mel

So, my husband and I are off to Amsterdam for a week in June. Should we venture to another city (Brussels) or is there enough to keep us occupied in Amsterdam? (We are not into the bar/drug scene.)

s.fowler

Well that depends on what your interests are other than bars & drugs

There are a number of very fine and interesting mueums [Anne Frankhuis, Van Gogh and Rijksmuseum are the leading ones.] There are the scenic canals and the old canal houses -- as well as various markets. Within the Netherlands itslef there are a number of otehr interesting places such as Haarlem, Volendam and the open air museum in Arnhem. Some of these would require renting a car, but driving in the netherlands is an enormously rational matter compared to some other countries.

We're spending only 2 days in Amsterdam next month, so we won't have the luxury of considering a sidetrip. [Amsterdam itself IS the sidetrip from Paris] From what I have heard on this board the place[s] to aim for are Brugges and Ghent, rather than Brussels. You might do a search to find out more information about those two cities.

Danna

I think for a week you can do amsterdam and there are really nice side trips in the netherlands that would work fine! I wished we had time to go to a cheese museum outside the city, and I remember going to a folk park decades ago that was great too. So much to see... A week will be too short! Have fun.

wes fowler

Mel,
Do a subject search here for Netherlands, then scroll to the posting "Comments or Suggestions on my Netherlands/Belgian itinerary". You'll find a wealth of suggestions for what to do what to see.
S. Fowler above has made some valid recommendations as well, however I'd amend them somewhat. A car is not necessary in order to visit the sites she refers to. The public transportation system in the Netherlands is superb; a car really isn't necessary unless you're going far off the beaten path.

Meg

We did a week in Amsterdam a little over a year ago and took a side trip to Brugges and Ghent. We should have opted for a night in each place, but only spent one night out of Amsterdam. We leave in two weeks for another week in Amsterdam with a couple nights in Paris. There is a lot to do in Amsterdam without ever leaving, but since you are so close to other great places, a day or two out of your schedule would leave you plenty of time in the city. The bar/drug scene can easily be avoided. The museums are great and a canal trip (I like the candlelight cruise in the early evening) is a must do. Enjoy your trip.

April

There are so many interesting places to visit in the Netherlands. We just got a day pass on the trains and went wherever we pleased.

In June, I'd go to the Nationaal Park de Hoge Veluwe.