Best Tourist Spots:

• Museums

  • Rijksmuseum - you could spend many many hours in here so prepare for a long day unless you do it Kalista & Marilyn style and run through and just see ‘the hits’ but of course all of Rembrandts most famous art is here. (if you noticed he largely inspired our save the date ha!)

  • Van Gogh - most people don’t realize he was Dutch. This is right across the way from the Rijks. Filled with a ton of his famous work.

  • Moco Museum - in the same park (museumplein) as the two above this is my personal favourite. This museum is for modern art lovers. It is filled with Banksy paintings and things with a similar vibe. You only need 2 hours max for this.

  • NEMO Museum - for those bringing children, this is our science museum (not near the others) close to centraal station. Check it out, you can spend a really fun day there and the building archetecture itself is incredibly unique.

• Heineken Museum - Although it seems like a tourist trap (it sort of is) you can’t deny how fun it is. It’s really fun to see the history of one of the worlds most famous beers and drink a few along the way.

• The Red Light District - As much as it’s a bit trashy and touristy it wouldn’t be an Amsterdam trip without sneaking a peak of this area. To get here (there isn’t signage saying ‘red light spot here’) set your google maps to around the Red Light Secrets Museum and it will take you there. It is more fun at night when you can see all the lights from the top of the canal. Right along here you will also catch some of the coolest views of the typical Amsterdam housing. Follow the canal towards Centraal Station and you won’t miss it.

• Fabrique des Lumieres - This is in the west side of the city in Westerpark and is an immersive experience like no other. I’ve done quite a few of these types of things and nothing compares to this one. We did this on our second date and we are dying to go back one day.

• Anne Frank House - this is such an incredible opportunity to see this part of history this close up. You need to book tickets way in advance though so please do this now or you will be in a line and likely not get tickets!

• Canal Tour - doesn’t matter which you do, if the weather is nice try to find a smaller one with an open top (there is a good one in front of the Rijksmuseum I like) of course it’s super touristy but gives you a good view of the city as you could be doing a lot of walking!

• Walk around - honestly that sounds so obvious but Amsterdam is so much about the atmosphere and what is around you. The history in the buildings, and the canals. De Pijp is where I used to live and a wonderful area (close to Heneiken Museum) if you end up there, go to the Albert Cuyp market. Amsterdam West is a great family area with amazing food. Amsterdam North has recently become super cool over the years (you take the ferry from Centraal Station it is free and takes 2 minutes) it is a lot of just houses but some amazing restaurants (see below) and the ADAM tower is kind of fun but not a must. And of course, Vondelpark is a must. Stop and have a beer or a wine on a terrace in the city and people watch, you can do this nearly everywhere and that is the true Amsterdam experience.

Best Food:

Nice Restaurants

• De Kas - one of the coolest most desired restaurants in the city. It’s literally in a greenhouse and they serve you a menu based off what is growing at the time. It is so hard to get a reservation but if you do it now - you will get in.

• Kees - this restaurant is owned by Chef Kees who literally makes the food himself and designs a custom menu weekly. Likely your waitress will be his wife and it’s just such a great home grown dining experience that actually truly showcases how Dutch cuisine can be great & fancy.

• EuroPizza - it sounds much less fancy in it’s title than it is. It’s this incredible place in North Amsterdam where you will try pizza flavours you have never had in your life amongst many other meat/fish menu items. Celebrities have been known to frequent this place. Trust me, it’s amazing.

• Wilde Zwijnen - great place, amazing atmosphere in the east end of town. A small nice menu with great wine and food.

• Box Sociaal - this is run by australians who started it. It’s such a fun vibe where you get amazing cocktails, more north american style food and the best chicken.

• Restaurant de Plantage - this one is all about the view. You can’t beat this atmosphere. This is right next to the zoo.

• China Sichuan - situated right in the tourist area, this is authentic incredible chinese food that is hard to match. I’ve only tasted it like this in China next to this place.

• Little Collins - great small menu with unique eats, also amazing for Brunch!

• Dignita Hoftuin - really unique location with great brunch!

Quick Bites

• The Butcher - my favourite burger in the city. You will find a few of them around, it’s fun eating at the one in the Adam Tower just for the atmosphere. (this isn’t a fancy restaurant more to-go style food)

• Heertje Friet - my favourite fries & snack bar food in the city. Order cheese bitterballen & fries with peanut sauce, mayo & onion. You can’t go wrong (everything else is good too - also good vegan options!)

Quite honestly, Amsterdam has such an incredible food scene it’s hard to go wrong. If I keep going this will be a novel so I will stop at my top choices but even if you google this you will be overwhelmed with choices. Just know - the best tip I have for you is, be careful in the tourist areas of ‘Argentinian Steakhouse’. I mean I am not sure you will get food poisoning but just know it’s meant as a complete tourist trap. We don’t specalize in that meat, nobody local goes there, I have no idea why they exist, just don’t go. Otherwise - it’s hard to go wrong.