Amsterdam Things to Do

I can’t say enough about Amsterdam city tour cards. These passes are must-haves for world travelers of every stripe. The I Amsterdam card is particularly helpful, because it gets you into 24 different museums for free!

Let’s see… What to do in Amsterdam? Well, there’s Madame Tussads, the Amsterdam Dungeon (where you’ll learn about the Spanish Inquisition and the origins of the Grim Reaper and later ride a roller coaster named after him). Your mom will roll her eyes, but if you don’t go to the Wallen (the Red Light District) while you’re here, well, you are probably a church deacon or something. And if you plan on checking out the Wallen, then you’ll probably be okay checking out Amsterdam’s famous coffee shops, where “bartenders” can hook you up with some delicious “brews.” After that, you’ll need a snack; Amsterdam’s cuisine involves herring, gherkins and chocolate, not to mention world-famous cheese.

There are two ways I’d recommend soaking up Amsterdam’s sights–the I AMsterdam city pass or the Hop-On Hop-Off bus tour. The former gets you into 24 museums, and if you pair it with a bike rental, this is a really fun way to see the city. As for the the latter, it’s also fun, and the audio-guide is very informative. Personally, I’d prefer the pass and bicycle route, because while Amsterdam isn’t huge, it’s still big enough to explore multiple times. If you’re a return visitor, buy the pass and rent some wheels; first-timers will be fine with the bus tour.

Assuming you are going to Amsterdam for the tulips, you can book a pretty little tour to the tulip fields at Keukenhof Gardens. It’s a good way to fill up your camera’s memory cards with pictures of pleasant, Dutch scenery and millions of tulips, daffodils and hyacinths. The tours are either half-day or full-day, and there’s plenty of picnicking areas, as well as several restaurants should you want a bite to eat.