Amsterdam: 5 days... Where to go!?
 

Hello guys!

I'm visiting Amsterdam with my spouse from Jun 28 till July 01, I would love to read some suggestions about what should I visit in this wonderful city, I'd read some brochures about it and they all say the same 5 things: Museums, canals, coffee shops, smoking pot and Anne Frank's house. (oh! and the Red light district area)

Obviously we're planning to do and visit all those activities and places mentioned above, but my question is, what else is out there, I'm sure it's absolutely foolish to reduce such timeless city in those activities. I would like to know suggestions, opinions and experiences. We're not traveling in a splurge mood yet we aren't in tight budget either; maybe you guys know some tour or trip to the country side, places nearby o inside Amsterdam to explore.

Well, I really hope to read your replies. PS. What would be our best option to go around the canals? I'd read that the canal bus isn't the best way to do it and that they're other smaller and open boats that are operated by freelance rowers.

Well thanks a lot!

The question of what to do in Amsterdam has been asked so often on Fodor's that there is a large knowledge base on the subject. I suggest that you type <i>hours in amsterdam</i> in the search box above. You will have a day of reading. You might also consider buying a guide book, Fodor's or Michelin.

You could try St Nicolaas boat club for your boat trip http://amsterdamboatclub.com/
or just take one of the regular tour boats. You could even go for an eveing cruise on one if you prefer.

If you want a day away from Amsterdam then you could go to any number of smaller cities or towns, or out to say National Park Hoge Veluwe where you could borrow free white bikes (or hire a blue bike if you want to be sure to keep the same bike all day). Visit the Kroller Muller Museum, take a picnic with you have a ride around and enjoy. http://www.hogeveluwe.nl/en/14

Tell us a bit more about what you like seeing and doing and maybe we can come up with other suggestions. There must be a reason you chose to visit Amsterdam?
But do do as Spaarne suggests and search the forum here for other information and idea too.

I found the maritime museum in Amsterdam fascinating, the highlight being lots of original maps created for the Dutch East India Company and similar back in the day. If you're into cartography or history from that time, check it out!

Great!
Will first of all I'll read former posts! In the other hand I love the idea of going to the countryside on bike! I love to take pictures and enjoy of the landscape, food and good beer!

You can hire MacBikes (hire place near Waterlooplein as well as other locations) in the city and cycle along the Amstel river to Ouderkerk aan Amstel. We had a lovely leisurely ride out past windmills, stopped at a riverside cafe in Ouderkerk for lunch and then rode a loop around & back to Amsterdam. Have also been to Hoge Veluwe National Park, ridden the free white bikes and visited the brilliant modern art gallery Kroller Muller. Amsterdam is a hub of excellent public transport. we love Haarlem, Leiden and Utrecht.

On bike I recommend launching from Haarlem. The ride from Amsterdam is rather flat and boring. From Haarlem you can ride west through the dunes on three routes to Zandvoort on the North Sea. The most scenic is from the Kraantje Lek, a restaurant on the west side of the city. There are plenty of cafes in Zandvoort, plus an outstanding beach. Then if you are really ambitious ride south to Noordwijk.

Bikes can be rented at the Haarlem train station. Better bikes are available at several shops in Amsterdam. You can take the bike on the train for about &euro;6 per day.

Haarlem has a good nightlife scene around the Grote Kerk, Big Church. Try the raw herring from one of the fish stands at the Grote Markt or the Boter Markt. The Brinkmann on the Grote Markt has good food and an outdoor patio, the place to be on a sunny day. Service is slow.

Visit Lisse, Keukenhof (flowers!) or the Cheese market and -museum, chocolat-workshops in the mediaeval city of Gouda. A bit further south: Madurodam and the city of the Hague, Scheveningen pier. Or, even a bit further away: Zealand Deltaworks (might be good if you've got a car for that tour).

Lots of fun to be had and/or things to do. What are you interested in in general?

Keukenhof is closed in June so that is out. If it had been open it would have been suggested.
For anyone else interested it is open from 24 March to 20 may this year.

Oh! Well I guess they're plenty of things to do! I'll take note on those bike rentals! Thanks a lot!

If you like beer, we really liked Brouwerij 't IJ.
http://www.brouwerijhetij.nl/proef_en.htm

thanks a lot! I surely love beer!!!!