Amsterdam Question...

Generally the tulip fields are in bloom earlier in the spring -- March and April.

I know P&O Ferries stopped their trips to tulip fields from the UK in May.

In regards to Amsterdam some highlights for us included:

1. Tour of the Canals
2. Anne Frank House
3. Van Gogh Museum
4. Rijksmuseum
5. Walking through the flower markets

No tulips. Check the weather, I was there less than two weeks ago and it was pretty humid but not hot. Anne Frank house is a must see (make online reservations for a specific time slot, then you can skip the line). Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh museum are musts if you love art.

No Tulips this late. Myself, Amsterdam is one of the great wandering cities, lots to just soak in, in addition to the sights above, the Red Light District is worth a stroll at night for the spectacle. As for food, the Dutch are not overly known for their cuisine, but pancakes are a good budget meal (very different from what you think) Pomme Frites (french fries) are a treat, and the Indonesian food (rice tables) while seemingly expensive, are actually a good value given the amount of food and if you are sharing.

I second everything Mike recommended but I would also recommend making sure you get out of the city center. All the craziness that Amsterdam is known for reminds me of Vegas. It isn't the locals, its the tourists run amok. As you get further away from the center, you realize the Dutch live a pretty laid back and charming existence.

I'd also recommend going to Utrecht, which is not very far from Amsterdam.

Hi Lauren, another traditional Dutch food are "croquettes". They are basically ground meat with breadcrumbs and seasonings rolled up , breaded and fried. They are great on a sandwich or just as they are. You can get them many places including from Vending machines and they are great with spicy mustard.
Frites are definately great (dutch french fries) and cheap. Try them with Pindasaus (spicy peanut sauce) or Fritsaus (flavourful mayonaise).
How about Haring? another traditional Dutch food. I don't like them, but my dad (a true Dutchman) loves them.
No matter what, just wandering around Amsterdam to vist all of the places other posters have mentioned, you will stumble upon great sites and wonderful, affordable things to eat.
Have a Great time.

We just returned home from Haarlem and took day trips to den Haag, Amsterdam, ect. We went by many tulip fields and although most of them just had the green leaves "ripening", some of the field did have flowers of some type blooming in reds, purples and yellows. It was very pretty, but I'm sure, not as great as when the tulips are all in bloom.

I did manage to get some great photos of the fields from the moving train, too.

http://www.dorrius.nl/default.asp

Hi Lauren,
... sorry about the tulips, but we do know of a restaurant which serves (wonderful) traditional Dutch cuisine: Dorrius. With your mouse, copy the above link and paste it into your Internet search box. Then touch ENTER on your computer keyboard... voila >>> Traditional Dutch Cuisine in Amsterdam (one of very few such places). Guten Appétit! P

I'm not an A'dam fan but I found this site to be the best single resource for touring.

http://www.eatndrink.com/pages/bestwalks.html

It has a series of walks that will take you past the best sites based on your interests.

I like the canal tour by boat.