That's a good decision. You will definitely see gorgeous flowers in the K gardens, including incredible orchids. They stagger the planting to ensure blooming. The "iffy" part would be the fields in bloom in the countryside, and there's NO way to know what the weather holds. I'm glad you are going before Easter break. If it were me, I'd go to K on one of your later days and the Rijks as early in the trip as possible. The city itself didn't feel crowded during Easter week. The lines at the museum = long! Good decision (IMO).

Thanks re the photos!

A few non-tulip photos -https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...4aa4ba1f69.jpg
The azaleas were gorgeous
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...07b617979c.jpg
All sorts of planters ;)
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...2324ee5830.jpg
60s flower power theme in the orchid house
https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...6f0855fd8f.jpg
Orchids in a Bug
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...7eb2cc381a.jpg
I was hoping for more flowers in the city, but it was early spring...
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...c211e659d4.jpg
A few flowers in planters
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...0c97d871fa.jpg
Trivia / mystery question = Does anyone know what this is?

That looks like a hoist to bring heavy items such as pianos etc up to the upper levels. What time of year were you in Amsterdam?

It is! And the building "tilts" back to make room for the hoist to work without objects hitting the building.

I was there April 2019 (10 months ago) during Easter week.
April 19 - 28 starting in Paris. Easter was April 21.

that's a hoist. when we moved house from Jordaan to Zuidoost, we used this to move our things out of the house and we're on many, many vacation videos.

not only pianos. anything larger than a box. stairs don't work for large items in Ams.

Sometimes not elsewhere too! Reminds me of the "couch pivot" scene in Friends.

I had noticed the hoist before but didn't realize the set back of the upper levels of the house. I just found that fascinating.

Okay, back to tulips...

Returning to Amsterdam and tulips, what Starr said starr

For very easy access to both Schiphol and Central Station, I would choose a location somewhere along Metro #250: Rokin, Vijzelstraat, De Pijp and Rivierenbuurt or North, with direct access to the free ferries and Amsterdam CS

What's your budget for accommodation p/night in €?

The Rijks...get there as early as you can . Are you also doing the Van Gogh and the Stedelijk?

April is always the most joyous to me: the pastures and fields are getting green, bulbflowers blooming, everything waking up. Very special time.

Annyway. Just to show you the price difference between Amsterdam and Leiden (well placed for Keukenhof, beautiful, preserved centre, historical town (oldest university, pilgrim fathers)

Keukenhof: bus from Central Station, about 25 minutes

Trains:
Schiphol: 10 minutes, intercities and sprinters
Amsterdam: 30 minutes
Den Haag, 10 minutes
Delft: 30 minutes
Rotterdam: 40 minutes
Easy access to the Beach via Wassenaar and Katwijk

Leiden: http://www.booking.com/Share-WbhYIIa (2 rooms)
vs
Amsterdam: http://www.booking.com/Share-Ws19hb (apartment)

And regarding Leiden, if you're American this may be of interest:
https://www.mayflower400uk.org/visit/leiden-holland/

Stedelijk: you can walk right in.

I had a reservation in Leiden for just that reason (closer to K).
But I was afraid it was too much moving around for my friend (this would have been her first trip to Europe) and since Paris was on the trip, I decided "less is more".
The original plan was Amsterdam (hotel on points), Leiden, Delft, back to Amsterdam to pick up a rental car to drive to the north to see Heti , another hotel on points and back to fly out. That was a lot of moving around. (I would have stayed at the original hotel the entire time - I really loved it and the location - but could not cancel the second hotel. Later I realized it was due to King's Day.

As it turned out, I loved just walking a few feet to a 3 minute ferry across the river to the pick up point for the bus ride to K. They played nice intro videos and it was a really easy way to get there and back. To be honest, after cancelling the Leiden hotel, I didn't even look into alternatives. I'd do it again the exact same way. Beautiful two level bus and (this may be strange) but I enjoy just sitting back to relax and not think about logistics and then be dropped off at the door...or gate, in this case.

One other favorite - afternoon tea at the Duchess. Fabulous!