A Fun Weekend Itinerary In Amsterdam

This past weekend, I had a friend visit me from her own study abroad program in London, through Fordham, and I was able to see and experience the city centre through the eyes of a "tourist" (for a lack of a better phrasing - although I do consider myself a 'local' now). Though the activities that we did included variations of what I did the first weeks I arrived, it feels different because I am showing her (or more like showing off) the city that I've called home for almost two months now. Additionally, I've been learning about the history and culture in my Dutch History class and can come in with a deeper understanding and significance of what I am experiencing/hearing/see. The itinerary I picked for us this weekend, in my opinion, is perfect for anyone who only has a weekend to spend in Amsterdam and I wanted to share it with you: 

Anne Frank House - Westermarkt 20, 1016 GV Amsterdam

VU sponsored the trip we took to the Anne Frank House. I'm not too sure if it's open to regular tourists, but we were given an introductory presentation on the Dutch involvement in WWII and the history of the Frank Family. They did not allow us to take pictures once we entered the building, but we did tour the entire house. There is an audio tour that corresponds to the exhibits displayed, and there are videos of Otto Frank, people who met Anne in the concentration camps, and the helpers who hid the eight people in the attic. Anne's original diaries are displayed in the lower portion of the house. There are also original posters and pictures hanging on the wall that were left after the Nazis raided the house. It was a really emotional and awing experience that every should experience when in Amsterdam. 

these clogs, perfect for a photo op, are located in the square a few blocks from the Anne Frank House - and was the only pictures I took in the proximity of the property

Rijksmuseum - Museumstraat 1, 1071 XX Amsterdam

The Rijksmuseum is also a must. It is a ginormous museum, one of the many included in Museumplein, that houses Dutch art, Italian Renaissance art, and Asian art (at least from what I saw). I take a Dutch history class this period and it really helped give significance to the art I saw. They also have furniture and other relics, even pieces that Napoleon owned during his reign. Though Napoleon was a bad person, it was really cool to see these pieces from an infamous time I've learned about many times. This museum is a must, even above the MOCO Museum and the Van Gogh Museum.  

The exterior of the museum and the interior of one of the entrances that we entered; pictured is a cafe on the top half and a gift shop on the bottom half

Baroque-era furniture (left); artifacts from the 16th century (center); a hunting horn gifted by King William II in the 19th Century (right)

 King Louis Napoleon's pianoforte for his wife, Hortense (left); a war banner from Napoleon (right) that translates to: "Louis Napoleon King of Holland, Gives to his capital Amsterdam, These signs by brave Netherlands, Conquered on their enemies" 

Some famous Dutch paintings that display the popular painting styles of the 17th Century; pictured is famous The Milkmaid by Vermeer

a painter's kit from the 17th Century (top left); religious paintings from the Italian Renaissance (top center); stainless steel in one of the hallways (top right); porcelain from 16th Century China (bottom left); Shiva Nataraja (bottom right)

TEN Good Food Cafe - Museumplein 10, 1071 DJ Amsterdam 

This cafe is located in Museumplein, a perfect place to sit down and have a quick snack and coffee, or a relaxing lunch after spending hours looking at art. I've visited museumplein multiple times and have always stopped at this cafe. This place has burgers, nachos, breakfast foods, small finger food, coffee, tea, anything you need. Most importantly, they, like many other Dutch establishments, serve Bitterballen: a Dutch staple. Bitterballen are round fried balls of beef stew. It may sound and look unappetizing, but it is so delicious. They are hearty and filling, and will warm you up on a cold day. It's pocket-sized comfort food. It's always served with Dutch mustard which is 10x better than American mustard. 

burger (far left); naches (left center); bitterballen (right center, far right)

Canal Boat Tour/Cruise

There are millions of opportunities in Amsterdam to take a boat tour on the canals, and there are dozens of different style of tours you can go on, as well. This can range from just a closed or open roof boat tour around the canals, usually with a live guide, a cheese and wine boat cruise, a dinner/lunch cruise, an evening cruise, a smoking cruise, light festival cruises, cruise packages, anything for everyone. 

 

a picture of us on the canal tour taken by a worker on the boat

some views from the boat we were on: our captain (top left); the street where one of the TFIOS scenes was filmed (top right); the famous Seven Bridges (bottom left); and the "million dollar view" that used to cost $1 million in the 17th century (bottom right)

I've gone on two so far, one this past weekend that was just a calm open boat tour on the canals, and the first one I went on was a cheese cruise where they served us different types of Dutch cheese with delicious mustard. 

Here is a link to access the many types of tours on the canals: Canal Cruises

Manneken Pis - Centrum, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Manneken Pis, named after a sculpture in Brussels, is a famous fry chain that serves fresh, hot fries and mayo (and other sauces).  There are many locations, so I provided the location of Dam Square because there are many located near it. When I arrived in Amsterdam, I learned there was not any cuisine that the Dutch were famous for - not like pasta and pizza in Italy or waffles in Belgium. They are more known for their fries and mayo. It may sound trivial, but the mayo I've had here is amazing. It's much different than Hellman's, softer and more of a subtler taste. I don't like mayo at home, but I never not order mayo with my fries here. If you come to Amsterdam, you have to try the fries and mayo. 

Fries with mayo (top left); fries with cheese sauce (top right)

So, these are some activities that kept us occupied for a weekend. My friend loved it and had a blast. Of course just walking around the city and absorbing the views is another activity that you can enjoy. The pictures don't lie!