What to do in Amsterdam Besides Drugs

Like just walking along the canals.
Europe is all about the canals. Not only do they give you great Instagram pics, but they’re so wonderfully calming to simply walk along, taking in the gingerbread townhouses and people sitting in bars and restaurants.

Perhaps you buy a ridiculous hat because you’re cold…

There’s a carnival that happens in Amsterdam and takes up a few blocks in Dam Square that’s pretty fun to visit. Watch the trams coming through as you cross from H&M into the carnival grounds, though!

You can take a spin on some rides, or just eat all the delicious foods that Amsterdam has to offer, like poffertjes. Seriously, that’s another thing to do in Amsterdam: eat all the poffertjes. Also, while you’re at it, eat all the stroopwafels.

Enjoy the tulips in bloom.
As long as you’re there at the right time, you’re going to see a butt-tonne of tulips. Like, everywhere. And, you’re not even in Keukenhof gardens or the tulip festival. The tulips bloom from end of March to mid-April, so if that’s what you’re geared up to see, book your trip for that time!

Discover Adorable Towns Nearby

Amsterdam is amazeballs and is one of the places I could live outside of Canada for a long period of time. While my dream was always to move to Paris, at least for 6 months or a year, I don’t think I could stay there for the rest of my life. Amsterdam has a chill vibe and is a great place to raise a family. But, there are also so many amazing towns nearby that you have to explore. The first time I visited Amsterdam, I stayed in Lucky Lake Hostel and we took a terrifying bike ride over across the highway and into town, simply biking around. We stopped for some previsions (see: kinder eggs and other fine chocolates) and just enjoyed the quaint feel and look of a tiny Holland town. If you have time, I highly recommend you train it outside the city limits and find some true gems.

Stay on a Houseboat
I mean, duh. It’s Amsterdam. Staying on a houseboat in Amsterdam is more iconic than the tulips or cafes. They’re so much more spacious than you’ll think, and you often will forget you’re on the water. Until you wake up and look out the window of your bedroom and see water and an adorable duck floating by. I mean, not a bad way to wake up, is it?

Anne Frank House
The Anne Frank house is a must-see. Once you get inside, the tour itself isn’t very long and it may not be the most intense war museum around, but it’s a pretty cool museum.Check it out.

Heineken Museum
Definitely a must-do after the Anne Frank museum. Why? Because you’ll have that melancholy feeling that you get after going through a war museum and you’ll need to let a little light into your life. The Heineken brewery is FUN. You get to play, and explore, and you get free beer with your ticket. And, if you’re not a beer drinker, like me, but your friends are, then they get even more free beer.

Get a Tattoo
When I go on trips, I get tattoos. It’s an expensive, permanent souvenir that I love doing. And, no, I don’t get them everywhere I go. If you’re looking for tips on getting a tattoo abroad, check out my post here. When I was in Amsterdam, I got my second tattoo. I looked up parlours and hemmed and hawed and finally landed on Walls and Skin. It didn’t disappoint. It felt like a tattoo parlour should, the staff was hella friendly, and was a great experience.

Van Gogh Museum
Now, I never actually went to this museum, but I hear some good things. Check it out.

Bicycle Around!

Take a trip outside the city, go for a ride through your neighbourhood or use them to get around town. You’ll feel like a local in no time.