It’s a cool Friday morning, and your train pulls into Amsterdam Centraal station. You feel excited. You’ve been looking forward to this weekend trip to the Dutch city, which has a lot of history, culture, and a bit of the notorious.
You take your bags with you and walk out into the busy city, ready for a crazy journey. Over the next three days, you’ll learn about Amsterdam’s rich history, take a walk along its beautiful canals, eat delicious local food, and even get a taste of the city’s famous pot culture as you find out where to get water pipes. Hold on tight, because this weekend will be one you’ll never forget.
Friday – day 1
The beautiful Jordaan neighborhood is your first stop and the Mr. Jordaan Hotel is where you’ll stay. This stylish hotel is right on the Bloemgracht canal and makes a great base for seeing the city. You leave your room and go out into the world.
De Negen Straatjes (The Nine Streets) is a trendy shopping area known for its unique shops, old stores, and cozy coffee shops. It’s only a short walk from your hotel. You can’t help but fall in love with Amsterdam’s easygoing vibe as you look around the cute shops and admire the buildings from the 17th century.
The next thing on your list is to see the Anne Frank House. As soon as you walk into the museum, you feel a sad mood. When you walk through the secret extension where Anne and her family hid during WWII, you really understand how hard things were for them and how horrible the Holocaust was. It’s an emotional event that has an effect that lasts.
As evening comes on, you head to the lively Leidseplein area to eat. People have told you great things about Indonesian food, and you can’t wait to try the popular rijsttafel. The eatery you pick serves a wide range of tasty small plates, including spicy curries and tasty satay skewers, all of which come with fragrant rice. It’s a tasty way to start exploring Amsterdam’s wide range of restaurants.
After a hearty meal, you head back to your hotel, excited for the adventures that are in store for the next few days.
Saturday – day 2
You will start your Saturday by going to the world-famous Rijksmuseum in the morning. It has a huge collection of Dutch masterpieces. The paintings by Rembrandt, Vermeer, and other famous Dutch Golden Age artists captivate you as you walk through the halls. This is Rembrandt’s most famous picture. The Night Watch is very interesting because of the way the light and shadow play off of each other. You are amazed at how the huge painting shows the civic guardsmen with such lifelike faces and fine details.
Next, you go to Vermeer’s painting “The Milkmaid,” which shows a young maid pouring milk from a pitcher in a calm scene. You are amazed by Vermeer’s skill with light and texture, as well as the warm, personal feel of the picture. As you look around more, you find more treasures, such as Rembrandt’s “The Jewish Bride” and Van Gogh’s “Self-Portrait.” Each one gives you a different look into the artists’ lives and the past of Dutch art.
Now that you’ve learned about other cultures in the morning, you’re ready to try some street food in Amsterdam. You find a herring cart nearby and order a broodje haring. This is a traditional Dutch dish of raw herring on a soft bun with chopped onions and pickles. The fish is fresh and soft, and it has a mild taste that goes well with the sour toppings. You get a cone of crispy frites (Dutch fries) with a lot of ketchup on top to finish off your lunch. It’s impossible to say no to the delicious mix of spicy and salty tastes.
In the afternoon, you decide to check out a local coffeeshop to learn more about Amsterdam’s famous weed culture. You choose Dampkring, a famous place that was in the movie Ocean’s Twelve. When you walk into the shop, the colorful wall paintings, custom-made wooden furniture, and weird light fixtures are the first things that catch your eye. The smoke shop worker helps you choose a strain based on your tastes and level of experience, and then you sit down at a table to enjoy your buy.
You choose to smoke from a bong, which is another name for a water pipe. The cool, smooth smoke fills your lungs as you take deep breaths. The high-quality cannabis starts to work in minutes. People are talking and laughing over their own cannabis creations in the coffee shop, which has a calm and friendly vibe. You take your time and enjoy the experience, thankful that you can legally and publicly use cannabis with other people.
As night falls, you go on a canal tour to see how Amsterdam’s famous waterways look lit up. You can feel the magic of the city as you glide past old buildings, cute bridges, and lights that sparkle in the calm water. Your guide tells interesting stories about Amsterdam’s past and buildings, which make the sights more interesting. You go back to your hotel with a newfound respect for the city’s culture and beauty. You’re excited for the adventures that are waiting for you on your last day in Amsterdam.
Sunday – day 3
The last day you stay in Amsterdam, you decide to see the city like a local by getting bikes and riding through the famous Vondelpark in the morning. As you ride your bike along the winding roads, you’ll see lots of trees, ponds, and pretty gardens. People from the area jog, walk their dogs, and have picnics on the large fields, which makes the area feel lively and friendly.
Next, you pay a quick call to the Van Gogh Museum, which has the most works by the famous Dutch artist in the world. Sunflowers, The Potato Eaters, and The Starry Night are some of your favorite paintings because of their bright colors and dramatic brushstrokes. The museum gives an interesting look into Van Gogh’s life, how his art changed over time, and how it still affects people today.
You make one last stop at the Albert Cuyp Market before going to the airport. It’s a busy street market with lots of booths selling clothes, fresh food, and Dutch treats. The smell of freshly baked stroopwafels, which are thin waffle cookies filled with warm caramel syrup, is too good to pass up. You think about your busy weekend in Amsterdam as you enjoy the sweet, gooey treat. This city has won your heart with its historic sites, cultural activities, wonderful food, and friendly people. With a happy smile and a promise to come back, you head to the airport, remembering the wonderful times you had in the Dutch city.
