How to Spend One Day in Amsterdam

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If you only have one day to enjoy your trip to Amsterdam, you need to plan your itinerary well. You’ll want to try to group the activities as close together as possible, so you don’t spend so much time going from place to place. Because Amsterdam is a big city and has a lot to offer.

Planning your trip depends on who you are going with (family, a loved one, or alone), what time of year you are visiting, and what kind of things you enjoy. 

And don’t let heavy bags and backpacks slow you down. To make the most of your time here, spend the day hands-free. Don’t forget to find the nearest Bounce location to drop off your bags first. Once you’ve done that, you’re all set to explore!

For Families

• Nemo Science Museum on Oosterdok is a fantastic place to spend an hour or two. They have four floors of fun interactive displays for everyone to enjoy. Some of the shows include “Journey through the Mind,” “Teen Facts,” “Constructions,” “Sensational Science,” and the “World of Shapes.” 
• Ripley’s Believe it or Not is another fun museum with hundreds of hands-on exhibits. It has been named Amsterdam’s weirdest attraction. They feature the most remarkable oddities in people, science, and nature. See the tallest man, shrunken heads, and megalodon jaws. 

• Visiting the zoo is always fun no matter where you are, and the Artis Zoo is one of the best. With 900 species from aardvarks to zebras, you will see all sorts of creatures. They even have an aquarium with thousands of sea creatures and a planetarium to see the stars. 
• Amstelpark is a giant playground open all year long with all kinds of equipment to play on. They also have disco boats, Thomas the Tank Engine, Kiddy Rides, Minicars, and even a petting zoo. Play a round of minigolf or steer a radio-controlled boat or truck. 
• Madame Tussauds has a bunch of famous people you and the kids will want to take selfies with. Marvel fans will love the Hulk, Spiderman, and Ironman. Get some shots with Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Johnny Depp, and Ryan Gosling, too. 

For a Romantic Day

• How about a carriage ride? No matter the weather, you can take a romantic trot around the city in a covered carriage pulled by horses. You can get some awesome pictures and selfies along the way. 
• Have a romantic meal at De Belhamel, which is one of the coziest places in the city. Decked out in Art Nouveau, the French cuisine is divine, and the wine is perfect. Try the veal with mushrooms, steak tartare, or baked sea bass. For dessert, they have delicious strawberry sorbet. 
• Buy your love some flowers on the only floating flower market in the world. The market is open all year long and is full of beauty and fragrance. Get her a bouquet or just stroll through the amazingly vibrant colors of tulips and narcissus. It’s a great place for romantic selfies. 
• Take a romantic cruise on the canal. You will love seeing the extensive canals that are so often used for transportation. The city has tons of cruise options, many with food and drinks, and are typically about 90 minutes long. 
• Have drinks or lunch at a rooftop bar at Canvas. Located on the seventh floor, the terrace offers delicious drinks, meals, and even a hot tub with a 360-degree view of Amsterdam.

For Singles

• Check out the Heineken Experience. It started as a small brewery in 1864 but now they just give tours. Find out all about the history of this popular drink and see the giant tubs where they made the concoctions. Don’t miss the VIP tour to see the hidden bar. 
• Shop for souvenirs or items for your significant other at one of the malls in town. Magna Plaza is full of name brand shops and eateries or browse the Nine Streets in the canal district. It is really nine narrow streets full of shops dating back to the 17^th century. 
• Cat lovers will enjoy the Cat Museum (KattenKabinet) with art all related to cats. They even have live cats who will climb in your lap if you sit down. Look for the cat painting by Picasso. You’ll want to get a selfie with that. 
• Go swimming at one of the awesome beaches in Amsterdam. Sloterpark has a huge beach as well as a swimming pool, disc golf, and some great cafés to choose from. Amsterdam Bos is the largest park in the country and has several beaches to choose from. 
• Take a bike ride. There are many places to rent a bike in Amsterdam because it is one of the main forms of transportation there. It is a nice way to see the beautiful city and get some exercise at the same time.

Where to Eat

Everyone has to eat. So, here are some of the favorite choices for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or a little sweetness. They are in or close to the main part of the city where all of these tourist attractions and parks are too. 

• If you are looking for breakfast, choose one of the nearby eateries such as Visser Amsterdam on Lindengracht with their fluffy pancakes. Or go to Piqniq right down the street for whatever else you like to eat in the morning. 
• The popular lunch spots include Toastable on Nieuwendijk for the best toasted sandwiches ever. Or try Friet van de Tijger on Nieuw Zeelandweg for excellent seafood. They are famous for their delicious hand-cut fries (chips) and beer.
• Graham’s Kitchen on Hemonystraat is a cozy spot where they have the best oysters or other tasty delights paired with the finest wine. For lamb, Dutch trout, or a thick juicy ribeye in an upscale setting, head to De Silveren Spiegel on Kattegat.  
• If you need to satisfy a sweet tooth, you can get one of the best stroopwafels in the city at Original Stroopwafels at the Albert Cuyp Market in front of the Bazar Restaurant. And Sweet Bob has delicious brigadeiro and other chocolate delights over on Brouwersgracht.