I'll be meeting DH in Amsterdam on the 28th for a longish weekend. We were able to get reservations at the Ramada Inn near Vondelpark (not the first choice but its Queen's Weekend unbeknownst to us). He's been there before so we have a short list of things to do: Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, Jordaan, Ann Frank House, Canal tour, day trip to Lisse and tulip fields and possibly another day trip to the north/Edam. We also want to see the markets and understand that the 30th will be a complete street party day. No idea on restaurants yet or if there are other places to see (yes, we will see the Red Light district I'm sure). Our flights out are on the 3rd so we will have 4 full days to tour. Any input/suggestions? Thanks as always -

There's a huge street/flea market on Monday mornings, in the area of Nieukerk (New Church, sure that's sp'd wrong)... I'll look for the specifics. It was interesting, and the crowd was quite diverse.

The Noordermarkt in the Jordaan - A popular flea market that overflows onto neighbouring Westerstraat takes over on Monday from 7:30am to 1:30pm - far better than the Waterlooplein market.

Of course, I think "Queen's Day" means the whole town is a flea market!

I would suggest looking into getting the Amsterdam Pass since you will be staying multiple days in the city. The pass covers entrance to most museums including Rijksmuseum and/or van Gogh (NOT Anne Frank House), plus 2 canal rides and tram travel. It is definately worth the money, particularly if you utilize it for many of the smaller museums - Houseboat Museum, Oude Kerk, Amsterdam Historich Museum, Amstelkring, Resistance Museum, Rembrandthuis Willet-Hoyetsin (sp?) House and a few others.

Check out the daily flea market on the Waterlooplein, the book sale at the Oudemanshuispoort, the Albert Cuyp street market and, of course, the Blomen Market on the Singel where you can buy some tulips for your hotel room. And if you're going to the Red Light District, you might as well throw your inhibitions to the wind and check out the Sex Museum on the Damrak.

Have a GREAT time in Amsterdam. I am very envious that you will be there on Queen's Day - on my list of things to do before I die. Peace.

Robyn >-

I'm getting a little nervous on this trip - the weather report is for rain all the days were are there and fairly cool temps. Would a trip to the tulip fields and Edam still be worthwhile in the rain?

If the weather holds, Vondelpark really is a beautiful place to visit.

Hi, I just got back from Amsterdam a few days ago...It was cool..We still did the tulip fields (a bike ride through them)and it really warmed up..Check out letsgo-amsterdam.com. There is a bike tour for the 29th of April if you are interested..It was great fun..Do bring several layers of clothes though, because one minute it can be really chilly and raining and the next it can warm right up..Have fun. I have been twice to Amsterdam on Queen's Day..It is very busy and things happening everywhere..You won't soon forget it..

Queen's Day - i've seen many festivals in Europe in my decades of traveling there but none will ever top Queen's Day as a citywide hopping time - zillions of people everywhere for the citywide flea market where anyone can set up shop and sell anything they want. There are bands all over the place, even on boats going thru the canals. I was in Amsterdam one year and hadn't realized Queens Day was the day i was due to leave - what a pity as i could only see for a few hours what a thrill this was before i had to head to Schiphol for my flight - poor planning - i got a whiff of what a party it was the night before when on Museumplein i saw huge tanker trucks from several breweries setting up to slake the thirst of revelers the next day at the large concert stages set up there. When i got to Centraal Station for the train to the airport it was a mob scene - zillions of young folk coming off trains, each seemingly with a case of Heineken in hand - an unbelievable number of people came off the train on the next platform - they kept coming. I read later that they had to shut Centraal Station down because of the dangerous overcrowding on platforms and trains and was lucky my train went out. Last year many trains were diverted from Centraal Station for the whole day - Thalys trains only left from Schiphol, etc. Have a great day!

cmeyer54 -

If it rains, I would still go to the Keukenhof Gardens, because there are many pavillions filled with flowers that you could still enjoy.

Another rainy day activity is to catch a movie at the Tuschinski Theatre on the Reguliersbreestraat. The theatre itself is an attraction to see.

Also check out the Nieuwe Kerk on Dam Square. They have rotating exhibitions - one that we saw there and really enjoyed was "The Way to Heaven", a display of reliquaries from different churches around Europe. The last time we were in A'dam there was a display on the Romanoffs, so you never know what interesting subject they might offer.

If I had 4 days in Amsterdam, I wouldn't care if it were raining. It would sure beat being at home. Peace.

Robyn >-