A Weekend in Amsterdam
A weekend in Amsterdam can be as risqué, as relaxing or as enlightening as you want it to be. If you’re short on time, you’ll be happy to know that two days is time enough to accomplish quite a bit in this multifaceted city. It is the perfect destination for a bachelor/ette party, a romantic getaway, a backpacking adventure, or even a family holiday, and there is no lack of things to do in Amsterdam.
Albeit touristy, we also recommend you a canal-tour or one of the many free walking tours to get you summarily acquainted with your surroundings on a short trip to Amsterdam. Following this, the Rijksmuseum should be on every art lover's itinerary. Although the museum is undergoing renovations until 2012, you will still be treated to a handsome collection of Dutch classical art. Across the square is also the much-frequented Van Gogh museum, and Amsterdam regularly hosts other collections of modern art, too. The Anne Frank House is another landmark museum in Amsterdam, although be prepared to wait in line.
For a coffee head to Vertigo, a restaurant and café with a terrace, located inside the Vondelpark. Or else relax in the park with a waffle or frietjes with mayonnaise and enjoy the open-air performances. A great idea is to rent a bicycle and explore.
While some of you may be attracted to the De Wallen/ De Walletjes (Red Light District) out of curiosity, there can be no denying that Amsterdam’s extremely tolerant approach to sex and drugs is liberating. In these quarters you can peep in on sex shows, live or otherwise, try out some marijuana at a coffee shop, or even visit the Hash, Marijuana and Hemp Museum for an introduction to cannabis.
No weekend in Amsterdam would be complete without crepes - we recommend you enjoy them at the Upstairs Pancake House. For simple and delicious Dutch cuisine, head to Moeders.
If you’re not sure of where you’re staying on your weekend trip to Amsterdam, we recommend Hotel Brouwer for budget travelers, or the Wiechmann or Pultizer Hotels along the canal for a taste of luxury. You could also choose to stay at the quirky Hotel Arena, which was formerly an orphanage. Wish you a happy weekend among the canals and cobbled streets of Amsterdam!
