Must sees and dos when visiting Amsterdam

Rent a bike and start exploring

When in Amsterdam you have to live like the people in Amsterdam. You should find a place that rents bicycles. Get one so that you can begin exploring the city that way. In Amsterdam, traveling by bike is simply a way of life for people. It is a great way to get to know the city up close and personal. There are over 800,000 bicycles out on the streets of Amsterdam. By riding one yourself, you will be able to meet the locals, explore the small city streets, see the historic canals. It is invigorating and enjoyable, and by being on a bike, you can ask the locals the best places to go and where to bike to be immersed in the culture. 

Take time to visit Jordaan

Jordaan is considered to be one of the most charming cities or neighborhoods in all of Amsterdam. When you walk into Jordaan, you will feel as though you have done time travel and go back in time. You'll walk into narrow streets and see the cute old building that gives you a feeling of comfort and coziness. It is filled with art galleries, antique stores, quaint and magical little gardens at every corner. If that isn't enough, there are bars and restaurants with some of the most delicious food in all of Amsterdam. If you are looking for a day where you can just mosey around and lose yourself in the culture, this is the place to go. It is a total labyrinth of side streets and narrow lanes that will provide you with a slow-paced day that is still full of things to do at every turn. 

Make sure to visit the Museumplein 

For those people who just cannot get enough of history and culture, it is important to take at least one day out of your trip and gi to visit the Museumplein. This museum is quite literally the beating heart of Amsterdam. It is home to some of the most important cultural art pieces and is genuinely a history and art lover's heaven. The Museumplein is home to several museum buildings like the Van Gogh Museum, the Rijksmuseum, Oud-Zuid, and more. On top of the buildings that are full of things to see during the warm months and winter months, there are also several open-air exhibits that you can explore on comfortable days. In the winter, these outdoor exhibits turn into a huge outdoor ice skating rink that hundreds of locals and visitors alike flock too for a fun day full of culture and learning. 

Make use of the ferry that goes to North Amsterdam

People who are not locals to Amsterdam typically stay in the central part of the city that is most popular for tourists. While Central Station of Amsterdam certainly has plenty of things to see and do, get out of the city. Catch the ferry to Amsterdam North. It gives you a chance to get some of the most delicious food and drinks and experience the culture in a way that only the locals can. It is one of the biggest cultural hotspots in the country. North Amsterdam has several hangouts and shopping plazas to visit along the waterside. There are almost always festivals and events going on that you can take advantage of and enjoy. 

Cruise along one of the many canals

In the 17th century, the people of Amsterdam began making canals all along the edge of the city. These canals were designed to keep the sea in its place and protect the city from the sea, destroying it. Now, while the canal still provides a functional use, it is also unbelievably gorgeous and something that you absolutely must take the time to experience. By day you can see the rest of the city in the daylight and drink in all of the architecture and the history. Going through the canals at night will show you a view of the city as it is lit up by street lights and bridges that are illuminated by the ferry lights giving your tour a more magical feeling. 

When you float along the canals, you will also be given a lot of background history of the area. Most boat rides are conducted by locals who know their history. They can tell you about it to help you get to know the history of the city. They will be able to tell you interesting facts and point out fascinating spots that you would not otherwise be able to learn about or see. 

Try out herring from one of the many herring carts

If you go to Amsterdam, you will find that people are huge fans of herring. While there are many food carts located throughout the city, herring carts are perhaps the most popular types of food carts on the streets. All the locals love herring, and most eat it raw. To visitors of Amsterdam, this can sound very intimidating, but all those who visit the area should at least give it a chance. They will find that it is actually one of the best things to try. Raw herring on a sandwich is delicious and one of the easiest, and quite frankly, one of the tastiest ways to act like a real local. 

Visit Anne Frank's House

World War II was one of the worst times in all of European and American history. Jewish people all over Amsterdam were subjected to atrocities that we cannot imagine. Anne Frank and her family were just a few of the hundreds of thousands of Jews that went through such a terrible time in our history. When in Amsterdam, visit Anne Frank's house. It has now been turned into a museum and a memorial. Thie site preserves the truth of what she, her family, and thousands of others lived through as they tried to survive the Holocaust. Waiting times to get into the house are typically very long, so it is essential to book a reservation online ahead of time or get there early in the morning, so you are not there all day. 

Amsterdam is full of history and culture, food, drinks, and friendly people. If you are looking for the best place to visit where you can learn about another culture, where you can breathe in the fresh air and enjoy being truly immersed in a new culture, then Amsterdam is the place to go. The day to day pace of life is slow and easy, but there is so much to do, see, and taste that you won't experience a single boring moment.

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