Amsterdam is a gorgeous city of plush landscaping and canals buzzing with tourists and locals . I loved the modern feel of the city with the historic charm still a very prevalent part of its appeal. Though our time was limited, we had a wonderful time exploring what we could during our weekend stay. The food is delicious, the people are warm and welcoming, and the sites are absolutely impeccable. It was hard to choose just five attractions to share, but hopefully our experience will be helpful if you only have a weekend to explore.

1. Canal Tour

You must take a tour by canal through this lovely city. The view from the boat provided an entirely different perspective from just exploring by foot. I was a little worried it wouldn’t be possible with three small children and a double stroller (collapsed down of course). But we were welcomed aboard by a friendly tour guide who helped get us situated and comfortable right away.

The co-captain uncorked a bottle of wine for the adults on board as we began the tour and our day was made! 🙂  We relaxed and enjoyed the ride while  our tour guide shared interesting facts about the history of the city, buildings, landmarks and more. 

 There are several options for canal tours throughout the city. We decided to go with one of the companies offering a shorter tour just outside the Anne Frank House .

2. Anne Frank House

I was so disappointed when we arrived to the house of one of my favorite historic figures. We were turned away from touring the inside of Anne Frank’s house because we didn’t book tickets in advance. I really wish I had done my research because I  wasn’t aware that tickets should be booked at least a month in advance to tour the inside of Anne’s family home. We didn’t have much notice before deciding to visit, so I just chalked it up to a good reason for us to return to Amsterdam.

There are several places surrounding the iconic house for photo ops, so if you miss the tour this go around not all is lost.  

3. Jordaan Neighborhood

The Jordaan district was my favorite area of the city. Abundant with tree lined streets, narrow canals, picture perfect architecture, and trendy shops and restaurants. I could have literally spent hours wandering this district.

There are a few neat attractions to check out in this area as well…

Anne Frank House

Noordermarkt Square:offers jewelry, clothes, antiques and organic food

Antiques Centre Amsterdam: sells vintage ceramics and paintings

Houseboat Museum

Amsterdam Cheese Museum 

4. Royal Palace Amsterdam

Now the official palace of the Dutch royal family, the palace is situated in the center of the city surrounded by amazing architecture and throngs of tourists. If you’re interested in touring the inside of the palace, you can expect extravagant rooms and an abundance of marble carvings. 

Since we travel with young kids, we’re pretty selective about the tours we take. If it’s something we really want to see, we go for it. If we could take it or leave it, we usually pass and admire it from outside. We keep our plans very flexible because you never know when the little ones will hit their limit for the day.

5. Madame Tussauds

If you’re traveling with kids, it may be more interesting to check out this wax museum featuring life like American celebs and Marvel superheroes. There’s also a dungeon detailing 500 years of Amsterdam’s horrible history displayed between 11 shows. 

For our more cultured friends, you should definitely purchase tickets to Van Gogh Museum, which houses his largest collection of art, or Rijksmuseum– a dutch national art & history museum with over 8,000 objects on display. Both of these museums are close together so it’s very possible to check them both out while you’re in the area.

This is only a snapshot of the hundreds of things to see in Amsterdam. When planning your list of things you must do/see, it will come down to your personal interests as well as the time frame you have to tour the city. If you’re traveling in the spring or summer, be sure to plan a picnic lunch in Vondelpark. You’ll see hundreds of people relaxing on blankets beneath the willow trees beside the river mid-day. It’s one of the most simple and rewarding ways to immerse yourself in the local culture.

Head to the comments and let me know your favorite things to do in Amsterdam!

*All photos are mine and are not permitted for personal use