Amsterdam, the capital of the Netherlands, is a lively and accessible European city. Whether you are flying into Amsterdam or driving from one of the neighbouring countries, Amsterdam is easy to reach. I am thinking of getting the train from Paris to Amsterdam and then back again on the Thalys train from Amsterdam to Paris. The city has so much to offer, from the beautiful Amsterdam countryside to lively attractions, and there is something for everyone to enjoy and experience. However, if you are on a tight schedule and cannot scour the entire city given the limited time, it is best to concentrate on a few attractions and enjoy these. If you are with a family including young children or even teenagers, it is recommended to come up with a list of places to visit that the entire family can take pleasure in.
Most of Amsterdam’s action occurs at three points: Rembrandtplein, the famous Dam and Leidseplein. It is, therefore, critical to choose your accommodation well. There are plenty of hotels for families in Amsterdam. The three areas mentioned are near each other (between 5-10 minutes by foot), and if you are staying in one of the hotels in any of these areas, there is no problem moving around. Below are some hotels to consider.
NH Hotels
There are about 13 NH Hotels in Amsterdam. However, not all of the hotels are well located. There are 5 hotels which are in prime locations, and these are NH Carlton Amsterdam on Vijzelstraat, which is less than a minute walk to the flower market; NH Schiller and NH Caransa on Rembrandtplein; the NH Doelen on Singel, which offers a good view of the canal; and NH Grand Hotel Krasnapolsky which is on the Dam. With the exception of the Krasnapolsky which is a 5-star hotel, the rest are rated 4 stars.
Rho Hotel
This is another hotel with an ideal location because it is on one of the Dam’s side streets. It tends to be quickly booked though, and if you get the last room, chances are the room will be so small you will not find it comfortable. Rates begin from €85-125 per room, depending on the days and the season.
Best Western Hotels
There are 2 hotels from this chain located conveniently: Best Western on Dam Square and the Best Western Leidse Square Hotel.
Hotel de l’Europe
If you want a bit of luxury, the Hotel de l’Europe on Nieuwe Doelenstraat is a good choice. It overlooks the Amstel River and offers excellent views of the canal.
Now that you have chosen your hotel, it is time to enjoy Amsterdam with the whole family. Contrary to preconceived notions that Amsterdam is all about sex shops, bars and coffee shops, there are many activities you can do with the entire family.
The Rondvaart Canal Cruise
Even if the weather is not cooperating, you can do a canal cruise in the “Venice of Northern Europe.” There are various tour operators in the area which have covered boats. These tours run for about an hour, and while some have guides on board, the majority will run the tour with pre-recorded guides in 3 languages – Dutch, German and English. You could opt for a day cruise or an Amsterdam evening canal cruise. This is one of the best ways to see the canals and the city as the tours will cover most of the sights such as the Munttoren (Mint Tower), Southern Church Tower, Herengracht which used to be the residential area of rich merchants, Haarlemmersluis (Haarlem Lock), Central Railway Station and St. Nicolas Church.
Towards the middle of the tour, the boat will also pass the beginning of the North Sea canal, and there you will see ferry boats which bring passengers between the old town and the north of Amsterdam. As you go along the wide canal, you can see the Zuiderzee dike, Schreierstoren (Weeper’s Tower), 14th century Old Church, and Oudezijds Kolk which is the oldest part of Amsterdam and “The House on Three Canals.” Rondvaart Kooij, which is on the Spui, does this itinerary, and even if you cannot follow the tour explanation, there are brochures you can read explaining the tour highlights in 4 languages.
Madame Tussauds Amsterdam
This is not exactly the cheapest entrance fee. However, kids enjoy the wax figures, many of whom are life-like. If you have pre-teens or teenagers with you, this is a chance for them to pose with their famous idols, such as Beyonce and Lady Gaga, to mention two.
Nemo Science Museum
The Nemo Science Museum is probably a safe and good choice for those with young and not-so-young children. Designed by Renzo Piano, the centre exhibits interactive displays from sound and light experiments to water decalcification. The location is a bit out of the way when staying around Rembrandtplein, but you can always take a taxi, tram or bus to get there. This centre has four floors where children (and even adults) can find interesting things to do while exploring the wonders of science. It tends though, to be a playground with young children, often making it difficult to find a free seat or laboratory to experiment.
Van Gogh Museum
Unlike the Rijksmuseum, which is bigger, the Van Gogh Museum is smaller in size. Children and teenagers up to the age of 18 get free admission. The museum is modern and showcases the works of the Dutch painter Van Gogh. It is interesting to see how his works evolved throughout his career from dark, often gloomy depictions of scenes to brighter, livelier paintings incorporating the influences of Cezanne, Gauguin, and Lautrec, among others.
The Torture Museum
The Torture Museum on Singel is not exactly child fare but is one of the most interesting museums to visit in Amsterdam. The museum is not big at all but gives a good overview of the torture instruments used during the Inquisition period. There are explanatory boards and framed pictures on the wall that tell the torture instrument’s origin, purpose and use.
This Is Holland
Flying like a bird, you get an overview of how the Netherlands was created. You learn about the people who weren’t deterred by all the water. Using mounds, dikes, windmills and polders, they successfully reclaimed land from the sea, creating this extraordinary country below sea level.
You’ll forget that you’re in Amsterdam and feel like you’re flying over the Dutch landscape. Breathtakingly beautiful filming will give you a spectacular aerial perspective. Thanks to the astonishing special effects projected on a huge domed screen, you’ll feel like you’re flying over the country’s must-sees.