The most memorable museum of them all... and other Amsterdam, Netherlands Things to Do Tips

As you enter the house and up the staircase, past the bookcase that hid the entrance to the attic you will start to comprehend how small the attic is.

Also, you will see the first of many tv's playing video's on loop. I recommend highly that you stop to see each video fragment from start to finish. Each of them only lasts 1 minute or so, but it helps to put the context around the things you are about to see.
I remember the first one was of a lady called Miep, a Dutch lady who used to work for Frank, Anne's father. There she spoke about the day Frank went to her explaining that they will go into hiding, and asked her whether she was willing to put herself at risk and help them.
Her answer, was a heroic 'Natuurlijk, dat is vanzelfsprekend' / 'Of course, isn't that obvious?'

The furnitures upstairs are preserved behind glass casing, in its original location, and on the walls you will see the things the inhabitants put up, including newspapers clippings and pictures of Hollywood stars that Anne put up, as we know from her diary that she hoped to become a movie star.

As you progress through the rooms & watching the video's it is almost impossible not to be moved. I remember the last video (next to the wall where you read when Anne finally died of illness) was of a friend she had who was kept on the other side of the camp. The could only talk through the wire fence wall. She told how once she threw a package over the fence for Anne to catch containing items friends from outside the camp sent her but Anne wasn't quick enough and someone else grabbed the package, and how Anne just sat there and cried; and the next time she threw another package Anne managed to catch it and held it close...and that was the last time she saw her.

As you exit the house, next door in a larger exhibition area there is another exhibition that aims to get people to reflect on current issues around tolerance. All in all I think you will spend 2 hours in the complex; but I promise you, it will be one of the most moving 2 hours in your life.

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Phone: +31-20-5567100
Address: Prinsengracht 267
Directions: From central station take tram 17 and get off at westermarkt
Website: http://www.annefrank.nl

Rijksmuseum (Royal Museum) in Amsterdam is in my humble opinion the most beautiful building in the city center. I was fortunate to be able to visit it a few times before it closed for renovations.

The museum will be reopened in 2010 and until then the famous collections are to be wondered in one of the smaller wings in an exhibition called "The Masterpieces".
Some of my favourite collections in the museum include the famous breathtaking "Nightwatch" painting by Rembrandt; the treasure from Dutch East Indies (nowadays Indonesia); and the Doll Houses.

Museum is open daily from 9am to 6pm, on Fridays until 10pm.
Tickets for adults age 18 and older cost Euro 10 and free otherwise.

Even though the main building is closed - it is still a wonderful sight at night.

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Phone: +31-20-6747047
Address: Stadhouderskade 42
Directions: Take tram 5 and get off at Museumplein
Website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl

When you get a chance, go and see a football (soccer) game in the Amsterdam ArenA. It is the equivalent of going to the Yankee Stadium in NYC or the Dodger Stadium in LA, as football is the most popular sport in Europe.

The regular season is mid-August to late May. You won't be able to go to the big games (i.e. Ajax - PSV; Ajax - Utrecht; Ajax - Feyenoord or Ajax - AZ) since those are sold to members of the supporters club, but the other 'smaller' games are normally up for grabs.
Check the Ajax website www.ajax.nl for full list of fixtures.

Tickets starts at around $20 and you can buy them at the stadium before a match, or more conveniently from Tobacco/News shop or Music Shop that has a Ticketbox sticker (It's a blue "T" on a green circle). Check www.ticketbox.nl for a list of Ticketbox locations.

To get to the stadium you can either take the NS Train to station Amsterdam Duivendrecht or take the trams 53, 54 or 50 to Strandvliet/Arena

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Address: Arena Boulevard 1
Website: www.ajax.nl

Occupying a beautiful building in a prime spot at Dam square Madame Tussaud's is a hugely popular tourist attraction in Amsterdam.

I personally find it very expensive (Euro 20 for adults) and not worth the money. However, I must concede that I do not like wax museums to begin with and when my mother (who does) visited Amsterdam she enjoyed it very much.

The first part of the museum is rather interesting as they have scenes from the early days of Amsterdam, progressing into the recent years. The other collections include world leaders, Dutch celebrities and sport personalities.

