be toured.

There may very well be a company operating out of Schiphol which includes that or you could do it on your own but I would be VERY careful about timings.

Danna

I haven't been there but I would recommend walking around Harlem for a bit then back to Schiphol. Although, I could spend many happy hours in Schiphol!