Hi
My husband and I will be spending 4 nights in Amsterdam.We like museums.What are the main attractions we must not miss?It would be great to hear about some suggestions regarding nightlife.Also,what kind of attire should one take at this time of the year.We are leaving this week.This is a sudden trip.Would really appreciate if anybody could give some suggestions.Is it a good idea to go to Rotterdam for a day trip?And if so,what is there to see?Are there any other places we could go to for just a day by taking the train?Thanks

While you are waiting for responses, please review the "Destinations" section on Fodors.com and Frommers.com; you'll get most of your answers there.

Hi! I love Amsterdam (my family is from Holland). What days are you there? One out of the way place to check out when you're looking for a chance to sit down and enjoy some "patat" (french fries) is the Begijnhof, a former Beguine convent. It's in an enclosed courtyard from 1150. Here is a link: http://www.amsterdam.info/sights/begijnhof/history/
Also, famous the flower market, The Singel, is nice to see. However, I don't know if it's open at this time of year. Ask at the hotel. The Singel is near the Rembrandtsplein and Culverstraat, which is a big shopping street. My favorite place for lunch is a little cafe called "Van Dobben" right off Rembrandtsplein. They sell "brodjes" - traditional Dutch sandwiches. The street it's on looks like an alley. If you're on the Rembrandtsplein, just ask. It's been there about 60 years.
For museums, a visit to the Rijksmuseum is a must if you like that artstyle from Rembrandt/Vermeer's time. Otherwise lots of people like the Van Gogh museum.
Another fun thing is a canal tour.
A nice restaurant in Amsterdam at night is Luden on Spuistraat (I think there is more than one). I know for certain they have English menus because my husband had one. Most people speak English in Amsterdam. Temperatures at this time of year is probably in the 50s, so bring a jacket and an umbrella. Have fun!

We spent four days in Amsterdam and agreed that the Dutch Resistance Museum was our favorite museum in Amsterdam, and our favorite museum from our entire 25 day trip through Reykjavik, London, Paris, Brussels, Bruges and Den Haag. We spent hours there, reading every caption and looking at every display. Combine that with a tour of the Anne Frank House and you get an excellent of how life really was during the war. Don't miss it.

There are many museums in Amsterdam - you didn't post what kind of museums you like... history? art? sex museum?

If you like art museums, you should go to:
Van Gogh Museum
Rijksmuseum
Stedelijk Museum CS(modern art)
Rembrandthuis (if you like Rembrandt)

Rotterdam is a decent day trip option if you like architecture, or more art at the Museum Boijmans van Beuningen.

If you like Vermeer, you should think about a daytrip to Delft & Den Haag.

If you're interested, you can read my art museum trip report. I went in May of this year. Start 1/2 way down from Day 5 onward.
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34626323

On the weather point, it's usually much the same as London: at the moment, there's a definite feeling of autumn on the way, so you will need a not too heavy extra layer (a light jacket seems OK for me) and be prepared for some rain. But there are plenty of internet weather sites to keep you in touch day by day.

Trains are generally good in the Netherlands, and there are plenty of interesting places within an hour or two's ride from Amsterdam - all the ones already suggested. I like the quirky museum of mechanical musical instruments in Utrecht; but Delft and the Hague (which are very close together) are higher on the list for art and history, likewise Haarlem for the Frans Hals museum.

I live in Amsterdam, so I should probably be able to help!

The weather right now is in the 50s-60s, it's been getting a little gray and rainy, which of course is not unusual this time of year.

For a museum a little off the beaten path I'd suggest the Amstelkring, near the red light district. It's an old canal house that you can tour with a hidden Catholic church in the attic. Another nice canal house you can tour is the Museum Van Loon.

As far as nightlife, it depends on what you're into of course, but any cafe along the Prinsengracht or in the Jordaan would be a nice way to spend an evening.

For daytrips, the above-mentioned ones to Delft and the Hague are good choices. I'd add Edam (30 min. from Amsterdam by bus) if you just want a taste of smalltown Dutch life. I'd personally skip Rotterdam unless you're really into modern (and often ugly) architecture.