Amsterdam

Ditto to being wary of bikes! Just outside our hotel a friend missed by a whisker a woman whizzing along at top speed - with a baby in one arm! 😱
And no helmet - hardly anybody seems to wear them.

caferestaurantdebazel.nl/en/

Here is good. We had dinner, the food was excellent. The building was very interesting, Art Deco. It's the former Amsterdam stock exchange. Reserve in advance.

It's not that big a city, but plenty to do for that length of time. Others have listed most of the options, and you'll know what you like! One I didn't see listed was the >>> Museum Our Lord in the Attic, a 17th-century townhouse with a hidden chapel.

I see people have recommended the Indonesian cuisine restaurants . . .well, they may be OK for you, but we found that almost everything is done in or with coconut, which doesn't suit everyone?!

Whatever you do, have a great time, the Dutch generally quite like us Brits, as they still recall WW2, even if some nations have conveniently forgotten?!

We visited Amsterdam via the Hull-Rotterdam overnight ferry in the 90s. We did a boat trip and Madame Tussaud’s. I’m assuming it’s still there? 🤔 We were surprised that all the bikes were ancient boneshakers - and not a bike repair shop anywhere!!
Happy 70th! It’s mine too this year. 🎉🥳

The problem is the e bikes which can go up to 25 mph. The city is becoming inundated with them and you don’t hear them coming. These aren't just ordinary bikes, but souped-up versions.

Nope h bikes an integral part of the city

Ruined by bikes.

We last visited Amsterdam 2 years ago after visiting a few other places in Holland. We also didn’t enjoy the experience this time around - it was too busy,too many cycles etc. On the middle day there we got on a train and went to Haarlem about 15 minutes ride away. It was more relaxing and had a lovely day there. I’d recommend it.

Make sure you don’t go on “Orange Day”. All the shops shut, all the bars and restaurants full, thousands of locals walking the streets, canals gridlocked….!!!

My DD and her partner went to Amsterdam twice last year, once in July and then again in November to celebrate their respective birthdays. They bought a city pass which includes entry to the major galleries and other tourist attractions, they felt is was good value. They did say they averaged 16000-20000 steps per day.

In the mid 60 s I first went to Amsterdam to work for a few days. Met a Dutch friend when I finished work.
We walked round the city ending up unbeknown to me, close to the red light District which then was behind the Krasnapolski hotel, and were chased off by some of the ladies who weren’t in the windows, but presumably operated in the street.
I was wearing a mini skirt, true, but Competition, moi? Not likely.
I went back a few years ago and didn’t recognise any of it, but then it was a long time ago. Nearly 60 years.

Wear comfortable shoes! The cobbled streets are killers. A small museum which is rarely crowded is the Rembrandt house. Walk along the main canal sides and admire all the varied architecture including the smallest house. Go on a canal trip where you will see lots. Don’t try to do too much, pace yourself. Try the Dutch pancakes or bitterballen with a beer. Dutch chips in a poke with mayo were my kids favourite street food when we lived there.

SilverFoxette75

We’ve been trying to book Anne Frank museum for the past two weeks but it’s saying too early to book, we’re going mid July

6 weeks in advance, on a Tuesday at 10am.

There are also lots of kiosks for booking trips, that's how we booked our dinner cruise which was very good

Book anything you want to go to in advance. I booked the Rijksmuseum but couldn't get into the Van Gogh one or Anne Frank's house as all fully booked. Rembrandt's house is intereesting. We used the trams a lot and bought a 3 day ticket. Sadly the Concertgebouw was closed last August

Aldom visited Amsterdam 40 years ago and then 3 years ago. Like you I found it a lovely place way back when. I wished I hadn't gone back 3 yeas ago, I found it awful, could hardly move for bikes and most totally ignored pedestrians. Quite expensive too. Not for me again, glad I visited when it was civilised by coparison to nowadays.

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We've done a few overnighters in Amsterdam whilst on Cunard cruises.

We always book the evening cruise with a supper on board of local wine and cheeses. The boats are glass on the top and sides so you don't miss anything
and see a lot more than you do ashore.

We book with Cunard but there's other of places that take bookings. About £20 a head last time.

Also the Rijksmuseum is worth a visit.
My husband could stand looking at Rembrandt's "The Night Watch' for hours (and almost does!!).

Google -

Flashmob, The Night Watch, Rijksmuseum.

If you haven't already watched. Great fun.

P.S. The museum cafe also does the best Hot Chocolate that we've ever had. Anywhere.

Lovely city. You'll have a great time.
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We’ve been trying to book Anne Frank museum for the past two weeks but it’s saying too early to book, we’re going mid July

The Heineken experience was fun, probably aimed at younger people, but worth it for the free beers!

Yes, we enjoyed this - we only went in to escape a heavy rain shower (well that’s our excuse!). The best bit was when the lovely girl at the reception desk told us British tourists were her favourites, because they always said please and thank you, and smiled at her, when most didn’t.

We took advantage of one of the free (tips only) guided walking tours on offer, which was very good. And of course a canal trip. Though be warned - don’t wear a dress and sandals for it as I did. There were ferocious mozzies hovering over the standing water in the boat, and I ended up with a dreadful bite that took ages to heal.

Thanks everyone. Vondel park what happens beside free concerts?

Amsterdam has tried to clean itself up to cut down on drunken stag parties and the like. The famous/ infamous red light district has been cut down and there is talk of the ladies being moved out of the city centre, and the opening hours of some of the cafes have been reduced. I was last there in 2002 and while the RLD is controversial, it is part of the Dam's tourist appeal.

As well as all the excellent suggestions above we have enjoyed Rembrandt’s house and the Church in the Attic. This is in a canal side house and was made in the 17th century when Catholic Churches were banned in the Netherlands by the Protestant Church.

Indonesian food in the many restaurants is very good,especially the Rijsttafel which would be ideal for your family group…lots of side dishes with rice. Enjoy your treat.

Sorry forgot a canal cruise is a must

All the art galleries are first class. Anne Frank House too but it will upset you I think it’s mind blowing . At the end there are all the stats written down of all the races who died on the war.

Go to a restaurant with a reiststafel ( not sure of spelling ) it translates to rice table like a meze of high quality Chinese, it’s delicious.

If you’re going soon try to see the tulip fields or if not the flower market which is gorgeous. I think they still have the prostitutes in the windows when you’re walking down one side of the street in the red light district, nobody bats an eyelid!

Go in one of the many bars and have bitterballen or frikendal with chips for lunch , try a brown beer or a cherry flavour .

Lovely shops many not expensive maybe buy a piece of delft or a pair of clogs .

I love Holland it’s very reasonable to get on the train and go to another city for the day, try Dordrecht or Rotterdam . We lived in Holland when the children were small you’ll have a great time

Lucky you.. I love Amsterdam.. see the rt Galleries and take a boat trip but also just stroll along the canals and look at the amazing houseboats.. they are fabulous