A glimpse into WWII history and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Things to Do Tips

I was only in AMS for 2 days, and had a short list of 'must do's' ... the Anne Frank House was on this list. Everything I had read about timing for entrance to avoid lines was correct - get there early! We left our hotel near Damrak to begin our walk about 0800, when we arrived about 15 or so minutes later .. there was already a line! Fortunately, since we were there before opening, the line moved quickly.

Not only do you get to tour the living areas described in the diary I read as a child, the end of the tour is a series of museums, they included interviews w/ other camp survivors, those who knew the Frank family, as well as newsreels of events of the time; the diary is displayed under glass in this area too.

I found this activity touching and coudln't imagine missing it!

The end of the tour is a giftshop (of course), with the Anne Frank Diary for sale in numerous languages. Most of my family is studying various languages, so instead of buying them books, I had just picked up tour pamphlets in the requisite languages upon my entry into the tour ... less expensive, and less heavy to carry home :)

We started walking w/ a general idea of the area we were heading towards .. but had forgotten our maps and such .. once you are in the region, there are signs to help point the way. The canal shot shows the side of the building we ended up going to for the start of the tour ... the modern looking one down that side street :)

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Phone: +31-20-5567100
Address: Prinsengracht 267
Website: http://www.annefrank.nl

Museumplein is a park next to the Van Gogh Museum, and behind the Rijksmuseum .. both attractions in their own rights. But the park is a nice break in the artsy day - outdoors, locals playing and relaxing, gellato, coffee kiosks, and such.

It was nice to take a snack break here and just watch the world go by ... especially since a museum day is filled w/ too many people heading in the same direction as yourself :) Sometimes, a bit of respite is needed before you attack the next spot on the tourist map!

The sun was warm, children were playing in the reflecting pool, and others were playing frisbe on the grass .... just a nice place to take a break from being a typical, on-the-go, tourist .....

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Address: The weblink provided will take you to a map :)
Directions: Museum District
Website: http://www.hiptravelguide.com/amsterdam/php/article.php?sid=55

My AAA guidebook mentioned public gardens attached to the Rijkmusuem - and since the museum is undergoing extensive rennovations, and our time was limited, we decided to wander our way toward the Van Gogh musuem instead :)

We found a little, unlabled gate, and entered .. the gardens were beautiful, well kept, and worth the slight detour. Outdoor statuary, roses, a pond, and even a shrubbery tunnel to enter an leisure...

We exited the garden closer to our destination than when we entered, so it was a worthwhile detour :)

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Phone: +31-20-6747047
Address: Stadhouderskade 42
Directions: Follow the north side of the RM - and look for an open gate ..... the weblink provided mentions this and other gardens in and around Amsterdam ....
Website: http://www.amsterdamby.com/sightsee/sight3.htm

I was wandering the city w/out a map, exited a side street and entered Dam Square! I sat at a cafe and consulted my map to see where I really was at that point. Coming from the back of the monument, all I saw was a phallic pilar flanked by naked male bums of stone ... nice, but I really wanted to know more about it :)

This area is a hub of activity, and a great place to use a guide - if you know where you are staying in relation to Dam Square, you can never get lost!

This area has tons of history, so the link I've provided will let you know, what I didn't :)
NOTE: the original links I provided are no longer active. A real shame since they were amazing and full of information. I have updated the links today, but they aren't as good - so I will be continuing to look for other links that provide more history of the Square, and the feelings behind the monument.

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Address: Smack dap in the center of Amsterdam-figuratively
Website: http://www.planetware.com/amsterdam/dutch-national-monument-nl-nh-natmon.htm
Other Contact: http://www.alpharooms.com/guide/

I wandered into this church near our hotel because I needed a break from the hustle and bustle of the day ...... a wonderful visit to boot!

St Nickolaas Kirk near Centraal Station is actually the second church by that name. The Oulde Kirk near Dam Square was originally known as St Nickolaas Kirk. In the 1700s (I think) Catholocism was banned and the churches given to the ruling Protestants. In the 1800's, Catholics were again given religious and political rights, and they began to rebuild their churches.

In 1887, the new St Nickolaas Kirk was built, and it was renovated in the 1990's. The stained glass windows are beautiful, carvings are found all over the church, and the main alter is awe-inspiring.

Of the 20 or so pictures I took, this one of the main altar, and the baptismal font to the side, is a favorite - if you can, take the time to explore this wonderful building ;)

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Address: Prinz Hendraake
Directions: Across from Centraal Station, near the canal boat stop.

While wandering the side streets near our hotel, we explored Amsterdam without a map. I discovered we had wandered into Chinatown by seeing this particular display in the window ;)

It was early in the day, and not many shops were open, but we had fun just wandering down more streets and windowshopping ... a few minutes later we were in De Waleen ...

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