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Phone: +31-20-5230623
Address: Dam 20
Directions: Right at Dam square, 10 minutes walk South of central station
Website: http://www.madametussauds.nl

A trip to Amsterdam would not be complete without a visit to the van Gogh museum.

Housing some of the world-famous works like the sunflower and the self-portrait the museum is a must for those who have a couple of hours to spare in Amsterdam.

The museum is open every day between 10am and 6pm; and on Fridays it opens late until 10pm.

Being a very famous museum, there is always a long line so please be prepared when you are taking young children.

The entrance fee is 10 Euro for adults, 2.5 Euro for teens between 13 and 17, children get in for free :)

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Phone: +31-20-5705252
Address: Paulus Potterstraat 7
Directions: Take tram 2 or 5 and get off at hobbemastraat
Website: http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl

This beautiful building is unmissable due to its location right at the heart of the city center.
The building is used by the Queen to host reception for other heads of state and also for formal royal processions, like the wedding of the crown prince in 2002.

Normally, the palace is open to public during the summer months where it houses an exhibition of the history of the building and the history of the Dutch royal family.

It is currently closed for renovation, but will be open again in early 2008. If you are going to Amsterdam in 2008 I advise you to pay a visit, as it gives a brief and enjoyable introduction to the Dutch royalties.

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Phone: +31-20- 6204060
Address: Dam 1
Directions: Right at the Dam square
Website: http://www.koninklijkhuis.nl

OK there's more to the Netherlands than Amsterdam; and Zaanse-Schans is recommended if you would like to see the windmills and houses that are often associated with the Netherlands.

Located about 20 minutes away from the city this is where I take guests visiting the country for the first time. The whole complex can be seen in less than 3 hours. They have working windmills, old Dutch houses, shops, restaurant and cafe's and it's a great place to take pictures :)

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Phone: +31 (0)75 6168218
Address: Schansend 7, Zaandam
Directions: From Amsterdam Central Station take the train going to Uitgeest and stop at station Koog-Zaandijk. Follow the directions, it is about 10 minutes walk.
Website: www.zaanseschans.nl

If you are in Amsterdam during spring (Late March to Late May) consider spending half a day at the Keukenhof garden. It's where the tulips are grown and they have a very nice exhibition area. The exhibition area is nice in itself but as you climb the windmills and stand on the platform you will see rows and rows of tulips stretching out on the flat Dutch landscape; a breathtaking view indeed.
I went there three times in six years and it was very good on each occasion.

Make sure you bring your good camera as this is one of the best places to take pictures.

They are open all day from 8am to 7.30pm and ticket cost Euro 13.5 per person.

From Amsterdam you can take the train to Haarlem - it will take 20 minutes and then take the special bus to Lisse-Keukenhof (another 30 minutes or so)

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Phone: +31 (0)252 465 555
Address: Stationsweg 166a, Lisse
Website: www.keukenhof.nl

Located on Max Euweplein, a stone throw away from Leidseplein Holland Casino is one of my favourite places for a night out with friends. Unlike the mega casino's in Vegas, Holland Casino Amsterdam is a lot more laid back and not crowded. Here people come mostly for a night out rather than to gamble.

The more serious gamblers have their own club room; the casino has a proper fine restaurant, and the bar downstairs at the slot machines area is a good place to watch a game of football.

You need to be 18 to enter and will be required to show a form of photo ID. The casino is open until 3am daily.

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Phone: 020-5211 111
Address: Max Euweplein 62
Directions: Take tram 1, 2 or 5 and get off at Leidseplein.
Website: http://www.hollandcasino.nl/amsterdam/NL/default.htm

There are two things that set Artist apart from the other zoo's I've been around the world:

1. Unlike most other zoo's it is actually located very close to the city center; so it's more like 1/2 a day trip rather than a whole day
2. It actually has a decent collection of aquariums and a planetarium within the same complex

Also, it has partnerships with other zoo's around Europe, so if you have not been in a while and go back there you will see new animals. On a warm and sunny day go there early, as you can sit on the open grass and have a picnic too.

It costs Eur 17.5 for adults and Eur 14 for children.

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Phone: +31-20-5233400
Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40
Directions: take tram 9 from central station and get off at plantage kerklaan
Website: http://www.artis.nl