During the day, I would recommend the Rijkmuseum and the Botanical Gardens.
The Night Watch by Rembrandt (in the museum) is HUGE, which is a good thing, considering the crowds always around it. But all his paintings are much more impressive in person. There are other wonderful exhibits there too, but the Rembrandts are the most memorable.
When the Dutch East India Company was in operation, and there were Dutch colonies all over the world, they collected plants from all over. In fact, I believe that the first coffee plants in the new world were brought there by thte Dutch, nursed in the Botanical Gardens. It is not very big, but it is a very soothing place in the midst of a very busy city, and there are several different climate areas in the Garden, which is maybe about the size of about two city blocks.
Another sight is the Anne Frank Haus, which has LOTS written about it.
And keep in mind that this is a great place to eat Indonesian food.
During the day, I would recommend the Rijkmuseum and the Botanical Gardens.
The Night Watch by Rembrandt (in the museum) is HUGE, which is a good thing, considering the crowds always around it. But all his paintings are much more impressive in person. There are other wonderful exhibits there too, but the Rembrandts are the most memorable.
Another sight is the Anne Frank Haus, which has LOTS written about it.
And keep in mind that this is a great place to eat Indonesian food.
MC -- I knew there was much about you I liked...part of which includes your assessment of all of the above. I loved Amsterdam. Been there about 4 times and each time I marveled at Rembrandt's Night Watch. I can just stand there and look at it for a long, long time....seems as if they are about to walk off the canvas. And the Ann Frank museum is touching and heart wrenching. Of cours, Indonesian Food (which they sometimes serve on HAL). Of course, the canal boats and all those bicycles. It's such a great, yet complex, city. I even enjoyed the "touristy" visit to the diamond factory. I once bought 48 tulip bulbs while in Holland. Planted them in my garden in NJ. They blossomed in the spring for one day -- the night they first bloomed, the rabbits came out of the woods and ate all the flowers!!!
Thank you Kathy! I only got to spend one night and one day in Amsterdam on a business trip in 2000, and I can't wait to go back to see everything I missed. There's the Van Gogh museum as well as the Resistance museum, and all the sorts of things to see just by walking. I got to ride on a canal boat outside Amsterdam; it was just wonderful going by farms and windmills, and seeing people living on boats.
Thank you Kathy! I only got to spend one night and one day in Amsterdam on a business trip in 2000, and I can't wait to go back to see everything I missed. There's the Van Gogh museum as well as the Resistance museum, and all the sorts of things to see just by walking. I got to ride on a canal boat outside Amsterdam; it was just wonderful going by farms and windmills, and seeing people living on boats.
MC - Sounds like you and I look for the same things while traveling. I did see the Van Gogh Museum, but I didn't even know about the Resistance museum. Travel is full of wonders and surprises. We visited the Resistance museum in Oslo, Norway. One tends to forget how the Norwegians supported the efforts of WWII, and fought underground towards a successful conclusion. You certainly covered ground in your one day stay. I saw just as much, but it took me 4 visits. However, the Rijksmuseum (sp?) was on my agenda all four times. I think I would like a Scandinavian cruise. We've done most of our traveling by land, but we have reached the age where cruising is less strenuous.
Howdy, I certainly agree with the previous posters that Amsterdam is a great city to visit. The inner city is very accessible for "walkers" also. Consider starting at the Centraal Station and walking down the Damrak to the Damsquare where the WWII Nationaal Monument stands. Straight across is het Koninklijk Paleis (the National palace) and caddy corner, de Nieuwe Kerk (New church). straight across from there, you can pick up the Kalverstraat which is A'dam's primary shopping street. About half way down to the right is het Begijnhof with the English Church (my sister was married in there) famous from the Pilgrim fathers. Continue down the Kalverstraat and make a left at the Munt toren (Mint tower), You'll wind up at the Rembrandplein (square) where there are several restaurants with terraces to enjoy a cold one and watch people. Great City (but I'm prejudiced, sorry)
A word for the wise; go to the Red Light District if you'd like. It's an experience. Daytime is fine but it can get "uncomfortable" at night (stay in a group) and never take a picture of the girls behind the windows because they or their "supervisors" will chase you down and demand your film!
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(but I'm prejudiced, sorry)
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