Amsterdam Things to Do Tips by heryanta

Science for kids Nemo Museum Review

NEMO is not a museum, at least not in the traditional sense. It doesn't have a collection of things from a specific era, but rather it has good interactive exhibition on how things work. The organization calls itself a 'Science Center'.

It is a striking building - a green structure that resembles the front part of a ship - unmissable due to its proximity to the Central Station.

It really is only an interesting place to go to if you have children. They will have fun with the interactive exhibition sets learning about how things work and you will have fun teaching them.

The science center is open from Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to 5pm.
Admission costs 11.5 Euro per person

Address: Oosterdok 2

Directions: Just East of the Central Station

Phone: 0900-9191100

Website: http://www.e-NEMO.nl

Take a ride on the canals Canal Boat Tours Review

The canals of Amsterdam are world famous; so spending time on a boat tour on them is a must :)

There are maybe three to four canal tour operators steps outside from Central Station.
A regular tour lasts about one hour and costs 7.5 Euro for adults.

They also offer nighttime cruises. This sounds really good but you are better off taking the daytime ones- since there are so many beautiful buildings along the Amsterdam canals that you can't see clearly when it's dark.

Address: Stationsplein

Directions: Step out from Central Station, cross the street and it should be on your left hand side along the canal

Website: http://www.rederijkooij.nl/

Admiring the works of a master Van Gogh Museum Review

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 :)

Address: Paulus Potterstraat 7

Directions: Take tram 2 or 5 and get off at hobbemastraat

Phone: +31-20-5705252

Website: http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl

A low key gem Rembrandt House Museum - Rembrandthuis Review

Having his masterpiece 'the Nightwatch' stored at another museum (Rijks-) so close to the popular van Gogh museum people often forget the vast collection of the works of Rembrandt that can be wondered at the Rembrandthuis.

The house was built in the early 1600's and now houses a vast collection of Rembrandt smaller paintings and portraits. Particularly interesting is his copper etchings - a brilliant collection of portraits made with this technique.

Further, the house itself is restored and redecorated to give a visual tour of how it might have looked like when Rembrandt lived there in the middle of 1600's.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm; Entrance cost Eur 8 for adults.

Address: Jodenbreestraat 4

Directions: It's between Nieuwmarkt and Waterlooplein (take any trams from Central Station and get off at either station)

Phone: +31-205200400

Website: http://www.rembrandthuis.nl

A little history lesson on the city Amsterdam Museum Review

Amsterdams Historisch Museum used to be an orphanage and the building dates back to the 1500's

Although not as famous as Anne Frank or van Gogh museum it is actually a very interesting museum that tells the story of the city through the ages. Quite enjoyable is the 'life through the decades' where they have a model of a typical living rooms from different era next to each other.

The museum entrance is located on Kalverstraat just a few minutes off Dam square so it's worth visiting as chances are you will be spending time in the area.

The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm and it costs Euro 7 for adults.

Address: Kalverstraat 92

Directions: Entrance located on Kalverstraat, the shopping street just off Dam square

Phone: +31-20-5231822

Website: http://www.ahm.nl

Oh what a beautiful building Rijksmuseum Review

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.

Address: Stadhouderskade 42

Directions: Take tram 5 and get off at Museumplein

Phone: +31-20-6747047

Website: http://www.rijksmuseum.nl

Always enjoyable! Artis Royal Zoo - Natura Artis Magistra Review

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.

Address: Plantage Kerklaan 38-40

Directions: take tram 9 from central station and get off at plantage kerklaan

Phone: +31-20-5233400

Website: http://www.artis.nl

Blackjack anyone? Leidseplein Review

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.

Address: Max Euweplein 62

Directions: Take tram 1, 2 or 5 and get off at Leidseplein.

Phone: 020-5211 111

Website: http://www.hollandcasino.nl/amsterdam/NL/default.htm

Beautiful tulips as far as the eyes can see... DAYTRIP: Tulips Review

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)

Address: Stationsweg 166a, Lisse

Phone: +31 (0)252 465 555

Website: http://www.keukenhof.nl

Windmills and Old Dutch Houses DAYTRIP: Zaanse Schans - Windmills Review

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 :)

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.

Phone: +31 (0)75 6168218

Website: http://www.zaanseschans.nl