Teens in Amsterdam and Paris

It depends on their interests. I certainly wouldn't overdo it, but they are going to be around some of the greatest artwork ever created in both cites. Perhaps the Anne Frank Museum in Amsterdam and/or Orsay in Paris? The Louvre can be overwhelming.
Cafes/people watching in both cities can be just as fun as a museum!

Ask them. But there is so much to see in both Cities, and two days is hardly any time to see the regular sights

Thanks. I am going to be asking them tomorrow. I don't think that they are interested in art that much. I was wondering if it was worth going to the Louvre? I have already been there, and it is overwhelming. I like the idea of going to Orsay.

I would definitely take them to the Louvre and hit the 'must sees' You never know when or if they might return to Paris, so to go all that way and not see the most famous pieces of art in the world might something they will regret later. You only need to spend a few hours to give them a taste of the museum. My favorite time in Paris with my 21 year old daughter was hanging out in the cafes and wandering the streets and shopping, but had we not spent our 4 hours at the Louvre we would have regretted it. As with lots of people life took over for her and with grad school, a doctorate degree, two children and a third on the way she has not returned yet. I have returned many times, but not everyone can.

I second the Louvre and a couple major pieces there! Winged Victory for one and the Mona Lisa, too. I went to see the Mona Lisa as a favor to my daughter who has never been to Paris. All the reproductions simply do not do the original justice. I'm so glad I saw it. Go right when they open in the morning, the tourist crowds surge in very soon. Same for Amsterdam, at least make a quick stop at the Rijksmuseum to see a few of the major master pieces.. Why don't you let the girls google them both, find out where the biggies are located, let them pick a couple of favorites and go straight to them once you're there.

Absolutely take them to one in each city! I vote for 2 hours at the Louvre and the Rijksmuseum. It could be the start of a new interest for them, and they can look online before and after the trip at what they saw. Rick's guidebook has a good route through the museum; you don't have to be overwhelmed.

Thanks for all of the suggestions. At first I thought, I definitely have to take them to the Louvre. Then I was 2nd guessing myself, saying maybe I shoudn't take them to the Louvre. Now from your comments, I will take them to the Louvre. I also may take them to Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. I have never been there.

I have taken a 14 yr old and an 11 yr old to Europe. Missing museums because you think kids won't enjoy them is a mistake in my opinion. My 14 yr old son actually wanted to visit the Louvre TWICE( which we did) and he was not a scholarly or arty kid, more like a skateboarding punk really! The key is,, don't just take them to see the Mona.. there are really more interesting parts of the Louvre that many dont seem to know much about. The Medieval Louvre is downstairs, it is the excautvated remains of the old fort which is what the Louvre originally was! Ask them to look for the stone cutters marks,, on some stones you will see strange symbols carved in them ,, that was how stone cutters got paid, by the stone, so they marked them. You almost never see them as they are below ground, or turned in ,, but in this case you see some of them as the stones are below the moat level. Also fun is Napoleons apartments, my daughter enjoyed this part, the chandilers the size of cars, the over the top opulence of the gold place settings at a dining room ,, etc, Nearby is the Crown jewels treasures etc, very fun and interesting, a change from just marching through the paintings wings. For the Louvre enter through an alternate entrance to avoid long lines, I enter through the shopping mall (off Rue Du Rivoli) . I think skipping museums is a bad idea, BUT i think choosing carefully and doing some research is important to enjoy what you are looking at.
In Amsterdam I would not even consider missing Anne Franks house. I saw it at 13 for the first time, and then again at 23, I will be seeing it again this summer, its moving and totally worth it. Pre book it.

I am a huge art & museum lover. I can spend literally an entire 8 to 10 hours in just one large museum. But I have to disagree with the others who say take 2 teens with no interest in art or museums to the ones in Paris or Amsterdam when you only have 2 days to devote to each city. The girls are old enough to be asked what they want to do and if they really have a desire to go to a museum. They could totally surprise you and may tell you that while they have no interest in going to see the Louvre, they heard about this other smaller museum full of costumes and fashion in Paris and they want to spend a few hours there. Now if it's you that wants to see these museums and they don't want any part of it, then you can always find an alternative for them to go off on their own for 2-3 hours while you do your thing. They are most definitely old enough to spend a bit of time strolling through a park, taking photos, having some ice cream or shopping in boutiques or a department store. Why drag 2 teens off to do something they want no part of and then have to deal with the eye rolling or listening to the exaggerated sighs?

I will weigh in on the other side. First time I went to Europe at age 14, the best thing was that I didn't have to go to one of the big museums and wait in line to see a bunch of things I'd forget the next day. Instead, went to a small museum to see just the Impressionists. Went to the Anne Frank House. That was so mind-blowing that just walking around and going in and out of shops and cafes was a great antidote. In short, I suggest picking one memorable place unless these girls are used to and love going to museums.

Thanks for all of your comments. They are very helpful. I talked with my nieces today and they are interested in going to a couple of museums. I was happily surprised. They want to go to the Tate Modern in London, The Louvre in Paris, Ann Frank house for sure (already in plan), Rijksmuseum or Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam.
We also thought about going to the Dutch Resistance Museum in Amsterdam. We will also be going to the Vatican Museum in Rome. Hopefully that won't be too many museums. We will be seeing a lot more of everything else on our trip.

Good move to ask them. Also be flexible because once you are there, time will fly and plans will change. I'll add one more museum that might be worth it: L'Orangerie. It's a short walk from the Louvre and they'll enjoy the Tuileries Gardens. It's very small but packs a HUGE punch - Monet's "Water Lilies" and some excellent Renior and other Impressionists. I really think they might enjoy it without the overwhelming nature or fatigue of D'Orsay. Personally I'd pick that way before ducking into the Louvre for an hour, but each his own. For sure do not miss Anne Frank Haas. It is one of the most moving places I've ever been and I can't help but think two teenage girls will be moved too if they've read the book since they may well relate to her personally. Be prepared for the emotional jolt, but hopefully it's something that will stay with them forever.

Hi Patti, what good results for you after speaking with the Nieces. Just a teeny thoughtlet. The Vatican Museum is -one-big-museum- and if you are doing it for the Sistine Chapel it is at the far end which means one-long-walk. The Borghese Gallery may be the home of the most beautiful sculptures in the world. See if you and the girls can find the Rick Steves video of Baroque Rome on Hulu or YouTube. It gives a taste which may tempt you and them to make sure you go to see them. They are simply exquisite. The RS video only gives a snippet. You must go and walk 360 degrees around the sculptures, seeing them from all angles. Unbelievable. You do need to make reservations.