You're finally reached Amsterdam, congratulations! You've probably wanted to visit this place for a long time and now, you're here! But getting to the Dutch capital is only the first step. Now, what do you do? In fact, what is there to do here in Amsterdam? The city is famous for a lot of things, sure, but can you fit all of them in one day? What if you want to do something more unique? An experience that most tourists probably don't know about. Well, even if you only have a day to spend in Amsterdam, here's how you can do it!
Anne Frank's story still resonates with a lot of people to this day. From those who survived and went through what she went through, to the youth who feel as if they understand their story. Her 'diary' has been adapted to countless books, novels, films, TV specials, and the like. But in all honestly, those don't compare to actually visiting her home here in Amsterdam. The actual attic where she hid during World War II was preserved. The exhibits here detail what Anne, and people like her, went through during the German occupation of Holland (now The Netherlands) at the time. It's a chilling yet somber journey into one famous house.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Dietmar Rabich, Dülmen
Have Fun at a Social Media Museum
Let's all face it: social media is here to stay! It's become an integral part of society, affecting everything from show business to politics and beyond. And here in Amsterdam, social media has become so big, it now has its very own museum:
Youseum. A fun space where likes, shares, and clicks run abundant. Where social movements are on full display, brimming in technicolor hues. With tons of perfect places for a selfie, an actual chapel where you and your partner and get married, and so much more, it won't be long until Youseum gets to be as popular as Amsterdam's more historic institutions.
Source: Youseum Facebook Page
Enjoy as Much Heineken As You Want
If
Dublin has Guinness, Amsterdam has Heineken! If you want to know all about the world's most famous lager beer, look no further than its actual first brewery in the Dutch capital. Now called the 'Heineken Experience,' this tour consists of a retelling of the beer's history, a look into the many innovations Heineken has introduced thus far, and of course, a fountain of beer at the end of the tour! Admittedly, you're probably only in it for the last bit, right? Well, don't worry! The other parts of 'experience' are just as fun and the authentic taste of Heineken at the end will be the most rewarding of all!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Explore Amsterdam's Famous Red-Light District
Infamous is more like it! Beyond its colorful reputation of tulips and pleasant bike rides, Amsterdam is admittedly notorious for its red-light district too. Though it's undoubtedly one of the more dangerous
areas in the city, it's nevertheless quite a unique experience to see what the fuss is all about. What's so fascinating about this place is that it's not necessarily just about sex and eroticism. It respects the profession, allowing the workers to show practically every bit of their humanity and not be ashamed of it. Think of it more like a theme park ride, wherein instead of adorable little dolls singing about how small the world is, you get ladies in lingerie and burly men rearing to go!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Go for Coffee and Cannabis
Let's settle this once and for all! Marijuana technically isn't legal in Amsterdam. At least, not in the scope that you might think it is. Though you're allowed to purchase a certain amount, it's only when you go to establishments called 'cannabis cafés.' And yes, they're as kooky and cool as they sound. There are about 160 such coffee shops throughout the city, some in more welcoming places, while in others, they're located in rather
dangerous areas. Nevertheless, if you've always been intrigued about the Dutch capital's cannabis culture, going to one—and ordering a cup of coffee at that!—is your best bet!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
See The Colorful Tulips
Now, you're probably thinking that you'd have to go outside of Amsterdam to see The Netherlands' tulip valleys, right? They are, after all, not that far from the Dutch capital themselves. A short drive away and you'll be there in no time! However, what if you don't want to leave Amsterdam? Well, there are still a ton of places where you can get your tulip fix in this city. The most famous of which is
Annemieke's Picking Garden where, as its name says, you can pick tulips to your heart's content! Get to picking!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
You never expected Amsterdam to offer this many unique experiences, did you? There's more to this city than the museums, bikes, and canals. There are some things you can do here for a day that you won't in any other place in the world!
Retreating to your luxury home after a fun day of exploring Amsterdam is the best!
