Hi! We will be in Amsterdam March 12-18. We are traveling with our two kids, ages 18 and 21. We are very excited about the trip, and I am hoping to find things that will be interesting to the kids. Obviously, there are a lot of museums to tour and while we like museums, we don't want to be in a museum everyday. We will, of course, be going to the Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh Museum, the Anne Frank Huis and probably the Mauritshuis in the Hague. Aside from canal boat rides, touring the red light district and general exploring, can you recommend anything unique or off the beaten path that would appeal to two college kids? Which day trips would you recommend? Thanks in advance for any ideas!
Posted by
OP
18 posts
I realize my kids are adults, but they are also full time college students who are out of town and are not available to help plan itineraries. As I am the one planning hotel and travel reservations, I was hoping there would be some suggestions which might help my husband and me figure out how to divide our time in the Netherlands.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
The Dutch Resistance Museum isn't fun, but it's very interesting. The Maritime Museum is fun, wander on a real ship, take a virtual sail. The Bols Experience (cocktail of your choosing) is also fun (it's across the street from the Van Gogh). Madurodam in The Hague is fun. The Mesdag there is unique. The red light district isn't much fun, but I guess you have to see it once.
One of the most fun things is to rent bikes and get around the city like the locals do.
Posted by
Tel Aviv
15784 posts
You have 6 nights. Instead of day-tripping, you may want to spend your last 2 in The Hague (it's cheaper than A'dam and just as easy to get to the airport if you're flying out). Then you'll have time for Madurodam (needs 1/2 day), the other museums, and a half day to Delft.
Posted by
Copenhagen, Denmark
971 posts
I'm sure two adults aged 18 and 21 already have a few ideas of fun things to do in Amsterdam, but they probably don't want their parents involved.
Posted by
Utrecht
25 posts
Maybe the Amsterdam Dungeon would be interesting, as it gives a better understanding of Amsterdam's dark history, whilst in a different athmosphere than the museums. It is a little scary, but not too much. The tour takes 80 minutes and is located in the city center, near Madame Tussauds -- of which they offer combination tickets online. Ordering tickets online at least one day in advance is cheaper than buying them at the spot. It seems that there can be a queue before you can enter, but that it is less busy in the morning.
More information about the dungeon:
https://www.thedungeons.com/amsterdam/en/explore-the-dungeon/what-is-the-amsterdam-dungeon.aspx
More information about the ticket options:
https://www.thedungeons.com/amsterdam/en/book-tickets/ticket-prices-and-offers.aspx
Posted by
Seattle, WA, US
1005 posts
Take the whole family to the English comedy improv show by Boom Chicago. It's all in English and hilarious. It's right in the Jordaan neighborhood, so it's easy to get to and there are lots of good restaurants nearby.
Posted by
Rick Steves' Europe
16895 posts
I like the Aalsmeer Flower Auction, outside the city, because it's such an unusual thing to see. But it does require getting up early.
Posted by
Denver, CO
115 posts
They're 18 and 21, if you want them to have a good time, hand 'em some euros and wish 'em luck.
Posted by
Tucson
4183 posts
I'll second Chani's suggestion of the Dutch Resistance Museum. It's one of the best museums I have ever experienced. Be sure to see the film first.
And I like dag's suggestion, too. Our kids will always be kids to us, but being on their own some of the time to do their own thing will be a great learning experience that they will always remember.
Posted by
Long Beach
13 posts
I lived in the NL when I was 23 and had a fabulous time exploring Amsterdam. My favorite museums were Rijksmusem and Van Gough for sure! I would look into the iAmsterdam city card that gives you options for different activities. You guys can look at the options and decide together what activities to do. When my family came to visit me, we did a day trip that stopped at a Diamond factory, Volendam, a wooden shoe factory, and a cheese factory. It was a day trip and I loved it, so depending on how interested your kids are in traditional cultural experiences, that might be interesting? The Heineken museum is fun...I'm sure they'll love that.
If possible, it would be fun to find a bike tour that you can train to from Amsterdam. Hop on a train and go visit a city and rent bikes for the day. Hope this helps! The great thing about the NL is that it's small...so if you are having trouble filling your days, you can hop on a train and get anywhere within an hour our two and visit some different cities (Utretch, s-Hertogenbosch, Volendam, Haarlem, etc). Enjoy your trip!
Posted by
Los Angeles
1825 posts
Bike tour, fun for the whole family. 420 Coffeeshop on Singel and then frietsteeg around the corner for the best French Fries you've ever had.
Posted by
Milton, Delaware USA
138 posts
We did a beer tour one evening which was fun. I'm not a big drinker but the guide made sure I could get a coffee a one stop where I said no to the beer. It was an interesting walk too not a "pub crawl" I think we found it on Viator and then they give you the details of who will run the tour also if there is a food walking tour to do we always find them fun and the young adults in the group do too!