More fun

Festivals

  • Hartjesdagen - Much smaller than the Gay Pride is the "Hartjesdagen" festival right in the Nieuwmarkt area on the Zeedijk. The third weekend in August men turn up as women, and women as men. And they have been doing so for centuries! Some historians believe this fun packed romantic festival dates back to the Middle Ages. Its small scale is a definite plus.
  • Queens Birthday - It is one big orange party. Not on the actual birthday of the Queen, but on her 'official' one: April 30th. The city turns crazy and orange (it is the House of Orange, the Dutch Royal Family), and many people from around the world have discovered this Dutch Carnival.
  • Gay pride - For a couple of years now the first weekend in August is "Gay Pride" with numerous parties and a Pride parade on the canals, drawing enormous crowds (over 500.000 in 2009) to see the Queens and Dykes float along in a colorful spectacle!
  • Grachtenfestival - A series of concerts at unique locations: churches, private homes, and on boats. The final concert is traditionally held on the Prinsengracht on a stage built over the canal. People with boats will be waiting for days in the canal to have a good view of this very "Amsterdam" happening.

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Fun for kids

  • Climb a Tower - Climb to dizzying heights by ascending the tower in your backyard: the bell tower of the Zuiderkerk (South Church) on Zuiderkerkhof. From this vantage point, you can get a bird's eye view of your apartment, the Nieuwmarkt area and the whole city. In summer only.
  • Nemo - New Metropolis - Science & technology museum on Prins Hendrikkade is packed with fun, educational, interactive attractions for all ages. The museum is housed in a striking waterfront building designed by famous Italian architect Renzo Piano, who also designed the Centre Pompidou in Paris.
  • Tun Fun - Indoor kids' play zone located underneath the Mr. Visserplein traffic circle. Measuring 4000 square meters, is aimed at kids aged 0-12 and even includes a children's disco and mini-cinema.
  • De Klimmuur - Climbing Wall - On Dijkgracht (near Central Station) is an indoor climbing centre where you and your kids can practice your rock-climbing skills. Beginners as well as more experienced climbers are welcome; wall heights vary from 3 up to 21 meters.
  • Artis Zoo - Established in 1838 as the Royal Zoological Society. In recent years, the zoo has undergone considerable renovation and modernization. Artis includes an aquarium, planetarium, geological museum and botanical gardens. Located on Plantage Kerklaan, it's a bit out of the Nieuwmarkt area but just a few stops away by tram or canal bus.
  • Lasergames at Intersphere - In a galaxy far, far away (well, actually, just around the corner!) challenge your kids to a laser gun cyber-shootout at Intersphere on Prins Hendrikkade. The "laser games" are all in good fun, of course, and no one gets hurt. The centre is located inside Café de Kluis where you can check out who won the game afterwards, and relax to Brazilian and Latin American music performed live every night.
  • On the water - Explore the wet side of Amsterdam! For sight-seeing, there's nothing like taking one of the canal boats, a fun experience for both kids and adults. You can also use them for transportation by catching one of the Canal Bus boats at a number of locations in the Nieuwmarkt area. Or even rent a canal bike! What's more, you can take a brunch cruise or (for the grown-ups) dinner cruise or candlelight cruise from Lovers or Holland International, both on Prins Hendrikkade. Ferries from the back side of Central Station, going back and forth to either Amsterdam North or KNSM island, are free and a short (5-15 minutes) trip.

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Day Trips

  • Train around - As you live very close to central station (just 90 seconds by metro) we recommend that you make some trips outside Amsterdam to see something more of The Netherlands.
  • Going North - Zuiderzeemuseum - Hoorn (45 min by train) and Enkhuizen (15 min by train from Hoorn) which can be combined, when you start early are cool to visit. Enkhuizen has a very nice Binnen- en Buitenmuseum many old houses of Noord-Holland, that had to be moved out of the way, have been relocated to this new village.
  • Going West - Haarlem - Haarlem is worth a visit! (15 min by train) Visit the Frans Hals museum, the St-Bavo church on Grote Markt and some of the many hofjes (closed courtyards with small houses from the 17th century). When you are tired and the weather is good continue by train (10 minutes from here) to the beach in Zandvoort ( see beaches).
  • Going East - Kröller-Müller Museum - If you are a fan of Van Gogh go to the Kröller-Müller Museum in Hoenderloo, close to the city of Arnhem. Here are the best Van Gogh paintings, even better than those in the Amsterdam Van Gogh museum. The museum is located in the midst of one of the nicest nature reserves of the Dutch Nationaal Park de Hoge Veluwe. Take a free bike ride from the entrance towards the museum!

    Near Arnhem are also the Open Air Museum with lots of traditional Dutch houses, wind mills and factories. Most of them are originals, having been moved to this beautiful park. Close by is the best Zoo and Safari park of Holland called Burgers zoo with a recreated Rain Forrest, a dessert as well as a huge aquarium. They can all be reached easily from Arnhem railway station.
  • Going North - Groninger Museum - Going far-North - You can travel to Groningen, a mid size university town with a very interesting modern arts museum (2 hrs by train) to get something completely different
  • Going South - Maastricht - Going far-South - Maastricht (2 hrs by train)is for those who like a good culinary meal or a perfect glass of beer There is an interesting museum The Bonnefantenmuseum and the NAI, the Dutch architecture museum.
  • Going to the beach in the city - Citybeaches: Amsterdam has three city beaches! When you are lazy or just in for something completely different try one of them on a sunny day. We recommend Blijburg Bert Haanstrakade 200,. tel. 4160330. Take tram 26 from the Central Station until the end, then walk 3 minutes over the building site towards the water and you see the beach and restaurant! Enjoy this special event!

    Another option is Strand West, Stavangerweg 900, tel. 6826310. You can walk or bike here from the back of the Central Station towards the West along the water, while you can see the new apartments being build in this western part of the former docklands. Nice alternative restaurant and beach setting.
  • Zandvoort Beach - take the train to Zandvoort (via Haarlem, 30 min) You could consider first sightseeing in Haarlem and then continue to the beach, see above Enjoy the sun and beach life in this beach resort. As it was bombed in the Second World War by the Nazis, do not expect great monuments, but life can be fun here, especially south of the South Beach (45 min walk to the south from the railway station) where you will find a nude and gay beach. There are also restaurants on the nude beach for some basic food.
  • Bloemendaal beach - This is the hot spot for all those who want to see and be seen. Super trendy clubs on the beach like Bloomingdale, join the Republiek or re-live Woodstock. On nice and sunny days it goes on from early morning till late at night. Just have a look at some of their web sites, and you will see: these are no ordinary refreshment stalls on the beach. Take the train to Haarlem (15 minutes by train) and a direct bus will take you to Bloemendaal strand (another 15-20 minutes). Mainly straight crowd, some gays. A very cool place.

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