We're planning to visit Amsterdam for one day via the Thalys train from Paris. What can we see in Amsterdam in that short period of time?

the railroad station!

I agree with valentina. That's just too much travel for a day trip. You need to do an overnight in Amsterdam to make it worthwhile because you have already consumed at least seven hours on the rails and platforms with that itinerary, roundtrip.

Agreeing with valentina & Jim - it's really a shame to spend more time in the train than at your destination! But if you absolutely cannot spend the night, what you want to see depends on what you like. If it's good weather I'd get off at Schiphol Airport and take a 10-minute bus ride to the Floriade, a huge international flower-and-plant show that is held only once every 10 years. It just opened and runs until October 20. www.floriade.com Then head back into Amsterdam, take the tram from the central station to the Van Gogh museum and see the exhibit 'Van Gogh and Gaugin'. Head for the Rijksmuseum and see Rembrandt and others from the Golden Age. Go to an Indonesian restaurant for dinner (best one is on the Utrechtsestraat) or take a nighttime canal boat tour. Walk through the red light district if you're curious (it's close to the station, anyway. You can do all this in 9 hours - if you have to!

cal,<BR><BR>If you can't spend at least 8 plus hours in a city, don't bother spending a day away from Paris. I haven't visited Paris yet, so haven't investigated, what to see and do, but I am spending 4 days in Amsterdam later this year and unless I was on a coach tour that took in Amsterdam, I don't think I would spend ++ hours on a train (away from Paris) just for a couple of hours visit....<BR>Just My Humble Opinion