Cary & Zoe's guidebook
Food scene
Excellent traditional Dutch restaurant, with great apple pie and old-world ambiance.
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Haesje Claes Restaurant
275 SpuistraatExcellent traditional Dutch restaurant, with great apple pie and old-world ambiance.
Tiny bakery selling only one type of cookie, but it’s an excellent cookie! Dark chocolate with a gooey white chocolate center. Go early in the day, because when they sell out of the 3000 cookies for the day, they close. Be prepared to stand in a line on the street.
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Van Stapele kökugerð
4 HeisteegTiny bakery selling only one type of cookie, but it’s an excellent cookie! Dark chocolate with a gooey white chocolate center. Go early in the day, because when they sell out of the 3000 cookies for the day, they close. Be prepared to stand in a line on the street.
Great traditional Dutch pancakes, both savory and sweet, and omelets. Each table has its own bucket (yes bucket) of syrup.
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The Pancake Bakery
191 PrinsengrachtGreat traditional Dutch pancakes, both savory and sweet, and omelets. Each table has its own bucket (yes bucket) of syrup.
Indonesian food with a great “rijst tafel” (assortment of Indonesian dishes served family style).
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Kantjil & De Tijger
291 A SpuistraatIndonesian food with a great “rijst tafel” (assortment of Indonesian dishes served family style).
What is called a “brown bar”: traditional Dutch food and drinks in a rustic bar setting.
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Bistro Bij ons
287H PrinsengrachtWhat is called a “brown bar”: traditional Dutch food and drinks in a rustic bar setting.
The Dutch love their French fries, and these are some of the best in the city.
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Manneken Pis
41 DamrakThe Dutch love their French fries, and these are some of the best in the city.
Exquisite handmade chocolates, located at the base of the Oude Kerk in the Red Light District.
Canna Health Amsterdam
26 Nieuwe NieuwstraatExquisite handmade chocolates, located at the base of the Oude Kerk in the Red Light District.
Sightseeing
Even if you don’t go inside, you should go to the free roof terrace for a nice view of the city. Though it is geared most toward children, adults find it fun as well. It is focused on science education through hands-on activities.
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NEMO Science Center
2 OosterdokEven if you don’t go inside, you should go to the free roof terrace for a nice view of the city. Though it is geared most toward children, adults find it fun as well. It is focused on science education through hands-on activities.
You need a timed reservation to enter, which sells out quickly, but they release a few new tickets each day at 9am, 10am, and 12pm. As you probably know, this is where Anne Frank and her family and friends hid during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam before they were betrayed.
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Hús Anne Frank
20 WestermarktYou need a timed reservation to enter, which sells out quickly, but they release a few new tickets each day at 9am, 10am, and 12pm. As you probably know, this is where Anne Frank and her family and friends hid during the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam before they were betrayed.
Houses most of Van Gogh's work in basically chronological order (except for Starry Night, which is at the Met in NYC). Tickets sell out quickly for it, so reserve online in advance.
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Van Gogh safn
6 MuseumpleinHouses most of Van Gogh's work in basically chronological order (except for Starry Night, which is at the Met in NYC). Tickets sell out quickly for it, so reserve online in advance.
A very old, beautiful museum housing all kinds of stuff from Dutch history including Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings, as well as armor, boat models, artifacts, etc. Rembrandt's most famous painting, The Night Watch, is here.
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Rijksmuseum
1 MuseumstraatA very old, beautiful museum housing all kinds of stuff from Dutch history including Rembrandt and Vermeer paintings, as well as armor, boat models, artifacts, etc. Rembrandt's most famous painting, The Night Watch, is here.
Similar to Central Park in New York City, with its expansive natural areas. Very beautiful park that is often filled with people on nice, sunny days. It is located in the Old South section of Amsterdam, a very affluent area.
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Vondelpark
Similar to Central Park in New York City, with its expansive natural areas. Very beautiful park that is often filled with people on nice, sunny days. It is located in the Old South section of Amsterdam, a very affluent area.
Rembrandt’s actual home, with many old paintings and furniture. There are sometimes demonstrations, such as how paint was created back in his time.
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Múseum Het Rembrandthuis (Hús Rembrandts)
4 JodenbreestraatRembrandt’s actual home, with many old paintings and furniture. There are sometimes demonstrations, such as how paint was created back in his time.
A gated community that only women can live in. During the day the gates are open though hidden, and people can enjoy the “secret” garden courtyard and church. The place is very unique and a bit mysterious as it sits in the center of busy Amsterdam, but feels like it’s miles away due to the quiet, tranquil atmosphere.
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Begijnhof
1 BegijnhofA gated community that only women can live in. During the day the gates are open though hidden, and people can enjoy the “secret” garden courtyard and church. The place is very unique and a bit mysterious as it sits in the center of busy Amsterdam, but feels like it’s miles away due to the quiet, tranquil atmosphere.
A full Catholic Church in the attic of a home on the edge of the Red Light District. It was a secret place Catholics could worship during a time when they were being persecuted.
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Múseum Ons'Lieve Heer Op Solder
38-40 Oudezijds VoorburgwalA full Catholic Church in the attic of a home on the edge of the Red Light District. It was a secret place Catholics could worship during a time when they were being persecuted.
Neighborhoods
Jordaan is a pretty part of the city located on the west side of the center. The canal tunnels have lights that make the already gorgeous canals more beautiful and romantic at night.
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Jordaan
Jordaan is a pretty part of the city located on the west side of the center. The canal tunnels have lights that make the already gorgeous canals more beautiful and romantic at night.
Day trips
Area with over a dozen functioning windmills, some of which you can go inside, plus a museum on the era of the windmills. (20 min by car, 1 hr by public transport)
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Zaanse Schans
KraaienestArea with over a dozen functioning windmills, some of which you can go inside, plus a museum on the era of the windmills. (20 min by car, 1 hr by public transport)
World-famous gorgeous tulip garden, a must-see in March-May. (30 min by car, 1.5 hr train)
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Keukenhof
166A KeukenhofdreefWorld-famous gorgeous tulip garden, a must-see in March-May. (30 min by car, 1.5 hr train)
The closest castle to Amsterdam. A medieval castle and gardens. (20 min by car, 40 min by bike, 1 hr by public transport)
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Muiderslot
1 HerengrachtThe closest castle to Amsterdam. A medieval castle and gardens. (20 min by car, 40 min by bike, 1 hr by public transport)
Borgartillaga
Samgöngur
Avoid the bike lanes unless you're on a bike!
Biking is a great way to see the city, though it can be a bit stressful when first starting out in the busy center. If you're not biking, though, be sure to stay off the bike lanes to stay safe! It can sometimes be hard to distinguish them from the sidewalks. Often they use reddish paving tiles instead of gray.
Ekki missa af
Go on a canal cruise
These are fantastic. You can see the city’s great architecture from the famous canals. Amsterdam has more canals than Venice, Italy, and smells way better!
Siðir og menning
Tipping isn't expected in most places
With the exception of some of the more touristy places in the center, you will not be expected to tip at restaurants, nor in taxis, massage places, etc. You are welcome to tip if you want to, but the price you see is what you will pay.