We will be arriving at 6:00 pm in Amsterdam, spending the night, and making our connection at 12:30pm the next day. We would like to go out for dinner that night, and possibly see a little of the city before we have to be at the airport the next day. Any ideas for a good, affordable restaurant? Also, what can we see in the short time we have the next morning?

Depends on where you are staying -- whether you connection is a train or a plane ... and what you like to eat/do. If you have to get back to the airport from downtown and deal with airport security you won't be able to do much more than an early morning "walk about". If you are taking a train you could fit in one of the suggested items.

Three "must-dos" other than just wandering along the canals.
1. Anne Frank House
2. Rijksmuseum [or Van Gogh Museum]
3. Canal cruise

I think the Rijksmuseum is still partially closed, which is why I proposed the Van Gogh as an alternative.

You could do the canal cruise in the evening -- different experience, but worth it.

Check out my restaurant reviews at Virtual Tourist for some food ideas.
http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/21927/71211/2/

Rice table for dinner at one of many Indonesian Restaurants, then hit the Flower market in the morning. on the way to the train station.

I would suggest staying in the Leidseplein and walking around. Lots of casual restaurants to choose from, (Indonesian, Greek, Italian) sometimes street performance artists and the like. A short canal boat tour in the morning would be ideal. Personally I'd skip trying to do any art museums in such a very short time.

nicksgirl88 -

If you like Chinese food, may I suggest Nan Kee, Zeedijk 111. I can't imagine being in Amsterdam and not stopping by for their Tappan Noodles with Chicken and Vegetables (YUM!!) Not a fancy restaurant - just good food.

The Anne Frank House is open until 21:00, so you might be able to visit there before it closes. You can also take a canal cruise in the evening, walk through the Red Light District, or check out the Sex Museum, which should be open until 23:00.

Is your connection by rail or plane? Either way, most things don't start opening in Amsterdam until after 10:00, so that doesn't leave you much time to see any museums. If you're travelling by rail, you might be able to visit the Amstelkring (Our Lord in the Attic) which is located at OZ Voorburgwal #40, not far from Central Station. It opens at 10:00 and would only take an hour (give or take) to tour through. It's one of my favorite museums.

Enjoy your stay in Amsterdam. Peace.

Robyn

We are staying at a hotel near the airport, and will be flying out at 12:30pm the next day. So we have to be at the airport that morning by 10:30am. We were hoping to try some local cuisine - and we've heard that Amsterdam is famous for pancakes?

By the way, I've never done it, but Schiphol Airport supposedly has lots of good shopping and even a small branch of the Rijksmuseum (?). If you don't have enough time to head to the city, you may be able to get a taste of Amsterdam at the airport (do some research on the airport to see what's available).

nicksgirl88 -

We enjoy eating Dutch pancakes, or pannekoeken, at het Singeltje, located at Singel 494. It's a small restaurant located in the Flower Market. However, I don't know if it would be open in the evening after you arrive, and not sure if it opens early enough in the morning for you to eat there.

There is a larger pancake house in the Jordaan area, The Pancake Bakery, which was closed when we went there in the morning. I don't know if they are open late.

The only other restaurant I could recommend, that would be open real early, is Barney's Breakfast, which is a combination restaurant/coffeeshop. They have decent food including pancakes and good ham & cheese omelettes, and you don't have to smoke if you don't want to.

If you need to kill time at Schiphol, visit the Rijksmuseum, which is located on Holland Boulevard, between E & F pier, and is free.

Enjoy your short stay in Amsterdam. Peace.

Robyn

If you have enough time, and are so inclined, a visit to the actual Rijksmuseum would be worth the effort, I think, and even though work is on-going as was mentioned above, the "major" works are still very much on-view.
A canal cruise would give you a somewhat overall view of some of the city; Anne Frank house is interesting but can be very crowded. I would not waste precious time "wandering" but would plan on a couple of specifics.

Thanks everyone for your input! Can't wait to go!