We'll be in Amsterdam for two nights in early May. First day is probably a rest and recuperate since we arrive at 3:15 PM. Staying at NH Doelen. We'll probably just rest a little, walk around a little, eat and go to sleep. Anne Frank house is a definite as is a museum - recommendations? Is Rijksmuseum under renovation? We'd also like to see some windmills, canal boats. What are some "must-sees?"

There are a lot of posting with good info about Amsterdam. We were there in Sept and stayed in the Canal House which is near the Anne Frank house. We found the Anne Frank House to be one of the few museums that open before 10am. Check opening times before you leave the hotel in the am. Somsthing we did that worked for us was to go at 10 to the Anne Frank House and were at the beginning of the line to go in. We then picked up the Museum tour boat outside Anne Frank house for the one hour ride past the port, along the canals to the Van Gogh museum and Rijksmuseum (not under constuction that I can remember). We spent most of the afternoon at those two museums. Amsterdam is an easy town for walking so recommend leisurely walks along the canals with visits to the Dam, flower market and the many other museums in the city. Tough part will be selecting the ones you want to go in. Have fun. Bob

The Rijksmuseum is currently undergoing refurbishment, and most of the main galleries are closed; however, the "biggies" are all on display in one wing, which is open as usual, but for a reduced entrance fee.
The Van Gogh musueum is just down the street from the Rijksmuseum and is well worth a visit. The queues can be long, but you can buy (& print) your ticket online at the museum's website (10 euros/adult). I always like the Amstelkring museum on O.Z. Voorburgwal, which is a 17th century merchants house, with a Catholic church "hidden" in the attic, dating from when Amsterdam banned Catholic worship in the 1600's.
The canal cruise is nice & easy, there are loads of operators, so take your pick. There are only 2 or 3 windmills left in the city - if you really want to see some, visit Zaanse Schans, an openair museum with working mills you can go inside - Lindbergh & Holland International both offer half day trips there (there offices are on Damrak, just up from Cetraal Station)
Note on the Anne Frank House - it closes at 7:30, so if you feel up to it on your arrival day, get there about 5:30/6:00 and miss the crowds - we did that a couple of weeks ago, and it was nearly empty at that time.

Spent three days in Amsterdam last May and although we were tired when we arrived we took a canal cruise which was relaxing and a good way to orient ourselves to the city ... a quick dinner and we were off to bed feeling ready to tackle the city in the morning. We enjoyed the flower market and the Rijksmuseum ... which was under rennovation even then ... and of course the Anne Frank house. Amsterdam is nice in that it can be done at a leisurely pace.

Have Fun!

Canal boat ride. Flower markets. Vondelpark is beautiful to visit if the weather is good! I didn't see any windmills within the city. Leidseplein on the square has street performers some nights. There are free entertainment guides around once you arrive if you want to see music or a show.

I went to the Museum of the Tropics, very strange and kind of wonderful place. I'm not recommending it for your short stay. But I had 5 days, and one day was pouring rain is how I ended up there.

Mostly I just walked, walked, and walked around and got over my jet-lag before continuing on to the rest of my europe trip. The cool fresh air of A'dam felt delightful after a long plane ride.

I also enjoyed a daytime walk thru the red light district and a quick visit to one of the erotica museums (but this is not to everyone's taste i realize) which was pretty funny.

Thank you all for the help. I can finalize my plans now. Doonhamer - excellent information. And we will definitely see Anne Frank house the day we arrive - great tip! Suze - we, too, will be arriving after a long flight. Can't wait to get some fresh AMS air.

I think a canal tour is a lovely relaxing way to get a sense of the city. Even tho the Rijks is limited the Van Gogh and the Stedelijk museum are well worth your time!

If you really want to see a windmill in Amsterdam go to Zeeburgerstraat / Cruquiuskade. (Tram 10 from leidseplein, or bus 43 from central station)It is a big windwill and has its own brewery, (very good beer) and a very small pub and big terrace.