The perfect weekend in Amsterdam?

Hi David, 

It depends what kind of architecture you are interested in :-). The whole city center is full of old architecture which gives Amsterdam its Amsterdam look. If you like modern architecture you can for example go to EYE - Film Instituut Nederland. This is a filmmuseum in the North part of the city, 2 birds in 1 stone :-). Also Rijksmuseum Amsterdamhas just been renovated and looks beautiful now. It took like 10 years to get the whole building renovated and there was a lot of controversy about it how it should be done.  Watch the documentary "Het Nieuwe Rijksmuseum", if you like architecture and musea, you would like this as well. 

Go outside the cities canals to get away from the masses. Visit the east part of town and go to places like Bar Bukowskior Henry's Baror Walter's - The Walter Woodbury Bar for a drink and go to Wilde zwijnen for a great meal. 

When the weather is nice, definitely go to Hannekes Boom…sinds 1662! Great terrace at the water. Boats dock off there just to chill and maybe have a bit of swim as well. Here is a tip: Download the app We're On a boat. Boat owners who are cruising through the cannels and have a spot (or multiple spots) left on their boat can subscribe to this and invite 'stranegers' to join. It kind of looks like Uber, but then it is free. The owner will let you know in the App what he would like in return. Maybe just a bottle of water, maybe 5 euro's for fuel or maybe he/she wants you to sing a song. Also great way to meet new people. A LOT better then being on one of those canalcruise boats. You just have to be lucky that there are boatowners nearby who are willing to take you. 

have fun!

David, 

See you're from amsterdam... Not quite found the weekenders scene? 

Pretty much just go walking towards the Jordaan for the real dutch or Amsterdam Oud-Zuid for the higher level, though each neighborhood has it's ways and all of a'dam fun is starting to boom in the living hoods. 

Restaurants from Van T Spit to Hotel De Goudfazant or Café Modern are spread out! These are my favorites. But especially on these nice May days, the terraces are too inviting and you'll enjoy the masses of Amsterdamers just walking, smiling and talking. I really mention to everyone to stay away from the main drag Dam Square and Amsterdam Centraal! Tourist traps! 

I see the boat idea has been mentioned, but it's perfect to see the city from below and no rush! 

If you have experience with mopeds or motorcycles you can rent a 'snor' moped or vespa, no helmet sounds dangerous, but you don't go fast (25kmh)! Like this you can set record site visits within a weekend! 

I like certain museums, like EYE - Film Instituut Nederland or Rijksmuseum Amsterdam or Van Gogh Museum, though choose one wisely and suck up Amsterdams architecture along the canals!  

 Have fun!

Hi David,

Like everyone already told you, I also think Rijksmuseum Amsterdam is the most beautiful museum from the outside and it's huge and very interesting from the inside as well. You can go there by bike, because you can bike below the museum. EYE - Film Instituut Nederland Is also nice and something different I think.

Another advantage of this one is that you get to see the northern part of Amsterdam, which is upcoming and very beautiful. Go by 'pont' (by boat, behind Central Station) to the northern part and enjoy the sunset at Café de Ceuvel. Amsterdam itself is beautiful with all the little houses next to the canals and it has lots of cute bars and restaurants where you can have a bite or a beer. East is very nice, around the Dappermarkt, but also West is nice. Try Cafe de Walvis, Pacific Parc, Bar Baarsch or De Waterkant. Hannekes Boom…sinds 1662 is also definately worth a visit, especially when the sun is shining in May. And make sure you order some 'Bitterballen' while drinking a white beer.

The boat app Sabine mentioned is great, because Amsterdam will look a lot different from a boat. But also if you rent a bike, just go and see where you end up, because this is the best way to explore the city and discover your own hidden gems!

Enjoy!

May seems like a great time to spend a weekend at Amsterdam - the weather is amazing. 

I'm a newbie on the city (living here for almost 6 months), but I can suggest some places/activities for you:

Food

• Moeders is a very dutch restaurant if you want to dive on dutch food. It's very well located and has a nice interior. In the winter it was somehow crowded so I would recommend book a table beforehand or arrive early.
  

• The Foodhallen is a "indoor foodmarket" where you can find variety and a nice experience

• If you're not into dutch food you will find a lot of specific places with food from around the world. Brazilian barbecue (Samba Kitchen), Sushi (Shabu Shabu Amsterdam, Sumo Amsterdam 2), Italian food (Café Piazza)... Just to name a few. If you're on the center and in a budget, you can go to Vapiano or SALSA SHOP

• If you're feeling adventurous you can try the food trucks on Museumplein, Dam and so on. I don't really know if they have something special/dutch, but you can try

Museums

If you're planning to stay for the weekend but don't know if you're going back to AMS soon, you can buy the Iamsterdam City Card, where you can use public transportation, have some discounts and also enter on the museums. You can find more information and buy your card here: http://www.iamsterdam.com/en/visiting/i-amsterdam-city-card/city-card-faqs

If you're planning to come back soon and explore more the museums, I would recommend to buy the Museumkaart: http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/museumkaart/

Hope it helps ;) 

Hi David, If you are looking for a more creative touch of Amsterdam you could take a ferry (free) to NDSM-plein and hang out by the water at Pllek! 

Re-posting something I suggested that you might like:

The most amazing thing we stumbled upon when exploring the outskirts of Amsterdam was an alternative little museum called Electric Ladyland the first museum of florescent art.... what an absolute gem! The owner and his wife are the most amazing hosts and the story behind how he started this is absolutely amazing! Try it...don't try it... but no tourist map/book will tell you about this so if you want something completely random.. this is a must!