Hi, my husband and I will be in Amsterdam for one full day, as a layover stop. What would be a good way to experience the city in a day? My husband has been there before but I haven't. We'll probably want to do only one or two museums. Thanks.
Posted by
San Diego
552 posts
A plane layover? You won't necessarily be arriving at the train station?
In the morning, take a bus to the outer edge of Vondelpark then walk through it and over to the Leidseplein.
After lunch and a museum, do some more walking into the heart of the city.
Take a canal boat cruise at sunset.
End up at the train station for a quick ride back to the airport after dark.
Posted by
Rochester, MN, United States
11 posts
My must see sights for 1 day would be Van Gogh Museum, Ann Frank House (both will have lines) and if you want something fun, the Heinenken Brewery/Museum. A canal boat cruise if the weather is nice.
Posted by
Philadelphia, PA, US
3 posts
My number one tip for Amsterdam would be to rent a bike. It is so much fun to ride there (a real experience in itself) and it makes getting from one corner of the city to the other a breeze.
Sightseeing suggestions would be the De Gooyer Windmill (the beer there is very good), bike ride through Vondelpark, RLD, Van Gogh or Reijsmuseum, a meal at a pancake house, and a stop at a coffee shop before you get back on the train (if that's your thing).
Posted by
OP
San Francisco, California, United States
16 posts
Thanks for the replies! It'll be a train layover.
Posted by
Virginia, USA
5840 posts
I also agree with both Van Gogh museum and the Ann Frank house. Keep in mind, that you can reserve tickets for both on-line for a specific timeslot. I've been to the Ann Frank house on three different trips and I always find it a moving experience. I prefer Van Gogh to the Rijksmuseum, but I'd suggest that you choose according to your taste.
On my last trip, I followed the Jordaan walk that is in the Rick Steves guidebook. This is a really nice area to wander through. It didn't hurt that the weather was absolutely perfect so that made it even more pleasant.
Posted by
Lake Stevens, WA
26 posts
if it were me, id catch the Canal Bus outside A'Dam CS and cruise down to the leidsplein. Walk around, maybe hire a bike taxi for a quick circuit of vondelpark. From there, catch the tram to rembrandtplein..maybe grab a bite to eat. #4 tram up to dam square; hit the sex museum, shops, then over to the RLD and see the hemp museum, RLD sights. Quick walk across the canal to the Green house for some oj and space cakes (also try their lemon haze!!!!!1111!!) then back to CS. Et voila.
Ricks walking tour for Adam is also a good idea. Hard to squeeze a meaningful visit into 1 day for such a big city with soo many awesome sites.
Posted by
Monein, Pyrenees, France
425 posts
Interesting point -- if you want to smoke .. er ... "something" (!), in a cafe, you can't get a beer at the same time! And vice versa. Try the big floating Chinese restaurant if you are into chinese food.
Roger Bruton
Posted by
Myrtle Beach, USA
12313 posts
For a museum, I'd go with the Van Gogh. His most recognizable works were painted multiple times so you can see them at museums elsewhere but I've only seen his early works at this museum.
Renting a bike would be a good idea. We ended up not renting because we heard there are more bikes stolen in Amsterdam each year than the population. For those who rented bikes to ride around, what did you do for security when you stopped?
We weren't impressed with Vondelpark, we expected a somewhat suburban family friendly park and found more of a Greatful Dead concert crowd.
We liked the canal cruise. There are several companies that provide the cruises, they all seem to be the same at the same price.
We weren't interested in illicit drug or sex trade so Amsterdam wasn't our favorite. I see it as more of a one day stop than a destination.