365 Days in the Garden
So, You’re Visiting Amsterdam?
Oma’s recommendations for tourists
I’m a grandmother (“Oma in Dutch”) and have been living here for a little over the past two years. I’ve had several friends visit me from overseas and from other countries, and taking them to “see the sights” has been an educational experience for me as well. My recommendations below are written from my point of view as a 68-year-old with somewhat limited mobility and also as a grandmother who enjoys doing things with the grandkids. Wherever I’ve included links, they are places I’ve visited and experiences I’ve enjoyed. None of my links are affiliate links.
The City of Amsterdam is full of so many enjoyable things to see and do that it’s a good idea to make a plan for your visit based on several factors, including your budget, the timing and duration of your stay, your physical capabilities, your interests, and most important of all, whether or not you are comfortable riding a bicycle.
When are you coming?
The weather needs to be considered. Bring rain gear if you’re coming in the winter or early spring (or any time of the year). If it’s still winter, you will probably be best off with layers, but make sure to bring at least one item that will serve as a windbreaker.
Are you here for the holidays? There are many ways to get to see the Amsterdam Light Festival, including canal tours, bus tours, walking routes, and even bike tours. This website suggests 20 things to do in December, with number one being the Light Festival, and includes links to all the different ways to experience the light show. I can agree that many of their suggestions are good ones, perhaps except for seeing the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, which is more something to survive.
There is a Winter Festival at the Rai Convention Center every year. Children love it, and so do the adults in my family. There are plenty of places to sit down for those who need to take a break (like me) and lots to do for those who are more active, including an indoor/outdoor ice skating rink. Here’s a link to their website.
There’s a reason why the Netherlands is known for tulips. If you are coming to visit in the spring, you don’t want to miss the Tulip Festival from March 23 through May 14. Keukenhof Gardens is a must-see experience, with over seven million bulbs hand-planted each fall for a colorful spring show. It’s easy to get to Keukenhof from Amsterdam, but make sure to buy your tickets in advance. Purchasing a combination ticket is a good idea, making it an easy day out. This is another child-friendly activity. The park is quite accessible by your own electric wheelchair, and manual wheelchairs are also available for rent very inexpensively.
Summertime brings plenty to do outdoors. The terraces open up for the influx of tourists, and the parks are at their best. Whether you want to sit outdoors drinking a biertje (beer) and watch the world go by, go for a 50-km bike tour, or take a walk in the park, there are options for everyone. If you are able to ride a bike, rent one. You will be glad you did! But if you are not comfortable on a bicycle, you can still easily get around Amsterdam by public transportation. There are beautiful parks within the city for a stroll or picnic, and they are usually wheelchair accessible and have benches or other places to sit throughout. The parks I’ve been to also all have playgrounds.
The weather remains reasonably mild in the fall, although you will likely need your raincoat. Any time is a good time to take in some museums in Amsterdam, but the fall is when children are back in school, so the museums are likely to be less crowded. I recently went to the Van Gogh museum, which is a must-see experience. I wrote a short post about that visit and plan to write more soon.
Of course, there are many more things to do in Amsterdam, regardless of the time of year. Those choices depend on a few other factors.
How long are you staying?
A stay of two or three nights is far different than a visit of two or three weeks. If you are only coming for a long weekend, you will have to focus on the most important type of experience you want. If it’s culture, go to the Van Gogh and base the rest of your choices on the weather. If you want to see as much as possible, take a boat tour and/or follow a bike route (there are many available for free online).
If you are staying for a couple of weeks or longer, consider branching out and seeing more of the Netherlands. The beaches on Texel are delightful, and the area is well-suited for families and people who need extra assistance due to disabilities. I’ve been there several times and have rented a three-wheel electric bike that allowed me to do everything I wanted while there. There is also the Efteling amusement park, which I love so much that I will be sad when the grandkids don’t want to go anymore. It’s everything I want in such a park, including that it’s noncommercial, with very few places to buy junky souvenirs, and has classical music playing in the background. You can rent a scooter on-site; make sure to make a reservation for one ahead of time.
Another option is to travel south and visit some of the unique areas like Maastricht, where you can enjoy the culture and food, or The Hague (Den Haag) for the beach, culture, and more, or Delft, where you surely already know you can explore the world-famous porcelain at the factory.
Additionally, Amsterdam is close to many other European cities. For example, you can take the Thalys train to Paris or the Eurostar to London in only a few hours.
What are you interested in doing?
Do you want to enjoy the culture and scenery? There are many options to do so, as already listed, especially museums, which abound in Amsterdam. If you want to see several, consider buying a discount card. There are various ways to purchase a discount card. This article explains the options if you’re going to include transportation as part of the discount, and this one explores the different cards that cover museum entries.
Do you want to linger in a cafe and eat local food? Then, you won’t have trouble finding a place to do so. Here is a link to one source for locating places to eat and drink, but my best advice is to ask the people where you are staying and get them to recommend their favorite locations. Mine is near my home, but I’m not suggesting it because many places are just as lovely all over Amsterdam.
For great food, go to Paris.
That last suggestion is only partly in jest. There are reasons why you’ve never heard the phrase “Dutch Cuisine” since Dutch food seems to be designed more for efficiency than for gourmet palettes. That said, regardless of the length of your stay, make sure to try some pannekoeken and fresh stroopwaffles. Also, if it’s winter, keep an eye out for the oliebollen (the Dutch version of fried dough) carts. They seem to pop up everywhere, but here is a link to some recommended sites. Cheese and bread from local cheese shops and bakeries are fresh and tasty, and your hosts or hotel staff should be able to direct you to nearby ones. You can also find fresh fish readily available and should ask someone who isn’t me about the Dutch delicacy, haring.
Of course, Amsterdam is also known for the possibility to buy and smoke marijuana and the Red Light District, where sex workers ply their trade. Both are also easy to find if those are your interests. A word of advice, if you are looking for a cup of coffee rather than a joint to smoke, don’t go to a coffee house, which is what the stores that sell weed are called; find a cafe.
Do you have special needs?
Amsterdam can be challenging if you have mobility issues, but it is very doable with some advanced planning. I have found that using a cane that turns into a seat is very useful at museums. Most of the public transportation is accessible and often includes accommodations for sight-impaired people as well as for those in a wheelchair or who use a cane. Expect things to take a little longer, and check ahead for the best results, as some museums and attractions are located in buildings that don’t have elevators.
Do you ride a bicycle?
If you think you are able to ride a bike but haven’t done so in many years, I highly recommend practicing before you arrive. Bicycles are by far the best way to get around and see the city of Amsterdam. However, I have found that if you are not used to riding one because your last ride was before the turn of the century, it may be daunting at first because of the sheer volume of bike traffic. Nevertheless, it’s definitely worth the effort to practice ahead of time since traveling by bicycle will allow you to go off the beaten path and explore the parks and nearby areas.
In conclusion, should you come?
Everyone who can do so should visit Amsterdam at least once. It is a beautiful, family-friendly city with a rich culture.
I’m a retired community organizer and grandmother of two delightful children. I’ve been gardening organically for over 50 years, and I plan to write every day this year about things that are growth related. I hope you will join me in this new venture by subscribing to get emails whenever something I write gets published. You can do that here. I also hope that if you’re new to Medium and decide to subscribe, you will consider using my subscription link here. If you do so, it will not cost you anything extra, but I will get a small amount every month.
