Where to visit from Amsterdam?

I've heard good things about Brussels for an afternoon and then going on to Brugge. It's not too far by train from Amsterdam and I've heard it is worth seeing. I'm spending a month in Amsterdam this summer and the Brussels/Brugge trip will be one of my weekend forays.

Paris might be a little far as a daytrip, but it certainly would be managable for a quick overnight stay.

Although I'd check out Brugges first, and maybe Brussels or Leuven second, Antwerp is also a reasonable distance. Antwerp has some noteworthy sites, including the Reubenhuis, a HUGE Gothic cathedral, and the usual impressive collection of Dutch-style guild houses. However, keeping with its reputation as one of Europe's largest shipping ports, the city does have a grittier feel than Amsterdam or Brugges. For a US comparison, Brugges is to Boston as Antwerp is to Philadelphia.

THANKS GUYS, GIVE THE SUGGESTIONS COMING, WOULD fRANCE AND PARIS BE TOO FAR?

I 'll be in Amsterdam the first two and the last night of my 8-9 day stay the rest I like to stay in other places(1 night in Burges for examplae)

For a nice day/evening trip, Haarlem is about 20 minutes from Amsterdam by train. It has all of the beauty of Amsterdam, but on a smaller scale. In fact, Rick's 'Best of Europe' tour begins in Haarlem instead of Amsterdam.

The Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris is smooth and fast, about 2.5 hours station to station (Centraal to Gare du Nord). It's probably a stretch to consider this a day trip, but very doable for an overnight trip.

Actually Dave it's not such a bad idea but it seems there are no tickets for Saturday 22 of September!

I would definitely take the train to Delft for a few nights. I love Delft. We stayed at the Hotel Emausport.

I agree that Haarlem is a good day-trip. It's a quick train ride away. You can even check it out in one of Rick's travel videos.

I ate raw herring at a stand where the owner knew Rick. You can also see Corrie Ten Boom's watch shop, where she hid Jews from the Nazis (as told in the book & movie "The Hiding Place"). It's also a great town to walk around in - lots of neat cafes and shops. The main square is really cool - that's where you'll find the cathedral and the herring stand.

The herring really tastes better than one would think. Too bad it only lasts about 10 seconds, at most.

I've seen pic of it. I am a big fan of seafood and sushi but somehow that kinda grosses me out!