Day One

Amsterdam’s most popular attraction is easily Anne Frankhuis. It is the canal house where Anne Frank and her family hid from the Nazis, living in almost complete silence for over two years. She penned her famous diary here before her family was captured and sent to concentration camps. It is a sobering place to see, but something every visitor to Amsterdam should not miss. Lines can be very long, especially during the busy summer tourist season, and your best bet is to arrive as early as you can.

 

Anne Frankhuis is open daily from 9:00am to 7:00pm. The evening hours extend to 9:00pm from March 15^th to September 14^th. Plan to depart your hotel in time to grab a Dutch pastry for breakfast and be at the museum when it opens. You stand the best change of not losing a portion of your day waiting in line. Once you are inside, you can finish the tour in about an hour, but many people choose to take their time absorbing the gravity of the experience.

 

When you are finished at Anne Frankhuis, pop into the close-by Westerkerk, a showplace of the Dutch Renaissance style. At the top of its 275-foot tower (which you can climb) is a replica of the imperial crown of Maximilian of Austria. Rembrandt’s grave is located somewhere in the church, though no one knows exactly where.

 

If you are ready to sit down and rest, now would be a great time to catch a canal-boat cruise for a terrific overview of the city. Most of them depart from the streets around Centraal Station; there are more on Singelgracht near Liedseplein. The cruises can be a bit touristy, but hey, you are a tourist, right? It is by far the most charming way to see the various parts of Amsterdam.

 

When you are finished, head to Liedseplein for lunch and great strolling. Liedseplein is a square full of restaurants and boutiques, and it is located at the end of Leidsestraat, a pedestrian-only shop lined street. It is a fun and lively part of town.

 

After lunch, make your way to the 17^th century neoclassical Royal Palace, which served as the city’s town hall for many years. It was first used as a palace during Napoleon’s rule, when his brother Louis Bonaparte was the king of the Netherlands. It is technically the reigning monarch’s residence, though few of them have ever actually lived there. Several of the rooms are available for tour, most notably the Citizens’ Hall, Burgomasters’ Chambers, and the Council Room.

 

If you are interested in seeing the Red Light District by day, it is just a couple of blocks over. While you are there, stop by Oude Kerk, Amsterdam’s oldest church. It dates back to the 13^th century and contains the tomb of Rembrandt’s wife, Saskia van Uylenburg. It is also notable for its stained glass windows and its organ, which was built in 1724.

 

Complete your day with dinner at one of Amsterdam’s traditional Dutch restaurants. Try De Prins or Haesje Claes for a wonderful, moderately priced meal.