When people think of Amsterdam, they usually think of three things: coffeeshops, red lights, and canals. And, for most travelers, that is all they will ever see. Young travelers tend to frequent the coffeeshops or wander the red light district while older travelers take bike tours, canal trips, and frequent the museums. Then, after three or four days, they move on to their next destination.
I fell in love with Amsterdam in 2006 and have been back to the city five times since then. Each time I get to explore more of the city and realize just how much it has to offer. It always saddens me when I hear other travelers talk about what they did because it’s always the same, and, yesterday in Berlin, a traveler said he hated the city because it was all coffeeshops and red lights. I told him he hadn’t seen the city and gave him a list of things to do next time.
After frequently the city so much, I find myself always do something off the beaten track. I’ve keep ticking off the list of things to do and finding ones I never knew existed. Amsterdam has much to offer travelers. When you have grown sick of coffeeshops, stoned backpackers, creepy old guys in the Red Light district, and crowds at the Van Gogh museum, visit some of these quieter and more local places:
The Amsterdam History Museum
Though not exactly off the beaten path, this museum surprisingly sees few people yet it does a great job of telling the history of the city. The museum is fairly big so budget a few hours for it.
The Jewish History Museum
Located near Waterlooplein, this museum has an excellent section on World War 2, the Holocaust, and how the Dutch dealt with the guilt of the mass deportations after the war.
The Tulip Museum
Located in a room inside a tulip shop, this little place does an interesting job of telling the history of Tulips in Holland and the infamous Tulip craze. Best of all: you’ll never find a crowd.
The Jordaan
I’m always amazed at how few tourists visit Jordaan since it is right next to the city center. This former working class district is now a maze of cafes, little shops, and restaurants. During the summer time, it is a popular spot for people to go to eat. I absolutely love wandering around here.
FOAM
The photography museum houses wonderful pictures and sees few crowds despite being in the main part of the city. It’s a must for any photography lover. I really enjoyed all the black and white photographs and the outdoor garden.
The Houseboat Museum
Not much of a museum but this decorated houseboat is gives you an interesting glimpse into what living on the canals are like. I walked away with one impression of life on the canals: a bit cramped.
Oost
The area east of the city has an amazing park, a zoo, and lots of good Muslim eateries. Wandering around here, you’d be hard pressed to find more than a hand full of tourists, most of whom are probably lost.
Rembrandt Park
Not to be confused with Rembrandtplein in the city center, this park west of the city is a good place to wander. The area around it is pretty working class and a bit more modern- a good contrast to the historic center. You’ll know you are there when signs suddenly stop being printed in English.
And while you are in Amsterdam I recommend staying at The Flying Pig Hostel, my second favorite hostel in Europe (Kabul in Barcelona is still #1 for me). I’ve stayed their for 3 times now and, this time, thanks to IKangaroo, I got a few free nights of accommodation. The Pig is a Amsterdam institution. It may not be the cheapest hostel in the city but their are no push button showers, the pillows are comfy, and, because if its reputation, it is always full. I always met a lot of people while I am there and the staff (backpackers who simply didn’t leave) are very social. I’ve stayed in 3 different hostels in Amsterdam but I always go to the Pig- it lives up to the reputation. (Note: I would recommend this place even if they didn’t give me three out of 10 nights free. Like I said, I’ve stayed there before and I’ll stay there again.)
Amsterdam has so much to offer that pigeonholing it as a place of hookers, marijuana, and a canal tour is a crime against humanity. The city has so much to offer, it’s an architectural wonder, and the locals are super friendly. When you visit, get out of the tourist city center, see the hidden gems and local neighborhoods, and find out that Amsterdam is everything you didn’t think it would be.
I know it’s not a museum, per se, but there is a magic mushroom gallery.
Great article. I just came back from Amsterdam. I didn’t go to all the places you suggest but I did go to Jordaan. I liked Vondelpark too. What’s with the parrots there? Are they wild or bred especially for the park?
I’m not sure. My guess: wild
The parrots are originally from the Artis Zoo in Oost, but somehow managed to escape years ago. They kept breeding in Vondelpark and made it their new habitat.
People were a bit surprised when we took a family vacation to Amsterdam. I guess they had the stereotype in their minds and couldn’t believe we’d bring a 2.5 year old and 3 month old to wander around such a place!
We had the best time and found Amsterdam to be very child-friendly. We stayed on a houseboat in the Jordaan. Hotel Acacia, http://www.hotelacacia.nl/index.php?page=3, they have a modern and classic houseboat and also regular hotel rooms. We loved the neighborhood and felt like we got a glimpse of local life. There was a fresh market right outside our houseboat!
So true!
I most definitely share your love of the city and have been there many times.
My first time, we stayed near Rembrandt park. Loved it there. It’s minutes to city center by bus but you have the conveniences of supermarkets, cash machines without long lines (and they actually have money).
The last time, we stayed in Edam which was perfect. We biked around the area, saw the cheese making, and met a lot of local people too. There’s an easy bike path that goes directly into the city, and it’s a lot more fun finding your way around without a tour.
I will say, though, I have and will always be in love with the Stedelijk and Rijksmuseum. They are fantastic, no matter how on the beaten path they are.
I’ve had a chance to read a few of your Amsterdam articles (saw a couple on Matador too), and it seems like we like it for many of the same reasons.
I like the Van Gogh museum better than the Rijksmuseum but that is because I love impressionist works.
Hey there-
I really liked your post for ideas of things to do in Amsterdam. In fact, I’ve featured it in my blog post today!
http://blog.travelfusion.com
Thanks for sharing all of these ideas – I can’t wait to go back to check some of them out!
Kathryn @Travelfusion
Thank you for the feature!
So I agree, I LOVE Amsterdam. But I just read that you’d never go back to Vietnam and now I want to know why. I’ll be there for 3 weeks in Dec!
-Formica D
Why I won’t go back to vietnam is long…shoot me an email about it
you make me want to go back to the Dam. I ain´t been there for years
I also had a good experience at The Flying Pig Hostel. Also, one of my favorite things I did in Amsterdam was rent a bike for a day and bike around north of the city. Beautiful area!
I like all of the different options. I have never been to Amsterdam, but it is at the top of my European destinations list. Quite a few of those places look pretty cool.
Thanks for these Matt. If you love seeing the world, which I know you do, then you should really check out the Tropen Museum. It is also rarely busy (the two times I’ve been) and has something interesting every time.
Where is it and what is it?
i’ve never been to any European country but Amsterdam looks enticing to visit. you have a nicely going travel blog here.. greetings!
Hey Matt, I dig the new site look. Headed to Amsterdam in December with my sister. We’ll definitely check out the tulip museum, thanks!
Thanks and e-mail for more info- I have a TON!
Hi Matt, nice write on Asmterdam. My one and only visit to this beautiful city was back in 2002 on route to Helsinki and Lapland. I really enjoyed the museums, canal tours and the nightlife there. I hope to make it back there one day with my proper camera equipment.
Regards,
David
Malaysia Asia
Bah typo – Amsterdam was supposed to be the word.
My bad
Those three things were exactly what I thought of in the past whenever I heard Amsterdam – although not anymore, and especially not after reading this post. Joordan sounds like a cosy neighborhood to visit (wonder why it’s called Joordan though). I’m sure I would love FOAM too.
And yes, life on the canals does seem a bit cramped. That photo of the houseboats reminded me of a blog I came across a few months ago http://blog.piajanebijkerk.com/ Pia Jane Bijkerk, the woman behind the blog, is a stylist who lives on a houseboat in Amsterdam – when she’s not in Sydney or Paris. Well worth reading – especially for the beautiful photos.
Nice new theme by the way. Much cleaner design than the last one.
I’ve been to Amsterdam tons of times and never been to the Houseboat Museum — that’s a great find.
I can only see the Van Gogh Museum so many times…after 4, i think it’s a little crazy!
Great post about a wonderful city Matt – thanks for all the tips and details!
I have been there a few times, but that was long time ago – now I am tempted to go back.
There is tight connections between Amsterdam and Norway, even from the Viking period and we’re both known as shipping nations you know.
Btw: Any chance to see you at the Oslo Blog Gathering 2010 ? It will be a great opportunity to meet bloggers from all over the world and to explore Oslo in a compact three days program!
I’m going to be in the US by then! I might be visiting my cousins in Oslo next june though!
I love museum, often the first thing I visit when at a new place
The ”older traveler” visit museum made me laugh a bit.
Thanks for the post! I was thinking of going to Amsterdam next summer. This will definitely help me plan for it.
Thanks for the tips on Amsterdam. I was there once about 6 years ago and saw a few of the museums but loved the city itself, especially the brilliant urban planning and design. Next time I will definitely check out some of the things you mentioned.
I couldn’t agree more with this! I do go to coffeeshops when I’m in Amsterdam, but I smoke in my everyday life anyway so it’s just an easier way. But the city has so much more to offer than that, and it’s one of my favourite cities I’ve ever been to. It’s a beautiful place and the people are so friendly; when I was first there at the age of 18, I asked a Dutch man for directions to a supermarket, and he just told me to hop on the back of his bike and he would take me there! And you’re so right about the Flying Pig – I’ve only ever stayed in their uptown location, and the staff are brilliant and it’s a really social hostel. It’s nice to see Amsterdam getting a write-up that shows it’s a much more diverse city than people realise.
I have been to Amsterdam numerous times, and I don’t smoke shit and I’m not into paying for sex. I find it an amazing city for wandering around in, eating, drinking and just relaxing.
Each and every time I go to Amsterdam I stay in the Jordaan area, which has an amazing buzz to it, there are so many great bars and places to eat in. I especially like going to Amsterdam in the winter time around December/January when there are less tourists.
So right about the flying pig! Def one of the best hostels in Europe! Thanks for all the extra suggestions of places to go, went in Jan and already want to go back!